Cost guide
How much does pressure washing cost?
Area and surface type set the price, with most contractors quoting per square metre and a few by the hour. A patio, a drive or a set of decking on its own runs £80 to £500. Published averages for whole jobs sit around £300 and reach £900, which is a whole property rather than one surface. Hourly figures diverge sharply between sources, at £30 to £50 on one guide and £40 to £80 on another.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your garden.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £40 to £80 |
| Patio up to 30 square metres | £90 to £250 |
| Driveway up to 60 square metres | £100 to £250 |
| Decking, 10 to 20 square metres | £80 to £280 |
| House walls or render, per elevation | £200 to £400 |
| Conservatory roof | £70 to £500 |
Half day rates are not published by the guides checked, so a half day quote is built from the hourly figure. Conservatory roof prices vary fourfold between sources, which reflects glass, polycarbonate and full frame cleaning being priced as one item.
What moves the price
- Surface. Driveways at £2.50 to £8 a square metre against decking at £4 to £14 for the same area.
- Method. Soft washing with biocide costs more per square metre than high pressure and is the recommended method on render.
- Soiling. Heavy algae, black spot or oil adds £2 to £5 a square metre in pre-treatment.
- Height. Roofs and upper walls bring scaffold towers at £65 or full scaffold from £600.
- City. London hourly rates reach £70 to £90 against £50 to £65 in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Liverpool.
Who quotes for it
312 of the 4,012 gardeners listed on this site take on pressure washing.
Where most of them are: Manchester (11), Exeter (10), Stockport (9), Milton Keynes (9), Birmingham (8).
Questions about pressure washing
How often should outside surfaces be washed?
Patios and drives generally need a clean every two to three years, extending to four or five where a sealant has been applied. Render holds up for two to four years after a soft wash depending on shade and aspect.
Is hiring a pressure washer worth it?
Day hire at £20 to £200 undercuts a contractor on a small patio. Domestic machines lack the flow rate to shift deep algae from block paving, and there is no surface cleaner attachment on the cheapest hire units.