Updated October 2026 · 6 minute read
Pressure washing is one of the easiest services to start and one of the easiest to underprice. This guide gives you 2026 per-square-foot rates for each surface, typical flat prices, and a simple way to check that every quote pays for your time, chemicals and fuel.
- House siding: about $0.20 to $0.50 per sq ft.
- Driveways and patios: about $0.15 to $0.75 per sq ft, depending on stains and region.
- Typical house wash: $250 to $500 single-story, $400 to $800 two-story.
- Most companies set a minimum job of $100 to $250.
2026 pressure washing prices per square foot
| Surface | Price per sq ft | Typical job |
|---|---|---|
| House siding (soft wash) | $0.20–$0.50 | $250–$800 |
| Driveway / concrete | $0.15–$0.75 | $100–$300 |
| Patio / pool deck | $0.15–$0.75 | $100–$350 |
| Wood or composite deck | — | $150–$500 |
| Fence | — | $150–$400 |
| Roof (soft wash) | — | $200–$500+ |
| Commercial flatwork | $0.08–$0.40 | Quoted per site |
Sources: Housecall Pro (March 2026) and ThePricer.
House washing by home size
| Home size | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Under 1,500 sq ft | $250–$400 |
| 1,500–3,000 sq ft | $400–$600 |
| Over 3,000 sq ft | $600–$900 |
Two-story homes cost more than the square footage alone suggests because of ladders, extension wands and the extra care needed around windows and soffits.
Quoting a driveway? Our driveway pressure washing price guide has a price for every common driveway size, concrete vs pavers, minimum charges and a worked quote.
Square foot pricing vs flat rates
Per-square-foot pricing is the fairest way to quote flatwork like driveways, because size drives the time. For houses, decks and fences, most companies quote a flat price per job after measuring, then check that price against how long the job will really take.
then check: price ÷ labor hours ≥ your target rate per hour
Worked example
A 1,000 sq ft two-car driveway with average staining, quoted at $0.25 per sq ft:
- Base price: 1,000 × $0.25 = $250
- Heavy oil stains add 20%: $300
- Time on site: 1.5 hours with surface cleaner and post-treatment
- Revenue per hour: $300 ÷ 1.5 = $200, well above a $100 target
Now take a 400 sq ft patio at the same rate: $100 for an hour of work plus 40 minutes of driving and setup. That is why the minimum job charge matters.
Quote any property in a minute
Pick the surfaces, enter the square feet and condition. The free calculator shows the price, time, chemical and fuel costs, and your profit per hour.
How to measure a property quickly
You do not need to visit every property to measure it. Most jobs can be measured in a few minutes:
- Flatwork: use a satellite map measuring tool for driveways, patios and walkways, then confirm on site. Length × width is enough for most rectangles; split odd shapes into rectangles.
- House siding: perimeter of the house × wall height, minus large windows and garage doors if you want to be precise.
- Decks and fences: deck area plus railings and stairs; fence length × height, one side or both.
Ask the customer for two or three photos as well. Photos show staining, mildew, oxidation and tricky access that a map cannot.
Costs to build into every quote
Pressure washing looks cheap to run until you add it all up. Your rate per square foot or per job has to cover:
| Cost | What to include |
|---|---|
| Chemicals | Sodium hypochlorite, surfactants, degreasers, rust remover, neutraliser |
| Fuel | Truck fuel plus gas for the pressure washer and surface cleaner |
| Water | Usually the customer’s, but some commercial jobs need you to bring it |
| Equipment wear | Pumps, hoses, nozzles, surface cleaners and ladders all wear out |
| Insurance | General liability is essential; you work near windows, cars and plants |
| Labour | Your time and any crew, including setup, rinse-down and pack-up |
Track chemical and fuel cost per job for a month. Once you know your real cost per job, it is easy to check whether a low per-square-foot quote still leaves a profit.
Soft washing vs pressure washing prices
Siding, roofs and painted surfaces are usually soft washed: low pressure with a cleaning solution that kills mildew and algae, then a gentle rinse. Concrete is cleaned with high pressure and a surface cleaner. The two are priced differently for good reasons:
- Soft washing uses more chemical per square foot, so chemical cost is a bigger share of the price.
- Pressure washing concrete uses more fuel and equipment time, especially on stained or very large areas.
- Roof soft washing adds safety equipment, slower work and more risk, which is why roofs are usually quoted as a separate flat price.
Keep separate rates for each in your price sheet rather than one blended rate. It makes quotes more accurate and easier to explain.
What raises the price
- Condition: heavy mildew, oil, rust or years of buildup can add 20% to 50%.
- Height and access: second stories, steep lots and tight side yards slow you down.
- Surface type: wood decks and old paint need low pressure and more care.
- Add-ons: gutter brightening, window rinse, sealing a deck, rust removal.
- Travel: charge a trip fee past a free radius, often 10 to 20 miles.
Commercial pressure washing
Commercial flatwork, such as shopping-centre sidewalks, drive-throughs, dumpster pads and parking garages, is often priced lower per square foot (roughly $0.08 to $0.40 in the table above) because the areas are large and open. The trade-off is night work, wastewater rules in some cities and contracts that require proof of insurance. Recurring monthly or quarterly contracts can fill slow residential months and are worth pursuing once your residential side is steady.
What to put in every quote
- Each surface with its area and price, so the customer can drop or add items
- Soft wash or pressure wash for each surface
- What is not included (for example rust stains, oil stains beyond a light treatment, gutter interiors)
- How the customer should prepare: close windows, move cars, outdoor furniture and plants
- Your weather and rescheduling policy
- A bundle price if they book several surfaces together
Seasonal demand and pricing
Demand peaks in spring and early summer, when homeowners get ready for the outdoor season or to sell. In those months your calendar fills without discounts, so hold your prices. In slower months, offer a small bundle deal or an early-booking price for next spring rather than cutting your normal rates. Customers who book a re-wash in advance give you a head start on next year’s schedule.
Grow revenue with annual re-washes
Most homes need a house wash every 12 to 18 months and concrete cleaning every year. Booking the next wash before you leave, and reminding clients when it is due, turns one-time jobs into a steady base of repeat work.
Run the whole pressure washing business
The Pressure Washing Business Manager has the quote calculator built in, plus clients, jobs, annual re-wash reminders, crew pay, chemicals and profit per job. Excel and Google Sheets.
Questions
How much should I charge to pressure wash a driveway?
Most driveways cost $100 to $300. Measure the area and multiply by your rate, typically $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot depending on stains and your market, and never go below your minimum job charge.
How much does it cost to pressure wash a house?
A typical house wash costs $250 to $500 for a single-story home and $400 to $800 for a two-story home. Siding is often priced at $0.20 to $0.50 per square foot.
What should my minimum charge be?
Most pressure washing companies set a minimum of $100 to $250 so small jobs still cover travel, setup, chemicals and cleanup.
Soft washing or pressure washing for houses?
Siding and roofs are usually soft washed: low pressure with a cleaning solution. It is safer for the surface and lasts longer. Concrete is cleaned with high pressure and a surface cleaner.
How much should I charge to pressure wash a deck?
Most deck cleaning jobs cost about $150 to $500 depending on size, railings, stairs and condition. Wood decks need lower pressure and more care, so allow extra time.
How often should a house be pressure washed?
Most homes need a house wash every 12 to 18 months, and concrete cleaning about once a year. Booking the next wash in advance turns one-time jobs into repeat work.
Related guides
Sources
- Housecall Pro: How to Price Pressure Washing Jobs, March 2026
- ThePricer: How Much Does It Cost to Power Wash a House, April 2025
Tahir Abbas
Founder of Softotech Solutions. Tahir builds Excel and Google Sheets tools for small service businesses, including the free calculators on this site. Price ranges in this guide come from the sources listed above and are checked when the guide is updated.