Pricing is one of the biggest pain points for new power washing business owners. Charge too little, and you’re working for peanuts. Charge too much, and you might scare off customers. So how do you find that sweet spot — where your prices are competitive, profitable, and scalable?
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But with the right approach, you can set rates that work for you, your clients, and your bottom line. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to confidently price your power washing services — without leaving money on the table. 💼🧽
💡 Understand What You’re Really Selling
Before diving into numbers, understand this: You’re not just selling pressure washing. You’re selling:
- Curb appeal 🏠
- Time savings ⏳
- Property protection 🧱
- Professionalism and peace of mind 🤝
Your pricing should reflect the value you deliver — not just how long it takes or how much water you use.
🧾 Common Power Washing Pricing Models
Let’s start with the three most common methods:
1. Per Square Foot
- Great for large surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and decks
- Typical range: $0.10 to $0.40 per square foot
- Helps you stay consistent and accurate
Example: A 1,000 sq. ft. driveway at $0.25/sq ft = $250
2. Flat Rate (Per Job)
- Easier for clients to understand upfront
- Often used for house washing, fences, or bundled services
- Can be risky if job takes longer than expected
Example: $400 for a 2-story house wash, regardless of square footage
3. Hourly Rate
- Less common, but useful for custom or unpredictable jobs
- Typical range: $60–$120/hour
💡 Pro Tip: Use hourly rates internally to check your efficiency, but don’t always quote clients this way. They care more about results than your clock.
📊 Know Your Costs Before You Set Your Rates
You can’t price confidently if you don’t know your numbers.
Fixed Monthly Costs:
- Insurance 💼
- Equipment payments or leases 🧰
- Software subscriptions 🖥️
- Vehicle expenses 🚛
- Marketing 📣
Variable Job Costs:
- Fuel ⛽
- Chemicals and detergents 🧴
- Wear and tear on equipment
- Labor (if you hire help)
Track your cost per job. If it costs you $60 in time, fuel, and materials to clean a driveway, you can’t afford to charge $75 and call it a win.
Use this basic formula:
(Total Job Price – Job Costs) ÷ Time Worked = Real Hourly Profit
If it’s under $50/hr consistently, it’s time to raise your rates.
📍 Factor in Location and Competition
Pricing varies by market — and that’s okay. What works in rural Kentucky won’t match pricing in San Diego.
Research:
- Search local competitors’ websites 📱
- Call around as a “curious customer”
- Look at Facebook business pages
- Browse local directories like Yelp or Angi
Don’t just race to the bottom. Instead, look for where you can add value and charge slightly more.
📈 Tiered Pricing Example for Residential Jobs
| Service Type | Budget Range | Mid-Tier Range | Premium Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway Cleaning | $75 – $125 | $150 – $250 | $300+ |
| House Wash (1 Story) | $150 – $200 | $250 – $350 | $400+ |
| Roof Soft Wash | $300 – $500 | $500 – $700 | $800+ |
| Deck Cleaning | $100 – $200 | $200 – $350 | $400+ |
📌 Tip: Offer packages that combine services for better margins (e.g., “House + Driveway Combo – Save 15%!”)
💰 Avoid These Pricing Mistakes
❌ 1. Underpricing to Beat Competitors
Being the cheapest only works short-term — and it attracts price shoppers who won’t stick around.
❌ 2. Forgetting to Charge for Extras
Tough stains? Rust removal? Steep roof pitch? Upcharge for them. You’re not a charity.
❌ 3. Charging “Per Hour” Without a Cap
If you quote $100/hour and take 5 hours, that’s a $500 job. Most homeowners didn’t budget for that. 😬
❌ 4. Not Raising Prices Over Time
As your experience grows, so should your rates. Inflation is real — and your skills are worth more today than when you started.
📦 How to Price Commercial Power Washing Jobs
Commercial clients often require:
- Invoices with net-30 payment terms
- Higher insurance coverage
- Night/weekend availability
- More consistency
Here’s how to approach it:
- Charge higher per square foot for large areas
- Offer monthly or quarterly contracts for repeat income
- Factor in setup and breakdown time — it’s still your time!
🧠 Example:
“$0.15/sq ft for a 5,000 sq. ft. retail plaza = $750. Offer a monthly service at a slight discount to secure recurring work.”
🛠️ Tools That Help You Price Like a Pro
- Google Earth or Zillow to estimate square footage
- Jobber or Housecall Pro to send quotes and invoices
- QuickBooks or Wave for tracking job profitability
- Custom quote templates or pricing calculators 📋
💡 Save time by creating preset pricing sheets for common jobs. Clients appreciate speed and clarity.
📞 How to Present Your Prices to Clients (So They Say Yes)
Confidence sells. Don’t mumble your quote — explain your value:
“Our standard driveway cleaning starts at $200. That includes a pre-treatment, hot water cleaning, and post-job rinse. We also include before/after photos and guarantee no streaks or surface damage.”
✅ Be firm
✅ Be clear
✅ Offer options when possible
✅ Always follow up
🧽 Upsells That Boost Your Average Job Value
Want to earn more without booking more jobs? Offer relevant add-ons:
- Gutter cleaning 🍂
- Rust or oil stain removal
- Fence or deck sealing
- Window washing
- Roof treatments
Average ticket value is just as important as volume — and upsells take less time than landing new clients. 🔁💸
✅ Final Thoughts: Price with Confidence, Deliver with Value
Your pricing isn’t just a number — it’s a reflection of your business model, professionalism, and long-term vision. Don’t guess. Don’t undercut. Price based on value, effort, and expertise.
Track your costs. Know your market. And never be afraid to raise your rates as you grow.
Remember: if clients trust your brand, love your work, and feel the results — they’ll happily pay for it. 💪💦🏆
