A Comprehensive Guide to Pricing Pressure Washing Jobs

As a pressure washing business owner, you know the challenge: how do you set prices that win jobs, cover your costs, and keep profits healthy? Pricing isn’t just about numbers - it’s about professionalism, efficiency, and consistency.

At Bella FSM, we’ve helped thousands of field service businesses (including pressure washing companies) move from guesswork and sticky notes to a streamlined, software-driven pricing process. This guide walks you through how to price pressure washing jobs effectively - and shows you how software can make the process faster and more accurate.

Why Pricing Strategy Matters

• Win More Bids – A clear, professional estimate helps you stand out from competitors.
• Protect Your Margins – No more underestimating labor or forgetting hidden costs.
• Build Client Trust – Transparent quotes show you’re organized and reliable.
• Scale Your Business – A repeatable system for pricing lets you add crews and grow confidently.

Factors That Influence Pressure Washing Prices

When creating an estimate, successful contractors consider more than just square footage:

1. Job Size & Surface Type
   • Driveways, decks, fences, siding, roofs - each surface has unique requirements.
   • Average industry rates:
     • Driveways: $0.15 - $0.35 per sq. ft.
     • Decks & Fences: $1 - $4 per linear foot.
     • Houses: $250 - $750 flat rate depending on size.
2. Condition & Complexity
   • Mold, oil stains, graffiti, or multi-story access can increase costs.
3. Labor & Crew Size
   • Include setup, cleaning, tear-down, and travel time.
4. Materials & Equipment
   • Chemicals, fuel, wear-and-tear on machines - all must be factored in.
5. Overhead & Profit Margin
   • Insurance, marketing, vehicles, software, admin costs.
   • Aim for a 15% - 30% margin to stay profitable.

Pricing Models You Can Use

• Per Square Foot – Best for driveways, sidewalks, siding.
• Hourly Rate – Useful when the job scope is uncertain.
• Flat Rate Package – Great for bundled services (e.g., house + driveway + deck).

Pro Tip: Many successful contractors blend models. For example: a base per-sq-ft price for a driveway plus a flat fee for stubborn stains.

The Challenge of Manual Estimating

If you’re still using a notepad, Excel sheet, or just “gut feel,” you’re risking:

• Missed Costs - eating into profits.
• Inconsistent Quotes - confusing customers.
• Slower Turnaround - losing jobs to faster competitors.

This is where software can make a huge difference.

How Software Simplifies Pricing

With Bella FSM Pressure Washing Software, you can:

• Create Instant Quotes – Enter square footage and services, and the system auto-calculates pricing.
• Adjust for Variables – Add labor hours, travel fees, or specialty chemicals with one click.
• Send Professional Estimates – Branded, digital quotes clients can approve online.
• Track Profitability – Reports show which jobs are most profitable, so you can refine pricing.
• Automate Follow-Ups – Turn more quotes into booked jobs with automated reminders.

Instead of crunching numbers manually, your team can focus on delivering great service while the software ensures accuracy and profitability.

Example: Pricing a Residential Job

• 2,000 sq. ft. driveway @ $0.20/sq. ft. = $400
• Deck cleaning (150 linear ft. @ $2.50) = $375
• Travel & setup fee = $50
• Subtotal = $825
• Profit Margin added (20%) = $165
• Final Quote = $990

With software, you can save this pricing model as a template - so the next time, it’s just a few taps away.