What drives the price
Equipment, chemicals and technique. Pros run hot water, downstream injectors and surface cleaners that leave driveways stripe-free, and - the part that matters in Florida - they soft-wash the things pressure destroys: roofs, screens, stucco and painted surfaces get low pressure and sodium-hypochlorite mix, not the 3000-PSI tip.
- House, driveway, roof, cage and deck as separate line items
- Soft wash chemistry vs pressure-only
- Storeys and access
- Mildew load - the north side of every Florida house
- Sealing the driveway afterwards as an upsell
Should you DIY this or call a professional?
Flatwork - driveway, sidewalk, patio - is satisfying DIY with a rented machine and a surface-cleaner attachment. The house body is DIY-able with care and low pressure. Roofs are not DIY in either direction: high pressure destroys shingles, and walking a wet roof with a kickback machine is how people meet their insurance deductible personally. Never point a pressure tip at screens, window seals, or soffit vents.
Signs you need this repair
- Green and black mildew film on walls and cage
- Driveway two shades darker than it was poured
- Roof streaking - algae, treated by soft wash only
- Slippery walkways
- Pre-sale or pre-paint cleanup
How to not get overcharged
Get house, drive, roof and cage priced as separate lines so you can drop what you can DIY. Confirm in writing that the roof and painted stucco get soft wash, and ask what chemical they use - 'just water at high pressure' on a roof is a red flag dressed as a service. Bundling with neighbours on the same street genuinely moves the per-house price.
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Red flags to watch for
- High-pressure roof cleaning offered at all
- No downstream chemical - they plan to blast, not clean
- Door-knockers with a machine in the truck 'in the area today'
- No insurance - window and screen damage is common amateur output
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to pressure wash a house?+
Professional pressure washing typically runs $200-$500 for a house exterior, averaging near $300. Driveways run $100-$250; roofs need soft washing at $300-$600 and must never see high pressure.
Can I pressure wash a house myself, or should I hire a professional?+
Flatwork - driveway, sidewalk, patio - is satisfying DIY with a rented machine and a surface-cleaner attachment. The house body is DIY-able with care and low pressure. Roofs are not DIY in either direction: high pressure destroys shingles, and walking a wet roof with a kickback machine is how people meet their insurance deductible personally. Never point a pressure tip at screens, window seals, or soffit vents.
How long does it take to pressure wash a house?+
2-5 Hours for House and Drive. Scheduling and parts availability can extend the overall timeline beyond the hands-on work itself.
What makes the price of this job go up or down?+
House, driveway, roof, cage and deck as separate line items. Soft wash chemistry vs pressure-only. Storeys and access. Mildew load - the north side of every Florida house. Sealing the driveway afterwards as an upsell.
How do I avoid being overcharged?+
Get house, drive, roof and cage priced as separate lines so you can drop what you can DIY. Confirm in writing that the roof and painted stucco get soft wash, and ask what chemical they use - 'just water at high pressure' on a roof is a red flag dressed as a service. Bundling with neighbours on the same street genuinely moves the per-house price.