How much does pressure washing cost?
Pressure washing cost in 2026 runs roughly $180–$400 for an average single-story Florida home, according to national cost data from sources like HomeGuide and Angi, with a driveway alone around $100–$250. Size, the surface, and how much algae and mildew have built up drive the price. In Florida there's a reason this is a recurring expense rather than a one-time chore: the heat and humidity grow mold, mildew, and black algae streaks faster here than almost anywhere, so most homes need a wash at least once a year — and the method matters as much as the price, because the wrong one causes real damage.
Key takeaways
- Whole-house exterior washing averages about $180–$400; a driveway alone runs roughly $100–$250.
- Florida's humidity grows algae and mildew fast, so most homes need washing yearly, sometimes twice.
- Soft washing (low pressure plus cleaning solution) is for roofs, screens, and siding; high pressure is for concrete.
- High pressure on the wrong surface causes real damage — gouged wood, cracked stucco, voided shingle warranties.
- Bundling surfaces into one visit is cheaper per surface; washing is also standard prep before exterior painting.
Table of contents
- What pressure washing costs
- What drives the price
- Why Florida homes need it more often
- Pressure washing vs. soft washing
- Surface-by-surface: what method to use
- How to hire (and avoid damage)
- Where to start
- FAQ
What pressure washing costs
Pressure washing is usually priced by square foot or as a flat rate per surface. Here's the general 2026 picture from HomeGuide's pressure washing cost data:
| Surface | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway / walkway | ~$100–$250 | By square foot; oil stains add labor |
| House exterior (single-story) | ~$180–$400 | Soft wash for painted siding and stucco |
| House exterior (two-story) | ~$300–$600 | Height and access raise the price |
| Roof (soft wash) | ~$300–$700 | Never high pressure; see our roof cleaning guide |
| Pool deck / patio / pavers | ~$130–$300 | Sealing is a separate add-on |
| Screen enclosure / lanai | ~$100–$250 | Low pressure only |
A worked example: a single-story Orlando home wanting the house, driveway, and pool deck done in one visit usually lands in the few-hundred-dollar range as a bundle, which is cheaper per surface than booking each separately — because most of the cost is the setup and on-site labor time, not the water. Bundling is the easiest way to save.
What drives the price
A few factors move a quote. Square footage is the biggest — more surface means more time. Height and access matter: a two-story home or a roof requires more setup and care, raising the price. How dirty the surface is counts too; a north-facing wall coated in years of black algae takes longer than a lightly soiled one. And stains like oil on a driveway or heavy mildew need extra treatment or a degreaser. Confirm whether the quote includes the cleaning solution and any post-treatment, since a true soft wash relies on the chemistry, not just water — a "rinse only" job at a low price often won't actually kill the algae, so it grows back fast.
Why Florida homes need it more often
Here's the Florida reality. The same heat and humidity that define summer here also make it ideal for mold, mildew, and Gloeocapsa magma — the cyanobacteria behind the black streaks you see on roofs and north-facing walls. Shaded, damp surfaces grow a green or black film within months, and afternoon storms keep everything wet. That's why a Florida home generally needs an annual wash, and why shaded surfaces sometimes need it twice a year.
Beyond looks, letting organic growth sit on surfaces can shorten their life and, on a roof, trap moisture. Many Central Florida HOAs also require homeowners to keep roofs and driveways free of visible algae, so a wash can be a compliance item, not just curb appeal — worth checking your HOA's standards before a letter shows up. Our roof cleaning cost guide and soft wash roof cleaning guide cover the roof side, which is the surface most often damaged by the wrong method.
Pressure washing vs. soft washing
This is the distinction that prevents expensive mistakes. Pressure washing uses high-pressure water and suits hard, durable surfaces — concrete driveways, sidewalks, and pavers. Soft washing uses low pressure plus a cleaning solution (typically a diluted sodium hypochlorite mix with a surfactant) that kills the algae at the root, and it's the correct method for roofs, screen enclosures, painted siding, and stucco, where high pressure would do real harm. Soft washing also keeps surfaces cleaner longer, because it kills the organism rather than just blasting off the surface layer.
The damage from getting this wrong is real: blasting a shingle roof at full pressure strips the protective granules and can void the manufacturer's warranty — roofing manufacturers and trade groups specifically warn against high-pressure cleaning of shingles — and high pressure on stucco or wood can gouge and crack it. A competent pro chooses the method by surface. If someone wants to put a high-pressure wand on your roof, that's a reason to stop and ask questions.
Surface-by-surface: what method to use
A quick reference for matching method to surface:
| Surface | Method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway, sidewalk | Pressure wash | Hard and durable; handles high pressure |
| Pavers | Pressure wash (then re-sand) | High pressure removes joint sand — plan to replace it |
| Shingle / tile roof | Soft wash only | High pressure strips granules, voids warranty |
| Painted siding, stucco | Soft wash | High pressure gouges and forces water behind it |
| Screen enclosure / lanai | Low pressure / soft wash | Delicate aluminum and screen |
| Wood deck / fence | Low pressure + care | Easy to gouge soft wood |
When in doubt, the gentler method protects the surface. A pro who explains which surfaces they'll soft wash versus pressure wash, without being asked, knows what they're doing.
How to hire (and avoid damage)
Pressure washing is a lower-stakes hire than a licensed trade, but the damage risk is real, so a few checks pay off. Confirm the company carries liability insurance in case water gets where it shouldn't or a surface is damaged. Ask which surfaces they'll soft wash versus pressure wash, and get the surfaces, method, and price in writing. Be cautious of a flat lowball that doesn't specify method — that's often a sign someone plans to high-pressure everything quickly, or to rinse without the solution that actually kills algae. If you're washing the exterior as prep for repainting, note that a clean, dry surface is essential for paint to bond, so it's standard prep; see our house painting cost guide, and many painting contractors fold washing into the job. The EPA notes that wash water can carry chemicals and debris into storm drains, so a responsible pro controls runoff and protects plants near the work.
Where to start
Start by listing the surfaces you want cleaned — house, driveway, pool deck, roof — and get them bundled into one quote, which is usually cheaper per surface. Our painting directory lists local exterior pros who handle washing, the Orlando city page narrows it locally, and there's more across the full directory. Confirm insurance, confirm soft wash for roofs and siding, and get the method in writing.
FAQ
How much does pressure washing cost in 2026? Industry cost data puts whole-house exterior washing around $180–$400 for an average single-story home, with driveways roughly $100–$250. Size, surface, and how dirty things are drive the price; most pros charge by square foot or a flat job rate.
How often should I pressure wash in Florida? Most Florida homes benefit from a yearly wash, sometimes twice a year on shaded north-facing surfaces. The heat and humidity grow algae, mildew, and that black streaking faster here than in drier climates.
What's the difference between pressure washing and soft washing? Pressure washing uses high-pressure water for hard surfaces like concrete. Soft washing uses low pressure plus a cleaning solution for delicate surfaces like roofs, screens, and painted siding, where high pressure would cause damage.
Can pressure washing damage my home? Yes, if misapplied. High pressure can gouge wood, crack stucco, strip paint, and void a shingle warranty. That's why roofs and siding should be soft washed, not blasted at full pressure.
Is pressure washing cheaper if I bundle surfaces? Usually, yes. Booking the house, driveway, and pool deck in one visit is almost always cheaper per surface than separate trips, because most of the cost is setup and labor time on site.
Should I pressure wash before painting? Yes. A clean, dry surface is essential for paint to bond, so exterior washing is standard prep before repainting. Many painting contractors include it in the job.