Pricing guide

How much to charge for pressure washing

Pressure washing jobs typically range from $150 to $500, averaging around $311, but the right number for a specific job depends on the surface, the size, and how dirty it actually is. This guide breaks pricing down by surface so you can quote with confidence instead of guessing.

Price by surface, not a flat rate

Different surfaces take different time, chemicals, and risk, so pricing per square foot by surface type is far more reliable than a single flat number:

Figures are indicative US market ranges. Check current local rates before setting your own price list.

Factors that push your price up

Larger areas usually earn a lower rate per square foot thanks to economies of scale, but height works the other way: single-storey homes are straightforward, while two- or three-storey buildings needing ladders or a boom lift justify a higher quote. Heavily soiled surfaces with oil, rust, or deep mould take longer and need specialist chemicals, which is worth pricing in rather than absorbing.

Set a minimum call-out fee

Always set a minimum job fee, often between $100 and $150, so a small job like a short walkway doesn’t eat into your travel and setup time. Most professionals also target an hourly earning rate of $75 to $150 as a sanity check on their per-square-foot pricing.

Hourly vs. per-job pricing

Per-square-foot pricing works well once you can estimate accurately from photos or a quick visit. Until then, quoting hourly protects you on jobs where the condition of the surface is hard to judge in advance, common with first-time customers or properties that haven’t been cleaned in years.

Where this fits in the bigger picture

If you’re still setting up, the full guide to starting a pressure washing business covers licensing and insurance, and pressure washing business software keeps every quote and invoice in one place once the bookings start.