Pricing Strategy for Pressure Washing
Pressure washers typically charge customers by the hour, by the job, or by the square foot. The average cost is between $0.08 and $0.35 per square foot, depending on the rates in your region. Pressure washing can cost more if there are problems requiring more work, like stains, dirt, or mold.
Charging per square foot works best for multiple surfaces, and the recommended rate is $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot.
Starting a Pressure Washing Business
The startup costs for a pressure washing business are low, but profit margins can be high. With the average job costing $192 to $401, there is potential for decent profit by doing a few jobs daily. Income depends on hours worked, prices charged, equipment/supply costs, and location. Pressure washers can earn $40 to $60 per hour, and for environmental services, rates can reach up to $100 per hour.
Estimating Jobs and Billing Methods
Properly pricing services is the key to profitability. It’s important to learn how to accurately estimate jobs rather than using a fixed price by considering the location where services are provided, the tools and equipment used, job size, and regional factors.
For billing, you can choose to charge hourly, per square foot, or at a flat rate for your pressure washing jobs. Consider steps like charging $25 to $100 per hour depending on job size, equipment, and location. Pressure washing typically costs between $0.30 to $0.80 per square foot. Commercial or industrial jobs require more time and different pricing due to the use of special supplies and equipment.
House power washing usually costs between $220 to $380, a driveway costs $130 to $220, and a deck or patio costs $250 to $420.
Profitability and Water Usage
Pressure washing a 2,000 square foot house ranges from $300 to $600, with most people spending around $450. A pressure washer uses between 1.5 to 2.5 gallons of water per minute (GPM). It’s important to use the right pressure settings to minimize water usage and prevent surface damage.
Your first consideration when preparing to quote a pressure washing job is to determine whether it is a commercial or a residential job, as the expectations and scale can be different.