What’s in these numbers
Each total is a typical job, priced the way a contractor’s estimate is priced:
- The outside walls cleaned with pressure or chemical spray.
- Overhead and profit: 20%, the standard markup on a contractor’s estimate.
- Sales tax on the materials, at the state’s average rate.
The sizes are square feet of wall, not floor: 8 foot walls a story plus the two gable ends, windows and doors left in. A one-story house 40 by 30 feet has about 1,350 square feet of wall.
Not in them: the roof, decks, driveways and walks, heavy mildew or rust stains, and protecting plants.
What moves the price
- How dirty. Light dirt washes off quickly; heavy mildew, algae and stains take more chemical and time.
- Stories. Second-story walls and tall gables need ladders or extension wands.
- The siding. Vinyl and metal siding, painted wood and masonry each take a different pressure and cleaner.
- Painting next. Washing is the first step of an exterior paint job; the exterior painting cost guide includes it.
- Where you live. Pick your state in the box above.
Common questions
How much does it cost to pressure wash a house?
About $775 to $1,100 for a 1,800 sq ft one-story house, about 1,650 square feet of wall, typically $925.
How much for a two-story house?
About $1,200 to $1,700 for a 2,500 sq ft two-story house.
What does pressure washing cost per square foot?
$0.25 to $0.75 a sq ft of wall of wall, with overhead, profit and sales tax.