How to Price Driveway and Concrete Pressure Washing Jobs

Measure the concrete, then budget the work around it. Edges, steps, stain treatment and a difficult rinse can take longer than the open cleaning pass.

Enter your measured area and cost-based rate in the Quote Calculator. Check the labour allowance in the Job Profitability Calculator before sending the price.

Measure each section and inspect the surface

Split the driveway, apron and connected paths into measurable rectangles or other simple shapes. Add their areas and record which sections are included. Measure steps and narrow detail areas separately instead of assuming the open-driveway production rate will cover them.

Ask about concrete age, curing, coatings, repairs and previous cleaning. Note cracks, loose material, exposed aggregate and damaged joints. New or weak concrete may need a different approach or specialist advice. Confirm a suitable method before quoting; a low price cannot cover damage caused by an unsuitable process.

Separate ordinary cleaning from stain work

Record organic growth, oil, rust and other discoloration separately. Allow time and product cost for any appropriate pretreatment and post-treatment, following labels and surface guidance. Deep oil staining may remain after cleaning. Describe the treatment being sold and avoid promising complete removal without evidence.

Price specialist stain work as a defined add-on where appropriate. If a test is needed to establish scope, agree that step before committing to the final job. Include edging, corners, garage-door detail and the final rinse in the base scope or list their charges clearly.

Build a production allowance for this driveway

Use your own timed jobs to estimate open-area cleaning, then add setup, hose moves, treatment time, detail work and teardown. Nearby planting needs protection. Check where rinse water will go and price the controls required for the site; a low spot or unsuitable discharge route can change the job.

The Surface Cleaner Sizing Calculator gives a rough equipment-sizing range. It cannot predict your square feet per hour. Flow, nozzle setup, condition and access affect production. Use the SH Dilution Calculator only for the nominal mix arithmetic of a treatment already established as suitable.

Apply a minimum service charge when the measured area will not pay for the visit. A flat project price can be clearer for a small driveway with many details, or a group of pads and paths. Keep the measured quantities and time estimate in your own job notes even when the customer sees one price.

Worked estimate: small driveway, full visit

Illustrative USD budget only. These rates, costs and margins are assumptions for this example, not market recommendations. Tax is shown separately from job revenue; confirm the treatment that applies to your work.

A driveway measures 800 sq ft. At the assumed $0.20 per sq ft, the area price is $160. An illustrative $220 service minimum brings the base to $220. Defined rust-treatment work adds $40, making the subtotal $260. No discount applies. With an assumed 5% tax on the subtotal, tax is $13 and the final quote is $273.

Allow three person-hours for travel, setup, treatment, cleaning, detail, rinse and teardown at $30 per hour ($90). Add $20 for materials, $15 for fuel/travel and $10 for equipment consumables. Direct cost is $135. Pre-tax revenue of $260 leaves $125 gross profit, a 48.08% margin. A separate $30 overhead allowance leaves $95 before other obligations.

In the Quote Calculator, enter 800 area, 0.20 rate, 220 minimum, 40 add-ons, 0 discount and 5 tax. The minimum applies to the base service; the stain allowance is added afterward. If the rust work cannot be scoped safely, exclude it and revise the quote.

Follow product labels, SDS and equipment instructions, including required PPE. A nominal SH calculation is not an application recommendation. Never mix SH with acids, ammonia or incompatible chemicals. Work only within safe equipment and access limits.

Use the master pricing guide to check the minimum, overhead allowance and target margin against the rest of your business.