Tired of guessing what to charge for pressure washing jobs? Learn how to price driveways, decks, houses, and commercial work based on real costs, not what some guy on Facebook thinks.
If you’ve spent any time in pressure washing Facebook groups, you’ve seen it: someone posts a photo of a grimy driveway and asks, “What would you charge for this?”
The answers range from $75 to $400. And none of them are right, because none of those people know YOUR costs.
They don’t know your equipment payment. They don’t know your chemical costs. They don’t know how far you’re driving or how long it’ll take you.
Until you know your own numbers, you’re just guessing. And guessing leads to undercharging, burnout, and wondering why you’re working so hard for so little.
This guide breaks down exactly how to price pressure washing jobs based on real data and your actual costs, no accounting degree required.
The Pressure Washing Pricing Problem
Here’s what happens to most pressure washers:
You quote a driveway for $150 because that’s what you saw online. The job takes 2 hours, plus 30 minutes of drive time each way. You used $15 in chemicals and $20 in gas.
Sounds profitable, right?
But wait, you forgot about:
- Equipment wear ($10)
- Insurance cost per job ($8)
- Your truck payment ($15 allocated)
- Taxes you’ll owe later (~15%)
Suddenly your $150 job cost you $68 in expenses. Your real take-home? About $82. Divided by 3 hours of your time? That’s $27/hour.
Not bad, but not great either. And if you quoted $100 like some guys do? You’re working for minimum wage.
The fix isn’t working harder. It’s knowing your numbers.
Average Pressure Washing Prices in 2026
Here’s what customers are paying across the US. Use these as a benchmark, then adjust based on YOUR costs.
Residential Pricing by Surface Type
| Surface | Price Per Sq Ft | Average Job Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway (standard) | $0.15 – $0.30 | $150 – $275 | Based on 600 sq ft |
| Driveway (heavy stains) | $0.30 – $0.40 | $200 – $350 | Oil, rust, or years of buildup |
| Driveway (hot water) | $0.40 – $0.60 | $275 – $400 | For commercial-grade cleaning |
| House Exterior | $0.08 – $0.47 | $200 – $600 | Varies by stories and siding |
| Deck or Patio | $0.25 – $0.35 | $200 – $350 | Based on 400 sq ft |
| Deck (full restoration) | $0.50 – $1.50 | $350 – $600 | Includes prep and treatment |
| Sidewalk | $0.20 – $0.30 | $50 – $150 | Quick add-on service |
| Fence | $0.15 – $0.25 | $100 – $300 | Per linear foot or panel |
| Roof (soft wash) | $0.35 – $1.00 | $300 – $600 | Requires special chemicals |
Commercial Pricing by Surface Type
| Surface | Price Per Sq Ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Lot | $0.10 – $0.15 | Large area, low complexity |
| Warehouse Exterior | $0.08 – $0.15 | Simple surfaces |
| Commercial Building | $0.12 – $0.25 | Height and access affect price |
| Retail Storefront | $0.20 – $0.35 | Detail work around windows |
| Restaurant Exterior | $0.15 – $0.30 | Higher for grease removal |
| Gas Station/Concrete | $0.10 – $0.20 | Oil stain removal extra |
Quick Reference: Common Job Prices
| Job Type | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Standard driveway | $150 – $275 |
| 2-car garage floor | $75 – $150 |
| Front walkway + porch | $75 – $125 |
| Single-story house | $200 – $400 |
| Two-story house | $350 – $600 |
| 400 sq ft deck | $200 – $350 |
| Pool deck | $150 – $300 |
| Privacy fence (per side) | $150 – $300 |
| Small parking lot (20 spaces) | $200 – $400 |
What It Actually Costs You to Run a Pressure Washing Business
Before you can price profitably, you need to know what you’re spending.
Startup and Equipment Costs
| Item | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial pressure washer | $500 – $2,000 | Don’t cheap out here |
| Surface cleaner attachment | $200 – $500 | Essential for flat surfaces |
| Hoses and nozzles | $50 – $150 | Replace regularly |
| Trailer or truck setup | $500 – $5,000 | Depends on your vehicle |
| Total startup | $2,000 – $10,000 | Most start around $3,000 |
Ongoing Business Costs
| Expense | Annual Cost | Per Job (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemicals and detergents | $1,000 – $5,000 | $5 – $25 |
| Gas/fuel | $2,000 – $5,000 | $10 – $30 |
| Equipment maintenance | $500 – $1,500 | $3 – $10 |
| Insurance (liability) | $300 – $1,000 | $2 – $5 |
| Vehicle costs | $2,000 – $5,000 | $10 – $25 |
| Marketing | $200 – $1,000 | Varies |
The Number Most People Forget: Your Time
If you want to make $75,000 a year and work 40 hours a week for 50 weeks, you need to make $37.50 per hour of actual work.
But you’re not billing 40 hours. Between driving, quoting, admin, and marketing, you might bill 25 hours a week.
That means your billable rate needs to be $60/hour minimum just to hit $75K.
Are your current prices getting you there?
How to Calculate Your Price (The Formula That Works)
Stop copying competitors. Use this formula instead:
The Pressure Washing Pricing Formula
(Job Time × Your Hourly Rate) + Materials + Travel + Overhead = Your Minimum Price
Then add your profit margin (30-50%).
Example: Pricing a Driveway Job
The job: 600 sq ft driveway, moderate dirt, 20 minutes away
Step 1: Calculate job time
- Setup: 15 minutes
- Washing: 45 minutes
- Cleanup: 15 minutes
- Total on-site: 1.25 hours
Step 2: Add travel time
- 20 min each way = 40 minutes (0.67 hours)
- Total time invested: ~2 hours
Step 3: Calculate costs
- Your time: 2 hours × $50/hr = $100
- Chemicals: $10
- Gas: $15
- Equipment wear: $5
- Insurance allocation: $5
- Total costs: $135
Step 4: Add profit margin
- $135 × 1.40 (40% margin) = $189
- Round to $195 or $200
That’s your price, based on YOUR numbers, not a guess from Facebook.
Why Your Prices Might Be Too Low
If you’re charging $100 for driveways, here’s the math problem:
| Your Price | $100 |
|---|---|
| Minus chemicals | -$10 |
| Minus gas | -$15 |
| Minus equipment wear | -$5 |
| Minus insurance | -$5 |
| What’s left | $65 |
| Divided by 2 hours | $32.50/hour |
That’s before taxes. After self-employment tax (~15%), you’re at $27.60/hour.
You could make that at a desk job with benefits and no equipment to maintain.
The pressure washing businesses that last are the ones that charge enough to:
- Pay themselves a real wage
- Cover all expenses
- Save for equipment replacement
- Handle slow seasons
- Actually take time off
Profit Margins in Pressure Washing
Good news: pressure washing has some of the best margins in home services.
| Business Type | Typical Net Margin |
|---|---|
| Solo operator | 30% – 50% |
| Small crew (1-2 employees) | 20% – 35% |
| Larger operation | 15% – 25% |
The key to hitting 40%+ margins:
- Know your costs exactly
- Price based on value, not competition
- Upsell additional surfaces
- Keep overhead low
- Track every job’s profitability
How to Quote Different Job Types
Driveways
Pricing approach: Per square foot OR flat rate by size
| Driveway Size | Suggested Price |
|---|---|
| Small (1-car, ~300 sq ft) | $100 – $150 |
| Standard (2-car, ~600 sq ft) | $150 – $250 |
| Large (3-car, ~900 sq ft) | $225 – $350 |
| Extra large (1,200+ sq ft) | $300 – $450 |
Add extra for:
- Heavy oil stains: +$25 – $75
- Paint or rust removal: +$50 – $100
- Hot water cleaning: +50%
House Exteriors
Pricing approach: Per square foot of house size OR by story
| House Type | Suggested Price |
|---|---|
| Small single-story (<1,500 sq ft) | $200 – $300 |
| Average single-story (1,500-2,500 sq ft) | $275 – $400 |
| Large single-story (2,500+ sq ft) | $350 – $500 |
| Two-story house | $400 – $600 |
| Three-story house | $500 – $800 |
Add extra for:
- Heavy mold/mildew: +$50 – $150
- Soft wash required: +25%
- Second-story detail work: +$50 – $100
Decks and Patios
Pricing approach: Per square foot
| Deck Size | Suggested Price |
|---|---|
| Small (<200 sq ft) | $125 – $175 |
| Medium (200-400 sq ft) | $175 – $300 |
| Large (400-600 sq ft) | $275 – $400 |
| Extra large (600+ sq ft) | $375 – $550 |
Add extra for:
- Staining/sealing after: +$2 – $4/sq ft
- Railing detail work: +$25 – $75
- Heavy weathering: +25%
Commercial Jobs
Pricing approach: Per square foot with minimum job charge
| Job Type | Price Per Sq Ft | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Parking lot | $0.10 – $0.15 | $200 |
| Storefront | $0.20 – $0.35 | $150 |
| Restaurant exterior | $0.20 – $0.35 | $200 |
| Building exterior | $0.15 – $0.30 | $300 |
| Warehouse floor | $0.08 – $0.12 | $250 |
Commercial tip: Always charge a minimum, even for small jobs. Your setup time is the same whether it’s 500 sq ft or 2,000 sq ft.
The 3 Numbers Every Pressure Washer Needs to Know
1. Your Break-Even Daily Rate
How much you need to make per day just to cover costs.
Formula: Monthly expenses ÷ working days per month
Example: $3,000/month expenses ÷ 20 work days = $150/day minimum
If you’re not making $150 before you even pay yourself, you’re losing money.
2. Your True Hourly Rate
What you actually earn per hour of work.
Formula: (Job price – all costs) ÷ total hours (including drive time)
Track this for every job. You’ll quickly learn which jobs make money and which ones to avoid.
3. Your Target Job Price
The average price you need per job to hit your income goals.
Example:
- Goal: $80,000/year
- Work days: 200
- Jobs per day: 2
- Target per job: $200
If your average job is $150, you need to either raise prices or do more jobs per day.
Common Pricing Mistakes That Kill Profit
Mistake #1: Matching the Lowest Competitor
There’s always someone cheaper. They’re also usually out of business within a year. Compete on quality and reliability, not price.
Mistake #2: Forgetting Drive Time
A $200 job 45 minutes away is worse than a $150 job 10 minutes away. Factor in windshield time.
Mistake #3: Not Charging for Extras
Customer wants the sidewalk too? That’s extra. Back patio while you’re there? Extra. Don’t give away work.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Equipment Replacement
Your pressure washer won’t last forever. If you’re not setting aside money for replacement, you’re borrowing from your future.
Mistake #5: Pricing by the Hour to Customers
Never tell customers your hourly rate. They’ll try to rush you or question how long things take. Quote flat prices based on the job.
How to Raise Your Prices (Without Losing Customers)
If you’re undercharging, here’s how to fix it:
For new customers: Just quote your new prices. They don’t know what you charged before.
For existing customers:
- Give 30 days notice
- Explain rising costs (chemicals, gas, insurance)
- Offer to lock in current rates with a service agreement
- Be prepared to lose some, that’s okay
The rule: Raise prices 5-10% every year minimum. Your costs go up; so should your prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge per hour for pressure washing?
Most pressure washing businesses charge between $50 and $150 per hour, but you shouldn’t quote customers by the hour. Calculate your costs and quote flat rates per job. This protects your profit if you work efficiently.
What’s a good profit margin for pressure washing?
Solo operators typically achieve 30-50% net profit margins after all expenses. If you’re below 25%, you’re likely undercharging or have costs that need trimming.
Should I charge by the hour or by the job?
Always charge by the job. Hourly pricing punishes you for being fast and efficient. Quote flat rates based on square footage and job complexity.
How do I price jobs I’ve never done before?
Estimate the time it’ll take, add 25% buffer, calculate your costs, and add your profit margin. After the job, track what it actually took and adjust future quotes accordingly.
Is pressure washing profitable?
Yes, when priced correctly. The average pressure washing business can generate $50,000 to $150,000+ in annual revenue with profit margins of 30-50%. The key is knowing your costs and pricing accordingly.
How do I compete with lowball prices?
Don’t. There will always be someone cheaper. Focus on reliability, quality, and professionalism. Customers who only care about price aren’t customers you want, they’ll leave you for the next cheap option anyway.
Track Your Jobs, Know Your Profit
The difference between pressure washers who make money and those who don’t? The profitable ones track their numbers.
For every job, you should know:
- What you charged
- What it cost you (chemicals, gas, time)
- What you actually made
- How long it took
Without this data, you’re guessing. And guessing is why most service businesses fail.
SupaHandi was built for exactly this. Snap a photo of your receipts, log your jobs, and see your real profit per job, just what you charged.
No spreadsheets. No accounting degree. Just clarity on whether you’re actually making money.
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The Bottom Line
Stop asking Facebook what to charge. Your costs aren’t their costs.
Instead:
- Know your equipment, chemical, and time costs
- Calculate what you need to make per hour
- Price every job to hit your margin
- Track your actual profit
- Adjust and improve
The pressure washers who last aren’t the cheapest, they’re the ones who know their numbers and price accordingly.
Your business. Your costs. Your prices.