How to Estimate Pressure Washing Jobs

Pressure washing prices are all over the map because surfaces, chemicals, and access vary wildly. Here is a working framework.

By-the-foot baselines (2026 US averages)

• House washing (soft wash): $0.15–$0.40 per sf of wall area.
• Concrete driveway: $0.15–$0.25 per sf.
• Roof soft wash: $0.30–$0.60 per sf.
• Deck/fence cleaning: $0.75–$1.50 per sf (more prep).
• Commercial flatwork: $0.10–$0.18 per sf at volume.

Flat-rate packages (residential)

These convert better than hourly quotes:

• Single-story house wash, ~1,500 sf: $300–$450
• Two-story house wash, ~2,500 sf: $450–$650
• Driveway only, 2-car: $150–$225
• "Whole exterior" combo (house + driveway + walkway): $550–$900

Cost inputs to remember

• Chemicals (SH, surfactant, degreaser): $15–$30 per residential job.
• Water: usually free from the customer, but factor in tank refills for commercial.
• Travel time: bake it into your minimum job size ($199 minimum is common).
• Insurance and licensing: amortize across your annual job count.

Margin targets

• Residential soft wash: 55–70% GM is achievable.
• Concrete: 45–55% GM.
• Commercial flatwork: 30–40% GM but high volume.

The one tip nobody tells you

Photograph everything before and after. A before/after pair sells the next 10 jobs more effectively than any ad spend.

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