How much does pressure washing cost? Angi's 2026 national data puts the average house wash at about $312, or $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot. Driveways run about $100 to $350, patios $100 to $400 and fences $100 to $350, and hourly rates run roughly $60 to $140. Six factors move the price:
- The size of the area.
- The type of surface.
- How dirty it is.
- Height and access.
- Add-ons such as sealing and stain removal.
- Bundling the wash with painting or staining.
How much does pressure washing cost is a question most Charlotte homeowners ask every year or two, because the climate makes it a regular job. Spring pollen coats everything in yellow, humid summers grow green and black mildew on shaded siding, and red clay splashes onto foundations and driveways. So how much does pressure washing cost on average? Angi's 2026 data puts a typical house wash at about $312, but the price varies more than people expect.
This guide covers how much does pressure washing cost for the surfaces around a house, the six factors behind the price, and how to pressure wash a house safely if you decide to do it yourself. It also covers concrete pressure washing, patio pressure washing and sidewalk pressure washing in Charlotte NC, and why pressure washing before painting in Charlotte NC is worth bundling. Whatever the surface, how much does pressure washing cost for your home comes down to a written quote. If you would rather hand it off, our power washing services page explains what our crew handles.
Pressure washing before and after by Friends Enterprises in Charlotte
Here is what a proper wash does before any price is quoted: it lifts grime, mildew and staining so the surface is ready to paint, stain or seal.
How much does pressure washing cost? Start with the size of the area
Size is the starting point for any quote. Angi's 2026 data puts professional pressure washing at about $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot nationally, with siding priced by wall area and driveways and patios by square foot of concrete. Most companies also set a minimum charge, so a small job costs nearly as much as a medium one.
Grouping several surfaces into one visit is usually better value, because setup and travel are shared. Angi's house pressure washing guide has the full national picture.
The type of surface, from concrete pressure washing in Charlotte NC to soft-washed siding
Different surfaces need different methods. Concrete driveways and walkways can take high pressure and a surface cleaner, while siding is washed at lower pressure or soft washed with a cleaner, and wood fences and decks need gentler settings still. Angi lists wood at about $0.30 to $0.55 per square foot, partly because it often needs a soft wash.
Roofs should only be soft washed, since high pressure can damage shingles. Angi's fence guide lists about 500 PSI as the maximum for softwood, which is far below what a concrete driveway can take.
How dirty it is: why heavy mildew and red clay cost more
Light dust and pollen wash off quickly. Heavy mildew, algae, oil, rust and red clay staining take pretreatment, more dwell time and sometimes specialty cleaners, which add time and cost. A surface that has not been washed in several years usually costs more to clean the first time than regular maintenance washes do afterward.
Shaded, north-facing walls tend to grow the most mildew, and a driveway under trees collects staining faster than one in full sun.
Height and access: one story or two
A one-story house is quick to wash from the ground. Two-story homes, steep lots and areas behind dense landscaping take longer and may need ladders or extension wands, which adds time and raises the price. A working outdoor spigot and clear access also keep a visit efficient.
Many pros charge hourly instead, and Angi lists roughly $60 to $140 per hour. A patio typically takes one to two hours, and a 500 square foot fence with modest grime two to three hours, according to Angi's patio and fence guides. Moving vehicles, furniture and planters before the crew arrives keeps the visit efficient.
Add-ons: patio pressure washing, sidewalk pressure washing and sealing in Charlotte NC
Add-ons are priced on top of the base wash. Patio pressure washing runs about $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot per Angi, roof cleaning about $450 to $700, and stain removal and sealing add pretreatment time or material cost. Patio and sidewalk washing are commonly quoted together with the driveway because they use the same equipment.
Concrete pressure washing, including sidewalk pressure washing, is usually priced by the square foot. Sealing a driveway or paver patio after washing protects it and keeps it cleaner longer, but it is a separate step with its own material cost.
Pressure washing before painting in Charlotte NC: bundle the wash with the paint
Washing is part of every good exterior paint job, because paint and stain only bond to a clean surface. Bundling the wash with the paint or stain work is usually cheaper than booking them separately. Let the surface dry fully after washing, usually a day or more, and longer in cool or humid weather, before primer or paint.
Our guide on whether you can paint your exterior in fall explains how washing fits into a cool-weather schedule, and our exterior painting crew includes it in every quote.
How much does pressure washing cost in Charlotte? Typical prices by surface
Angi's 2026 national data puts the average house wash at about $312, or $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot. Driveways run about $100 to $350, patios $100 to $400, fences $100 to $350 and roof cleaning $450 to $700, with hourly rates of roughly $60 to $140.
| Surface | Typical national price | Per square foot | Usual method |
|---|---|---|---|
| House wash | About $312 average (51,092 projects) | $0.10 to $0.50 | Soft wash or low pressure |
| Driveway | $100 to $350, average about $210 | About $0.20 to $0.55 | High pressure plus surface cleaner |
| Patio or deck | $100 to $400 | $0.10 to $0.50 | Pressure plus surface cleaner; wood decks gentler |
| Fence | $100 to $350, average about $225 | $0.10 to $0.50 | Low pressure |
| Wood surfaces | Varies with size | $0.30 to $0.55 | Often soft washed |
| Roof cleaning | $450 to $700 | Not listed | Soft wash only |
| Pro hourly rate | $60 to $140 per hour | Not applicable | Varies by job |
These are national figures from Angi's house, driveway, patio and fence guides. Charlotte quotes vary with the factors above and with whether the job is bundled, so treat them as starting points and get a written quote after someone sees the surface.
How to pressure wash a house safely: 6 steps
To pressure wash a house, cover plants and outlets, apply a siding-safe cleaner from the bottom up at low pressure, let it dwell for about five to ten minutes, then rinse from the top down with a 25- or 40-degree tip. Siding is commonly washed at about 1,200 to 1,500 PSI, and you should never spray upward under siding laps.
- Prep. Close windows, cover outlets and fixtures, and wet and cover plants near the house.
- Test. Start on a hidden area, holding the tip about 12 to 18 inches from the siding.
- Apply cleaner. Use the low-pressure soap tip and work from the bottom up so streaks do not form.
- Let it dwell. Give it about 5 to 10 minutes, and do not let it dry on the siding.
- Rinse. Switch to a 25- or 40-degree tip and rinse from the top down, angling the spray slightly downward.
- Dry and inspect. Let the house dry fully before painting or staining.
Stay off windows, vents, light fixtures and electrical outlets, keep the wand at least 6 feet from electrical wires, wear eye protection, and never point it at people or pets. Work from the ground with an extension wand rather than a ladder. Renting a pressure washer costs about $35 to $175 per day, according to Angi.
Wash water carries cleaner and dirt, so it is worth reading the EPA’s nonpoint source pollution guidance before you choose a cleaner. For a two-story home, a roof or a job that will be painted afterward, a crew is the safer choice.
Interesting facts about how much pressure washing costs
When to call a pro for pressure washing
A pro makes sense for two-story homes, roofs, heavy mildew, delicate surfaces like old wood or soft brick, and any job that will be followed by painting or staining. A crew brings the right equipment, cleaners and experience to clean thoroughly without damage.
Our power washing service covers houses, driveways, decks and fences, and it pairs with deck repair and staining and garage epoxy floor coatings. For deck care, see our guide to deck staining and repair, for garage floors our comparison of garage floor epoxy vs floor paint, and for repaint timing how often to repaint a house exterior. See recent jobs on our work page, or get a free quote.