Every power washing business owner eventually gets the same phone call:
“Hi, do you have any openings today? I really need this cleaned by tonight…”
Whether it’s a surprise home showing, a business getting ready for a grand opening, or a backyard party that snuck up on someone, emergency and last-minute requests are more common than you think — and they can be very profitable if priced and handled properly. 🧽⚡
In this article, we’ll break down how to approach emergency jobs, how to price them fairly (for both sides), and how to position your services as the “go-to” solution for urgent needs.
🚨 Why Emergency Jobs Happen
There’s often a real reason why customers are calling in a panic:
- A real estate agent needs curb appeal by tomorrow 🏠
- A commercial storefront was vandalized 🧱
- The homeowner has guests coming over that weekend 🎉
- Graffiti or bird droppings just showed up 🐦💥
These situations create stress, and people are willing to pay more for someone who can take that stress away — fast.
That’s where you come in. 💪
🧠 First: Decide If You Want to Offer Emergency Services
Before pricing, ask yourself:
- Do I have the capacity to handle last-minute calls?
- Can I leave a job and start another if needed?
- Is my schedule flexible enough for weekend or evening work?
Not all businesses can or should offer emergency service. But if you’re solo or run a small team, these jobs can fill gaps in your week — and generate high-profit work with minimal marketing.
💵 How to Price Emergency Power Washing Services
Here’s the truth: emergency pricing should be higher than your standard rates.
Why?
- You’re shifting your schedule and priorities
- You’re solving a high-stress problem quickly
- It often requires travel, rescheduling, and overtime
🧾 Recommended Pricing Strategy:
- Base Rate: Start with your normal job price (e.g. $250 for a driveway)
- Rush Fee: Add a 25–50% surcharge for same-day service
- After-Hours Fee: Add $75–$150 if outside of business hours
- Weekend Rate: Consider a premium for Saturday/Sunday work
✅ Example: A standard $300 house wash becomes $375 with a rush fee — or $450 if it’s on Sunday evening.
Customers who are calling last-minute expect to pay more — they just need the job done.
📋 Sample Emergency Price Chart
| Service | Normal Rate | Same-Day Rate | Weekend/After-Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway Cleaning | $150 | $195–$225 | $250+ |
| Full House Wash | $300 | $375–$450 | $500+ |
| Graffiti Removal | $200 | $250–$300 | $350+ |
| Deck or Patio Clean | $180 | $225+ | $275+ |
These prices are flexible — and you should adjust them based on:
- Local market demand
- Distance/travel time
- Size and condition of the job
- Your current workload
📞 How to Communicate Emergency Pricing
When someone calls in a rush, they’re expecting a quick “yes” or “no.” But it’s important to be clear and confident in your pricing — without sounding like you’re taking advantage of the situation.
🗣️ Try this script:
“We do offer same-day service when available. Because it’s a last-minute booking, we apply a rush fee of 30% on top of our standard pricing. I can get you scheduled this afternoon — would you like me to lock that in?”
This lets them know:
✅ You can solve their problem
✅ It’s going to cost more
✅ You’re a professional
🧼 Should You Guarantee Emergency Results?
Sometimes, people want miracles:
- “Can you remove this 10-year-old oil stain today?”
- “Can you power wash the whole backyard in 90 minutes?”
Be honest. Let them know what’s possible — and what’s not — in the time you have. It’s okay to say:
“I can get this cleaned up quickly, but some stains may need a follow-up to fully disappear.”
Setting clear expectations keeps your reputation strong, even when you’re working under pressure.
📦 Offer an “Emergency Package”
If you regularly get last-minute calls, create a specific service tier just for these scenarios:
- 2-hour arrival guarantee
- Priority response
- Additional cleanup services
- After-dark availability with lighting ⚡🔦
You can charge more because you’re solving urgent problems — not just doing routine work.
🔁 Turn Emergencies into Repeat Clients
After the rush job is complete, don’t let the relationship end there.
Send a quick follow-up:
“Thanks for choosing us for your emergency service! Would you like to get on our quarterly maintenance plan so future cleanings are stress-free?”
Emergency clients often become your most loyal regulars once they see how quickly and professionally you handle pressure. 💼💯
🛠️ Tools That Help with Fast Jobs
To succeed with last-minute power washing calls, your business needs to stay nimble:
- Use scheduling tools like Jobber or Housecall Pro 📅
- Keep a truck or trailer fully stocked and ready to roll 🚚
- Have a backup team member or partner for peak times
- Stay active on Google Maps and local search 🔍
Visibility + responsiveness = emergency job magnet.
🔚 Final Thoughts
Emergency and last-minute power washing jobs aren’t for every business — but if you’re willing to answer the call, they can be some of your most profitable and impactful work.
Customers are happy to pay a premium to save face, meet a deadline, or impress a guest. 💸🧼
So next time someone asks, “Can you come right now?” — smile, quote your rush fee, and go earn your hero badge. 🦸♂️💦
