You can choose to complete a DIY pressure washing or hire a professional to do the job. Regardless, you need to understand pressure washing estimates so that you can adequately prepare your budget for the project. Below, we will explain the costs involved in a typical pressure washing project and why professional pressure washing companies charge the fees that they charge.
Breaking Down Pressure Washing Estimates
If you own a house or any kind of property, you’ll do pressure washing as part of your property maintenance at some point. Over time, contaminants such as dirt and grime will build upon your siding, patios, driveway, and other surfaces. And we all know that keeping those areas clean is a daunting job. That’s where pressure washing comes in handy.
When weighing different pressure washing service companies, the cost to pressure wash houses is a top consideration. “How much am I willing to pay for such a service? And, more importantly, why do they charge this way?” The key to understanding pressure washing estimates is breaking down each part. Companies base their quotes on a number of factors, such as:
1. The Cost of Quality Power Washing Equipment
When you complete your next power or pressure washing, you need to buy or rent quality equipment to get the job done. Most people assume that there isn’t much equipment needed for a power washing project, but that simply is not the case.
You can buy power washing units for under $500 at a local hardware or department store, but these are not even close to the same quality as the machines that the professionals use.
Plus, to do the job effectively, you will need more than a pressure washer. You will need other equipment, such as hundreds of feet of special hoses, ladders, safety goggles, and spray nozzles. Not to mention, an experienced person to handle the job. If you are pressure washing close to your home or building, you should also buy plastic sheeting or trash bags that you can use to cover your windows and doors. These sensitive areas can be easily damaged by flying debris.
All the above-mentioned tools are expensive to buy and maintain, so professional pressure washing companies need to factor this into the fees that they charge their clients. It might seem like completing a DIY project is cheaper, but remember that renting or buying quality equipment can be very expensive. For the best results, let the trained professionals who have access to the best equipment do the job.
2. The Cost of Insurance
Pressure washing companies are like any other business which provides services to their customers. Therefore, there is also insurance provided.
Working with pressure washing machines, climbing on ladders, and working in other potentially dangerous conditions require that pressure washing companies have the necessary insurance to protect themselves.
Other than that, they also have insurance because they want to protect your property. If a pressure washing company does not have insurance or has insurance that is not adequate, do not hire them for the job. They are much less likely to do a good job anyway.
3. The Cost of Transportation and Gas
Power washing equipment operates with gas engines, and the gas to fill the tank is not free. Gas prices are volatile and can vary greatly from one day to the next. In addition to the cost of fueling equipment, professionals also transport all of their equipment around in their work vehicles. Transporting them from place to place is not free, so they must factor this into the cost of their services as well.
4. The Cost of Cleaning Products and Solutions
Professional pressure washing service companies use water to clean your house, siding, decks, patios, and driveways. But, they also need to use special cleaners and detergents. These are high-quality, commercial-grade cleaning supplies that come at a price. Although these detergents are expensive, when you have bad staining on your home or surfaces, you need the right supplies to get the job done.
5. Other Variables
When companies decide on how much to pressure wash a house, there are a number of other variables they take into account. No two houses are exactly the same, especially since homeowners use their property in different ways. Here are just some of the variables that might affect the pressure washing house cost:
- Size of Your House. The greater the surface area to clean, the greater the cost.
- Your House Condition. Professionals look at the state of your house to draw up an estimate, including safety, accessibility, and inspecting for damages.
- Preferred Services. Not all clients have the same needs, so the cost will naturally follow depending on what services you choose.
How Much Does It Cost to Pressure Wash a House?
As stated above, there are a handful of factors that affect the price of pressure washing. Generally speaking, a professional pressure washing service company will charge you anywhere from $50 to $200 an hour. On average, though, you should expect to shell out about $130 to $160 per hour.
This may seem like a steep price to some, but trust that you will be saving more money in the long run. Compared to the cost of repairs in case of damages brought on by improper pressure washing and the hospital bills to cover potential injuries, $160 an hour is a bargain.
What’s in a Pressure Washing Estimate?
When learning how to understand a pressure washing estimate, you must know how to recognize one first. The format of pressure washing estimates can vary from company to company, but the details remain largely the same. Below is an example of a pressure washing estimate template, which you can also download here.
Property Values Come First
Now that you know how pressure washing estimates are computed, you can make an informed decision. Do not select a pressure washing company just because they charge less. They might be sacrificing quality to make up for their low cost. When choosing which pressure washing vendor you should go with, remember that long-term value is more important than the initial cost. The best results rarely come cheap.
At Washh, we offer fast and reliable pressure washing services with unparalleled results. Give us a call today to get a free quote!
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