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How to Price Pressure Washing Jobs in 2026 (Residential and Commercial Rates)

Updated April 02, 2026

Most new pressure washers price too low because they’re afraid to lose the job. Then they’re trapped at beginner rates, burning out on low-margin work, and they quit inside a year. Pricing confidently from day one is the single most important business skill you can learn.

Below are real market rates for residential and commercial work, a step-by-step process for quoting a new job, and an example quote you can copy and send today.


What to Charge

Starting Out

Start 10-15% below market rate to get your first 10 customers and reviews:
- Driveways: $99 - $125
- House wash (siding): $150 - $200
- Patios/decks: $75 - $125
- Sidewalks: $50 - $75

Market Rate

Standard rates once you have 10+ Google reviews:
- Driveways: $150 - $250 (or $0.25 - $0.35/sq ft)
- House wash (siding): $250 - $450
- Patios/decks: $100 - $200
- Sidewalks: $75 - $125
- Fence washing: $1 - $3 per linear foot

Commercial

Commercial rates for parking lots, buildings, and fleet washing:
- Parking lots: $0.10 - $0.30 per square foot
- Storefronts: $100 - $250 per wash
- Drive-through lanes: $150 - $300
- Dumpster pad cleaning: $50 - $150

Pricing model: Charge per job (flat rate), not per hour. Quote after seeing the property, either in person or from photos the customer sends. Per-square-foot pricing works for commercial. Always round up.

When to raise: Raise prices 10-15% once you have 20+ Google reviews and a 2-week booking backlog. If you're booking every lead, you're too cheap.

How to Quote a Job

1. Measure the area

Most residential driveways are 400-800 sq ft. Walk it off if you don't have a tape measure. One big step is roughly 3 feet.

2. Check the staining

Light dirt = standard rate. Oil stains, heavy mold, paint, or algae = add 25-50% to your price.

3. Calculate

Your rate x square footage. New operators: $0.15-0.25/sq ft. Established: $0.25-0.35/sq ft. Example: 600 sq ft driveway x $0.25 = $150.

4. Add extras

Sidewalk? Add $50-75. Patio out back? Add $75-125. Always quote one total number, not a line-by-line breakdown.

5. Send it within an hour

Text or email your quote as fast as you can. The first person to respond almost always wins the job. If you wait until tomorrow, someone else already got it.

Example quote text:
"Hi [name], thanks for reaching out. For your driveway (~600 sq ft) I'd charge $150. If you want the front sidewalk done too, $200 for both. I can come out [day]. Let me know!"
Send your quote fast. The first person to respond usually wins the job. Text or email your quote within an hour of the inquiry. If you wait until tomorrow, someone else already got it.

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