How To Bid Pressure Washing Jobs for Residential

Pricing is the thing that trips up more new pressure washing business owners than anything else. You show up to a potential customer’s house, they ask how much it’s going to cost, and you freeze. You don’t want to price too high and lose the job. But you also don’t want to price too low and work all day for nothing.

In this video I break down the two things you need to know in order to bid residential pressure washing jobs with confidence. This is the same approach I used when I was building my business, and it works whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for years.

Step 1: Know your costs

Before you can put a price on anything, you have to know what it costs you to operate. This is where a lot of new business owners skip ahead, and it’s why they end up working for way less than they should be.

Sit down and add up your actual business expenses. I’m talking about business insurance, equipment cost (the machine, hoses, surface cleaners, chemicals), gas for your truck, vehicle and equipment maintenance, employees if you have them, and marketing costs — the money you spend on yard signs, Google ads, or whatever you’re using to get leads.

When you know your monthly overhead, you know the minimum you need to bring in just to break even. Everything above that is profit. If you don’t know this number, you’re guessing, and guessing with your prices is a great way to go out of business.

Step 2: Know your hourly production rate

The second thing you need to figure out is how many hours it takes you, on average, to complete different types of jobs. A driveway might take you 45 minutes. A house wash might take you an hour and a half. A full property — house, driveway, sidewalks, patio — might take you three hours.

Once you know how long jobs actually take, you can work backward from an hourly rate to set your prices. When I first started out, my goal was $200 an hour for pressure washing services. That’s a solid target for a new business. It covers your costs, pays you well, and leaves room for profit.

Don’t undercharge just to win jobs

I see this constantly with new pressure washers. They’re nervous about losing a job, so they quote $150 for a house wash that should be $350. They think they’re being competitive. What they’re actually doing is training their market to expect cheap prices, burning themselves out with too many jobs at low margins, and making it nearly impossible to raise their prices later.

When you price based on your actual costs and a fair hourly rate, you might lose some bids. That’s fine. The jobs you do win are going to be profitable, and you’re going to build a sustainable business instead of a race to the bottom.

How to present your price with confidence

When you get to the job site, look at the property, figure out how long it’s going to take you, and do the math based on your hourly target. Then present that number to the customer with confidence. Don’t apologize for your price. Don’t negotiate against yourself before they even respond.

If a customer pushes back, you can explain what’s included — the chemicals, the equipment, your insurance, the quality of work. Most homeowners aren’t looking for the cheapest price. They’re looking for someone who seems professional and trustworthy. That’s you, if you show up prepared and confident in your pricing.

Adjust your rates as you grow

As you get faster and more experienced, your production rate is going to increase. A house wash that took you 2 hours when you started might only take you 1 hour once you’ve done 50 of them. That means your effective hourly rate is going up even if you keep your prices the same. Or you can raise your prices and earn even more per hour.

The goal is to always be moving your rate higher. As demand grows, as you get more reviews, as your reputation builds — your prices should reflect that. $200 an hour is a starting target. Many experienced pressure washers are earning $300 to $500+ per hour once they dial in their systems and marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I charge per hour for pressure washing?

A good starting target is $200 per hour. This accounts for your equipment, insurance, chemicals, travel time, and profit. As you gain experience and efficiency, many pressure washers move to $300-$500+ per hour.

How do I estimate a residential pressure washing job?

Know your costs and know your production rate. Figure out how long the job will take you, multiply by your target hourly rate, and that’s your price. For example, if a house wash takes 1.5 hours and your rate is $200/hour, price it around $300.

How much should I charge to pressure wash a driveway?

Driveway prices depend on size, condition, and your local market. A typical two-car driveway might take 30-45 minutes. At a $200/hour rate, that puts you in the $100-$150 range. Larger or heavily stained driveways command higher prices.

Should I charge by the square foot or by the hour?

Most residential pressure washers quote by the job, but they base that quote on their expected hourly production. Quoting by the job is simpler for the customer and gives you upside when you work efficiently. Knowing your hourly rate is the foundation either way.

How do I handle customers who say my price is too high?

Don’t drop your price immediately. Explain the value — your insurance, professional equipment, chemicals, and the quality of your work. Many customers are testing to see if you’ll fold. The ones who want quality will pay for it. If they want the cheapest option, they’re not your ideal customer.