How Much to Charge for Pressure Washing in 2026 — Driveways, Houses, Decks & More
Updated April 2026 · 12 min read
Pressure washing is one of the highest-margin services a handyman or contractor can offer. Low material cost, fast turnaround, and strong demand — especially in spring and summer. But pricing is all over the place. Some guys are charging $100 for a whole driveway while the next guy quotes $400 for the same job.
This guide breaks down exactly what to charge for pressure washing in 2026 — per square foot, per job, and per surface type — so you can price competitively, cover your costs, and actually make money.
Pressure Washing Pricing at a Glance
Here's a quick reference for what contractors are charging across different surfaces in 2026:
| Surface | Per Sq Ft | Typical Job Price |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway (concrete) | $0.25 – $0.55 | $150 – $300 |
| House exterior (vinyl siding) | $0.20 – $0.40 | $250 – $600 |
| House exterior (brick/stucco) | $0.30 – $0.50 | $300 – $750 |
| Wood deck | $0.25 – $0.50 | $150 – $300 |
| Fence (wood, 6ft privacy) | $0.30 – $0.50 | $180 – $400 |
| Patio / sidewalk | $0.20 – $0.45 | $100 – $250 |
| Roof (soft wash) | $0.40 – $0.75 | $350 – $750 |
| Gutters (exterior) | $0.50 – $1.25/lin ft | $75 – $200 |
| Commercial (parking lot, building) | $0.10 – $0.40 | $500 – $2,000+ |
Most residential pressure washing jobs land between $150 and $500. The average job is around $250-$400 depending on what's being cleaned and how dirty it is.
Minimum service charge: Always set a minimum — typically $100-$200 depending on your market. Even a small sidewalk job requires you to load equipment, drive to the site, set up, and pack up. Don't do all that for $75.
Pricing Model: Per Square Foot vs. Flat Rate vs. Hourly
| Model | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Per square foot | $0.15 – $0.75/sq ft | Large surfaces — driveways, houses, parking lots |
| Flat rate per surface | $100 – $750 per surface | Standard residential — "driveway wash" or "house wash" |
| Hourly | $50 – $150/hr | Unpredictable jobs — heavy staining, graffiti, unusual surfaces |
| Package pricing | 10-15% discount on bundle | Multi-surface — "house + driveway + patio" combos |
Per square foot is the most transparent and scalable model. Measure the area, multiply by your rate, done. It works especially well for large, predictable surfaces like driveways and house exteriors.
Flat rate is simpler for the customer and rewards your speed. If you know a standard 2-car driveway takes you 45 minutes, quote $200 flat. The faster you get, the more you make per hour. Most residential customers prefer a flat number over per-square-foot math.
Hourly is the backup for jobs where you can't predict the time — heavy mold, oil stains, graffiti, or surfaces you haven't worked with before. Quote $75-$150/hour depending on your market and equipment.
Package pricing is where the real money is. A customer who calls about their driveway will say yes to adding the patio and sidewalk if you offer 10-15% off the bundle. You're already on-site with equipment set up — the incremental time is minimal, and the total job value jumps from $200 to $400+.
How Much to Charge for Pressure Washing a Driveway
Driveways are the bread and butter of pressure washing. The average concrete driveway is about 400-600 square feet (single car) or 600-1,000 square feet (two car). Here's how to price it:
| Driveway Size | Sq Ft | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Single car | ~400-600 | $100 – $200 |
| Two car | ~600-1,000 | $150 – $300 |
| Large / extended | 1,000+ | $250 – $500 |
A standard 2-car driveway takes 30-60 minutes for an experienced operator. At $200 for a 45-minute job, you're making over $250/hour effective rate — which is why pressure washing is such a high-margin service. Your material cost (gas, water, detergent) is under $10.
Add $50-$100 if the driveway has heavy oil stains, mold, or needs pre-treatment with a degreaser or bleach solution. Heavy buildup can add 30-60 minutes to the job and requires additional chemicals.
How Much to Charge for Pressure Washing a House
House washing is the highest-ticket residential service. The price depends on the home's size, siding material, number of stories, and condition.
| Home Size | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Small (under 1,500 sq ft) | $150 – $300 |
| Medium (1,500-2,500 sq ft) | $250 – $450 |
| Large (2,500-4,000 sq ft) | $400 – $700 |
| Multi-story (add per story) | +$0.10/sq ft per additional story |
Most house washing uses soft wash (low pressure + chemical solution) rather than full pressure. Vinyl siding, wood, and painted surfaces can be damaged by high pressure. Soft washing costs about the same to the customer, but you need to factor in the cost of cleaning solution (sodium hypochlorite, surfactant) — typically $15-$30 per job.
Two-story homes cost more because of the height, the time to reach upper areas, and the additional risk. Some contractors use extension wands; others use ladders. Either way, the premium is justified — charge 25-40% more for a two-story home.
Soft wash vs. pressure wash: Know the difference and communicate it to customers. Soft washing uses low-pressure water with cleaning chemicals — ideal for siding, roofs, and painted surfaces. Pressure washing uses high-pressure water alone — ideal for concrete, brick, and stone. Using the wrong method on the wrong surface can cause expensive damage.
How Much to Charge for Pressure Washing a Deck
Deck washing is a natural upsell from deck building and repair work. Most wood decks need washing annually, and composite decks every 1-2 years.
Charge $0.25-$0.50 per square foot for a standard wood deck wash. A typical 12×16 deck (192 sq ft) runs $100-$200. If the customer wants staining or sealing after the wash, bundle it — wash + stain + seal for a deck that size runs $400-$800 total, and you're on-site for half a day at great margins.
Be careful with pressure on wood decks — too much pressure will splinter and damage the wood grain. Use a fan tip, keep distance, and work with the grain. Composite decks can handle slightly more pressure but check the manufacturer's recommendations.
How Much to Charge for Pressure Washing a Fence
Fences are priced per square foot of fence face, not linear foot. A 6-foot tall privacy fence has 6 sq ft per linear foot, so a 100-linear-foot fence is 600 sq ft of surface. At $0.30-$0.50/sq ft, that's $180-$300.
Offer fence staining as an add-on after washing. Fence staining runs $4-$9 per linear foot, so a 100-foot fence adds $400-$900 to the job. The customer gets a freshly washed and stained fence, and you turn a $200 wash into an $800 package.
Roof Cleaning (Soft Wash Only)
Roof cleaning is one of the highest-paying pressure washing services, but it's also the riskiest. Always use soft wash on roofs — high pressure will destroy shingles. Charge $0.40-$0.75 per square foot, with most jobs running $350-$750.
Factor in roof pitch — steep roofs take longer, require more safety equipment, and command a premium. Add $0.10/sq ft for steep-pitch roofs. Also factor in the cost of biodegradable cleaning solution and the extra time for rinsing landscaping to protect plants from runoff.
Roof cleaning carries more liability than other surfaces. Make sure your insurance covers it, and price accordingly.
Equipment and Overhead Costs
One reason pressure washing margins are so high is that the per-job material cost is almost nothing. But the upfront equipment investment is real. Here's what to factor in:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pressure washer (commercial grade) | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Surface cleaner attachment | $150 – $500 |
| Hoses, nozzles, wands | $200 – $500 |
| Soft wash system (pump, tank, lines) | $500 – $2,000 |
| Chemicals per job (detergent, SH, surfactant) | $5 – $30 |
| Gas/fuel per job | $5 – $15 |
| Insurance (annual, liability) | $500 – $2,000/year |
Your per-job material cost (chemicals + fuel) is roughly $10-$30. On a $250 driveway + patio job, that's a 90%+ gross margin before labor. Even after accounting for equipment depreciation, insurance, and drive time, pressure washing is one of the highest-margin services in contracting.
How to Maximize Revenue Per Stop
The real money in pressure washing isn't any single surface — it's bundling multiple surfaces per visit. Every time you show up with your equipment, the setup and drive time is the same whether you wash one thing or four things. Here's how to maximize each stop:
Offer packages, not individual services. Instead of quoting "driveway: $200," offer "Complete exterior package: driveway + sidewalk + patio + front walkway for $350." The customer saves vs. booking them separately, and you make $350 in 90 minutes instead of $200 in 45 minutes.
Upsell while you're there. After washing the driveway, the dirty siding next to it will look even worse by comparison. Point it out. "I noticed your siding could use a wash too — I could do it today for $200 since I'm already set up." On-site upsells close at a much higher rate than cold quotes.
Offer annual plans. Recurring revenue is the holy grail. Offer annual or biannual washing packages at a slight discount — "I'll come back in September and do the driveway again for $150 instead of $200." You're booking future work with zero acquisition cost.
Cross-sell related services. Pressure washing naturally leads to deck staining, fence staining, gutter cleaning, and exterior painting. If you offer those services, bundle them. If you don't, partner with someone who does and refer each other.
Regional Pricing Differences
| Market | Per Sq Ft (Driveway) | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Urban / Metro | $0.40 – $0.60 | $100 – $160/hr |
| Suburban | $0.25 – $0.45 | $75 – $120/hr |
| Rural | $0.15 – $0.35 | $50 – $85/hr |
Pressure washing demand also varies by season and climate. Southern states have longer seasons but more competition. Northern states have a shorter window (April-October) but less competition and more pent-up demand in spring.
Pressure Washing Pricing Mistakes to Avoid
No minimum service charge. Loading a trailer, driving 20 minutes, setting up a pressure washer, and doing a 15-minute sidewalk for $75 is not a business — it's volunteering. Set a $100-$200 minimum for any job.
Charging the same rate for every surface. Concrete, vinyl siding, wood, brick, and roofing all require different pressure levels, techniques, and chemicals. A roof soft wash at $0.50/sq ft is not the same job as a concrete driveway at $0.30/sq ft. Price each surface type separately.
Forgetting chemical costs on soft wash jobs. Sodium hypochlorite, surfactant, and specialty degreasers cost money. It's only $10-$30 per job, but if you're doing 20 jobs a month, that's $200-$600 in chemicals you're eating if it's not in the price.
Underbidding to "get your foot in the door." This is the most common mistake in pressure washing because the barrier to entry is low. A guy buys a $300 consumer pressure washer and charges $75 to wash a driveway. He's not your competition — he's a hobbyist who'll be gone in 6 months. Don't race him to the bottom.
Not accounting for drive time. If you're driving 30 minutes each way for a $150 job, your effective hourly rate just dropped significantly. Route your jobs geographically and bundle stops in the same neighborhood when possible.
How to Present Your Pressure Washing Estimate
Keep it simple. Pressure washing quotes don't need to be complicated. List each surface, the price, and the total. "Driveway: $200 | Front walkway: $75 | Patio: $100 | Total: $375." Done.
Include before/after expectations. Let the customer know what pressure washing can and can't fix. It removes dirt, mold, algae, and most staining — but it won't fix cracks, permanent discoloration, or oil stains that have penetrated deep into concrete. Setting expectations prevents callbacks.
Offer the bundle. Always present at least two options — single surface and a multi-surface package. The customer who called about the driveway might say yes to the whole property if the package price feels like a deal.
Send it immediately. Pressure washing is a low-consideration purchase — most customers will go with the first contractor who sends a clean quote. Build and send your estimate on-site, from your phone, before you leave.
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Join the WaitlistThe Bottom Line
Pressure washing is one of the best services a handyman or contractor can offer — high margins, fast turnaround, strong seasonal demand, and easy upsells. Here's the cheat sheet:
- Driveways: $0.25-$0.55/sq ft or $150-$300 flat for a standard 2-car
- Houses: $0.20-$0.50/sq ft or $250-$700 depending on size and stories
- Decks: $0.25-$0.50/sq ft — bundle with staining for higher ticket
- Fences: $0.30-$0.50/sq ft — upsell staining
- Roofs: $0.40-$0.75/sq ft — soft wash only, higher liability
- Always set a minimum service charge ($100-$200)
- Bundle multiple surfaces per visit for maximum revenue
- Offer annual plans for recurring revenue
- Send quotes immediately — fastest quote wins in pressure washing
The contractors who make the most money in pressure washing aren't the ones with the fanciest equipment — they're the ones who price by surface type, bundle services, upsell on-site, and send professional estimates before the customer has time to call someone else.