Hiring a power washing service? 💦 Before you let anyone near your siding, driveway, or deck, it’s smart to do a little online detective work. 🕵️♂️ That means checking reviews and ratings — one of the most powerful tools you have to gauge whether a contractor is worth your time (and money).
But not all reviews are created equal. In this article, we’ll break down how to interpret ratings, spot red flags, and read between the lines — so you can hire confidently and avoid costly mistakes. ✅
🌐 Where to Find Reviews
Let’s start with the basics — where should you be looking?
- Google Reviews – Great for local businesses and overall reputation.
- Yelp – Especially good in urban areas, with detailed user feedback.
- Facebook – Businesses often engage directly with customers here.
- HomeAdvisor / Angi – Reviews from verified service users.
- Nextdoor – Useful for neighborhood-specific recommendations.
- BBB (Better Business Bureau) – More formal reviews, complaints, and resolutions.
Check multiple platforms for consistency. If a company has glowing reviews on one site and terrible ones elsewhere, that’s a red flag. 🚩
⭐ Star Ratings: What They Actually Mean
Most platforms let users give a business 1–5 stars. But what’s “good” vs. “great”?
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6–5.0): Excellent. Consistent quality, satisfied clients, minor complaints (if any).
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0–4.5): Good. A few hiccups, but generally reliable and responsive.
- ⭐⭐⭐ (3.0–3.9): Mixed bag. Proceed with caution — too many inconsistencies.
- ⭐⭐ or ⭐: Trouble. Poor service, frequent no-shows, bad communication, or worse.
Tip: A perfect 5.0 with only a handful of reviews isn’t always trustworthy. Look for volume + consistency.
📝 How to Read the Reviews Themselves
When skimming reviews, pay attention to more than just the number of stars. The written comments hold the real story.
✅ Look for:
- 🕐 Timeliness: “They showed up on time and finished ahead of schedule.”
- 💬 Communication: “They explained the whole process and answered all my questions.”
- 🧼 Quality of work: “My siding looks brand new.”
- 💲 Honest pricing: “The quote was fair and matched the final bill.”
- 🔁 Repeat customers: “I’ve used them twice now.”
These reviews signal a company that delivers on its promises.
🚫 Watch out for:
- ⏰ “They were 3 hours late with no notice.”
- 🧾 “I was charged way more than quoted.”
- 💨 “They rushed through the job and left a mess.”
- 🧍 “The tech was rude and dismissive.”
- 🧪 “They used harsh chemicals that damaged my lawn.”
These kinds of reviews are warning signs — especially if multiple customers report the same problems.
💡 Look for Patterns, Not Outliers
Even the best companies occasionally have a bad day. What matters more is whether patterns emerge in the reviews.
If one person says the crew was rude, it could be a fluke. But if 10 people say the same thing? That’s a pattern. 🧩
Check for themes like:
- Poor communication
- Late arrivals or reschedules
- Overcharging or surprise fees
- Inconsistent cleaning quality
- Lack of respect for property (plants, pets, etc.)
Positive patterns are just as important! A company praised repeatedly for professionalism and going the extra mile is likely to live up to your expectations. 🌟
🔍 Don’t Ignore Recent Reviews
A company’s reputation can change over time — for better or worse.
Focus on reviews from the last 6–12 months. A business that had glowing reviews in 2022 but bad ones in 2024 might be under new management… or cutting corners.
Pro tip: On many platforms (like Yelp or Google), you can sort reviews by most recent. Use it!
📸 Photos Say a Lot
Look for before-and-after photos in reviews — especially for power washing jobs. 🧼📷
Customers sometimes upload:
- Driveway cleaning transformations
- Siding cleans that removed mold and algae
- Patio or deck results
- Gutters before/after
Photos help confirm that a company does quality work. They also let you see how they handle specific surfaces like brick, stucco, or composite decking.
💬 See How the Company Responds
Reputable companies often respond to both good and bad reviews. This tells you a lot about their customer service attitude.
- ✅ Good response: “Thank you for your kind words! We’re glad you’re happy.”
- 🛠️ Constructive response to a bad review: “We’re sorry to hear this. Please contact us so we can make it right.”
- 🚩 Bad response: “You’re lying!” or “That never happened.”
A professional tone — even in the face of criticism — shows maturity and reliability. 🙏
🧠 Watch Out for Fake Reviews
Unfortunately, fake reviews exist — both positive and negative. 🚫 Here’s how to spot them:
Fake positive reviews may:
- Use generic praise (“Great job!”) with no details
- Sound unnatural or robotic
- Post multiple 5-star reviews in a single day
Fake negative reviews may:
- Come from people with no review history
- Contain oddly specific complaints not seen elsewhere
- Seem like sabotage from a competitor
Again, look for consistency across platforms and use your best judgment.
🧭 Final Tips: Trust Your Gut (and the Math)
- Read at least 10 reviews before making a decision
- Focus on recent experiences and realistic praise
- Avoid companies with shady review behavior or radio silence online
- Balance reviews with other factors like insurance, experience, and credentials
Online reviews aren’t perfect — but when used wisely, they can give you powerful insight into whether a power washing contractor is truly worth hiring. 💬🧼
