Pressure Washing Cost Guide (2026)

Pressure washing is one of the most satisfying and cost-effective ways to improve curb appeal before a listing or after a wet season. Most residential jobs run $100–$500 depending on the surface area and what's being cleaned. Understanding what drives the price — and what surfaces should not be pressure washed — prevents damage to your home and overpaying for the service.

Pressure Washing Cost by Surface

Driveway (concrete or asphalt): $80–$200
Sidewalk and walkways: $50–$150
Deck or patio (wood or composite): $100–$300
House exterior (siding): $150–$400
Roof: $300–$700 (soft wash, not pressure wash — see below)
Fence (wood or vinyl): $100–$250
Gutters (exterior): $75–$200
Pool deck: $100–$300

Full property package (house + driveway + walkways): $300–$700

Most contractors have a minimum charge of $100–$150 regardless of job size.

How Pressure Washing Is Priced

Contractors typically price by surface type and square footage, or charge an hourly rate ($50–$100/hour) for smaller jobs.

Factors that affect price:

• Surface area: Larger jobs take more time and water
• Degree of soiling: Heavy algae, oil stains, or years of buildup require more passes or chemical pre-treatment
• Access: Second-story work or tight access to areas requires ladder work or extension wands
• Water source: Contractors bring their own water in some cases; others use your outdoor spigot
• Travel distance: Service call fees apply in rural areas

Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing

This distinction matters and prevents expensive damage.

Pressure washing uses high-pressure water (1,500–4,000 PSI) to blast surface contaminants off hard surfaces. It's appropriate for concrete, brick pavers, and masonry where the high pressure won't cause damage.

Soft washing uses low pressure (500 PSI or below) combined with chemical solutions (typically sodium hypochlorite + surfactant) that kill algae, mold, and mildew at the biological level rather than blasting them off mechanically. It's the correct method for:

• Roof shingles (high pressure destroys granule coating)
• Wood siding (high pressure raises wood grain, drives water behind siding)
• Stucco (pressure can crack or damage the finish coat)
• Vinyl siding (high pressure can break the J-channel and force water behind panels)
• Wood decks (pressure can damage the grain and raise fibers)
• EIFS / synthetic stucco (pressure can cause delamination)

A company that pressure washes your asphalt shingles at 3,000 PSI will strip years of life off your roof. Reputable exterior cleaning companies use the correct method for each surface and know the difference. Ask specifically whether they plan to soft wash or pressure wash before they start.

Common Surfaces and Best Practices

Concrete Driveways and Walkways

Concrete handles high pressure well and benefits from it. Oil stains require a degreaser pre-treatment before washing — pressure alone won't remove motor oil. Rust stains require oxalic acid treatment. A clean concrete driveway dramatically improves the appearance of a property before a listing.

After pressure washing concrete, consider sealing it — a quality concrete sealer ($50–$150 in product for a two-car driveway) applied after cleaning protects against future staining and extends the time between cleanings.

Wood Decks

Wood decks should be soft washed or washed at very low pressure (under 1,000 PSI) with a wide-angle tip to avoid damaging the wood grain. After cleaning, inspect for gray weathered wood. Gray color indicates UV oxidation — a deck brightener (oxalic acid-based) restores the natural wood color before staining.

A complete deck restoration sequence: clean, brighten, sand any rough spots, apply stain or sealer. The cleaning is step one of a multi-step process if you want a finished result.

House Exterior (Siding)

Vinyl, fiber cement, and wood siding should all be soft washed, not pressure washed. The goal is to remove algae, mold, and mildew — a bleach-based solution kills it chemically, then low-pressure water rinses it away.

Soft washing a house exterior runs $150–$400 and is worth doing before painting or listing. It removes the biological growth that makes exterior paint fail prematurely.

Roofs

Never pressure wash asphalt shingles. The granule coating on the shingle surface protects against UV degradation — high-pressure water strips granules, voiding any remaining warranty and accelerating wear.

Roof soft washing ($300–$700) uses a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution applied at low pressure. It kills the black algae streaks (Gloeocapsa magma) that appear on north-facing and shaded roof sections. Results last 2–5 years. The ARMA (Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association) specifically recommends the low-pressure bleach solution method.

Wood Fences

Pressure washing a wood fence at high pressure splits and frays the grain. Use low pressure and a 40-degree tip. After cleaning, staining or sealing extends the fence life and is the natural follow-on to washing.

Hiring vs. DIY

Renting a pressure washer: $50–$100/day from a home improvement store. Gas models (3,000+ PSI) are more powerful than electric models (1,500–2,000 PSI). Factor in your time, chemical costs, and potential damage from using incorrect pressure on the wrong surface.

If you'd rather own one, the Westinghouse lineup covers every residential need. The ePX3050 is the entry-level electric option for driveways and patios. Step up to the ePX3500 for a bit more power and an onboard soap tank. The WPX3000e moves up in GPM for faster coverage on large surfaces. For the most demanding residential jobs, the WPX3600 is the top of the residential gas-electric line. All include multiple quick-connect nozzles. (Affiliate links)

Hiring a professional: The right call for roof cleaning (where the wrong method causes real damage), multi-story homes, large surface areas, and surfaces requiring chemical treatment. A professional with a proper soft wash system and chemical knowledge is worth the cost on anything other than concrete.

If you're pressure washing your own concrete driveway or patio as a Saturday project, renting makes sense. For the house exterior or roof, hire it out.

What to Ask Before Hiring

• Do they soft wash or pressure wash the siding and roof? (Must be soft wash)
• What chemical solution do they use on organic growth (algae, mold)?
• Do they pre-treat oil stains on concrete?
• Do they bring their own water or use yours?
• Are they licensed and insured? (Critical — pressure washing equipment can cause property damage)
• Do they protect landscaping and windows?

Get a written scope that identifies each surface, the method (pressure vs. soft wash), and the pressure setting. A contractor who can't answer these questions or who plans to use the same technique on every surface is not someone you want operating on your home.

Cost Reference