How Much Should I Pay for Pressure Washing?

A neighbor of mine named Denise called me last spring. She’d gotten three quotes for pressure washing—house, driveway, and back patio. One company said two hundred fifty. Another said four hundred eighty. The third one said seven hundred.

Same house. Same surfaces. Three different numbers.

“How do I know what’s fair?” she asked. “I don’t want to overpay, but I also don’t want some guy who’s going to destroy my siding.”

Fair question. This is a common concern in our community.

The truth is, pressure washing prices vary because the work varies. Surface type matters. Staining level matters. Equipment and technique matter. A company using proper soft wash equipment and commercial-grade detergents isn’t doing the same job as someone with a rented pressure washer from Home Depot.

In Texas—especially around Klein and greater Houston—heat, humidity, and pollen mean exterior cleaning happens more often than in cooler climates. Things grow on your house faster here. Algae. Mildew. This black, streaky substance is commonly found on roofs. All of it loves our weather.

Here’s what you should actually expect to pay—and why the numbers vary so much.

Quick Facts: Typical Pressure Washing Prices in Texas

Why Prices Vary From Job to Job

Pressure washing isn’t one-size-fits-all. A light layer of dust comes off in minutes. Years of mildew, algae, or rust stains require a different approach. That takes longer. Different chemicals. Multiple passes. More time on site.

Surface type matters too. Concrete can handle aggressive pressure. Stucco can’t. Vinyl siding needs soft washing, or it cracks. Wood needs even gentler treatment, or you’ll damage the grain. Painted surfaces need careful technique, or you’ll strip the paint right off.

Then there’s access. Two-story homes take longer. Steep roofs require safety equipment. Tight side yards slow everything down. Interior courtyards can be challenging to navigate. Swimming pools nearby require extra care to avoid contaminating the water.

All of that shows up in the quote.

Cleaning a house annually is more efficient than neglecting it for five years. Less buildup. Less effort. Lower price.

Common Price Ranges by Surface Type

Denise’s quotes? The two-fifty was just the house—no driveway, no patio. The four-eighty included everything she’d asked about. The seven hundred included roof cleaning she hadn’t even requested.

Different scope. Different numbers. It made sense once she asked what each quote actually covered.

Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid

People make the same mistakes when shopping for pressure washing. Here’s what to watch for:

Avoid comparing quotes without considering their scope. Denise almost did this. Her quotes looked different because they covered different work. Always confirm what’s included before you compare numbers.

You should not automatically choose the cheapest option. Cheap usually means residential equipment, inexperienced operators, or skipped steps. You get what you pay for.

Ignoring the method. High pressure on vinyl siding, painted surfaces, or roofs causes damage. Ask specifically what method they’ll use on each surface.

Skipping insurance verification. If an uninsured worker damages your property or gets hurt, you’re potentially on the hook. Always confirm liability coverage.

Waiting until it’s urgent. Emergency cleaning after years of buildup costs more than regular maintenance. Stay on schedule.

Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing

Two different methods. It’s important to understand the difference before you hire anyone.

Pressure washing uses high water pressure to blast dirt off tough surfaces. This method is particularly effective for surfaces such as concrete driveways, brick, stone, or anything that is resistant to damage. The force does the work.

Soft washing uses very low pressure combined with detergents. The chemicals do the work, not the force. You need it for siding, roofs, painted surfaces, and anything else that high pressure might damage.

Soft washing costs a little more. Requires different equipment. Requires different chemicals. But it protects your home, and the results last longer because you’re killing the algae and mildew at the source—not just blasting it around and waiting for it to come back.

A guy in The Woodlands—a friend named Carl—learned these lessons the hard way. Carl hired a professional to pressure wash his vinyl siding. Cracked three panels. The water was forced behind the siding. Mold started growing inside the wall within months. I was forced to replace an entire section of the wall.

Carl said, “I saved fifty bucks on the cleaning.” Fixing the damage cost me eight hundred dollars. Additionally, I had to deal with the headache of managing the situation.

Not worth it. Ever.

Always ask what method a company uses on each surface. Good ones will explain without hesitation. The ones who say they use high pressure on everything? Walk away.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

Is it possible for you to rent a pressure washer and handle it on your own? Sure. Should you? Depends on the job.

For a lightly soiled patio or a small concrete area, DIY can work fine. Rental costs fifty to a hundred bucks for the day. Add your time. Add the learning curve. Add the gas station trips to fill the machine.

But rental machines don’t match commercial equipment. Lower flow rate. No hot water. No soft wash capability. They don’t kill algae at the source, so stains come back faster. You’re basically pushing dirt around rather than treating the problem.

There’s also risk. Wrong pressure on the wrong surface and you’re looking at damaged siding, etched concrete, broken windows, and dead landscaping. This is a more common occurrence than most people realize.

A guy in Klein named Derek tried to DIY his two-story house. Derek reached about halfway up the ladder before realizing he was in over his head. Water everywhere. Pressure washer kicking. Scared himself enough to climb down and call a professional.

Derek told me, “I wasted half a day and ended up hiring someone anyway.” “I should have just called them first,” Derek said to me.

Professional companies bring the right equipment, the right chemicals, and the experience to do it safely. That’s why most homeowners find it worth the cost—especially for house washing, roofs, or anything above ground level.

How to Get the Best Price

Start by making a list of everything you want cleaned. House. Driveway. Patio. Fence. Pool deck. Roof. Garage floor. Whatever’s on your mind.

Getting one quote that covers everything usually costs less than scheduling separate visits. Setup time is the same either way. Travel time is the same. Might as well do it all at once.

When you call for quotes:

• Ask whether they use pressure washing, soft washing, or both—different methods for different surfaces
• Request a written breakdown of what’s included—no confusion about scope later
• Confirm they carry liability insurance—protects you if something goes wrong
• Check reviews—not just star ratings, but what people actually say about the work
• Ask about experience with your specific surfaces—stucco, cedar, vinyl all need different approaches

Cheapest isn’t always best. Carl’s experience with cracked vinyl siding demonstrated that the cheapest option isn’t always the best. But the highest price doesn’t guarantee quality either. Look for someone in the middle who can explain what they do and why they do it that way.

And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Good companies welcome them. Shady operators get defensive.

Why Annual Cleaning Makes Sense

Most homes benefit from exterior washing once a year. In Houston’s climate—heat, humidity, pollen—buildup happens fast. Properties near trees or water might need it every nine months.

Regular cleaning costs less per visit. Less buildup means less work. Faster job. Fewer chemicals. Everyone wins.

It also protects your investment. Algae and mildew aren’t just ugly—they actually damage surfaces over time. Shingles deteriorate faster. Paint breaks down. Wood rots. Cleaning isn’t just cosmetic. It’s maintenance.

A woman in Cypress named Patricia puts her house on an annual schedule. She does this every March, right after the peak of the pollen season. Patricia ensures that her house remains clean and tidy at all times.

“I pay three hundred a year to keep it clean,” Patricia told me. “The neighbor waited four years and paid six hundred because everything was so stained. It took twice as long as I expected. I’ll stick with my plan.”

Smart approach. Consistent maintenance beats emergency cleanup every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the average cost to pressure wash a house in Texas?

Most homeowners pay between $250 and $600 for a standard house wash. Price depends on size, number of stories, and whether soft washing is required. Heavily stained homes cost more because they take longer. Reputable companies always provide written estimates before starting work.

Is pressure washing safe for vinyl siding?

Only with soft washing. High pressure cracks vinyl, forces water behind panels, and leaves visible marks. Soft washing uses gentle pressure and safe detergents. That’s what siding manufacturers recommend. Ask any company you’re considering what method they use on vinyl.

How often should my home be pressure washed?

Most homes benefit from pressure washing once a year. If you live near trees, water, or in a high-pollen area, you should schedule pressure washing every nine months. Staying on schedule keeps each cleaning faster and cheaper and protects your surfaces from long-term damage.

Why do some companies charge per square foot, while others charge by the job?

Per-square-foot works well for large or complex jobs where precise measurement matters. Flat rates work for smaller, predictable jobs where the scope is obvious. Both are common and legitimate. What matters is that the company explains how they calculated your price.

Does pressure washing raise the value of a home?

It improves curb appeal and perceived value. Although pressure washing won’t alter your official appraisal value, buyers will undoubtedly notice a well-maintained house. Real estate agents recommend it before listing or photography. Clean sells better than dirty.

What’s the difference between pressure washing and power washing?

Power washing uses heated water. Pressure washing uses regular temperature. Hot water is better for grease and oil. Both terms are often used interchangeably in residential work since most home cleaning doesn’t require heated water.

Should I be home during the cleaning?

Not required. Most companies only require access to water and the areas they are cleaning. Being home for the start helps if you want to point out specific concerns. Otherwise, crews can work while you’re away.

Why Klein Pressure Washing

We provide residential pressure washing and soft washing across Spring, Klein, The Woodlands, Cypress, and greater Houston. We have been providing this service for the past twenty years. Every type of surface. Every type of stain. This climate presents a variety of challenges to houses.

We use proper soft wash equipment for siding and roofs. We utilize commercial-grade machines for cleaning concrete and brick surfaces. We use the appropriate technique for each surface, as improper application can cause damage.

Our quotes are clear. Written breakdown of what’s included. No scope confusion. There will be no unexpected charges when the invoice arrives.

Don’t guess at what you should pay. Don’t end up like Carl with damaged siding or Derek with a wasted afternoon. Call us. We’ll look at your property, explain what it needs, and give you a fair number.

Then we’ll do the work right.