Pressure washing is priced per square foot of surface cleaned, with surface type and soil level as the key variables. It is one of the fastest-turnover services a painter offers — high volume, low materials cost, and straightforward scope.
Pressure Washing Area
Area = Surface LF × W (driveways, walkways) or Perimeter × H (house exterior)
Example
Driveway 20×40 = 800 sq ft + house exterior 140 LF × 10 ft avg height = 1,400 sq ft = 2,200 sq ft total
Waste factor: N/A — service, not material
Driveways, walkways, patios, house siding, decks, and roofs all have different pricing. Concrete and pavers are fastest; wood siding and roofs require lower pressure and more care. Never blend all surfaces at the same sq ft rate.
Light dirt: standard residential wash. Oil stains (driveway): require degreaser pre-treatment, add $0.10–$0.20/sq ft. Mildew on siding: soft-wash with bleach solution, add $0.05–$0.10/sq ft. Efflorescence on masonry: acid treatment needed, add $0.15–$0.25/sq ft.
A residential pressure wash uses 3–5 gallons per minute. A 2-hour job = 360–600 gallons. Chemical costs (surfactants, bleach, degreaser) add $15–$45 per job. Include these in your materials line.
Concrete (driveways, walkways): $0.15–$0.35/sq ft. Wood deck cleaning: $0.30–$0.60/sq ft. House soft wash: $0.20–$0.40/sq ft. Roof soft wash: $0.30–$0.50/sq ft. Paver sealing (post-wash): add $0.50–$1.00/sq ft.
Use a surface cleaner attachment on all flat concrete
A surface cleaner (rotating bar attachment) washes concrete 3–4× faster than a wand and eliminates striping patterns. It's the single best equipment investment for pressure washing productivity.
Soft wash roofs — never pressure wash
High-pressure washing removes granules from asphalt shingles, voiding the warranty and shortening roof life. Soft wash (low pressure + bleach + surfactant) kills algae and mildew without damage. Clients who ask for high-pressure roof washing should be educated before you proceed.
Bundle paver sealing with pressure washing
After washing pavers, sealing is a natural follow-on at $0.50–$1.00/sq ft. Offer it at the estimate — the pavers are already clean, you're already on-site, and the upsell is easy to explain and visualize.
A standard 2-car driveway (500–600 sq ft) takes 30–60 minutes to wash at 2,500–3,000 PSI with a surface cleaner attachment. Pre-treating oil stains adds 15–20 minutes. Cleanup and equipment setup add 20–30 minutes. Budget 1–1.5 hours total per driveway job.
House exterior soft washing runs $200–$600 for a typical 1,500–2,500 sq ft single-story home in 2026. Two-story homes: $400–$900. Pricing varies widely by market — rural markets are at the low end; coastal markets with heavy mildew or salt deposits command the high end.
Both. As a standalone, pressure washing fills schedule gaps and generates leads for painting. Bundled with painting, it's a natural upsell at the estimate stage — 'I'll wash the exterior before painting for $X, which is included in the total.' Bundled price builds perceived value.
Concrete (driveways): 2,500–3,500 PSI with surface cleaner. Wood decks: 1,200–1,500 PSI (avoid higher — will raise grain). Vinyl siding: 1,200–1,500 PSI. Roof shingles: under 600 PSI (soft wash only — high pressure destroys granules). Always start lower and increase if needed.
Suparate turns your estimate into a branded proposal with e-signature, deposit collection, and payment tracking — free to start.
Try Suparate Free →