If you live in the Seattle area, power washing isn’t really optional. The wet season sees to that. This guide breaks down real ranges by job type, explains how pricing works, and points you to a free local quote when you’re ready. Living in the PNW, you already know the wet season doesn’t give your home’s exterior much of a break.
Average power washing prices
Most Seattle-area homeowners pay $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot, or between $250 and $800 for a typical single-family house wash. Small jobs like a driveway start around $100 to $250. Exact cost comes down to size, surface type, and site access. For a number specific to your home, get a free local estimate
How Power Washing Prices Work
Most contractors price jobs one of three ways. Knowing which model you’re looking at makes it much easier to compare quotes.
Quick note on terms: power washing uses heated water, pressure washing uses cold. Most house and roof work in the PNW is actually soft washing, low pressure, plus detergent, which is gentler on local siding and roofing materials. You can also check out our Seattle pressure washing service.
| PRICING METHOD | TYPICAL RANGE | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|
| Per square foot | $0.15 to $0.75 | House exteriors, large surfaces |
| Per job / flat rate | $100 to $600+ | Standard house or driveway packages |
| Per hour | $50 to $150 | Small or awkward jobs |
Cost to Power Wash a House
House size is the starting point for any quote. These are typical Seattle-area ranges for a single-story home with standard access.
| HOME SIZE | TYPICAL PRICE RANGE | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $200 to $400 | Single-story, straightforward access |
| 2,000 sq ft | $300 to $550 | Most common Seattle home size |
| 2,500 sq ft | $400 to $700 | Larger footprint or two-story |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $600 to $900+ | Multi-story, complex rooflines |
Siding material plays a role too. Vinyl and aluminum are the most straightforward to soft-wash and tend to sit at the lower end of the labor range. Brick and stucco need more careful pressure control to avoid water getting in behind the surface. Cedar is very common in PNW homes and needs a gentle soft-wash approach with the right detergents to avoid grain damage or premature greying.
Two-story homes or anything with tricky access will add to the cost. Ladders, extra reach, and more time on site all factor in.
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Cost by Surface: Roof, Driveway, Deck and More
| SURFACE | TYPICAL PRICE RANGE | METHOD / PNW NOTE |
|---|---|---|
| Roof cleaning (1,500 to 2,500 sq ft) | $300 to $600 | Soft wash only |
| Driveway (standard 2-car) | $100 to $250 | Pressure wash |
| Patio or walkway | $75 to $200 | Pressure wash |
| Deck (up to 500 sq ft) | $150 to $350 | Soft wash for wood |
| Fence (per linear foot) | $1 to $3 | Low pressure |
Roof Cleaning
Never use high pressure on a roof. It strips the granules off asphalt shingles, shortens their lifespan, and can void your warranty. Soft washing uses low pressure and a biodegradable detergent that kills moss and algae at the root. In Seattle, north-facing and shaded roofs can go from clean to visibly mossy in a single wet season. Catching it early costs a lot less than replacing shingles. Learn more about our roof cleaning service.
Driveways, Patios and Walkways
Concrete handles pressure washing well. A standard two-car driveway runs $100 to $250. Oil staining or a larger area may need a pre-treatment, which can add to the cost.
Decks and Fences
Cedar and Douglas fir decks are common in the PNW and need soft washing to avoid grain rise or splintering. Composite decking is more forgiving. Budget $150 to $350 for a deck up to 500 sq ft, and $1 to $3 per linear foot for fencing.
Local Power Washing Prices Near You (Seattle and PNW)
Most national pricing guides pull from cities like Phoenix or San Francisco. That’s not your market. A few things push Seattle-area power washing costs above the national average.
labor rates here run higher than most US metros. Spring booking demand spikes fast as everyone deals with a full winter’s worth of growth at once. And our climate, cool, wet, and overcast for much of the year, creates near-perfect conditions for moss and algae to take hold on every outdoor surface.
PNW homes have some specific quirks too. North-facing roofs and siding in tree-lined neighborhoods can go from clean to green in a single season. Soft washing is the right call here, not just because it cleans better but because high pressure on mossy or weathered surfaces causes real damage.
Seattle-area labor rates run above the national average, which is reflected in local quotes.
Any online estimate, including this one, is a starting point. Access, current growth level, and surface condition vary enough that an on-site look is the only way to give you a firm number. Get a free quote from our Seattle pressure washing team.
Commercial Power Washing Prices
Commercial power washing is usually quoted per square foot at scale, which often brings the per-unit cost down, or as a flat per-job rate. Typical work includes storefronts, sidewalks, parking areas, and multi-unit building exteriors. Every commercial job is a little different, so these always need a custom quote rather than an off-the-shelf price. We work with commercial clients across Greater Seattle. Get in touch for a free estimate.
What Changes Your Power Washing Quote
Same neighbourhood, very different quotes. Here’s what moves the number up or down.
- Surface size and type
- Condition of the surface, heavy moss, algae, or oil staining takes more time and product
- Access and height, multi-story homes, steep roofs, and tight landscaping all add labor
- Add-ons like gutter cleaning, deck or fence treatment, and concrete sealing
- Water access on site and travel distance within the service area
DIY vs Hiring a Pro: Which is better?
Renting a machine runs $35 to $175 per day and makes sense for small, flat, ground-level surfaces like a concrete path or patio slab. For those jobs, DIY is a perfectly reasonable call.
The PNW caveat is real though. Roofs, cedar siding, and wood decks should not be hit with a standard high-pressure washer. Soft washing needs the right detergents and technique, and getting it wrong is an expensive mistake.
Hire a pro for anything at height, moss or algae removal, soft-wash surfaces, or when time is the main factor.
Conclusion
Your home’s siding, access, and moss load will set the real number and a free estimate takes the guesswork out.
Request yours today from our Seattle pressure washing team
FAQ's
Most Seattle-area homeowners pay between $250 and $800 for a full exterior house wash, which works out to roughly $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot. A typical 2,000 sq ft single-story home lands around $300 to $550. Two-story homes, heavy moss growth, or difficult access will push the number higher. A free on-site estimate gives you the most accurate figure
Soft washing every time. High pressure strips the protective granules off asphalt shingles, shortens roof life, and can void manufacturer warranties. Soft washing uses low pressure and biodegradable detergents to kill moss and algae at the root. Always confirm your contractor uses soft washing for roof work.
Every one to two years for most PNW homes, compared to a three to five year cycle in drier climates. North-facing or heavily shaded roofs and siding may need attention annually. Catching growth early is always cheaper than letting it take hold.
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