Pressure washing is the home-improvement equivalent of taking your house to the car washexcept your house can’t complain about the air freshener scent. If your siding has started to look like it’s auditioning for a “before” photo, you’re probably wondering the big question: How much does it cost to pressure wash a house?
The answer is: it depends (sorry). But it also depends in a predictable, budget-friendly waybased on square footage, home height, siding material, grime level, and whether your landscaping is basically an obstacle course. This guide breaks down typical price ranges, what’s actually included, and how to decide between DIY and hiring a prowithout accidentally giving your vinyl siding a new “distressed” look.
Average Cost to Pressure Wash a House
Most homeowners can expect professional house pressure washing to fall into a broad range, commonly priced per square foot or as a flat project quote. In many U.S. markets, typical pricing lands somewhere around $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot for standard exterior washing, with total project costs often ranging from the low hundreds to over $1,000 for larger or more complex homes.
Why the huge spread? Because “pressure wash a house” can mean very different things:
- A quick rinse to remove dust and pollen
- A deeper clean for algae or mildew
- Careful “soft washing” for delicate materials
- Hot-water power washing for stubborn grime (often pricier)
Typical Price Snapshots (Realistic Ballparks)
- Small home (under ~1,500 sq. ft.): often a few hundred dollars, depending on access and buildup
- Mid-size home (~1,500–2,500 sq. ft.): commonly mid-hundreds
- Larger home (2,500+ sq. ft.): can push toward $700–$1,000+ if it’s multi-story or heavily soiled
Pro tip: Your home’s exterior surface area matters more than the number on your real-estate listing. A tall, two-story home with lots of corners and trim can cost more than a larger one-story ranch that’s basically a rectangle with vibes.
How Pros Price House Pressure Washing
1) Per Square Foot
This is one of the most common pricing models because it scales with time, detergent use, and labor. Basic siding washes might start low, but textured surfaces, heavy mildew, and fragile materials can move pricing upward.
2) Hourly Rates
Some contractors charge by the hourespecially for smaller jobs, spot treatments, or tricky homes with lots of detail. Hourly pricing may be used when the scope is hard to estimate upfront (for example, “We don’t know what’s under that green film until we start.”)
3) Flat Project Quotes (Most Common for Homes)
Many contractors provide a flat quote after assessing:
- Home size and stories
- Siding material and condition
- Staining/mildew severity
- Access issues (landscaping, slopes, tight side yards)
- Add-ons (driveways, decks, fences, gutters, windows)
Flat quotes are convenient because you know the total before anyone plugs in a hose. Just make sure the quote clearly states what’s includedespecially if you’re hoping for extras like driveway washing or a porch cleanup.
What Impacts the Cost the Most
Home Size (Exterior Square Footage)
Bigger exterior footprint = more time, more solution, more labor. Even “simple” homes take longer if there’s more surface area to cover.
Number of Stories
A two-story home usually costs more than a one-story home with the same square footage because:
- More safety measures
- Harder-to-reach areas
- More setup time (ladders, extension wands, or specialty equipment)
Siding Material
Some surfaces are easy to clean. Others are easy to damage. Pros adjust technique and pressure accordingly:
- Vinyl siding: typically straightforward (but you still don’t want to force water behind it)
- Wood: needs care; too much pressure can gouge fibers
- Stucco: textured and delicateoften better suited to soft washing
- Brick: can handle more, but mortar joints may need gentler treatment
- Painted surfaces: risk of peeling if the paint is older or already failing
Grime Level (The “Science Experiment” Factor)
Light dirt and pollen usually rinse off quickly. Mold, mildew, algae, and stubborn stains often require detergent dwell time, multiple passes, and sometimes specialized solutionswhich adds labor and cost.
Access and Layout
If the contractor can walk a clean perimeter around your home, that’s ideal. But costs can rise when:
- There’s limited space between houses
- Slopes or uneven ground complicate ladders
- Landscaping requires careful protection
- There are many windows, dormers, trim details, or architectural “extras”
Local Labor Rates and Demand
Pricing varies widely by region. Big metros, high-cost-of-living areas, and peak seasons (spring and early summer) can increase rates. In slower seasons, some pros offer discounts or bundling deals.
Pressure Washing vs. Power Washing vs. Soft Washing
Pressure Washing (Cold Water)
This is the classic method: pressurized cold water, often with detergent for better cleaning. It’s common for siding, walkways, patios, and fences (with the right settings).
Power Washing (Hot Water)
Power washing uses heated water, which can be more effective for grease, heavy grime, and stubborn stainsbut it typically costs more due to equipment and fuel needs. It’s often used for concrete, driveways, and commercial-style cleanups.
Soft Washing (Low Pressure + Cleaning Solution)
Soft washing relies more on cleaning chemistry and less on brute-force pressure. It’s often preferred for roofs, stucco, older paint, and delicate exteriors. It can reduce damage risk and may keep growth (like algae) from returning as quicklydepending on products and conditions.
Common Add-Ons That Change the Final Price
If you’re already booking a crew, it can be cost-effective to add other surfaces. Common add-ons include:
- Driveways and sidewalks: great for instant curb appeal
- Decks and patios: may require gentle settings to avoid damage
- Fences: wood fences especially benefit from careful technique
- Gutters (exterior brightening): removing “tiger stripes” can take extra effort
- Windows: exterior-only cleaning may be offered, but it’s not always included
Bundling tip: Many pros have minimum service fees. If your home is small, adding a driveway or patio can sometimes make the trip “worth it” and improve the overall value of the visit.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: The Real Cost Comparison
DIY Costs (Rental or Purchase)
DIY pressure washing usually involves:
- Pressure washer rental: often priced by the day (or even 4-hour blocks)
- Nozzles/attachments: surface cleaners, extension wands, detergent injectors
- Cleaning solutions: siding-safe detergents, mold/algae removers
- Safety gear: eye protection, closed-toe shoes, gloves
If you’re renting, DIY can be cheaper in pure dollarsespecially for a small, simple home. But it’s not “free,” and time matters too. A first-timer can spend half the day learning what the nozzles do and the other half wondering why the siding suddenly looks like it has a new haircut (uneven stripes).
The Hidden DIY Risks (a.k.a. “How Much Does It Cost to Fix Oops?”)
Pressure washers can damage:
- Vinyl siding (cracking or forcing water behind panels)
- Wood (gouging, splintering)
- Paint (peeling)
- Mortar (erosion)
- Window seals and screens
Pros have experience, commercial-grade equipment, and insuranceplus they (usually) know not to blast upward under siding like they’re trying to power-rinse the inside of your walls.
When Hiring a Pro Makes More Sense
- Your home is two stories or more
- You have stucco, older paint, or delicate materials
- You see significant mold/mildew across large areas
- You want speed, consistency, and less risk
- You’re prepping for painting or selling and want a uniform finish
How to Get an Accurate Quote (Without Wasting Everyone’s Time)
Step 1: Know What You Want Cleaned
“The whole house” is a start. But also decide if you want:
- Front only vs. full exterior
- Driveway/sidewalk included
- Porch, steps, patio, deck, fence
- Gutters brightened
Step 2: Describe Materials and Issues
Tell them what you have (vinyl, brick, stucco, wood) and what you’re seeing (green algae, black streaks, cobweb “seasonal décor,” etc.). Mention any peeling paint or fragile areas.
Step 3: Get Multiple Quotes
Three quotes is the sweet spot. You’ll learn local pricing, spot outliers, and hear different approaches (pressure vs. soft washing). The cheapest quote isn’t always best if it comes with aggressive methods that risk damage.
Step 4: Ask What’s Included
Good quote questions:
- Is detergent included?
- Will you protect plants and landscaping?
- Do you treat mold/algae, or just rinse it?
- Do you use soft washing for delicate surfaces?
- Are there additional fees for two-story areas or hard access?
Ways to Save Money on Pressure Washing (Without Skipping the Clean)
- Bundle surfaces: driveway + siding can be cheaper than booking separately
- Do prep work: move patio furniture, clear toys, trim branches near walls
- Choose timing wisely: some pros offer better pricing in slower seasons
- Maintain regularly: light annual cleaning can cost less than a “rescue mission” every 5 years
- Be honest about stains: surprises slow the job (and sometimes raise cost)
Is Pressure Washing “Worth It”?
Pressure washing is one of the fastest ways to boost curb appealoften in a single afternoon. It can also help:
- Extend the life of paint and siding by removing corrosive grime and growth
- Reduce slippery algae on walkways
- Prep surfaces for painting or staining
- Make your home look cared for (even if your garage says otherwise)
If your exterior is visibly stained, has mildew, or looks dull compared to neighboring homes, pressure washing usually delivers a strong “wow” per dollar.
Real-World Experiences: What Homeowners Actually Run Into (Extra 500+ Words)
Let’s talk about the stuff that doesn’t show up in neat price charts: the real-life moments where your budget meets your siding, your schedule, and that mysterious green film that appeared sometime between “last fall” and “how is it already this bad?”
Experience #1: The Quote That Makes Sense… Until You Remember the Back of the House
A super common scenario: you request a quote with a couple photos of the front. The price seems fair. Then the contractor asks for pictures of the back and one side yard. Suddenly, the estimate adjustsnot because anyone’s being shady, but because the back has a shaded wall with algae and the side yard is tight enough to require careful maneuvering. The takeaway: quotes are often “front-of-house optimistic” until the contractor sees the full perimeter, height, and stains.
Experience #2: “It’s Just Dirt” (Narrator Voice: It Was Not Just Dirt)
Homeowners often assume discoloration is dirt, but pros frequently identify it as mildew, algae, or oxidationespecially on older vinyl or painted surfaces. That matters because a proper cleaning may involve detergent dwell time and a controlled rinse, not just blasting water. More chemistry and more time usually means more cost. On the bright side, treating growth instead of rinsing it can keep the clean look longer, which is a better value over time.
Experience #3: The DIY Rental Day Turns Into a “New Hobby”
DIY can be a win if your house is small, one-story, and relatively clean. But many first-time renters discover the hidden costs: pickup and return logistics, learning curve, detergent choices, and the time it takes to do it safely. Plenty of people start at 9 a.m. with confidence and end at 4 p.m. with wet socks and one perfectly clean rectangle on the siding where they accidentally held the nozzle too long. It’s not that DIY is impossibleit’s that pressure washing punishes impatience.
Experience #4: The “Soft Wash” Upgrade That Prevents Regrets
Homeowners with stucco, older paint, or delicate trim often share the same lesson: paying a bit more for the right method can avoid expensive repairs. Soft washing can feel like you’re paying for “less pressure,” but you’re actually paying for more controland for a technique that reduces the chance of forcing water behind surfaces or stripping finishes. If you’ve ever paid to repaint something you didn’t plan to repaint, you understand the value of “gentle” real fast.
Experience #5: Scheduling and Seasonality Are Real
In many areas, spring and early summer are peak times. That means popular pros book up, and pricing can be firmer. Homeowners who schedule earlyor aim for shoulder seasonssometimes report better availability and occasional discounts. If you’re planning to paint, list your home, or host an event, don’t wait until the week before. Pressure washing is quick, but booking a good crew isn’t always last-minute-friendly.
Experience #6: The Best “Savings” Is Preparation
One of the simplest ways homeowners reduce final costs is by making the job faster: moving planters, clearing kids’ toys, rolling up hoses, trimming branches near walls, and pointing out fragile areas in advance. Contractors love a clean work zone because it reduces risk and time. And you love it because “less time” often equals “less money.” It’s one of the few times in life where picking up your yard is basically a coupon.
Bottom line: pressure washing costs aren’t random. They reflect time, risk, surface type, and method. If you understand the “why” behind a quote, you’ll be able to spot a good valueand avoid paying twice (once for washing, once for fixing accidental damage).
Conclusion
So, how much does it cost to pressure wash a house? Most projects land in a practical middle ground: affordable enough to do every so often, impactful enough to feel like you leveled up your home overnight. Focus on square footage, stories, surface material, and grime level. Compare quotes, confirm what’s included, and choose the right methodbecause the cheapest wash isn’t a deal if it turns your siding into abstract art.
