Should a pressure washing company post a minimum charge, and how much should it be? We checked the websites of 137 US pressure washing and soft washing companies in 38 states and recorded every minimum charge they publish.
How many companies publish a minimum charge
Only 25 of the 137 companies (18%) publish a job minimum on their website, fewer than 1 in 5. Companies that don't publish one may still apply a minimum when they quote; this page measures only what is posted where customers can see it.
How much the minimum is
| Published minimums (25 companies) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Median | $200 |
| Middle half | about $150 to $275 |
| Lowest | $90 |
| Between $150 and $250 | 13 of 25 |
How a $200 minimum compares with typical job prices
| Flat-rate service | Median starting price |
|---|---|
| Driveway cleaning | $150(75) |
| Fence cleaning | $150(22) |
| Deck cleaning | $157.50(42) |
| House wash | $250(95) |
| Roof soft wash | $399.50(52) |
A typical published minimum sits above the starting price of the smallest jobs and below the starting price of a house wash. In practice it lifts small one-off jobs, such as a single driveway or a short fence, to a price that covers the drive, setup and cleanup, while leaving house washes and roofs untouched.
Setting your own minimum
- Start from your real cost of showing up. Add drive time, setup and breakdown, chemicals and your hourly target for the shortest job you would accept. That number is your floor.
- Check it against the market. Most companies that post a minimum land between $150 and $275, with $200 as the median.
- Post it where customers see it. A clear line such as "Minimum service charge: $200" sets expectations before the quote and filters out jobs you would lose money on.
- Offer a way past it. Customers with a small job can add a second service, such as a walkway, patio or trash cans, to reach the minimum, which raises the ticket instead of losing the job.
Turn these numbers into a price list for your website or Instagram: pressure washing price list template ($9).
Common questions
What is a normal minimum charge for pressure washing?
Among the 25 US companies that publish one, the median is $200, and half fall between about $150 and $275 (October 2026).
Do most pressure washing companies have a minimum charge?
Most don't publish one. Only 18% of the 137 companies we checked post a minimum on their website.
Is a minimum charge the same as a trip fee?
Not quite. A minimum sets the lowest total you will bill for any job, while a trip fee is added on top of the job price. Both protect small jobs; a minimum is simpler for customers to understand.
How the data was collected
Every figure comes from a company's own website or booking page, never from lead-generation "average cost" estimates. Each company counts once. Pages were checked October 17, 2026. Researched with AI tools and published by a human owner.
Get the free 2-page snapshot
The 2026 Pressure Washing Price Snapshot: national median prices for house washing, roofs, driveways, decks and fences, flat and per square foot, and three things the data shows. Free on Gumroad.
Want every region? The full report ($19) adds prices and job minimums for each region, seven pricing tips, and a spreadsheet of all 549 prices with a link to each source.
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