How Much Does Pressure Washing Cost in the Triangle, NC?
If you're reading this, there's a good chance you've looked at your siding, your driveway, or that green film creeping across the shady side of your house and thought, "I really should get that cleaned." Then came the next thought: "How much does pressure washing cost?"
It's the question we hear more than any other, and it's a fair one. Most companies answer with "it depends" and a quote form. It does depend, but we think you deserve real numbers before you ever pick up the phone.
So here’s the short answer: we charge $0.17 to $0.23 per square foot of living space for a house wash in the Triangle. For a typical 2,500 square foot home, that's roughly $425 to $575.
Below, we'll walk you through how we price every service we offer, what moves a price up or down, and why two quotes for the same house can look so different.
Pressure Washing Prices at a Glance
Examples are simple math on our base rates. Your actual quote depends on the factors below.
House Washing Cost by Home Size
House washing is the service we're asked about most, so here's how our rate works out for common home sizes. Find the one closest to yours:
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1,500 sq ft: $255 to $345
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2,000 sq ft: $340 to $460
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2,500 sq ft: $425 to $575
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3,000 sq ft: $510 to $690
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3,500 sq ft: $595 to $805
A one-story home with light buildup lands near the low end. Two or more stories, a complicated design, or years of buildup move it toward the high end.
House Washing:
$0.17 to $0.23 per square foot
We price house washing on your home's living square footage, not the wall area. A simple one-story home sits near $0.17, while two or three stories and lots of corners and bump-outs move it toward $0.23. We soft wash siding, so water is never forced behind your panels.
A typical 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft home runs $340 to $690.
Roof Cleaning:
$0.35 to $0.50 per square foot
Most roofs we quote land around $0.40 per square foot. Height, pitch, and complexity move it up or down. Every roof is soft washed, because high pressure strips the granules that protect your shingles.
A typical 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft roof runs about $800 to $1,200.
Driveways and Concrete:
$0.25 to $0.35 per square foot
Concrete starts at $0.25 per square foot. Heavy oil, grease, or rust staining needs extra treatment and pushes it toward $0.35. It’s the one surface built for real pressure, so this is where a professional surface cleaner earns its keep.
A typical two-car driveway (about 800 sq ft) runs $200 to $280.
Deck Cleaning:
from $0.35 per square foot
Wood is soft. Too much pressure splinters the grain, and that damage can't be washed away. Decks get a gentler approach, which takes more time per foot than concrete.
A typical 400 to 600 sq ft deck runs $140 to $210.
Fence Cleaning:
from $2.50 per linear foot, per side
We price fences by length, one side at a time. Both sides is $5.00 per linear foot. Like decks, fences are wood, so they get a gentle approach that protects the grain.
A typical 100 to 200 ft backyard fence runs $250 to $500.
Gutter Cleaning:
from $199
That's our starting rate for clearing out debris and checking your downspouts. Height, number of stories, a tricky roofline, and gutter guards all add to the price.
Most homes start at $199.
Gutter Brightening:
$1.25 per linear foot
Removes the black streaks on the outside of your gutters. It’s a separate service from cleaning out, and a regular house wash often won’t touch them.
A typical home with 150 to 200 ft of gutters runs about $190 to $250.
Exterior Windows:
from $7 per window
We clean the glass, frames, and sills by hand, using extension poles to reach second-story windows. Size and access affect the final price.
A typical home with 20 to 30 windows starts around $140 to $210.
What Moves Your Price Up or Down
Five things decide where your home lands in each range:
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Size. More square feet or linear feet means more time and more product.
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Height. A second or third story needs more reach, more setup, and more care.
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Complexity. Corners, bump-outs, dormers, steep pitches, and tricky rooflines all slow the job down.
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Condition. A home washed last year cleans up faster than one that's gone five years. In the Triangle's humid summers, buildup doesn't take long to set in.
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Type of staining. Dirt and organic growth are routine. Oil, grease, and rust on concrete need extra treatment.
That's why an accurate quote comes from someone who has actually looked at your home, not a flat number pulled from a chart.
Why Your Quote Might Surprise You
A lot of homeowners are surprised when they see a professional quote. Usually it's one of two reasons.
It's been a while. If your home hasn't been washed in years, you're probably remembering a price from a long time ago, on a house that was a lot cleaner. More buildup means more time.
You're comparing it to a much cheaper quote. There's always someone who'll do it for less, sometimes a lot less. Before you compare numbers, it's worth asking what that price leaves out:
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Insurance. If something goes wrong on your property, an uninsured operator can leave you holding the bill.
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Equipment. Cheaper gear is harder to control and easier to damage your home with.
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Time and care. A low price usually means a rushed job. Rinsing, plant protection, and the details are the first things to go.
That’s exactly what’s built into our price: top-of-the-line equipment, full general liability insurance, and the time to do every job properly. It costs a bit more, and it's what protects you if anything ever goes wrong.
What About Doing It Yourself?
There's a place for DIY, but it comes with more headaches than most homeowners expect. Rented machines, the wrong pressure on the wrong surface, ladders, chemicals, and a full weekend gone. If you want the right outcome, let the pros handle it.
Pressure Washing Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to pressure wash a house in the Triangle, NC?
We charge $0.17 to $0.23 per square foot of living space for a house wash in the Triangle, or about $340 to $690 for a 2,000 to 3,000 square foot home. Two or more stories, a complicated design, or years of buildup move the price toward the higher end.
Is soft washing more expensive than pressure washing?
Not with us. Soft washing is how we clean every house and roof, and it's already included in our rates. It uses low pressure and the right cleaning solution to lift dirt and growth safely, and we save high pressure for concrete, the one surface built to handle it.
What should I ask before hiring a pressure washing company?
Ask three things: Are you insured, and for how much? What method will you use on each surface? How will you protect my plants and the storm drains? A good company answers all three clearly. We carry $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate in general liability insurance, and walk you through our process before any work starts.
How often should you pressure wash your house in NC?
About once a year works for most Triangle homes. Shaded sides, heavy tree cover, and spring pollen can mean washing more often, while sunny, open lots can sometimes go longer. Here's our full guide.
Is pressure washing your house worth it?
For most homes, yes. Regular washing removes the algae, mildew, and grime that build up quickly in the Triangle's humid climate, and it's one of the most affordable ways to boost curb appeal. It also helps you stay on the right side of HOA rules and makes a strong first impression before a sale.
Is pressure washing safe for
plants and pets?
It is when it's done carefully. On every job, we wet down and rinse your plants, control runoff, and cover nearby storm drains so runoff stays out of the storm system. We'll also tell you exactly what's in our tank before we start, so you can choose what's right for your home.
How can I lower the cost of
pressure washing?
Keep up with it. A home washed every year or so stays near the low end of our pricing, while one left for several years takes more time and lands higher. Trimming back branches that shade your siding also helps it stay cleaner for longer, and if you need a hand with that, we're happy to connect you with a trusted tree contractor from our local network.
Are pressure washing
quotes free?
Yes. Our quotes are always free, with no obligation. We'll give you a clear price and explain exactly what's included before any work begins.
The Honest Answer
There will always be a cheaper option. We’re not going to pretend otherwise.
What we can promise is the right equipment, an operator who treats your home like it’s their own, real protection for your plants and the water leaving your property, and full liability insurance behind every job. That’s what you’re really paying for: a job done properly, and the peace of mind to stop worrying about it.
We’re a local, family-owned business, and every home we wash carries our name. So the next time that “I really should get that cleaned” thought comes around, we’d love to give you a real number for your home. No pressure, no obligation, just an honest quote from your neighbors at Magnolia.
- Nick and the team from Magnolia Exterior Co.
Let’s Get You a Free Quote
Tell us a little about your home and we’ll get back to you with a clear, free quote