Pressure washing costs $100 to $350 for a standard driveway and $150 to $600 for a full house exterior, according to HomeAdvisor and Angi national cost surveys. Deck and patio cleaning runs $100 to $300 depending on size and condition. Jobs are typically priced by surface type and square footage, with condition and access adding to the total.
What does pressure washing cost on average?
National cost data from HomeAdvisor and Angi puts the typical residential pressure washing job between $100 and $350 for a single surface and $300 to $600 for a comprehensive exterior package covering siding, driveway, and walkways together. Per-square-foot rates run $0.10 to $0.50 depending on surface type and difficulty.
Most homeowners request pressure washing for one of four surfaces: the house exterior, the driveway, a deck or patio, or a fence. Each has its own pricing norms because the equipment setup, pressure settings, and labor time differ significantly.
Pressure washing prices by surface type
Surface type is the primary pricing variable in pressure washing because each material requires different equipment settings, cleaning solutions, and care levels.
Driveway. Concrete driveways are the most common pressure washing job. The surface is durable and tolerates high pressure, making it one of the faster and more straightforward jobs. Typical range: $100 to $250 for a two-car driveway, based on HomeAdvisor and Angi survey data.
House exterior (siding). Siding jobs vary widely based on material - vinyl, wood, fiber cement, stucco, and brick all require different pressure settings. Vinyl siding is the most common and is priced at $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot. A 1,500-square-foot home exterior runs $150 to $300. A larger home at 2,500 square feet runs $250 to $500.
Deck or patio. Wooden decks require lower pressure to avoid raising the grain or splintering older wood. Pressure treated or composite decking tolerates more. Pricing runs $0.15 to $0.35 per square foot. A 200-square-foot deck typically costs $50 to $100.
Fence. Wood fences are cleaned at lower pressure; vinyl fences can handle higher settings. Pricing is typically $0.15 to $0.30 per linear foot, or $100 to $250 for an average backyard fence.
Patio furniture and miscellaneous. Some companies quote a bundle that includes furniture, retaining walls, walkways, or concrete edging. These are typically add-ons priced per item or per hour.
| Surface type | Typical unit rate | Typical job range |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway (2-car) | $0.10 - $0.25 per sq ft | $100 - $250 |
| House exterior - vinyl siding | $0.10 - $0.20 per sq ft | $150 - $400 |
| Wood deck | $0.15 - $0.35 per sq ft | $80 - $200 |
| Concrete patio | $0.10 - $0.20 per sq ft | $60 - $200 |
| Wood or vinyl fence | $0.15 - $0.30 per lin ft | $100 - $250 |
| Walkway / path | $0.10 - $0.20 per sq ft | $50 - $150 |
National averages from HomeAdvisor and Angi. High-cost metros run higher; Midwest and rural areas run lower.
Cost per square foot vs. hourly rate
Two pricing models are common in pressure washing, and understanding both helps you evaluate quotes more accurately.
Per-square-foot pricing is standard for defined surfaces like driveways, house exteriors, and decks. It gives cost certainty before the job starts and scales directly with the size of the work area. Most professional services quote this way because it is easy to explain and audit.
Hourly pricing runs $50 to $150 per hour for one operator and equipment, according to service-platform rate data. Some companies prefer hourly for complex jobs - uneven terrain, built-up mold requiring dwell time, or irregular surfaces that are hard to measure in square feet. For a typical residential job, hourly pricing can go either way depending on how long the job takes.
If a company quotes hourly for a straightforward surface like a flat driveway, ask why and whether they can offer a per-square-foot alternative. Hourly pricing on simple jobs creates uncertainty that benefits the company when conditions slow them down.
What makes pressure washing more expensive?
Several factors consistently push quotes above the midpoint:
Significant mold, algae, or organic growth. Heavily stained concrete or wood requires chemical pre-treatment with a cleaning solution that needs 10 to 20 minutes to dwell before pressure rinsing. This adds time and often a chemical surcharge.
Multi-story work. Washing two-story siding requires an extended wand or lift equipment and takes more time per square foot. Expect a 20 to 40 percent premium over single-story rates for upper-level work.
Difficult access. Fenced yards, narrow side passages, steep driveways, or surfaces near landscaping that needs protection add setup time and operator care.
Sealing after cleaning. Some services offer driveway or deck sealing immediately after pressure washing while the surface is freshly cleaned and open-pored. Concrete sealing adds $0.15 to $0.50 per square foot; deck sealing or staining adds $0.50 to $2 per square foot depending on the product. This is a legitimate service that extends the life of the clean - not a required add-on.
Geographic location. Labor and overhead costs vary significantly by metro. The same driveway cleaning that runs $130 in a mid-size city may run $220 in a high-cost coastal metro.
Power washing vs. soft washing: when each is used and what they cost
Pressure washing uses cold water at high pressure (1,500 to 3,000 PSI) to blast away surface dirt. It is well-suited for hard surfaces like concrete, brick, and stone that can withstand the force.
Power washing is pressure washing with heated water. The heat breaks down oil, grease, and heavy organic deposits more effectively. This makes it the preferred method for oil-stained driveways and commercial kitchen surfaces. For most residential applications, the temperature difference is not worth the added cost - typically $0.05 to $0.15 per square foot more than cold pressure washing.
Soft washing uses low pressure (under 500 PSI) combined with a surfactant cleaning solution to remove mold, algae, and mildew. It is the appropriate method for surfaces that would be damaged by high pressure: painted wood, stucco, fiber cement siding, roof surfaces, and older brick. Soft washing costs slightly more per square foot due to the chemical cost - typically $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot for house siding versus $0.10 to $0.20 for standard pressure washing.
For most wood decks, older siding, and painted surfaces, soft washing is the safer choice. A reputable service will tell you which method is appropriate for your surfaces without prompting. If a company proposes high pressure on your painted wood siding or stucco, that is a flag to ask more questions.
Bundling surfaces: how combining jobs affects price
Mobilization cost - travel time, equipment loading, setup - is a fixed overhead that the company spreads across the job. A company that drives 30 minutes to your home and sets up for one driveway absorbs that cost whether the job takes 45 minutes or three hours.
Bundling multiple surfaces in one visit almost always reduces the effective per-surface cost. Adding a deck cleaning to a house exterior job, or adding walkways to a driveway cleaning, takes incremental time but avoids a second mobilization fee. Most services will quote a modest discount for bundled jobs, or at minimum you save the trip charge.
If you plan to have multiple surfaces done in the same season, ask whether one visit covering all of them saves over separate bookings. The answer is usually yes.
How to get a fair quote and red flags to avoid
Getting an accurate pressure washing quote requires a little preparation on your end.
- Measure or estimate the square footage of each surface you want cleaned
- Note any problem areas: heavy staining, mold or algae growth, oil spots, paint overspray
- Identify surface materials (vinyl siding, painted wood, concrete, composite deck) so the company can propose the right method and pressure setting
- Ask whether the quote includes pre-treatment for biological growth or whether that is extra
- Confirm whether sealing is optional or if the company automatically charges for it
- Ask about their approach to protecting landscaping, outdoor furniture, and windows during the job
Red flags to watch for: a company that quotes very low and then finds reasons to add charges once on-site; a service that does not ask about surface types before quoting; and anyone who cannot tell you what PSI they plan to use on your specific surfaces.
Combine Window Cleaning and Pressure Washing in One Visit
Some exterior cleaning companies offer both pressure washing and window cleaning. Scheduling them together avoids two separate mobilization fees and ensures your windows are cleaned after the pressure washing - not before, when overspray from the house wash would dirty them again. Ask when getting quotes whether the company handles both services.
How often should you pressure wash your home?
There is no universal answer, but as a practical guide:
Driveways: every one to two years for most climates, more often in areas with heavy tree cover or wet conditions that promote algae and mildew.
House exterior: every one to three years depending on climate, siding material, and proximity to trees, irrigation systems, or coastal salt air.
Decks: once a year before sealing or staining, or at minimum every two years to prevent mold and mildew from degrading the wood.
Fences: every two to three years, or when visible mold, algae, or gray weathering makes the need apparent.
For gutters, which often benefit from cleaning at the same time as exterior washing, see our guide to gutter cleaning cost for what that service involves and what it typically runs. If you are also thinking about exterior window cleaning as part of the same seasonal visit, our window cleaning cost guide covers per-window pricing and how to bundle services effectively.
Do Not Use Maximum Pressure on All Surfaces
The most common mistake in DIY pressure washing - and occasionally in inexperienced professional work - is using maximum pressure on surfaces that need a lower setting. Vinyl siding, painted wood, cedar decking, and older brick can all be damaged at pressures appropriate for concrete. If renting a machine or hiring a company you have not used before, confirm the PSI they plan to use on each surface type. The PWNA (Power Washers of North America) publishes guidelines by surface type that are a useful reference.
Frequently asked questions
Is pressure washing the same as power washing?
Not exactly. Power washing uses heated water, while pressure washing uses cold water at high pressure. The hot water in power washing dissolves grease and oil more effectively, making it better for driveways and commercial surfaces. For most residential surfaces - siding, decks, fences - pressure washing achieves comparable results without the extra cost of heating the water.
Can pressure washing damage my siding or driveway?
Yes, if the wrong pressure is used. Vinyl siding can crack or dent, wood can splinter or have the grain raised, and certain brick or stone can be etched or have mortar eroded at high pressure. A reputable service adjusts pressure settings per surface type and uses soft washing for delicate materials. Ask how they approach your specific siding before work begins.
What time of year is best for pressure washing?
Spring is the most popular time - it clears winter grime, mold, and algae before the outdoor season. Fall cleaning before winter is also common. Avoid pressure washing in freezing temperatures, as water trapped in cracks can freeze and cause damage. Mild, overcast days are ideal because direct sun dries surfaces too quickly, leaving streaks.
Do I need to be home when the crew comes?
Not necessarily. Most pressure washing is exterior work that does not require access inside your home. Confirm beforehand whether a hose bib connection is needed, where the crew will park, and whether any gates need to be unlocked. Leave contact information in case questions arise.
How long does pressure washing take?
A driveway typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. A full house exterior takes 2 to 4 hours depending on size and surface condition. Adding a deck, fence, or patio extends the time proportionally. Most companies give a time estimate alongside their quote. Heavy mold or algae buildup adds time because pre-treatment needs to dwell before rinsing.
What should I do to prepare for a pressure washing visit?
Close all windows and doors, move outdoor furniture and potted plants away from the work area, cover outdoor electrical outlets and light fixtures, and disconnect any items attached to the siding or fence. Clear the driveway of vehicles, toys, and debris. If the crew needs water access, confirm the location of your outdoor hose bib in advance.