How much does it cost to pressure wash a house?
Updated
Short answer
Washing the house yourself costs $0 to $100, which is a day's pressure washer rental and a jug of house wash, or nothing if you own a washer, and takes 120 to 240 minutes. A pressure washing service charges $200 to $500 for a house, with the windows often included or a small add-on. The job comes once a year, and the gap between the figures is a long, wet afternoon.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $0 to $100 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $200 to $500 |
| Total | $0 to $100 | $200 to $500 |
The DIY column is the rental or the soap, since an owned washer, a hose and a scrub brush are already on hand. The pro column is a crew with a commercial washer, the right nozzles for each surface, and the ladders or extension wands to reach the gables.
What drives the cost
- The house. A single-story house is the low end. A tall house with gables and dormers takes longer and more equipment.
- The siding. Vinyl and brick wash fast. Wood, stucco and painted surfaces need lower pressure and more care, and a service charges for the care.
- Soft wash or pressure wash. A soft wash, which uses a cleaning solution and low pressure, costs about the same and is the right method for most siding and all roofs.
- Add-ons. Windows, gutters, the driveway and the deck are often quoted as a package, and the package costs less than separate visits.
- The grime. A house washed every year is quick. One with years of green algae on the north side takes longer.
DIY vs. pro
The DIY version is a fair job for a single-story house, and the money favors it: how often to pressure wash a house is once a year, and a rented washer with a wide fan tip and a house-wash soap does it in an afternoon. Keep the pressure low on anything but brick, aim down so water doesn't drive up behind the siding, and stay off the ladder with the wand.
Pay the $200 to $500 for a tall house, for wood, stucco or painted siding where too much pressure does damage, or when the roof needs a soft wash too. A pressure washer in the wrong hands strips paint, etches wood and forces water into walls, and a crew that does it daily has the touch.
FAQ
How much does it cost to pressure wash a house?
$200 to $500 for a typical house, more for a tall one or for a package with the driveway, deck and gutters.
Is it cheaper to pressure wash my own house?
Yes. A day's rental and soap is $0 to $100, and the job takes an afternoon on a single-story house.
What's the difference between soft washing and pressure washing?
Soft washing uses a cleaning solution and low pressure, and it's the safer method for most siding and all roofs. The price is about the same.
Can pressure washing damage a house?
Yes. Too much pressure strips paint, gouges wood, and drives water behind siding. Use a wide tip, low pressure and a downward angle, or hire it out on delicate siding.