Pressure Washing Cost Calculator
| Surface | Pro rate /sq ft | 600 sq ft pro | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway / concrete | $0.15-0.30 | $90-180 | surface cleaner is the pro trick |
| House siding | $0.30-0.50 | $180-300 | soft-wash for old siding |
| Deck (softwood) | $0.30-0.45 | $180-270 | gentle fan tip only |
Pressure washing quotes by the square foot, and the rate depends on what the water hits: concrete driveways and patios run $0.15-0.30 per square foot, house siding $0.30-0.50 (more for second stories and delicate materials), and decks $0.30-0.45 because softwood needs a gentler, slower wash. A 600-square-foot driveway lands at $90-180 professionally; a full 2,000-square-foot siding wash runs $600-1,000. The pro number includes the machine, the surface cleaner, the detergents and the hours you would spend - which is exactly what the DIY column is there to compare.
The DIY day is cheap and honest: a rental pressure washer runs $40-60 for the day plus $15-25 in detergent and nozzle odds and ends, and the price of doing it yourself is mostly the Saturday. The one place DIY must stop: houses built before 1978 may have lead paint, and blasting water at old paint spreads lead dust and chips - the EPA's lead program says test first and never dry-scrape or high-pressurewash painted surfaces that might contain lead. Softwood decks also punish the impatient: too much pressure too close leaves furring stripes that only sanding fixes.
How to use
- Enter the surface area and pick the surface type - the tool prices the professional wash from per-surface rates.
- Compare the DIY line: rental day plus supplies, and roughly how long the same area takes a first-timer.
- Check the age of the house before any siding wash - pre-1978 paint needs the lead-safe path, not a zero-degree nozzle.
Frequently asked questions
How much does pressure washing cost per square foot?
Concrete: $0.15-0.30 per square foot; house siding: $0.30-0.50 with second stories and fragile materials at the top; decks: $0.30-0.45. Minimum call-out charges ($50-100) swallow small jobs, which is why bundling the driveway with the sidewalk gets a better effective rate than booking them separately.
Is it cheaper to rent a pressure washer or hire a pro?
Small jobs favor the pro (a $50-100 minimum beats renting for one small patio); big flat jobs favor DIY - a 600-square-foot driveway at $50-80 of rental and detergent versus $90-180 quoted. What DIY cannot buy back is time (budget twice the pro's hours) and risk: etched concrete, water forced behind siding, and torn deck grain are all one-pass mistakes.
How often should a house be pressure washed?
Siding in mildew-prone or shaded climates: about once a year; drier climates: every 2-3 years. Driveways and walkways: annually for appearance, or when the surface turns green. Gutters and downspouts should be clear before any wash so the rinse water has somewhere to go.
When should I NOT pressure wash?
Pre-1978 painted surfaces until tested for lead - high-pressure water turns old lead paint into dust and chips, and the EPA's lead program exists for exactly this question. Also skip: old mortar joints, cracked stucco, asphalt shingles (granule loss), and anything with an unsealed finish you are not prepared to restain.