Want to turn your house back to its former glory? Then maybe you should clean it. Dust, mold, mildew, dry paint, and grime make your home look old and battered. By scraping all of that, your home’s old sparkle and beauty would return.
One of the ways you could give your house a bath is through pressure washing. This method makes use of pressurized water to get rid of all the grime and dirt from your home’s siding, garage doors, driveway, and patio.
There are pressure washers available in the market for the DIY enthusiasts, and there are also pressure washing companies who will clean your house exterior for you. Whatever you choose, there’s a corresponding price.
With that said, how much is the cost of pressure washing?
Average Cost of Pressure Washing
The average price of professional pressure washing is US$281, with most homeowners paying between US$183 to US$379 according to Home Advisor. The lowest cost of the said service recorded by the website is US$100 while the highest is US$600. The exact price you would have to pay varies depending on what area needs cleaning.
For instance, the estimated rate for pressure washing your house and siding is US$100 to US$300. Cleaning the driveway, on the other hand, would cost you around US$80 to US$200. As for the deck or patio, expect to pay US$250 to US$500.
Another factor that may affect pressure washing prices is the size of the area. For example, the company Esteem Pro Clean which was cited on Thumbtack charges a base fee of US$89 for areas 500 square feet in size and another 12 cents for each additional square foot.
Pressure washing companies would also include in their service charge the cost of cleaning chemicals. Usually, green or environment-friendly products cost more per square foot. Travel fees may also apply if the company provides services to homes that are located outside its normal business area.
Sample Pressure Washing Prices
Most companies that offer pressure washing services do not post their rates on their website. Instead, they would often ask you to provide necessary information by filling out an online form. They will then use the details you listed on the said form to create a quote that they will send to you to review.
To avoid unnecessary expenses, make sure that the company indicates on their website that you could get the estimate for free, or that they will not oblige you of anything if you request a quote. Better yet, contact them through the phone.
If you don’t want to hire a professional, you could pressure wash your house yourself. DIY pressure washing involves purchasing your own pressure washer.
If you are thinking of buying one, then know that there are two types of pressure washers. One is the electric pressure washer which costs around US$90 to US$200 and the other is the gas-powered pressure washer which costs from US$300 to US$800. The exact cost varies depending on how much pressure these washers offer.
For instance, the electric type which ranges from 1,300 to 1,900 psi have prices lower than the heavy-duty gas types. An electric pressure washer is great for washing cars, outdoor furniture, grills, plastic play sets, and small decks and patios according to Popular Mechanics. To give you a better idea of the cost, here are some sample prices from Lowe’s:
- Brand: AR Blue Clean
Specs: 1,600 PSI/1.58 GPM
Price: US$89
- Brand: Sun Joe
Specs: 1,700 PSI/1.76 GPM
Price: US$219
- Brand: Karcher
Specs: 1,700 PSI/1.2 GPM
Price: US$139
- Brand: Yard Force
Specs: 1,800 PSI/1.2 GPM
Price: US$179
- Brand: Greenworks
Specs: 1,800 PSI/1.1 GPM
Price: US$159
Gas-powered washers, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive because of their heavy-duty capabilities. For instance, a gas-powered type with 2,000 to 3,100 psi is useful for cleaning larger decks and patios, siding, fences, and vehicles. Furthermore, a gas engine with 3,200 to 4,200 psi, often used by professionals, is the best to use for paint stripping and surface preparation as well as graffiti removal.
For an idea of the cost of gas-powered washers, here’s a list once again from Lowe’s:
- Brand: Karcher
Specs: 2,200 PSI/2 GPM
Price: US$249
- Brand: Power Boss
Specs: 2,800 PSI/2.53 GPM
Price: US$329
- Brand: SIMPSON MegaShot
Specs: 3,100 PSI/2.5 GPM
Price: US$399
- Brand: Generac
Specs: 4,200 PSI/4 GPM
Price: US$899
Before buying a pressure washer, determine what exactly you need the machine for. It would be also helpful to gain a know-how on pressure washing. After all, a powerful machine would not be able to serve its purpose if you don’t have an idea of how to properly use it.
Putting Up Your Own Pressure Washing Business
With the ease of purchasing a pressure washer and the availability of manuals and tutorials about the proper use of the said machine, you might be considering putting up your own pressure washing business.
The next question, then, is “how much to charge for pressure washing?”.
The cost of your service will vary based on different factors. Of course, you would have to gain money to shoulder business costs including expenses for equipment, cleaning supplies, a service vehicle, office, rental, and marketing. In addition to that, you need to have some money to invest back into the business and most importantly, earn a salary for yourself.
According to Ultimate Washer, the actual pay for your labor in the pressure washing business comes from 30 out of your 40 working hours. That is because you would likely use the remaining 10 hours for making phone calls, setting appointments, visiting homes, and giving quotes which you would not bill directly to your customers.
Ultimate Washer also has sample prices for factors you should consider before deciding how much to charge for pressure washing. The costs are as follows:
- Vehicle loan
Cost: US$400
Equivalent to: US$3.33 per hour
- Car insurance
Cost: US$125
Equivalent to: US$1.04 per hour
- Cleaning Supplies
Cost: US$400
Equivalent to: 3.33 cents per hour
- Phone and Internet Services
Cost: US$150 per month
Equivalent to: US$1.25 per hour
- Gasoline
Cost: US$500 per month
Equivalent to: US$4.17 per hour
- Advertising and Marketing
Cost: US$600 per month
Equivalent to: US$5 per hour
- Maintenance and Fuel for Equipment (cost varies)
Estimated Equivalent: US$10
- Rental
Cost: US$900 per month
Equivalent to:
Multiplying the total cost for all these factors by 30 (the number of paid working hours) would result in a rate of US$40 per hour. That price only covers the business cost. Thus, you would have to set a higher rate per hour to be able to pay yourself and invest back into your business.
Whether you want to pressure wash your house yourself, hire a professional, or clean for others, there are expenses involved. But on a positive note, all these costs would result in a clean, sparkling home you and others would love to return to.