Pressure Washing Cost 2026: $100–$500 by Surface Type

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to pressure wash a house?

Pressure washing a house exterior costs $200–$500 for a typical 2,000–2,500 sq ft home. Vinyl siding runs $0.10–$0.20/sq ft; brick and stucco run $0.20–$0.40/sq ft because they require lower pressure and more care. Two-story homes cost 20–40% more than single-story due to equipment and time.

How much does it cost to pressure wash a driveway?

Driveway pressure washing costs $80–$200 for a standard two-car driveway (400–500 sq ft). Concrete is typically $0.15–$0.25/sq ft. Heavily stained driveways with oil, rust, or years of buildup may require a chemical pre-treatment step, adding $30–$75 to the base price.

Is pressure washing or soft washing better for a house?

Soft washing (low pressure + cleaning solution) is better for siding, stucco, and painted surfaces. High-pressure washing can force water behind siding, damage paint, and crack mortar. Most reputable house-washing companies use soft washing (500–1,500 PSI) on siding and reserve high pressure (2,500–4,000 PSI) for concrete and masonry.

How often should you pressure wash your house?

Wash the exterior every 1–2 years in most climates; annually in humid regions or where mildew and algae grow quickly. Driveways and walkways benefit from annual cleaning. Decks should be washed before resealing, typically every 2–3 years.

Should I pressure wash my own house or hire a pro?

DIY works well for concrete, driveways, and decks using a rented machine ($50–$125/day). For siding, especially vinyl, fiber cement, or wood, hiring a pro with soft-wash capability reduces the risk of water intrusion and surface damage. The cost difference for a full house wash is often only $100–$200.

What raises the cost of a pressure washing job?

Factors that increase price: two-story or multi-level homes (equipment + access time), heavy staining or mold/mildew buildup requiring chemical treatment, long driveways or large surface area, rural location with travel charges, and needing a specific soft-wash process for delicate siding materials.

Pressure washing costs $100–$500 for a typical home exterior, $80–$200 for a driveway, and $100–$300 for a deck. Most homeowners pay $0.10–$0.50 per square foot depending on the surface.

Pressure washing is one of the fastest ways to restore curb appeal — a dirty driveway or algae-covered siding can look years older than it is, and a professional wash often costs far less than homeowners expect.

Average Pressure Washing Costs by Surface

Surface	Typical Size	Average Cost
House exterior (vinyl siding)	1,500–2,500 sq ft	$150–$350
House exterior (brick/stucco)	1,500–2,500 sq ft	$250–$600
Driveway (concrete)	400–600 sq ft	$80–$200
Deck or patio	200–500 sq ft	$100–$300
Fence (wood or vinyl)	100 linear ft	$100–$250
Sidewalks and walkways	200–400 sq ft	$50–$150
Gutters (exterior)	150–200 linear ft	$75–$175
Roof soft wash	1,500–2,000 sq ft	$250–$600

Pressure Washing Cost by Square Foot

Most contractors price by square foot or by the surface type:

• Concrete and asphalt: $0.10–$0.25/sq ft
• Vinyl siding: $0.10–$0.20/sq ft
• Brick and stucco: $0.15–$0.35/sq ft
• Wood siding or lap siding: $0.20–$0.40/sq ft
• Roof (soft wash): $0.20–$0.40/sq ft

Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing: Which Do You Need?

The distinction matters because using the wrong method on the wrong surface causes damage:

High-pressure washing (2,500–4,000 PSI) is appropriate for:

• Concrete driveways and walkways
• Brick and stone (with care)
• Metal surfaces
• Stripping loose paint before repainting

Soft washing (500–1,500 PSI + cleaning solution) is required for:

• Vinyl, aluminum, or wood siding
• Stucco and EIFS
• Painted surfaces
• Roofs
• Composite decking

High pressure on vinyl siding can crack panels, force water behind the cladding (leading to rot and mold), and void manufacturer warranties. A contractor who only offers one setting for everything is cutting corners.

Hourly vs. Per-Square-Foot Pricing

Some contractors charge by the hour ($60–$120/hour) while others quote per square foot or flat rate per surface. Per-square-foot pricing is usually more predictable — hourly rates can escalate if the job takes longer than expected due to heavy staining.

For a typical whole-house wash:

• Solo operator: $150–$300
• Professional service company: $250–$500
• Franchise (like 303 Exterior Cleaning, Shine): $300–$600

DIY: Rent vs. Buy a Pressure Washer

If you’re cleaning your own driveway or deck once a year, renting makes more financial sense than buying for most homeowners.

Rental costs:

• 2,500–3,000 PSI gas pressure washer: $50–$90/day
• 4,000 PSI commercial unit: $90–$125/day
• Surface cleaner attachment: $15–$25 extra

Budget pressure washer purchase ($150–$300): The Sun Joe SPX3000 (2,030 PSI, 1.76 GPM) handles light-duty driveway and deck cleaning at an entry-level price. For heavier work, the Ryobi 3,300 PSI Electric ($350–$400) bridges the gap between homeowner and professional equipment.

When to rent instead of buy:

• You’re cleaning less than 2× per year
• You need a gas-powered unit (gas is impractical to store in a garage long-term)
• You want a surface cleaner attachment for flat concrete — these are often included with rentals

What Affects Pressure Washing Prices

Increases cost:

• Two-story or multi-story homes (ladder work, more time)
• Heavy mold, mildew, algae, or oil staining requiring pre-treatment
• Long driveways or large square footage
• Rural location with travel fees
• Soft washing requirements (more equipment, solution costs)
• Cedar or redwood siding (requires very low pressure, more time)

Decreases cost:

• Single-story home
• Recent cleaning — less buildup
• Multiple surfaces booked at once (discount for bundling house + driveway + deck)
• Off-season scheduling (late fall, winter in mild climates)

How to Get the Best Price

Bundle surfaces: Most contractors discount when you book multiple areas. Getting the house exterior + driveway + deck done together often costs 15–20% less than separate jobs.

Book in early spring or late fall: Peak demand (late spring through summer) drives up prices. Spring cleaning in March or April, before the rush, can save $50–$100.

Ask about the pre-treatment step explicitly: A quote that doesn’t include a degreaser for your oil-stained driveway or a mold treatment for algae-covered siding will produce disappointing results. Make sure the quote is for a clean final result, not just rinsing.

Check equipment: Trailers with hot-water pressure washing capability clean concrete much faster and more effectively than cold-water units. For heavily stained concrete, ask if they have hot water.

Pressure Washing Before Painting or Sealing

If you’re planning to repaint your house exterior or reseal your deck, pressure washing is always the first step. The wash must precede painting by 24–48 hours — surface must be fully dry before primer or sealer goes on. Wet wood swells and traps moisture; wet concrete causes sealer to fail.

For a repaint project, factor in the wash as part of the total prep cost. Some painting contractors include a power wash in their quote; others charge separately ($100–$250).

Regional Pressure Washing Cost Variations

Pressure washing labor tracks local contractor market rates and service density:

Region	House Wash (2,000 sq ft vinyl)	Driveway (500 sq ft)	Full Property Bundle
Northeast (NY, MA, NJ)	$250–$500	$120–$250	$500–$900
Mid-Atlantic (DC, MD, VA)	$220–$450	$100–$220	$450–$800
Southeast (FL, GA, TX)	$150–$320	$80–$180	$300–$600
Midwest	$160–$350	$85–$190	$320–$650
Pacific (CA, WA, OR)	$240–$480	$110–$230	$480–$850

Humid markets in the Southeast have the highest density of pressure washing companies (more frequent mold/mildew growth drives demand) and often the lowest per-job rates. Northern markets have shorter operating seasons and somewhat higher rates.

Pressure Washing Company Comparison

Company Type	Avg. Whole-House Cost	Equipment	Best For	Watch For
Local solo operator	$150–$300	Trailer-mounted, varies	Best value; often excellent quality	Verify insurance; quality varies
Shine Window Care & Pressure Washing	$250–$500	Soft wash + hot water	Consistent process; franchise quality control	Franchise pricing premium
303 Exterior Cleaning	$250–$500	Soft wash	Professional appearance standards	Regional availability varies
Window Genie (franchise)	$200–$450	Variable by franchisee	Bundled window + house wash	Quality varies by local operator
Local landscaping company add-on	$150–$350	Basic pressure washer	Convenient bundle with lawn care	Not a specialty service; lower result quality

Solo operators with trailer-mounted hot-water units often deliver the best results at the lowest cost — a single experienced operator with good equipment outperforms a franchise with undertrained staff. The key variable is equipment: hot-water pressure washers clean concrete significantly better than cold-water units on oil and heavy stains.

Questions to Ask Your Pressure Washing Contractor

1. What PSI do you use on vinyl siding and on concrete? — correct answer: under 1,500 PSI (soft wash) for siding, 2,500–4,000 PSI for concrete; a contractor who uses the same high pressure on everything is risking damage to your siding
2. Is pre-treatment for mold, mildew, or oil stains included in the quote? — mold and oil don’t wash off with water pressure alone; a bleach-based or enzyme pre-treatment is required for lasting results; confirm it’s included or priced separately
3. Do you have hot-water capability for concrete cleaning? — hot water removes oil and heavy staining far more effectively than cold water; worth asking if your driveway has significant oil staining
4. Are you insured for property damage? — pressure washers operated incorrectly can crack mortar, damage siding, or etch concrete; verify the company carries liability insurance
5. Will you rinse from the top down on the house exterior? — proper technique is top-to-bottom rinse so dirty water flows down and off the clean surface; a contractor who works bottom-to-top will streak the cleaned areas with runoff from above

Related Reading

• How to Power Wash Your House
• Exterior House Paint Cost
• How to Seal a Driveway
• How to Stain a Deck
• Gutter Cleaning Cost
• Best Budget Power Washers — top pressure washers for DIY use instead of hiring out
• Deck Staining Cost — wash the deck first, then stain; professional staining runs $2–$5/sq ft
• Driveway Sealing Cost — pressure wash before sealing for best adhesion; sealing runs $150–$300