Pressure Washing Cost
Pressure washing cost depends almost entirely on what you are washing. A house exterior runs $0.18 to $0.40 per square foot, a driveway runs $0.10 to $0.35, and a roof, the most expensive surface to do safely, runs $0.30 to $0.60. Pick your surface below and the calculator handles the rest.
Pressure washing cost by surface
| Surface | Typical size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| House exterior | 1,500 sq ft | $270 to $600 |
| Driveway | 600 sq ft | $60 to $210 |
| Deck or patio | 400 sq ft | $80 to $160 |
| Roof | 1,800 sq ft | $540 to $1,080 |
| Fence | 500 sq ft | $75 to $175 |
What changes the price
Which method actually fits the job
Pressure washing is the faster, cheaper default: high-pressure water alone, good for driveways, concrete, and other hard, non-porous surfaces that can take the force. Soft washing swaps most of that pressure for a cleaning solution, which is the safer call for roofs, painted siding, and stucco, and the only real fix if mold or algae keeps coming back. It costs more upfront, but it lasts longer because it addresses the organism instead of just the stain it leaves behind.
Questions people ask before booking
How much does pressure washing cost?
It depends heavily on the surface. A typical house exterior, around 1,500 square feet, runs $270 to $600. A driveway around 600 square feet runs $60 to $210. Enter your surface type and area in the calculator above for a specific number.
What is the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?
Pressure washing uses high-pressure water alone and is faster and cheaper, running about 25% to 35% less than soft washing. Soft washing uses low pressure plus a cleaning solution that kills mold, algae, and mildew at the root, which keeps a surface clean roughly 4 to 6 times longer. Most professionals recommend soft washing for roofs and painted siding, where high pressure can cause damage.
Does pressure washing remove mold and mildew?
It removes what is visible on the surface, but it does not kill the organism causing it, so mold and algae tend to come back faster after a standard pressure wash. Soft washing is the better option if mold or algae is the actual problem, not just surface dirt.
Is there a minimum charge for pressure washing?
Most companies have a minimum job fee of $100 to $150 to cover drive time and setup, regardless of how small the area is. A small deck or a short walkway often costs close to that minimum.
How often should a house be pressure washed?
Once a year is typical for most homes, though homes in humid climates, under trees, or with a lot of shade often need it twice a year to stay ahead of mold and algae growth.
Pick the surface that actually matches the job, not just the closest option, since the per-square-foot rate genuinely varies that much between a driveway and a roof. Run your real square footage through the calculator above before you compare quotes.