Typical 2026 house washing prices by home size, number of stories and siding type — and how to turn them into a quote that covers your costs.
Quick answer
In an average US market, washing a 2,000 sq ft one-story house with vinyl siding typically costs about $525 ($350–$875). A 2,000 sq ft two-story house runs about $845 ($565–$1,410). Price from the wall area, then adjust for siding, height, dirt and your local market.
House washing prices by home size
Prices below are for vinyl siding in normal condition at average US rates. Wall area is estimated from the living area and number of stories (perimeter × about 9.5 ft per story) — measure the real house before you quote.
For the same 2,000 sq ft two-story home (2,450 sq ft of wall):
Siding
Per sq ft
Typical price
Range
Vinyl siding
$0.20–$0.50
$845
$565 – $1,410
Brick
$0.10–$0.40
$705
$280 – $1,125
Stucco
$0.30–$0.50
$1,070
$845 – $1,410
Wood siding
$0.30–$0.55
$1,125
$845 – $1,550
Brick is cheap to wash per square foot because it is durable, but the range is wide: old or soft brick needs a gentle approach. Stucco and wood cost more because they must be soft washed slowly and carefully.
What changes the price of a house wash
Height
Second and third stories need ladders, extension wands or a pump that can reach, and they carry more risk. Expect roughly +15% for two stories and +35% for three compared with the same wall area on one story.
How dirty the house is
Mildew, algae and years of buildup mean more chemical, longer dwell time and more rinsing.
Condition (2,000 sq ft two-story)
Typical
Range
Light dirt
$760
$505 – $1,270
Normal
$845
$565 – $1,410
Heavy mildew / algae
$1,055
$705 – $1,760
Where you work
Labor costs and what customers expect to pay vary a lot between rural areas and big metros.
Market (2,000 sq ft two-story)
Typical
Range
Lower-cost area
$720
$480 – $1,195
Average US
$845
$565 – $1,410
Higher-cost metro
$1,015
$675 – $1,690
Add-ons and bundles
Many customers add the driveway, patio, deck or gutters once you're on site. Bundling them raises the ticket and cuts your travel cost per dollar earned, so it's common to discount add-ons slightly rather than charge a second minimum. See driveway pricing for flatwork rates.
How to quote a house wash, step by step
Measure the walls. Perimeter × wall height. Note the number of stories and any tall gables.
Pick a rate for the siding. Start at the typical rate in the table above.
Adjust for condition and access. Heavy mildew, steep slopes, landscaping in the way and no water spigot all add time.
Check it against your costs. Add up crew wages with payroll taxes, overhead, equipment wear and chemicals, then divide by one minus your target margin. If the market price is lower than that, you're losing money on the job.
Apply your minimum charge and round to a clean number.
How much should I charge to pressure wash a house?
For an average US market, a 2,000 sq ft one-story house with vinyl siding typically runs about $525 (range $350–$875), and a 2,000 sq ft two-story house about $845 (range $565–$1,410). Price from the wall area, not the living area, and adjust for siding type, height, dirt level and your local market.
How much do you charge per square foot to wash a house?
Most house washes are priced at about $0.20–$0.50 per square foot of wall for vinyl siding, $0.30–$0.50 for stucco, $0.30–$0.55 for wood and $0.10–$0.40 for brick. Two- and three-story homes usually carry a premium for ladders and extension wands.
How do I measure a house for pressure washing?
Measure the perimeter of the house and multiply by the wall height — about 9.5 ft per story. A 40 × 30 ft two-story house has a 140 ft perimeter × 19 ft ≈ 2,660 sq ft of wall. For quotes you don't need to subtract windows and doors.
Is house washing priced differently from pressure washing?
Yes. Most siding is soft washed: cleaned with a low-pressure rinse and a cleaning solution instead of high pressure, which can damage siding and force water behind it. Soft washing uses more chemicals but is faster and safer on vinyl, stucco and wood, and is what most homeowners actually need.
What is a good minimum charge for a house wash?
Many contractors set a minimum of roughly $150–$200 per visit so small jobs still cover travel and setup. This site uses $175 as the default; you can change it in the calculator.
About these numbers
Prices are generated from the same model as our calculator, which starts from published US residential price guides and adjusts for condition, height and local price level. They are typical market prices, not quotes. Last checked 2026-10-30. How we calculate.
