Pricing pressure washing services correctly is crucial to your business success. Price too low and you'll work yourself to death for minimal profit. Price too high and you'll lose jobs to competitors. This guide will help you develop a pricing strategy that's competitive, profitable, and sustainable.
Understanding Your Costs
Before you can price jobs profitably, you need to understand your true costs. Every job has both direct and indirect costs:
Direct Costs (Per Job)
- Labor - Your time or employee wages
- Chemicals - Cleaning solutions used
- Fuel - Travel to and from job site
- Equipment wear - Depreciation and maintenance
- Water - If not using customer's supply
Indirect Costs (Overhead)
- Vehicle payments and insurance
- Equipment financing
- Business insurance
- Marketing and advertising
- Office/admin expenses
- Professional fees (accountant, lawyer)
Calculate your overhead per job by dividing monthly overhead by the number of jobs you complete per month. For example, if your overhead is $2,000/month and you do 40 jobs, that's $50 overhead per job.
Pricing by Surface Type
Residential Driveways
Typical Range: $150-$400
Price based on square footage, condition, and accessibility. A standard two-car driveway (400-600 sq ft) typically costs $150-$250. Larger driveways or those with heavy staining may cost $300-$400.
Pricing Formula: $0.25-$0.50 per square foot, plus $50-$100 for heavy staining or difficult access.
Commercial Buildings
Typical Range: $500-$5,000+
Commercial pricing depends heavily on building height, square footage, and complexity. Single-story buildings start around $500-$1,000. Multi-story buildings may cost $2,000-$5,000 or more.
Pricing Formula: $0.10-$0.25 per square foot for single-story, plus height premiums for multi-story work.
Decks & Patios
Typical Range: $200-$600
Wood decks typically cost more than concrete patios due to the need for gentle cleaning and potential treatment. A standard 200-300 sq ft deck costs $200-$400. Larger decks or those requiring treatment may cost $500-$800.
Pricing Formula: $0.75-$1.50 per square foot for decks, $0.50-$1.00 for patios.
House Washing
Typical Range: $200-$800
House washing prices depend on square footage, height, and condition. A single-story 1,500 sq ft home typically costs $200-$400. Two-story homes may cost $400-$600. Larger homes or those with heavy staining may cost $600-$800+.
Pricing Formula: $0.15-$0.30 per square foot, plus height premiums.
Factors That Affect Pricing
Surface Condition
Heavily soiled surfaces take more time and chemicals. Add 20-50% to your base price for:
- Heavy mold or mildew
- Oil stains
- Years of built-up dirt
- Gum or graffiti
Accessibility
Difficult access increases time and risk. Charge extra for:
- Steep slopes or hills
- Narrow driveways or tight spaces
- High areas requiring ladders or lifts
- Obstacles that slow work
Location
Adjust pricing based on:
- Travel distance - Charge for travel time/fuel if far from your base
- Market rates - Research local competitors
- Economic factors - Higher-income areas may support premium pricing
Competitive Analysis
Research your local market to understand competitive rates:
- Check competitor websites for pricing
- Call competitors posing as a customer
- Join local business groups to network
- Check online reviews for pricing mentions
Don't compete on price alone. Instead, compete on:
- Quality of work
- Professionalism
- Reliability
- Customer service
- Value-added services
Profit Margin Targets
Aim for 40-60% profit margins after all costs. Here's how to calculate:
Example Job:
- Direct costs: $50 (labor, chemicals, fuel)
- Overhead allocation: $50
- Total cost: $100
- Target price (50% margin): $200
If your total cost is $100 and you want a 50% profit margin, charge $200. This gives you $100 profit per job.
Pricing Strategies
Square Footage Pricing
Calculate price based on square footage. This works well for driveways, patios, and flat surfaces. Measure accurately and charge per square foot based on surface type and condition.
Flat Rate Pricing
Offer fixed prices for common jobs (e.g., "Standard driveway cleaning: $200"). This simplifies quoting and makes pricing transparent for customers. Have different tiers for small, medium, and large jobs.
Time-Based Pricing
Some professionals charge by the hour ($75-$150/hour) plus materials. This works well for complex jobs where time is hard to estimate upfront.
Upselling Opportunities
Increase revenue by offering add-on services:
- Gutter cleaning - Add $50-$150
- Window cleaning - Add $100-$300
- Deck sealing - Add $200-$500
- Soft washing - Premium service, charge 20-30% more
- Annual maintenance contracts - Discounted rate for recurring service
Common Pricing Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Underestimating time - Always add buffer time for unexpected issues
- Forgetting overhead - Include all costs, not just direct costs
- Competing on price - Race to the bottom hurts everyone
- Not adjusting for difficulty - Charge more for challenging jobs
- Ignoring market rates - Stay competitive but don't undervalue your work
Using ServiceWizard for Pricing
ServiceWizard's AI-powered pricing analyzer helps you determine competitive rates for any surface type. Simply upload photos of the job, and get instant pricing recommendations based on:
- Surface type and condition
- Size and complexity
- Your local market rates
- Your cost structure
This takes the guesswork out of pricing and helps you quote confidently and competitively.
Simplify Your Pricing with ServiceWizard
Get instant pricing recommendations for any pressure washing job. Upload photos and let AI analyze condition, size, and complexity to suggest competitive rates.
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