Pressure washing cost

Washing priced by surface, square footage, method and travel, with soft-wash options.

By the LocalServiceHQ editorial team
Updated Oct 29, 2026
Formulas and sources listed below
Prices checked Oct 2026
Your job
Access
Heavy staining
Your estimate
Typical total
—
labour, detergent, equipment and travel
Cost per sq ft
—
minimum charges may apply
Typical range for this job: —
How it adds upTypical
Washing labour$0.15–$0.80 per sq ft by surface
—
Detergent and treatmentsoft wash and stain treatment
—
Equipment and traveltruck, fuel and setup
—
Minimum charge adjustmentmost companies have a $150–$300 minimum
—
Cost per sq fttotal ÷ treated area
—
US pressure washing prices for October 2026: $0.15–$0.80 per sq ft by surface, with a $150–$300 minimum charge. Soft washing is required for roofs, painted siding and stucco; high pressure strips granules and paint.
Never let a crew use full pressure on a roof or painted siding. Soft wash, low pressure and the right detergent do the work.
Photo via Pexels

How the math works

Surface rate
Cost
$0.15 to $0.80 per sq ft
Concrete is cheapest, roofs the most delicate and expensive.
Minimum charge
Pricing
$150 to $300
Small jobs are priced by the visit, not the area.
Soft wash
Method
low pressure + detergent
The only safe method for shingles, painted wood and stucco.
Travel
Cost
$0 to $100 typical
Distance beyond a service radius is usually added.

Common starting points

Common US washing jobs at typical rates.

Tap a preset in the calculator above to load a typical job, then adjust the numbers to match your site.
Starting points: Driveway 600 sq ft · House wash 1,500 sq ft · Deck 400 sq ft · Roof soft wash 1,800 sq ft · Large driveway 1,200 sq ft

Rather hire it out?

See installed prices and permit rules for pressure washing cost.

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How to use the pressure washing cost

Identify the surface, measure it, then compare bids that use the right method.

1
Identify the surface
Concrete tolerates pressure; roofs, painted wood and stucco need a soft wash.
2
Measure the area
Square footage for flatwork and walls; linear feet for fences.
3
Ask about detergent
Mold and mildew need a cleaning agent, not just water pressure.
4
Check insurance
Ask for liability coverage before anyone climbs on the roof.

Mistakes that cost homeowners money

!
Using a high-pressure wand on shingles, which voids roof warranties.
!
Blasting water behind siding or into window seals.
!
Choosing the cheapest bid that uses no detergent on mold.
!
Not checking whether the company carries liability insurance.

Pressure washing cost FAQ

How much does pressure washing cost?

Most jobs run $0.15 to $0.80 per sq ft depending on the surface. A 1,500 sq ft house wash is about $525, and most companies have a $150 to $300 minimum.

Concrete driveways run about $0.15 to $0.50 per sq ft, so a 600 sq ft driveway is roughly $180. Heavily stained concrete with oil or rust costs more.

No. Roofs need soft washing with low pressure and a cleaning solution. High pressure strips granules and can void the shingle warranty.

Once a year in humid climates, every 18 to 24 months in dry ones. North-facing walls grow algae faster.

High pressure does, by raising the grain and stripping sealer. A deck should be washed at low pressure, then resealed after it dries.

Renting costs $50 to $100 a day, plus detergent. It makes sense for flat concrete, but roofs and siding are better left to a soft-wash pro.

Using the calculator defaults, driveway 600 sq ft gives Typical total: $240 and Cost per sq ft: $0.40, with a typical range $150 to $378. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.

Using the calculator defaults, large driveway 1,200 sq ft gives Typical total: $420 and Cost per sq ft: $0.35, with a typical range $228 to $678. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.