Pressure Washing Pricing Guide for Handymen
Price pressure washing at $0.15–$0.40 per square foot for driveways and concrete, $0.25–$0.50 per square foot for siding, and $1.50–$3.00 per linear foot for decks and fences. A standard two-car driveway (400–600 sq ft) runs $100–$200. House washing for a 2,000 sq ft home costs $250–$500. Set a minimum service charge of $150 for any pressure washing job.
Pressure washing is one of the easiest handyman services to add — the learning curve is short, startup costs are moderate, and demand is consistent from spring through fall. It is also highly visible work: neighbors see you cleaning a driveway and call for their own. Pricing correctly means understanding surface types, water pressure requirements, and the difference between pressure washing and soft washing.
Driveway and Concrete Pricing
Concrete driveways, sidewalks, and patios are the most common pressure washing jobs. Price at $0.15–$0.40 per square foot, with the range depending on stain severity and accessibility. A standard two-car driveway (400–600 square feet) runs $100–$200. Heavily stained driveways with oil spots, tire marks, or significant algae buildup should be quoted at the higher end. Use a surface cleaner attachment (like the Simpson 15-inch or Ryobi 15-inch at $50–$100) rather than a wand for flat surfaces — it cleans 3–4 times faster and leaves no striping. For oil stain pre-treatment, apply a degreaser like Purple Power or Zep Industrial Degreaser ($10–$15 per gallon) before washing — add $25–$50 per treatment area. Post-wash sealing with a concrete sealer (Siloxa-Tek 8500 or Foundation Armor SX5000 at $50–$80 per gallon) adds $0.10–$0.25 per square foot — an excellent upsell.
House and Siding Washing
House washing should be done with soft washing (low pressure, high chemical concentration) rather than high-pressure blasting, which can damage siding, force water behind clapboards, and etch paint. Price house washing at $0.25–$0.50 per square foot of siding, or $250–$500 for a typical 2,000-square-foot home. The process involves applying a sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution with a surfactant (like Elemonator or a dedicated soft wash soap) using a downstream chemical injector, letting it dwell for 5–10 minutes, and rinsing with low pressure. Vinyl, fiber cement (HardiPlank), stucco, and painted wood all respond well to soft washing. Never use high pressure on stucco (it crumbles), painted surfaces (it peels), or wood siding (it splinters). One gallon of 12.5% sodium hypochlorite ($3–$5) mixed down to 1–3% covers a significant area, making materials costs very low.
Deck and Fence Washing
Deck washing is often a precursor to staining (see deck-repair-and-staining-cost) and should be priced at $1.50–$3.00 per linear foot of deck area, or $0.30–$0.60 per square foot. A 300-square-foot deck runs $100–$175 for pressure washing alone. Use 1,500–2,000 PSI maximum on wood decks — higher pressure damages wood fibers and raises the grain excessively. Apply a deck cleaner/brightener (like Defy Wood Cleaner or Olympic Premium Deck Cleaner at $15–$25 per gallon) before washing for optimal results. Fence washing runs $1.00–$2.00 per linear foot. A 100-linear-foot privacy fence (both sides) costs $150–$300 to wash. Bundle deck and fence washing for clients who need both — offer a 10–15% discount on the combined price since you are already set up with equipment and chemicals.
Equipment Investment and Costs
Your pressure washer is the core investment. A quality gas-powered unit with 3,000–4,000 PSI and 3–4 GPM (gallons per minute) costs $300–$800 for consumer models (Simpson, Ryobi, Generac) and $1,000–$3,000 for commercial units (Simpson Big Brute, Pressure-Pro). GPM matters more than PSI for cleaning speed — a 4 GPM machine cleans significantly faster than a 2.5 GPM machine at the same PSI. Essential accessories: 15-inch surface cleaner ($50–$100), downstream chemical injector (usually included), assorted nozzle tips (0, 15, 25, 40 degree), 50–100 feet of high-pressure hose ($50–$150), and a hose reel ($50–$100). For soft washing, add a 12-volt battery pump and tank system ($200–$500) that delivers chemicals at low pressure. Your total startup investment runs $500–$2,000 for consumer-level gear and can be recouped in 3–5 jobs.
Add-On Services and Upsells
Maximize each pressure washing visit with strategic upsells. Gutter brightening (cleaning the exterior face of gutters) adds $1–$2 per linear foot — apply a gutter cleaner like Krud Kutter Gutter Wash, let it dwell, and rinse. Window washing during a house wash adds $3–$8 per window exterior. Concrete sealing after driveway washing adds $0.10–$0.25 per square foot. Roof soft washing (for algae and moss removal) adds $0.30–$0.60 per square foot but requires specific insurance coverage and experience with roof safety. Trash can cleaning is a quick $10–$15 per can add-on. Bundle these services in a "curb appeal package" — driveway wash, house wash, gutter brightening, and walkway cleaning — at $400–$700 for a typical home. Packages increase your average job size by 40–60%.
Scheduling and Route Efficiency
Pressure washing is one of the most route-efficient handyman services. Schedule multiple jobs in the same neighborhood on the same day — your setup and teardown time (loading equipment, connecting hoses, starting the machine) is the same whether you do one house or four. Offer neighbors a 10–15% discount if you can wash their property the same day you are on their street. This neighbor-to-neighbor approach is extremely effective: homeowners see the dramatic before-and-after on the house next door and call you on the spot. Seasonal timing matters: spring cleaning season (March–May) and pre-holiday fall season (September–November) are peak demand. Send reminder postcards or texts to previous clients 2–3 weeks before peak season. Track your square footage per hour to refine your pricing — most operators average 500–1,000 square feet per hour on concrete and 1,000–2,000 square feet per hour on siding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Charge $100–$200 for a standard two-car driveway (400–600 square feet), which works out to $0.15–$0.40 per square foot. Heavily stained driveways with oil spots or significant algae run $175–$250. Add $25–$50 for degreaser pre-treatment and $0.10–$0.25 per square foot for concrete sealing as an upsell. Your minimum charge should be $150 regardless of driveway size.
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