How to Price Pressure Washing Jobs, Step by Step

No two pressure washing jobs are identical. Before naming a price, visit the property yourself or send a trusted crew member who knows what to look for. Inspect these:

• Total square footage: Measure or carefully estimate the actual area to be washed. Not just what the customer says. Walk it and jot it down.
• Material type: Concrete, siding, wood, brick, or delicate surfaces each need different approaches, chem, and time.
• Stain severity: Oil, mold, mildew, paint, or just old grime? Set real expectations, as some stains need more passes or special treatments.
• Access and setup: Will you be hauling hoses 100 feet or climbing steps? Any delicate landscaping you need to protect? Make sure you see everything that could slow you down.
• Anything off limits or hazardous: Electrical outlets, irrigation systems, outdoor furniture? Spot it before committing.

Every owner who's lost money on a job thought, "It won't take that long." You need a full picture of what delivering the job actually costs you:

• Labor: Will this need two crew or one? How many hours for setup, working, cleanup, and moving gear?
• Supplies and chemicals: Detergents, degreasers, sealants or stain removers aren't free. Calculate what each job burns through.
• Wear and tear: Equipment won't last forever. It's not just gas or diesel. Nozzles, hoses, and pumps get chewed up more with tough jobs or chemicals, and they're not cheap to replace.
• Travel and vehicle time: Long drives or multiple jobs in one area? Build in your round trip and any costs to reach and leave the job.

There are plenty of ways to underbid a job without meaning to. The most common mistakes include:

• Skipping the site visit and quoting blind
• Letting a homeowner pressure you into a ballpark price before you've walked the job
• Missing "extras" like balcony rails, fencing, or detached sheds, then eating the cost later
• Not asking if water access is available - or finding out homeowners want you to bring your own
• Forgetting to pre-treat or post-treat where it's needed, making your service look "unfinished" or cutting corners just to not lose money

Your pricing method should match the actual work, the local market, and what you need to clear per crew hour after materials and expense. Contractors use one or a mix of these:

• Square footage: A systematic way, but watch for hidden corners and trim work
• Hourly rate: Good when the job's scope could change (like removing stubborn stains or chewing gum on sidewalks), but only if your crew is efficient and you communicate it upfront
• Flat rate: Easiest to explain but covers fewer surprises, so pad carefully for any unknowns
• Add-ons: Be clear about extras like driveway degreasing, sealing, or washing patio furniture. Price these on the quote as options.

Whatever you choose, write down exactly what is covered. Give homeowners a line-by-line, not a lump sum - makes it easier when someone tries to add on "one more thing."

Walk every quote like it's your own property and you're about to spend the money. During the quote, make sure to:

• Measure everything yourself, don't rely on owner estimates
• Note water source location, hose runs, ladder work, and electrical risks
• Ask if there are areas to avoid or items that might be damaged by high pressure
• Discuss stain types and realistic results - manage expectations for what pressure washing can and can't do
• Document everything with photos (with permission) - especially before/after for your own protection

After you tally labor, materials, wear and tear, and travel, check what local jobs like this are going for. Remember, if you're not making enough margin to cover rainy days, repairs, or dead time, the business will eat you up. Avoid lowballing yourself just to win the job. Instead:

• Present your price clearly - line item by line item
• Explain what could cost extra so there are no surprises
• If you're unsure about something extensive (such as stubborn oil spots), offer a range with a clear minimum and explain what could move it up
• Never promise a certain result you can't guarantee (such as making old wooden decks look brand new)

You will always meet customers who want to haggle or "nickel and dime" the quote. Be professional, but stand your ground - if a prospect plays games, explain what goes into your price and where corners would have to be cut to shave it. If you compromise too far, every other job will do the same - and the crew will notice.

• Stay firm on what's included and what's not
• Only use discounts to win a strategic job (repeat business, referrals, or a neighbor cluster)
• If a customer won't respect your quote process, decide if they're worth taking on at all

When you're getting your own leads and juggling calls, it's easy to rush quotes or make mistakes because you're trying to keep up. If you use a booking service, like StingLeads, where free quote visits are put directly on your calendar, you have more control:

• You can take your time on each property, walk it thoroughly, and ask every question before quoting
• You know the homeowner is expecting you - so there's less pressure to cut corners or rush the visit
• You can pick the ZIP codes where you want these visits, making travel and time cost easier to handle
• If you ever get a dead-end (wrong number, nobody home, nothing to quote), you don't pay for it

The right booked appointments can mean fewer wasted trips and better, more accurate pricing, because you're quoting the job, not guessing from a phone call or a poorly written request.