Trade guide
Pressure Washing Business
A machine, a truck, and a Saturday is all it takes to start — which is why so many people are starting, and why your price decides whether you're still here in two years.
The short version
$0.20–$0.45 per sq ft, or $55–$85/hr
A two-car driveway runs $150 to $300. A full house wash runs $300 to $600. Surface type matters more than size — a deck and a driveway of the same square footage are not the same job.
What pressure washing pays
Quote by the square foot, then check it against an hourly target. If a quote works out under $55 an hour of your time, the price is wrong.
| Job | Typical price | Per sq ft | Usual time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway, 2-car | $150–$300 | $0.20–$0.35 | 1.5–3 hrs |
| Sidewalk / walkway | $80–$180 | $0.20–$0.30 | 1–2 hrs |
| House wash, 1 story | $300–$450 | $0.20–$0.35 | 2–4 hrs |
| House wash, 2 story | $400–$600 | $0.25–$0.45 | 3–5 hrs |
| Wood deck, clean only | $250–$500 | $0.35–$0.60 | 3–5 hrs |
| Roof, soft wash | $450–$900 | $0.30–$0.60 | 3–6 hrs |
| Hourly, when you can't measure | $55–$85 | — | — |
Surface-by-surface prices, water access, and the real cost of a job are in the pressure washing pricing guide.
A job that works
An operator in Jacksonville quotes a 900 sq ft driveway at $0.25/sq ft = $225. Two hours with a 20-inch surface cleaner. Chemicals $9, gas $14.
That leaves $202 for 2 hours on site plus 40 minutes driving — roughly $75 an hour of working time.
A job that doesn't
Across town, a "$99 driveway special." Same driveway, same 2 hours. After chemicals, fuel, surface cleaner wear, insurance, and card fees — about $62 — he keeps $37 before tax.
Roughly $14 an hour, and it only looks survivable while the equipment is new. The pump rebuild in year two ends it.
Get these right before your first job
- Buy general liability insurance first — surface damage claims are real in this trade
- Set a minimum job price, usually $150 to $200, so small jobs don't cost you money
- Learn the difference between pressure washing and soft washing before you touch a roof
- Confirm water access in writing on every commercial quote
- Photograph every surface before you start — it ends damage disputes
- Send a written estimate naming the surfaces and square footage
Pressure damages things, and the damage is permanent. Too much pressure on cedar siding raises the grain and there's no undoing it. On a roof it strips granules and can void the shingle warranty. On old window glazing it forces water inside the wall. That's why liability insurance matters more here than in almost any trade.
Many operators run this alongside handyman work — one is seasonal, the other isn't, and one truck does both. See the handyman pricing guide.
Common questions
How much do pressure washers charge?
About $0.20 to $0.45 per square foot, or $55 to $85 an hour. A driveway typically runs $150 to $300 and a full house wash $300 to $600.
What does it cost to start a pressure washing business?
A usable commercial setup — a 4 GPM machine, a surface cleaner, hoses, a soft wash setup, and something to haul it — typically runs $3,000 to $8,000. Buy insurance before your first job.
Do I need insurance for pressure washing?
Yes, and more urgently than in most trades. Surface damage claims are common, because too much pressure on soft wood, old siding, or window seals leaves damage the customer sees every day. Most commercial clients require proof before hiring.
Who pays for the water?
On houses you use the customer's outdoor spigot, and nobody itemizes it — a driveway is a couple of dollars of water. On commercial sites, confirm water access in writing before you quote. Hauling your own water is a different job at a different price.
Is roof cleaning the same as pressure washing?
No. Roofs are soft washed — low pressure plus a cleaning solution. High pressure strips shingle granules and can void the roof warranty. It's also the most dangerous work here, so it's priced higher. Details in the pricing guide.
Should I set a minimum job price?
Yes — most operators set $150 to $200. Setup and pack-down take the same 35 to 45 minutes whether the job is a walkway or a whole driveway.
Start here
Rate ranges here are compiled public ranges as of August 2026 — a starting point for setting your own price, not a quote. City business licensing and wash-water runoff rules vary, so check your city's official site.