Why is pressure washing so expensive?

Author: Brielle Prohaska  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

One of the primary reasons why pressure washing can seem expensive is due to the professional grade of cleaning it provides.

How much should I pay for pressure washing?

How much does pressure washing cost per hour? Pressure washing typically costs between $60 to $100 an hour, according to Fixr.com. For example, a 1,200-square-foot home takes about six hours to pressure wash and costs between $360 to $600.

How much does it cost to pressure wash a 2000 sq ft house?

The average cost to pressure wash a house ranges from $500 to $900, with most people spending around $700 to pressure wash a 2,000 sq. ft. vinyl-sided home with normal grime levels, including the cost of all labor, equipment usage, and other materials.

Does pressure washing increase water bill?

Their tank forces more water through the hose than would normally be possible increasing the pressure. It takes alot of water to pressure wash a house if they were to supply 100% of the water from their tank it'd take multiple trips skyrocketing the bill. Nothing from op could be considered entitled.

How much does it cost to pressure wash a 1500 square foot driveway?

You can expect to spend between $0.30 to $0.55 per square foot on driveway pressure washing costs. Pressure washing your driveway removes moss and mold, making it a safer surface to walk on. And let's be honest—giving your driveway a deep clean just makes it look nicer for curb appeal purposes.

We Pressure Wash this EXTREMELY WEEDY Patio in Real Time *ASMR*

How do I quote a pressure washing job?

Price per square foot strategy works best if you're working on a property that requires pressure washing for multiple surfaces. You can charge anywhere from $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot depending on the scope of the job and the location of the property.

What are the cons of pressure washing?

Cons: Potential damage: In inexperienced hands, a pressure washer can cause damage to your car's paint, trim, or delicate parts. High-pressure water can strip away protective coatings and even force water into vulnerable areas, leading to rust or electrical issues.

Is there money to be made in pressure washing?

Pressure washing businesses have an average annual revenue of $45,073 with an average profit margin of 8.44%. Some of the most successful pressure washing businesses make substantially more.

How do you bill for pressure washing?

How do you bill for pressure washing jobs? You can choose to charge hourly, per square foot, or at a flat rate for your pressure washing jobs. Most pressure washing businesses and window cleaners bill per square foot. Typical pressure washing rates are between $0.30 to $0.80 per square foot.

What's the difference between power washing and pressure washing?

The main difference with power washing vs. pressure washing is the heat. The jet wash in a power washing machine uses heated water, whereas the water in a pressure washer is not heated.

How much to rent a pressure washer?

Renting a pressure washer costs an average of $90 per day, but expect to pay between $50 and $250 for shorter and longer stints. The average cost to rent a pressure washer is $90 per day. You might pay only $40 for a 4-hour rental period, while the cost to rent a power washer for four weeks can reach up to $2,000.

Do you need a license to pressure wash?

Pressure washing requires a contractors license in CA. Call the cslb and ask.

Is pressure washing in high demand?

The pressure washer market has grown significantly in recent years due to a variety of factors. The rising demand for efficient cleaning solutions in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and automotive, has fueled market growth.

What is soft washing a house?

Soft washing is a cleaning technique that uses low-pressure water to safely clean the exterior surfaces of a house. This method also uses cleaning solutions to effectively kill mold, mildew, moss, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

Does Home Depot rent pressure washers?

The Home Depot offers a complete rental selection of pressure washers to choose from including electric, gas, as well as hot or cold water models to help you complete projects big and small.

How much do you pay someone to pressure wash?

Some pressure washing companies may charge an hourly rate, while others prefer to offer project-based pricing. Hourly rates are typically best for smaller jobs or when the scope is uncertain. According to Thumbtack data, the national average hourly pressure washing cost is $65-$99.

Do pressure washing companies bring their own water?

Some power washing companies will bring their own water storage tank. However, this comes with a hefty additional fee due to tank and transport costs. In the end, using your own water is far more cost-effective. Not all power washing services are created equal.

Do you need an LLC to pressure wash?

Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a great way to protect your interests when starting a pressure washing business. However, taking your time to determine if a pressure washing LLC will provide the best protection for your business is also necessary since this structure offers only limited personal liability.

What is better than pressure washing?

Instead of relying on high pressure to blast away dirt and grime, soft washing uses a combination of low-pressure power washing and cleaning solutions to clean surfaces. These solutions settle in the layers of dirt, eating them away from the inside. The cleaners then use low-pressure power washers to rinse the surface.

What cannot be pressure washed?

Paint: Painted surfaces are prone to chip, peel or discolor with applied water pressure. Roof shingles: Shingles can lose their granules, detach or break if immense pressure is applied. Windows: Glass is fragile to pressure and should not be power washed.

How long does it take to pressure wash a 2000 sq ft house?

For example, a 2,000 square foot home can take anywhere from one to three hours to power wash.

How do I bid my driveway power washing?

Use a flat rate pricing strategy

This strategy is best for experienced pressure washers. You can always calculate the cost per square foot or hour, then convert it to a fixed cost estimate. Most pressure washers charge a flat rate of between $90 and $200 for each surface.

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