Cleaning cost · Windows, Washing & Hauling
Pressure Washing Cost
House exterior wash
Typical price: Pressure washing a house costs $170 to $360, about $265 on average, according to HomeGuide. Most companies charge $0.35 to $0.77 per square foot, averaging about $0.40. A driveway runs $100 to $260, a deck or patio $120 to $240, a roof $250 to $600, and a 6-ft by 100-ft privacy fence $180 to $300.
HomeGuide puts a house wash at $170 to $360, about $265 on average.
Cost by surface
| Surface | Total | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| House siding | $170 – $360 | $0.15 – $0.25 |
| Brick | — | $0.15 – $0.40 |
| Driveway | $100 – $260 | $0.25 – $0.35 |
| Deck | $120 – $240 | about $0.35 |
| Patio | $120 – $240 | — |
| Fence (6 ft x 100 ft) | $180 – $300 | $0.30 – $0.50 |
| Roof | $250 – $600 | $0.15 – $0.70 |
| Gutters | $55 – $160 | $0.50 – $1.25 per linear ft |
| Concrete, simple wash | — | $0.08 – $0.20 |
Source: HomeGuide.
Pricing by house
HomeGuide says companies often price a house at about $1 per linear foot for one story and $2 per linear foot for two stories. Single-story vinyl siding runs $90 to $250.
Hourly rates
Pressure washing companies charge $50 to $200 per hour, with most homeowners paying $130 to $160.
Deck add-ons
- Stairs: $65 per staircase
- Handrails: $2.50 to $3.50 per linear ft
- Wash, stain and seal: $0.50 to $1.50 per sq ft
Roof washing usually has a $150 minimum, and steep roofs add about $0.10 per sq ft.
HomeAdvisor's numbers
HomeAdvisor puts the average pressure washing job at $312, with most between $213 and $449, and a minimum charge around $100.
| House | Cost (HomeAdvisor) |
|---|---|
| One story | $150 – $750 |
| Two stories | $400 – $1,400 |
| Three stories | $700 – $1,800 |
| Soft wash, whole house | $250 – $1,000 |
Driveways by size
| Driveway | Cost (HomeAdvisor) |
|---|---|
| 400 sq ft | $120 – $220 |
| 576 sq ft (most common) | $175 – $320 |
| 800 sq ft | $240 – $440 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $300 – $550 |
HomeAdvisor's driveway average is $210, or $0.30 to $0.55 per sq ft; sidewalks add $50 to $100.
By city (HomeAdvisor)
Phoenix $120 – $270, Denver $150 – $355, Chicago $245 – $450, New York $260 – $520.
Doing it yourself
A pressure washer rents for $35 to $175 a day or costs $100 to $1,000 to buy (HomeAdvisor).
Surfaces (HomeAdvisor)
Roof $450 to $700, fence $150 to $300, deck or patio $100 to $250, outdoor concrete $0.20 to $0.40 per sq ft.
What pressure washing is used for
- Driveways and sidewalks.
- Patios and pool decks.
- House siding.
- Fences and decks.
- Roofs, with care.
Pressure washing vs. soft washing
- Pressure washing: high-pressure water for hard surfaces like concrete.
- Soft washing: low pressure with cleaning solutions for siding, roofs and delicate surfaces.
Using too much pressure on wood, siding or shingles can cause damage.
What affects the price
- Surface area.
- Type of surface.
- Stains like oil or rust.
- Access and height.
- Cleaning solutions.
Surfaces that need extra care
- Wood decks and fences: too much pressure raises the grain and leaves marks.
- Vinyl and painted siding: water forced behind siding can cause moisture problems.
- Roofs: shingles can lose granules, so soft washing is the safer method.
- Windows and screens: high pressure can break seals.
Sealing after washing
Clean concrete, pavers and wood are good candidates for sealing, which helps them resist stains and weather. Ask whether sealing is offered and how long to wait after washing.
Water and runoff
Cleaning solutions should be safe for plants and pets, and runoff should not go into storm drains with harsh chemicals. Ask what products the company uses.
Questions to ask
- Will you use pressure washing or soft washing for my surfaces?
- How will you protect plants and windows?
- Are you insured?
In Texas
Mold, mildew and algae grow quickly in humid parts of Texas, especially on shaded siding and concrete. Many homeowners schedule pressure washing once or twice a year.
How a pressure washing job is done
The crew starts by walking the area and covering anything that water or detergent could harm, such as outlets, light fixtures, plants and doors. Loose debris is swept or blown off. On many surfaces, a detergent or cleaning solution is applied first and left to work for a few minutes, which lets the crew use less pressure overall.
Concrete is often cleaned with a surface cleaner, a round attachment that spins nozzles under a cover and leaves an even finish without stripes. Siding and roofs are usually soft washed with low pressure and a cleaning solution. Edges, steps and corners are done with a wand. The surface is then rinsed, and runoff is directed away from plants and drains where possible.
Matching pressure to the surface
High pressure is not always better. Wood, vinyl siding, stucco, painted surfaces and some pavers can be damaged by too much pressure or the wrong nozzle. Damage can look like fuzzy, raised grain on wood, etched lines on concrete, water forced behind siding, or loosened joint sand between pavers. An experienced contractor adjusts pressure, nozzle and distance for each surface, and that skill is a large part of what you pay for.
Planning around the weather
Washing works best on a dry day without high wind. Wind carries spray and detergent onto cars, windows and neighbors' property. If you plan to seal or stain a deck or driveway after cleaning, the surface must dry fully first, which can mean waiting at least a day. Ask the contractor to schedule cleaning and sealing as separate days if both are needed.
How often to wash
Driveways and walkways in shaded or humid areas grow mold, mildew and algae faster and may need cleaning every year. Sunny, dry surfaces can go longer. Siding usually needs cleaning less often than flat surfaces, because rain rinses vertical surfaces. Regular light cleanings are often cheaper and safer for the surface than an occasional aggressive cleaning of heavy buildup.
Doing it yourself vs. hiring out
Renting or buying a pressure washer can make sense for a small patio or a single walkway. Larger jobs are where hiring out pays off: commercial machines and surface cleaners finish faster and more evenly, and the crew knows how to treat siding and wood without damage. DIY also has risks that are easy to overlook. Pressure washers can cause serious injuries if the spray hits skin, ladders become dangerous with a powerful wand in hand, and forcing water under siding can cause hidden moisture problems. If you do it yourself, start with the lowest pressure that works, keep the nozzle moving, test a hidden area first, and never use a pressure washer on a ladder. For second-story siding, roofs and delicate surfaces, a professional soft wash is usually the safer choice.