How Much Does Pressure Washing Cost?
Pressure washing costs $150 to $700 for most homes, averaging about $250 to $450. A crew cleans your driveway, house siding, or deck with high-pressure water — one of the cheapest ways to make a house look years younger in a single afternoon.
The price is quoted two ways: per square foot, or per job. Most pros charge $0.15 to $0.50 per square foot for hard surfaces like concrete and siding, and $0.40 to $0.80 for delicate wood decks and painted surfaces. This guide covers prices by surface, the three washing methods, what else drives the price, and whether renting a machine yourself is actually cheaper.
Pressure Washing Prices at a Glance
The table below shows typical prices in the United States, checked Nov 8, 2026 (sources: Zarla, Housecall Pro, Angi, HomeGuide, and Homewyse).
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Whole-house job (average) | $250–$450 |
| Driveway (2-car) | $100–$300 |
| House siding (soft wash) | $250–$600 |
| Wood deck | $100–$500 |
| Roof (soft wash) | $500–$1,275 |
| Fence | $120–$300 |
| Minimum charge | $100–$200 |
Zarla puts the typical driveway at $150 to $400 and a house wash at $250 to $597, with two-story homes running $400 to $1,400. HomeGuide puts the national average for a standard two-car driveway near $175, and Homewyse estimates $0.42 to $0.52 per square foot for basic work.
The range is wide because the job is wide: a small patio takes an hour, a two-story house with driveway, deck, and fence takes a full day. The per-square-foot rate is the number to compare between quotes — a lump-sum quote tells you nothing about whether it is fair.
Cost by Surface
Concrete is the cheapest surface to wash because it can take full pressure. Wood and roofs cost more because they need a gentler touch, which takes longer.
| Surface | Typical rate per sq ft | Typical job cost |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | $0.15–$0.40 | $100–$300 |
| Sidewalk or patio | $0.15–$0.40 | $60–$150 |
| Vinyl siding (soft wash) | $0.12–$0.30 | $240–$600 |
| Brick siding | $0.15–$0.35 | $300–$700 |
| Stucco (soft wash) | $0.18–$0.40 | $360–$800 |
| Wood deck | $0.25–$0.50 | $100–$500 |
| Composite deck | $0.20–$0.40 | $80–$160 |
| Wood fence | $0.30–$0.60 | $120–$300 |
| Roof, asphalt shingle (soft wash) | $0.30–$0.60 | $500–$1,275 |
A standard two-car driveway runs $100 to $300; a 1,000-square-foot driveway costs $200 to $400. Oil stains add 25 to 50 percent.
House siding is usually soft washed: a low-pressure spray with detergent. A one-story house wash runs $170 to $280; a two-story house runs $250 to $450 or more.
A wood deck costs $100 to $500 depending on size, and $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot if you also want it stained or sealed afterwards. It must be washed at low pressure — 1,200 to 1,500 PSI — or the wood fibres fuzz up, a defect called furring that leaves the deck looking worse than before.
Roofs are never pressure washed. Asphalt shingles are soft washed at 100 to 500 PSI, and the job costs $500 to $1,275. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Associatio
Pressure Wash vs Power Wash vs Soft Wash
Three terms, three different methods — and using the wrong one damages the surface.
Pressure washing uses cold water at high pressure, typically 1,500 to 3,000 PSI. It suits concrete driveways, brick, stone pavers, and metal fences — hard surfaces that can take the force.
Power washing is the same idea with hot water. The heat cuts grease and oil faster, so it is used on heavily stained concrete. For a home driveway with oil stains, a power wash works better than a cold pressure wash, and it costs a little more.
Soft washing uses low pressure — 100 to 500 PSI — with detergent and bleach-based cleaners that do the work chemically. It is the only safe method for house siding, stucco, wood, and roofs. A company that offers to pressure wash your roof at 3,000 PSI is a company to send away.
What Else Drives the Price
The minimum charge is the first driver: most companies charge $100 to $200 just to show up, so even a single sidewalk slab costs $100 or more. It covers the truck, the setup, and the water.
Height is the second driver: a two-story house costs 25 to 50 percent more than a one-story house of the same size, because of ladders and slower work.
Condition is the third: a surface cleaned every year costs the low end of the range, while one untouched for five years costs the top, because mould, algae, and stains need pre-treatment and extra passes.
Region is the fourth: dense, high-cost cities sit at the top of every range, and rural areas at the bottom.
DIY vs Hiring a Pro
Renting a machine is cheaper than hiring a crew — if you only count the rental. The full comparison looks different.
| Option | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Rent an electric washer (1,400 PSI) | $47 per day | Light-duty jobs: patio, car, windows |
| Rent a gas washer (2,000–2,700 PSI) | $87 per day | Deck restoration, concrete cleaning |
| Rent a heavy-duty gas washer (3,500–4,000 PSI) | $102 per day | Serious concrete and heavy grime |
| Buy a decent pressure washer | $150–$300 | Yours to keep; 3–5 rentals to break even |
| Hire a pro, driveway only | $100–$300 | Done in 1–2 hours, no risk |
| Hire a pro, whole house | $250–$700 | All surfaces, correct method per surface |
Home Depot rents its electric unit at about $47 a day, the mid-size gas unit at $87 a day, and the heavy-duty gas unit at $102 a day, checked Nov 8, 2026 (sources: Bob Vila's 2025 rental survey and Pressure Wash Tips). Add a refundable deposit of $25 to $150 and detergent bought separately.
The break-even point for buying is about 3 to 5 rentals: rent four times at $60 a day and you have spent $240, which is what a decent machine costs to buy. The hidden costs of DIY are time and risk — a driveway takes an afternoon, a house takes a full day, and one wrong nozzle choice can gouge wood or cut a line into concrete.
A Worked Example: Driveway, House, and Deck
Take a family home with a two-car driveway (500 square feet), a one-story vinyl-sided house (2,000 square feet of wall), and a wood deck (400 square feet).
- Driveway, 500 sq ft at $0.25 per sq ft: $125
- House siding, soft wash, 2,000 sq ft at $0.20 per sq ft: $400
- Wood deck, 400 sq ft at $0.40 per sq ft: $160
Total: $685 — near the top of the $150 to $700 range, because three surfaces are included. Booked separately, the same work would cost more, because each visit carries its own $100 to $200 minimum charge.
The DIY version: rent the mid-size gas washer at $87 a day, buy detergent for $20, and spend a full Saturday on it. Total: about $107 plus your day — a saving of roughly $575, but you do the work and take the risk.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Hiring the cheapest quote without asking the method. A $99 whole-house wash at 3,000 PSI will damage siding and void a roof warranty.
- Pressure washing your roof. Asphalt shingles must be soft washed only — high pressure strips granules and voids the warranty.
- Using full pressure on wood. Decks and fences need 1,200 to 1,500 PSI; full pressure furs the wood and leaves it rough.
- Paying per job without knowing the square footage. Get the per-square-foot rate in writing so you can compare quotes fairly.
- Booking surfaces one at a time. Each visit carries a $100 to $200 minimum — bundle the driveway, house, and deck into one visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does pressure washing cost?
About $150 to $700 for most homes, checked Nov 8, 2026, averaging $250 to $450. Pros charge $0.15 to $0.50 per square foot for concrete and siding, and $0.40 to $0.80 for wood decks.
How much does it cost to pressure wash a driveway?
A standard two-car driveway costs $100 to $300, averaging about $175, at $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot. A 1,000-square-foot driveway costs $200 to $400.
What is the difference between pressure washing and power washing?
Pressure washing uses cold water at high pressure; power washing uses hot water, which cuts grease faster. Soft washing uses low pressure with detergent and is the safe method for siding, wood, and roofs.
Can I pressure wash my roof?
No — not with high pressure. Asphalt shingles must be soft washed at 100 to 500 PSI, costing $500 to $1,275. High pressure strips granules and can void the warranty.
Is it cheaper to rent a pressure washer or hire a pro?
Renting costs $47 to $102 a day at Home Depot, so a one-day driveway job is cheaper DIY. Hiring a pro costs $100 to $300 for the driveway but includes insurance and the right method per surface.
