Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge for a house wash?+
For a 1,500 sq ft vinyl siding house wash with a 55% margin target, expect $650–$800 in most markets. Direct costs run $250–$320 (chemicals + 2-person crew). Price at $700 to start — lower only if you're building volume in a price-sensitive market.
What margin should pressure washing jobs have?+
Industry standard is 45–65% gross margin on service jobs. 55% is a sustainable floor for most operators — it covers overhead, equipment replacement, and slow weeks. Below 45% you're trading time for wages, not building a business. Premium surfaces (roofs, stone) regularly support 60–65%.
How do I price commercial pressure washing jobs?+
Commercial flatwork (concrete, parking lots) prices at $0.08–$0.20 per sq ft depending on volume and frequency. Fleet washing prices per vehicle ($15–$35). Building exteriors by sq ft at $0.15–$0.40. Always quote with a site visit — access, runoff containment, and surface condition can double job time.
How much does a gallon of SH cost for a pressure washing job?+
Bulk SH 12.5% runs $2.50–$4.50/gal depending on supplier and region. At 55% dilution for house wash mix, a 1,500 sq ft job uses 6–8 gal of stock SH — about $15–$36 in chemical cost. This is typically 5–10% of your total job price.
What is a good labor rate for pressure washing?+
Bill labor at $40–$55/hr per crew member for pricing purposes (this is not your payroll rate — it's the fully-loaded cost including payroll taxes, workers comp, and equipment wear). $45/hr is a solid default for most markets. Use $55+ in high cost-of-living areas or for specialty work.
Should I charge for drive time on pressure washing jobs?+
Yes. Drive time is a real cost — your crew is paid, and your truck is burning fuel and adding miles. Add drive time as overhead in your pricing model. For jobs under 15 min away, factor in a flat fuel/travel surcharge of $15–$25. For jobs over 30 min, either charge full drive time or build a minimum job threshold.