Free tool · Service pricing
Pressure washing price calculator
Most pressure washing jobs are priced per square foot of surface, with a minimum charge so small jobs still pay. Add each surface, set your rates from local competitor quotes, and the calculator shows the price to quote and what you actually earn on the job.
Surfaces · area × your rate per sq ft
Columns: sq ft, $ per sq ft. Starting rates are placeholders — replace them with what competitors in your area charge.
Quote to the customer
$620
$620 from area pricing.
- Total area
- 2,600 sq ft
- Labor cost
- $88
- Materials + travel
- $65
- Job profit
- $467
- Profit margin
- 75.3%
- Owner earnings per on-site hour
- $117
Quote logic
- Area price = Σ (surface sq ft × rate per sq ft)
- Quote = max(Area price, Minimum charge)
- Job profit = Quote − labor − chemicals − travel
How pressure washing companies price jobs
- Per square foot — the most common method for siding, driveways, decks and roofs. Different surfaces carry different rates because they take different time, chemicals and risk.
- Flat package prices — e.g. “house wash up to 2,500 sq ft”, which are easy for customers to say yes to online.
- Hourly — useful for commercial or unpredictable work such as graffiti removal or fleet washing.
- Minimum charge — covers setup, travel and tear-down, so a 200 sq ft patio is still worth the trip.
Setting your rates
Rates vary a lot by region, competition and surface, so the starting rates in the calculator are placeholders. Ask three or four local companies for quotes on a typical home, check their published packages, and set your rates slightly below the premium operators until you have reviews.
Then sanity-check the result with the profit side of the calculator: if a full house wash leaves you less than your target hourly earnings after chemicals, fuel and helper wages, your rate is too low regardless of what the market says.
Add-ons that raise the ticket
- Gutter brightening or gutter cleaning
- Window rinse or spot-free window cleaning
- Concrete sealing after cleaning
- Rust, oil or graffiti stain treatment
- Annual maintenance plans with a discounted repeat visit
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate a pressure washing price?
Measure each surface in square feet, multiply by your rate for that surface type, add the surfaces together and apply your minimum charge if the total is lower. Then check that the price covers labor, chemicals, travel and your target profit.
Should I charge per square foot or per hour for pressure washing?
Per square foot for residential work, because customers can compare quotes and you are rewarded for working faster. Hourly pricing suits commercial or unpredictable jobs.
What is a good minimum charge for pressure washing?
Enough to cover travel, setup, cleanup and at least an hour or two of your target earnings. Many operators set it so a tiny job still pays like a small one.
How much can a pressure washing business make?
It depends on price, volume and season. Use the profit side of this calculator to see earnings per job, then multiply by the jobs you can realistically book per week in your season.