For ordinary residential work in South Florida, expect roughly $100 to $300 for a driveway or patio, $150 to $800 for a one- or two-story house wash, and more for roofs, large pool decks and heavily stained surfaces. Commercial properties are usually priced by square footage or as a flat monthly contract. These are typical ranges from published cost guides, not quotes from this site, so verify every figure with the provider you are considering.
What actually sets the price
Pressure cleaning looks like a simple service, but the quote is built from a handful of variables that have little to do with how dirty the surface looks from the street.
- Surface area and material. A smooth concrete driveway can be cleaned quickly with a rotary surface cleaner. Textured pavers, travertine and stucco take longer and often call for a gentler method.
- Height and access. Two-story walls, steep tile roofs and screened lanais need ladders, lifts or extra safety gear. That adds labor time, and sometimes a second person.
- Water supply. Many contractors need an outdoor spigot with decent flow. If the property has no usable hose bib, or the water is shut off at a vacant unit, the crew has to bring water, which raises the price.
- Type of staining. Light mildew rinses off with a mild detergent. Old oil, rust from irrigation water, and ground-in tire marks need pre-treatment and dwell time.
- Chemicals and runoff handling. Soft-wash mixes, degreasers and wastewater control cost money. A provider who plans for runoff rules will usually build that into the price.
- Bundling. Cleaning the driveway, walkway and house in one visit is normally cheaper than three separate calls because setup and travel are shared.
Typical price ranges by job
The table below summarizes ranges that appear repeatedly in national and marketplace pricing guides published in 2025 and 2026, including Housecall Pro's pricing guide and Thumbtack's Miami page. Local labor rates, building type and demand after storms can push a quote above or below these numbers.
| Job | Typical range | What pushes it higher |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway (one to two cars) | $100 to $300 | Oil stains, rust, sealing, long or curved drives |
| Walkways and patio | $100 to $250 | Pavers with joint sand to refill, furniture to move |
| House exterior wash, one story | $150 to $750 | Heavy mildew, stucco texture, landscaping to protect |
| House exterior wash, two story | $400 to $1,400 | Height, windows, rooflines that are hard to reach |
| Roof soft wash | about $0.50 to $1.00 per sq ft | Tile profile, pitch, access, stain severity |
| Fence | $150 to $300 | Length, wood versus vinyl versus block |
| Commercial, basic | $0.10 to $0.35 per sq ft | Overnight work, traffic control, water access |
| Commercial, heavy (grease, gum, graffiti) | $0.40 to $1.00 per sq ft | Hot water, wastewater collection, repeat visits |
Thumbtack's Miami page also cites a rough figure of $0.10 to $0.17 per square foot of exterior wall area for house washing, and notes that some providers advertise starting prices as low as $50. Treat that kind of headline number as a minimum-visit fee rather than a realistic total.
Flat price or price per square foot?
Small residential jobs are usually quoted as a flat price after the provider sees photos or visits the property. Larger or recurring work, such as a shopping plaza or a community's sidewalks, is more often priced per square foot or per visit. Neither approach is better by default. What matters is that the quote names the surfaces included, so that "driveway" does not quietly exclude the front walk and the garage apron.
What a written quote should spell out
- Every surface being cleaned, with approximate square footage or a clear description.
- The method for each surface, such as low-pressure soft washing for the roof and stucco, and a surface cleaner for concrete.
- Whether rust, oil or mold treatment is included, or priced separately.
- Whether sealing is part of the job. Cleaning and sealing are different services with different prices.
- Insurance information and who is responsible if something is damaged.
- Payment terms. Be cautious about large deposits for a job that takes a few hours.
The guide to choosing a pressure washing company goes through these items in more detail, along with warning signs worth noticing before you sign.
Why the cheapest quote can cost more
A very low price often means high pressure applied quickly. That works on a plain concrete slab and fails on almost everything else. Stucco can be pitted, paint lifted, window seals pushed open, and tile roofs cracked or loosened. Repairing that damage costs far more than the savings. The comparison of soft washing and pressure washing explains which surfaces tolerate which method, and the roof cleaning guide covers why roofs deserve special caution.
Sales tax and fees
Florida's sales tax rules treat exterior pressure cleaning of a building differently from interior cleaning of commercial space, and some related services, such as certain window work, may be handled differently again. If tax appears on an invoice, ask what it applies to. Some providers also add a trip or fuel charge for distant jobs or for areas with heavy traffic.
Timing and recurring service
Booking is easier outside the rainy season, which the National Weather Service describes as running from about mid-May to mid-October. Demand also spikes right after storms and before the holidays. Properties that stay shaded, sit near water, or have sprinklers that hit the walls grow mildew faster and may be better served by a recurring schedule, often with a discount compared to one-off visits. Ask whether the discount applies to the first visit or only to later ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to rent a pressure washer?
The rental fee is lower than a professional visit, but you also pay for detergent, nozzles, your own time and the risk of damaging a surface. For a small slab, renting can make sense. For stucco, a second story or a roof, the savings rarely hold up.
Why do two quotes for the same house differ so much?
Usually because they describe different jobs. One may include the roof, windows or sealing and the other may not. Ask both providers to list surfaces, methods and exclusions in writing before comparing totals.
Should I pay a deposit?
For a short residential job, many reputable providers take payment after the work is finished. If a deposit is requested, keep it small and get the terms in writing.
Do prices go up after a hurricane?
Demand does, and prices can follow. Florida's price gouging law applies to unconscionable prices on certain goods and services during a declared state of emergency. Get written quotes and compare them before agreeing to anything.
How often should the exterior be cleaned?
There is no single schedule. In a humid, rainy climate many homeowners clean the driveway and walkways once or twice a year and soft wash the house and roof every one to three years, depending on shade, trees and how fast algae returns.