Pressure Washing Pricing by State

Pressure washing restores the look of your home's exterior, driveway, and decks by removing grime, mold, and mildew. Pricing is usually based on the square footage of the area to be cleaned. Delicate surfaces like siding or wood decks may require 'soft washing' techniques, which use specialized solutions and lower pressure.

What Affects the Price

Understanding these cost drivers helps you budget accurately and evaluate contractor quotes:

Total square footage of the area
Type of surface (concrete, vinyl, wood, brick)
Severity of stains (oil, rust, heavy algae)
Accessibility (multi-story homes require ladders/lifts)
Water source availability
Need for specialized cleaning solutions

Standard Inclusions

These items are typically included in a standard pressure washing quote:

Application of cleaning agents
Pressure washing or soft washing of surfaces
Rinsing of surrounding plants (protection)
Basic spot treatment

What's Typically Not Included

These items usually cost extra or require a separate contractor:

Sealing or staining of decks/concrete after washing
Repair of damaged siding or mortar
Window cleaning (unless specified)
Gutter cleaning (often a separate add-on)

Pro Tips for Pressure Washing

Expert advice to help you get the best value and results:

Ensure windows and doors are tightly closed before they start.
Ask for 'soft wash' for vinyl siding to prevent damage.
Move outdoor furniture and pots away from the work area.
Check if they use eco-friendly detergents if you have a garden.

💰 Pricing Deep Dive: How Pressure Washing Costs Really Work

Pressure washing pricing is based on surface area and surface type. Driveways and concrete ($0.15-$0.40/sq ft) are the bread and butter — a 600 sq ft driveway runs $100-$250. House siding is more expensive per square foot ($0.25-$0.50) because it requires lower pressure settings, different detergents, and more careful technique to avoid damage. Decks are the trickiest ($0.30-$0.60/sq ft) because wood can be damaged by high pressure. The real difference between a $150 driveway wash and a $350 one is often the detergent and post-treatment: proper pressure washing includes a surfactant pre-soak, appropriate pressure for the surface, and sometimes a post-treatment sealant.

⚠️ Common Mistakes When Hiring for Pressure Washing

❌Using too much pressure on wood siding, softwood decks, or painted surfaces — this gouges the material and forces water behind siding

❌Not testing pressure on an inconspicuous area first — different surfaces require dramatically different PSI settings

❌Pressure washing a roof with high pressure — this strips granules from shingles. Roofs should be soft-washed (low pressure + chemicals)

❌Skipping the detergent pre-soak — pressure alone doesn't kill mold, algae, or mildew. They'll grow back in weeks without chemical treatment

❌Not protecting landscaping — runoff from detergents can kill plants if not rinsed or pre-soaked with water

🔧 DIY or Hire a Pro? — Pressure Washing

✅ You Can DIY

Cleaning a flat concrete driveway or patio with a rented or owned pressure washer
Washing patio furniture, garbage cans, or outdoor toys
Cleaning a first-floor vinyl fence

🚫 Hire a Professional

House siding (wrong technique causes water intrusion behind siding)
Wood decks (too much pressure damages the wood grain permanently)
Second-story surfaces (ladders + pressure washer = dangerous)
Roof cleaning (requires soft-wash technique with specific chemicals)

Our Take: Flat concrete surfaces are a great DIY project — rent a pressure washer for $75-$100/day and do the driveway, patio, and sidewalks. But siding, wood surfaces, and anything above ground level is where professional technique prevents expensive damage.

📊 Real-World Pressure Washing Cost Scenarios

Here's what you might actually pay in common real-world situations:

Driveway Only

Total: $100-$250. DIY rental: $75-$100 for the day

600 sq ft concrete driveway with algae staining. Detergent pre-soak and rinse.

House Wash

Total: $250-$500 for the whole house

2,000 sq ft two-story vinyl-sided home. Soft wash with surfactant, rinse, and window cleaning.

Full Property

Total: $500-$1,200 for a comprehensive property cleaning

House wash + driveway + back patio + fence + deck prep for staining.

📖 Pressure Washing Terms You Should Know

Understanding these industry terms helps you communicate with contractors and evaluate quotes:

PSI

Pounds Per Square Inch — measures water pressure. Consumer washers: 1,500-2,500 PSI. Commercial: 3,000-4,000 PSI. Concrete handles 3,000+ PSI; wood needs under 1,500.

Soft Wash

Low-pressure cleaning (under 1,000 PSI) using chemical solutions to kill organic growth. Required for roofs, painted surfaces, and delicate materials.

GPM

Gallons Per Minute — measures water flow volume. Higher GPM means faster cleaning. For residential work, 2.5-4 GPM is typical.

Surface Cleaner

A circular attachment with spinning nozzles that cleans flat surfaces evenly, avoiding the zebra-stripe pattern of a single wand nozzle.

Complete Guide to Hiring Pressure Washing Services

Pressure washing dramatically improves your home's curb appeal by removing years of built-up dirt, algae, mildew, and stains from surfaces like driveways, siding, and decks. Professional equipment delivers thousands of PSI that home units can't match. Understanding surface requirements prevents damage and ensures optimal results.

Before You Hire: Preparation Checklist

Taking these steps before contacting contractors will help you get accurate quotes and avoid surprises:

✓Identify all surfaces you want cleaned and their materials
✓Note any damaged areas, loose paint, or fragile surfaces
✓Check if HOA has restrictions or requirements about exterior cleaning
✓Clear items away from areas to be cleaned (furniture, plants, vehicles)
✓Point out areas with heavy staining that may need special treatment

Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring

These questions help you evaluate contractors and protect yourself from poor service:

"What PSI will you use on each surface?"

Why this matters: Too much pressure damages wood and siding; too little doesn't clean effectively

"Do you use soft washing for delicate surfaces?"

Why this matters: Roofs and some siding need low-pressure chemical treatment, not high-pressure water

"Is cleaning solution included?"

Why this matters: Detergents and treatments improve results and may cost extra

"How do you protect plants and landscaping?"

Why this matters: Chemicals and runoff can damage vegetation

When to Call a Professional

While some tasks can be DIY, these situations typically require professional expertise:

⚠️Two-story homes requiring ladder work or extension equipment

⚠️Concrete driveways with oil stains or heavy algae

⚠️Wood decks needing careful pressure to avoid damage

⚠️Roof cleaning (requires soft washing technique)

⚠️Pre-painting preparation of exterior surfaces

DIY vs. Professional: What You Can Do Yourself

Consumer pressure washers ($100-400) work for small jobs like patio furniture and walkways. However, they lack the power for heavy staining and the flow rate for efficiency. More importantly, improper technique damages surfaces. Wood and siding are easily damaged by DIY pressure washing.

🚩 Red Flags: Warning Signs of Bad Contractors

Watch out for these warning signs that may indicate an unreliable or dishonest contractor:

✗Uses the same high pressure on all surfaces
✗No discussion of surface types or potential damage
✗Won't provide references or photos of previous work
✗Arrives with consumer-grade equipment
✗No mention of protecting landscaping or property

Seasonal Timing Tips

The best time to schedule service can save you money and ensure better availability:

Spring

Clean after pollen season and winter grime; prepare for outdoor entertaining

Summer

Ideal conditions for quick drying; schedule before outdoor events

Fall

Clean before wet season when algae grows; remove leaf staining

Winter

Not recommended—surfaces need to dry and be above freezing

⚡ Safety Considerations

Keep distance from electrical outlets and fixtures
Never pressure wash near open windows
Wear closed-toe shoes when surfaces are being cleaned
Cover plants and protect landscaping from chemicals

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others' mistakes—these are the most common errors homeowners make:

⚠Using too much pressure on wood or vinyl siding
⚠Pressure washing in a pattern that leaves visible lines
⚠Not treating for mold/mildew (it grows back quickly)
⚠Cleaning painted surfaces that will then need repainting

💰 Cost-Saving Strategies

Smart ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality:

Bundle multiple surfaces for a package discount
Schedule with neighbors for group pricing
Regular maintenance cleaning costs less than heavy restoration
Get cleaned before painting for prep credit from painters

Get Pressure Washing Cost Estimates by State

Select your state below to view estimated costs adjusted for your local cost of living. Our estimates use official government data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Understanding Pressure Washing Costs Nationwide

Pressure Washing costs vary significantly across the United States based on regional labor rates, cost of living differences, and local market conditions. States with higher costs of living, like California and New York, typically see higher service prices, while more affordable regions offer lower rates.

Beyond geography, the actual cost of your project depends on factors specific to your situation: the scope of work, accessibility, materials required, and the timing of your project. Emergency or after-hours service typically commands premium rates, while scheduling during a contractor's off-peak season may offer savings.

To get the most accurate pricing for your specific needs, we recommend requesting quotes from at least three local contractors. Use our estimates as a starting point to understand whether the quotes you receive are in line with typical market rates for your area.