How much does pressure washing cost?

Pressure or power washing is a great way to remove mildew, dirt or other grime from your outdoor surfaces and restore their shine. This guide will give you a better idea of how much this service will cost you, help you discover ways you can save money and show you how to find a pressure or power washing pro near you.

• Hourly pressure washing prices
• Pressure washing costs per square foot
• Cost to pressure wash a house
• Cost to pressure wash a driveway
• What is a pressure washer used for?
• How much is a pressure washer?
• Cost to buy vs. rent a pressure washer
• Pressure washing vs. power washing 
• How to save money on pressure washing
• Why you should hire a professional
• How to find the best pressure washing service
• Is pressure washing worth it?
• Find a pressure washer near you
• FAQs

Pressure washing prices start at $40 per hour, and the average range is $75-$85 per hour. However, the hourly rate can vary depending on the cost of needed supplies and the complexity of the job.

Pressure washing cost per hour:

The size of the area you need cleaned contributes greatly to the cost of hiring a pressure washer to clean your home. You can estimate the cost to pressure wash roofs, fences, decks, driveways, siding and garage floors by asking professionals how much they charge per square foot. 

Typically, we see pressure washing prices ranging from $0.10–$0.16 per square foot. However, some professionals may charge closer to $0.30–$0.70 per square foot.

Pressure washing prices by square footage 

Here’s a look at the cost of pressure and power washing by square footage:

A professional pressure or power washer considers a variety of factors to determine the rates for your specific home. For a small space of about 500 square feet, your price could be as low as $80. 

However, for a full, two-story home, you must factor in the total square footage, plus the added set-up and safety precautions needed. The total cost for that type of job could be closer to $300.

The cost to pressure wash a driveway will depend on the size of your driveway. The typical residential driveway is 9x24 — or 216 square feet. This is a small job, and professionals may charge a minimum of $50–$100 to pressure wash your driveway.

Professionals use pressure washers to clean stains you can’t clean with a typical hose or scrub brush — and to remove unwanted debris from hard-to-reach areas. 

A pressure washer uses water combined with specially formulated soaps to remove a variety of residue on your surfaces. A good pressure washing job can help with:

• Mold
• Mildew
• Oil
• Grease
• Paint or stains
• Dirt
• Moss

A gas-powered or electric pressure washer can be used to spray down a variety of surfaces such as vinyl siding, concrete floors, wood decking, brick, stone, metal and stucco. Here are a few common surfaces that can withstand a pressure washer's PSI (pounds per square inch):

• Home exteriors
• Siding
• Driveways
• Sidewalks
• Garage floors
• Decks
• Patios
• Fencing
• Stairs
• Walkways
• Outdoor furniture

If you’re thinking about buying a pressure washer to turn this into a DIY project, expect to pay a few hundred dollars. If you want a state-of-the-art pressure washer, it may cost you a few thousand.

You have several options when it comes to pressure washers, including electric and gas-powered pressure washers. Gas pressure washers are more expensive than their electric counterparts. 

Gas pressure washers cost anywhere from $250–$6,000. For a high-quality yet affordable pressure washer, expect to pay $300 or more. Meanwhile, you may be able to find an electric pressure washer that costs less than $100–$200 — or you can go all the way up to $2,000 for these. 

Ultimately, pressure washer prices will depend on the model, brand and retailer.

Renting a pressure washer can cost a minimum of $40–$100 per day. Buying an electric washer can cost $100–$400, and a gas-powered one will run from $300–$600, according to Consumer Reports. Gas and electric pressure washers with a higher PSI cost even more. Some pressure washers may cost closer to $1,000-$2,000 total, depending on the model and PSI.

In short, power washing involves using hot water while a gas or electric pressure washer uses water at a lower temperature. 

Power washing is typically used to remove more tough, stuck-on grime, such as grease or oil. You should avoid using it on soft surfaces, like wood decks and siding, where it could cause damage. Instead, consider power washing driveways and other hard surfaces that can withstand the pressure and heat.

By contrast, a pressure washer can often be used to clean the build-up of dirt, mildew or other grime on your home’s surfaces. 

It’s important to do your research when hiring any professional. Everyone wants to save money, but quality should be considered a top priority. 

Contacting several pressure washers in your area can help you find one that fits your needs, expectations, and price point. Some companies may even offer incentives and deals if you’re a new client — or if you simply ask. 

If pressure washing is not done properly, it could potentially do more harm than good. And if you aren’t familiar with how to operate the washer, you could use too much water pressure, attach the wrong nozzle — or even cause surface damage or injury to yourself or others.

Consider these factors when deciding if you should DIY or hire a professional:

No equipment

If you don’t want to invest in buying a pressure washer — or go through the hassle of making sure you rent the right equipment — hiring a professional may be your best option.

Time

If you’re inexperienced at power washing, you will inevitably take much longer than a professional would. You must prepare the area, set up the equipment, complete the washing and clean it all up.

Safety

In 2014, an estimated 6,057 people had to visit the emergency room with injuries related to pressure washer use, according to Consumer Reports. 

Professionals are trained on how to best set up a job site, including the arrangement of ladders, hoses, scaffolding and proper water drainage. They also know the effects of high-pressure water and how to avoid injury.

Potential damage

The higher the PSI, the more powerful the pressure washer. A gas-powered pressure water typically has 2,000-3,000 PSI, while an electric model has 1,300-1,800 PSI. In comparison, a garden hose may have 40-60 PSI.

An experienced professional should know how to calculate how much PSI is needed for your concrete, siding, wood, brick, vinyl and other surfaces. If you don’t know how to estimate how much PSI should be used on the surfaces you want to clean, you risk damaging your property.

Curb appeal

If you’re trying to sell your home, you probably want the exterior to look its absolute best. The cleaner your home's exterior, the fresher it looks and the more appealing it is. All of this might help increase your chances of selling your home at the price you want. Consider hiring a pro with the most pressure washing experience to perform the job.

Pressure washing your home can be worth the cost depending on your situation. If you’re looking to sell your house, a good cleaning of its exterior could give your home a renewed look that draws in more potential buyers. Pressure washing can also help protect your household from harmful molds, preserve your paint job and help you avoid costly repairs down the line. 

The bottom line: If you want your home to appear cleaner, brighter and newer, find a pro who can do the work at an affordable price.

When searching for a professional pressure washer to hire, do your research. Look at their profile, photos of previous work and online reviews. Find someone you believe is reputable, competent and trustworthy. 

Here are a few questions you can ask potential candidates before you make your final decision:

• How long have you been in business? Experience is key when hiring a professional.
• Are you licensed, and do you have the proper permits? States often require any business to obtain an occupational license, and some may even require a special permit for pressure washing.
• What chemicals will you use? Low pressure or a soft wash with a detergent solvent should be an available option.
• How long will it take? While the size of the job will dictate how long it will take, it typically shouldn’t take the pro more than a few hours to pressure wash (or power wash) your home.

For more tips on how to hire a professional, visit Thumbtack’s Safety page.

Pressure washing is a great way to reinvigorate your home, clean up a grimy spot on your driveway, spruce up your fence or make your walkway something to be proud of. 

Finding the right professional is key to making your home look great again. If you’re ready to hire a professional pressure washer now, start searching on Thumbtack.