Let’s be honest: setting your power washing prices isn’t just about what your competition charges. It’s about what you need to make to run a sustainable, profitable business — not just stay busy. 🧽💼
Far too many pressure washing pros undercharge, burn out, and wonder where all the money went at the end of a long season. The truth? Without understanding your margins, overhead, and market positioning, you could be working yourself into the ground — and still losing money. 😓
This article will help you get your pricing right. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to raise rates, we’ll break down how to calculate profitable pricing that covers your costs, builds in a solid margin, and aligns with your local market. Let’s dive in. 🧮💦
💼 Step 1: Know Your Costs
Before you set any prices, you need to understand what it costs you to operate. That includes two main categories:
1️⃣ Fixed Overhead
These are costs that stay the same whether you do 1 job or 100 jobs a month:
- Business insurance 🧾
- Website hosting
- Equipment storage or shop rent
- Software subscriptions (CRM, accounting, etc.)
- Licensing & registration
- Phone/internet
Total these up to get your monthly overhead — it’s your baseline.
2️⃣ Variable Costs
These costs go up the more jobs you do:
- Gas/fuel for your truck 🚚
- Equipment wear and tear
- Cleaning solutions and water usage 💧
- Contractor pay or hourly labor (if any)
- Marketing costs per lead (ads, flyers, etc.)
Calculate the average cost per job. This will help you find your break-even point.
🔍 Step 2: Know Your Market Rates
Now that you know your costs, look at what other pros in your area are charging. Research:
- Yelp and Google listings
- Facebook local groups
- Competitor websites and quotes
- HomeAdvisor and Thumbtack averages
You’ll likely see a range — but remember, just because someone charges $100 for a driveway doesn’t mean you should.
🧠 Pro Tip: Avoid pricing yourself based on what others charge unless you know their quality, overhead, and goals. Many undercharge just to stay afloat — that’s not your model. 🚫💸
🧠 Step 3: Calculate Your Desired Profit Margin
A good rule of thumb for service-based businesses is to aim for 30–50% profit margin after expenses. That means if a job costs you $100 in time, fuel, and materials, you should be charging $150–$200 minimum. 💰
Here’s a simplified example:
- Driveway cleaning cost (labor, fuel, solution): $40
- Overhead allocation per job: $20
- Total cost: $60
- Desired margin: 50%
- Final price = $60 / (1 – 0.5) = $120
That’s your minimum viable rate to stay profitable.
🧰 Step 4: Build a Simple Pricing Formula
Instead of guessing or quoting on the fly, create a repeatable formula that helps you price consistently and fairly.
For example:
- Driveways: $0.20–$0.30 per square foot
- House washing: Base rate + $0.15–$0.25 per sq ft of siding
- Deck cleaning + staining: $2–$3 per square foot
- Roof soft wash: Flat rate based on pitch, material, and size ($300–$800+)
Make sure your pricing covers costs, includes margin, and reflects your brand quality. 🧼📏
🎯 Step 5: Price Based on Value, Not Just Time
Hourly thinking keeps your business small. Clients don’t pay for how long it takes — they pay for the result and the peace of mind.
Ask yourself:
- Is this job high-risk (roof, delicate siding)?
- Does it require special equipment or setup?
- Is it in a high-income area?
- Is it urgent or after hours?
- Will it deliver major visual transformation (great for marketing)?
Value-based pricing allows you to charge more for complex or high-value jobs, not just time spent spraying. 💎💦
📦 Step 6: Offer Tiered Packages
Instead of just quoting one price, offer three pricing tiers to let customers choose their level of service.
Example:
House Wash
- Basic: Soft wash siding only – $250
- Standard: Siding + gutters + windows – $350
- Premium: Full exterior + driveway + porch – $475
Most people choose the middle or upper tier. It’s a great way to increase average ticket value without feeling pushy. 📈📋
📊 Step 7: Track Your Numbers Over Time
Pricing isn’t a “set it and forget it” decision. You should regularly review:
- Job profit margins
- Customer close rates
- Seasonality patterns
- Expenses and overhead increases
If fuel prices spike or you hire help, your pricing needs to evolve. Make it a habit to review numbers every 1–2 months — and adjust accordingly.
🧠 Use spreadsheets or tools like Jobber, Housecall Pro, or QuickBooks to stay on top of it.
⚠️ Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these traps that drain your profits and energy:
- Charging what “feels fair” without doing the math 🧮
- Trying to beat every competitor’s price — leads to a race to the bottom 🏁
- Not accounting for time spent driving/setup/cleanup
- Forgetting taxes and credit card fees 💳
- Discounting out of fear instead of strategy
Charge with confidence — not desperation. 💪
📈 When and How to Raise Your Prices
Raising prices is essential to long-term success. If you’re always booked solid and still not hitting your income goals, it’s time.
Raise rates when:
- Your close rate is above 70–80%
- You’re booked more than 2–3 weeks out
- Your expenses have increased
- Your skills and equipment have improved
- You’re attracting better clients
✅ Start small (5–15%), test with new customers, and phase in for repeat clients with advance notice.
🧽 Final Thoughts: Pricing is the Foundation of Profit
Power washing isn’t just about blasting dirt — it’s about running a business. And that starts with profitable pricing. If you understand your costs, know your worth, and communicate value confidently, you’ll book better jobs, earn more, and avoid burnout. 💥💼
Here’s your takeaway checklist:
- Know your fixed and variable costs
- Set profit margins of 30–50%
- Price by value, not time
- Use formulas and tiered packages
- Regularly review and adjust pricing
- Raise prices with strategy and confidence
You didn’t start your business to stay broke and tired. Price like a pro — and build the freedom you set out for. 💪💧💵
