Most people assume power washing is a quick, cheap job. Rent a machine from Home Depot, blast the driveway, done. And sometimes that's exactly right. But if you're getting quotes for professional power washing on a two-story home in the suburbs — or prepping for a full exterior repaint — the numbers are different than what you'd find on a national pricing website, and knowing why helps you spot a fair quote from a low one.
Here's what Chicago-area homeowners actually pay, broken down by project type.
What Professional Power Washing Costs in Chicago
Chicago pricing runs a bit higher than national averages, mostly because of labor costs, insurance requirements, and the fact that our climate is genuinely hard on buildings. Lake-effect humidity, freeze-thaw cycles every winter, and hot summers create a particularly good environment for mold, algae, and oxidation on siding. That means there's real work to do before you put a nozzle on it.
Here's a realistic breakdown by project type:
| Project | Typical Chicago Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-story home (siding only) | $250–$450 | Up to ~1,800 sq ft of siding |
| Two-story home (siding only) | $400–$700 | Ladder/extension work adds time |
| Driveway (standard two-car) | $150–$300 | Concrete responds well to high pressure |
| Deck or patio (up to 500 sq ft) | $150–$300 | Often combined with staining prep |
| Deck + house combo | $500–$900 | Common pre-painting package |
| Full exterior prep before paint | $450–$850 | Includes rinsing, brushwork on stubborn spots |
| Fence (wood, 100 linear ft) | $100–$200 | Depends heavily on condition |
These are real ranges from projects we've done and quoted across Chicago's North Shore and suburbs — not pulled from a national aggregate. That said, prices shift based on what we get into once we're on-site, which is worth explaining.
What Actually Moves the Price Up or Down
Surface Condition
A well-maintained house that just needs an annual rinse is fast. A house with years of green algae streaking down the north face, or heavy mildew along the foundation line? That takes significantly longer, and sometimes requires a chemical pre-treatment to actually lift the staining rather than just push it around. That treatment adds $50–$150 to a typical job.
Soft Washing vs. High-Pressure Washing
Not everything should be blasted at full pressure. Older wood siding, painted surfaces, and stucco all need a lower-pressure approach with a chemical surfactant — what the industry calls "soft washing." It's gentler but takes more time. Many homeowners in Glencoe have older homes with cedar shakes or painted clapboard that genuinely cannot handle a standard pressure wash without damage. When we quote those jobs, we're accounting for the extra care, not cutting corners.
Height and Access
One-story homes are easy. Two-story homes require longer wands and sometimes ladder work. Three-story homes or properties with difficult rooflines or tight side yards cost more — expect to add $100–$200 for a two-story vs. single-story quote.
Location Within Chicagoland
City jobs sometimes carry parking and logistics costs. Suburban jobs can require travel fees if you're in an outlying area. This is usually a minor factor, but it's worth asking.
Bundled vs. Standalone
This is actually where the math gets interesting — more on that below.
Bundled With Painting vs. Standalone
If you're getting the house washed just to wash it — seasonal maintenance, pre-listing cleanup, removing pollen — you're paying the full standalone rate. That makes sense.
But if you're washing as prep for an exterior painting project, most professional painters include power washing in the job scope. It's not always "free" exactly — it's baked into the prep line item — but you're not paying the standalone rate either. On a $12,000 exterior paint job, a contractor who charges an extra $500 for power washing when it should be included is worth questioning.
This is one of the questions to ask a painting contractor before any exterior project: "Is power washing included in prep, and what does that cover?" Some low-ball quotes exclude it; others include a quick rinse and call it done when your siding actually needs a full treatment. The difference matters, because paint applied over biological growth or oxidized surfaces fails fast. We've seen paint failure after one year traced directly back to insufficient prep — and improper washing is a big part of that.
DIY Power Washing: When It Makes Sense
Renting a gas pressure washer from Home Depot or Menards runs $70–$120 per day. The machine is capable. The question is whether the job is within a confident DIYer's comfort zone.
Good DIY Candidates
Flat concrete driveways, ground-level patios, privacy fences under 6 feet, vehicles. Low stakes, low height, hard surfaces that tolerate pressure well.
Trickier DIY Territory
Anything above one story (ladder plus high-pressure equipment is a real injury risk), wood siding, stucco, older brick, painted surfaces, and roofs. Too much pressure on wood siding lifts paint, forces water behind boards, and creates the exact moisture problem you were trying to clean up. Brick and mortar joints on older Chicago homes can be damaged by pressure washing — especially if there's any existing mortar deterioration from freeze-thaw cycles.
If you've got a straightforward concrete driveway and a Saturday afternoon to spare, rent the machine. If you're washing the house before a paint job, or dealing with two stories of algae-stained vinyl, hiring it out is the smarter call — not because contractors want the business, but because the mistakes are expensive to undo.
Why Chicago Homes Need Washing More Often Than You'd Think
How Chicago weather affects your exterior is a real factor — moisture gets trapped against siding through long winters, and then spring brings warm, humid air off the lake. The result is faster mold and algae growth on north-facing walls and shaded sections of the house than you'd see in a drier climate.
Most Chicago homes benefit from a full exterior wash every two to three years even without a paint project on the horizon. Homes with significant tree coverage, north-facing exposures, or vinyl siding that traps moisture may need it annually. For homes with cedar or wood siding, annual washing is good maintenance — and far cheaper than letting biological growth work its way under the paint film.
How to Evaluate a Power Washing Quote
Price isn't the only thing to look at. A $175 quote for a two-story house in Evanston sounds great until you realize the contractor is using a consumer-grade electric washer and won't be insured if he breaks a window or damages your siding.
Check for Liability Insurance
A current certificate of insurance is non-negotiable. If a board gets blown off or a window cracks, you need to know you're covered. Ask for proof before work starts.
Ask About Soft Washing
Anyone who treats a painted cedar house the same as a concrete driveway either doesn't know the difference — or doesn't care. Ask whether they're adjusting pressure and technique for sensitive surfaces.
Ask What Happens With Mold and Algae
A chemical pre-soak (sodium hypochlorite diluted appropriately) is industry standard for biological growth. Pressure alone won't fully kill the roots; it just removes what's visible. Without treatment, it comes back faster.
Our guide on what to look for in a painting contractor covers contractor vetting in depth — and most of those same principles apply when you're hiring someone to wash your house. Look for experience, insurance, and specific answers to specific questions.
The Bottom Line on Power Washing Costs
For most single-family homes in the Chicago suburbs, a professional exterior wash runs $300–$650. Add a driveway and deck and you're closer to $600–$900 for a full property wash. If it's bundled into a larger paint project, expect it to be rolled into prep costs rather than itemized separately.
The real value isn't in the wash itself — it's in what it protects. Paint adhesion, siding longevity, and curb appeal all depend on a clean, dry, properly prepped surface. Skipping the wash to save $400 on a $15,000 paint job is one of those false economies that looks smart for about eighteen months.
Thinking About a Wash Before Your Next Paint Project?
Z&Z Painting handles power washing as part of our exterior painting prep throughout the Chicago area. If you're planning an exterior project and want to understand what's included — or just want a standalone quote for your house, driveway, or deck — we're straightforward about what needs to be done and what it costs.
Get a free estimate or call us at (630) 802-4302. We'll take a look at what you've got and give you a realistic number, not a lowball that balloons once we're on-site.