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You decide to get the house washed. That is the easy part.
Then you open a directory and search.
Twenty companies. All five stars. All fast, friendly and affordable. Two of them are roofers. One has a photo of a boat.
You close the tab. The house stays green for another year.
Directories are good at names and stars. They are bad at the things you actually need to know.
You might own a stone twin in Havertown, a brick rowhome in Upper Darby or a colonial in Media. Either way, a spring or fall exterior cleaning is one of the most affordable ways to protect your home and sharpen its curb appeal. Most online directories, however, only give you names, star ratings and a "Get a quote" button. They do not tell you what the job should cost, which cleaning method is safe for your siding, or whether a company actually serves your township.
This guide fills those gaps. It covers current price ranges, when to use high pressure versus soft washing, the Delaware County factors most national guides miss, and a practical checklist for choosing a contractor.
How much does pressure washing cost in Delaware County in 2026?
Most homeowners pay a few hundred dollars per surface. Industry pricing data for 2026 puts typical pressure washing jobs between $150 and $500, with many residential cleanings falling around $250 to $400. Driveways and house washes are usually quoted per project, while large commercial concrete areas are often priced by the square foot.
| Service | Typical 2026 range | Main cost driver |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway cleaning | $100 to $300+ | Size, oil stains |
| House wash (1 to 2 story) | $250 to $800+ | Height, siding type |
| Deck cleaning | $150 to $500+ | Wood condition |
| Fence cleaning | $150 to $400+ | Linear footage |
| Commercial flatwork | $0.08 to $0.40+ per sq ft | Volume |
Source: Housecall Pro, national figures. Delaware County quotes should fall within these ranges, and taller homes and heavier staining sit in the upper half. For what we charge here, see our pressure washing cost page. We are residential only, across Delaware County and the Main Line, and we do not wash roofs, seal or re-sand pavers, or seal concrete.
What moves a Delco quote up or down
Several local factors consistently push prices higher or lower.
- Height. Three story twins and Victorians in Lansdowne, Swarthmore and Media often need extension wands or ladders, so labor time goes up.
- Siding material. Vinyl washes quickly. Stucco, painted wood and fieldstone need slower, gentler methods.
- Type of staining. Green algae comes off readily. Oil spots, rust and red clay stains need specialty chemicals.
- Access. Shared driveways, alley-only rear access and tight side yards all add setup time.
- Add-ons. Gutter brightening and deck staining are usually priced separately.
- Minimum trip charges. Small jobs, such as a single stoop, often hit a minimum fee, so bundle surfaces to get better value.
If it is mostly concrete you are pricing, our driveway cleaning costs are broken out separately.
How to compare quotes fairly
Ask every company for an itemized quote that lists each surface, the cleaning method, the chemicals, and how they protect plants and control runoff.
A $250 quote that skips plant protection and runoff control is not cheaper than a $350 quote that includes them. It just moves the risk onto you.
Pressure washing vs soft washing: which does your property need?
The biggest mistake homeowners make is assuming every surface can take the same pressure. It cannot. Most reputable companies therefore use two methods, and often combine them on one job.
Pressure washing uses high-pressure water, often with a rotary surface cleaner, to blast grime off hard surfaces. Soft washing uses low, garden-hose-level pressure combined with cleaning solutions that kill algae, mold and mildew at the root.
Surfaces that can handle higher pressure
- Poured concrete driveways, sidewalks and patios
- Brick and stone walkways, with care around mortar joints
- Pavers, followed by joint sand replacement if needed
- Commercial flatwork, such as dumpster pads and parking areas
Surfaces that need soft washing
- Vinyl and aluminum siding
- Stucco and painted wood trim
- Cedar shakes and delicate wood fencing
- Asphalt shingle roofs
Roofs deserve special attention. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association warns against using a power washer, or even a brush or broom, to clean algae from shingles. It says high-pressure systems are likely to damage asphalt roofing and should not be used for any cleaning purpose. Instead, its method is to apply a cleaning solution gently, leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, and rinse with light water pressure.
So if a company plans to pressure wash your roof, hire someone else. It is the fastest tell there is.
Delaware County factors most guides miss
National cost guides treat every house the same. Delaware County homeowners, however, face three local issues that directly affect how the job should be done.
Older homes and lead paint
Delco's housing stock is old. DVRPC reports that Delaware County's homes are older than the wider region's, with over 57 percent built before 1960. That matters because EPA data shows that about 69 percent of homes built between 1940 and 1959 are likely to contain lead-based paint, and about 87 percent of those built before 1940.
High-pressure water can strip loose paint and spread lead-contaminated chips across your yard. Connecticut's Department of Public Health lists "do not power wash surfaces on a pre-1978 home" among its lead-safe work practices, and notes that some municipalities ban power washing outright.
If your home was built before 1978 and has painted surfaces:
- Ask for soft washing, not high pressure, on anything painted.
- Ask whether the crew lays ground tarps and collects paint chips.
- If the cleaning is prep for repainting, ask whether the firm holds EPA RRP certification. Federal lead rules apply to work that disturbs lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes.
Rowhomes, twins and tight access
Much of eastern Delco is attached housing: rowhomes in Upper Darby and Darby, and twins in Drexel Hill, Havertown and Ridley. Before the crew arrives:
- Tell your neighbor, since overspray can reach their windows, car or shared wall.
- Confirm where the crew will connect to water and park equipment.
- Ask how they will clean a shared wall or party-line gutter without trespassing.
Runoff and local creeks
Wash water from your driveway does not go to a treatment plant. Storm drains across the county feed Darby, Crum, Ridley and Chester creeks, which flow to the Delaware River.
Under Pennsylvania's MS4 stormwater program, an illicit discharge is any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. PA DEP lists oil and grease, solvents and detergents among the pollutants these discharges carry, and even grass clippings count.
Ask any company how it handles runoff, especially when it uses degreasers on oil-stained driveways. Good answers include diverting water to lawn areas, using biodegradable detergents, or recovering wash water on commercial jobs.
When to book: timing your Delaware County cleaning
Demand in Pennsylvania is strongly seasonal. Searches for "pressure washing near me" across Pennsylvania reached about 6,600 a month in April and May 2026, but fell to around 1,300 in November and December 2025. Spring is therefore when schedules fill fastest and quotes are least negotiable.
To book at the best time:
- Book in March for April or May service, before the spring rush.
- Consider late summer or early fall. September and October are ideal for cleaning decks before sealing and for removing summer algae before winter.
- Allow drying time. If you plan to stain a deck afterward, schedule the cleaning at least a few dry days ahead.
- Ask about weekend and mobile service early. Weekend slots are limited in peak season. Mobile operators who bring their own water tank are useful when you have no outdoor spigot.
How to vet a pressure washing company in Delaware County
Star ratings tell you whether past customers were happy. They do not tell you whether a company is registered, insured or using the right method for your surfaces. Use the checks below to close that gap.
Check Pennsylvania registration and insurance
Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires contractors doing at least $5,000 of home improvements a year to register with the Attorney General's Office. The law also sets minimum insurance of $50,000 for personal injury and $50,000 for property damage, requires contractors to show their registration number in ads and contracts, sets required contract terms, and creates a criminal penalty for home improvement fraud. Any home improvement contract over $500 must be in writing, with a three-day right to cancel.
You can verify a registration at hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 1-888-520-6680. Registration is not an endorsement by the Attorney General, and that office says so plainly. It is a floor, not a recommendation.
Whether a cleaning-only company must register depends on the scope of its work, and it is genuinely unsettled. Companies that also seal, stain or paint almost certainly fall under the law. Either way, ask for the registration number and a certificate of liability insurance before work begins. We are fully insured, and a certificate is available on request.
10 questions to ask before you hire
- Which parts of my home will you pressure wash, and which will you soft wash?
- What chemicals will you use, and how will you protect my plants, pets and lawn?
- How will you manage runoff near storm drains?
- Are you registered with the PA Attorney General, and what is your registration number?
- Do you carry general liability insurance, and can you send the certificate?
- Is my quote itemized by surface, and does it include a trip or minimum fee?
- What happens if a stain, such as rust or oil, does not come out?
- Do you need access to my outdoor spigot, or do you bring your own water?
- How do you handle painted surfaces on a pre-1978 home?
- Do you offer weekend appointments or maintenance-plan discounts?
You are not being difficult. Every one of these has a short answer if the company has done the work before.
Red flags to watch for
- They offer to pressure wash an asphalt shingle roof.
- They will not give a written quote or contract.
- They require full payment upfront.
- They cannot explain what chemicals they use.
- They have no local address or reviews from Delaware County towns.
How to read online listings before you call
Directories are a useful starting point, but read them critically.
- Check the service area line. A card saying "Serving Wilmington and the Surrounding Area" may still quote your Springfield home, but expect longer lead times or travel fees.
- Check the category tags. Roofers, painters and even equipment-repair shops appear in pressure washing results. Prefer companies whose primary category is pressure washing.
- Separate sponsored from organic results. Sponsored placements are paid. The same company can appear in both sections, which makes the list look longer than it is.
- Read what the reviews actually describe. A five-star review about interior painting says nothing about the company's washing skills.
- Weigh review count against speed. A "10 mins response time" badge is convenient, but a 4.5-star company with 40 detailed reviews often tells you more than a 5.0 with two.
DIY or hire a pro?
Renting a pressure washer for a weekend can make sense for a small concrete patio. For most Delco homes, though, hiring a professional is the safer choice.
- High-pressure water causes injuries. A narrow nozzle can cut skin and inject water or chemicals under it.
- Ladders plus wands are dangerous, especially on two and three story homes.
- Too much pressure damages surfaces. It etches concrete, gouges wood and forces water behind vinyl siding, where it can cause mold.
- Older homes carry the lead-paint risk described above.
As a rule of thumb, DIY flat, ground-level concrete. Hire a professional for siding, roofs, decks, anything above the first floor, and any painted surface on a pre-1978 home.
How often should you clean each surface?
| Surface | Typical frequency | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| House siding | Every 1 to 2 years | Spring |
| Driveway and walkways | Once a year | Spring or fall |
| Deck | Once a year, before sealing | Late summer or fall |
| Fence | Every 1 to 2 years | Spring |
| Roof (soft wash only) | When streaks appear, often every 3 to 5 years | Spring or fall |
| Gutters (exterior brightening) | With house wash | Spring |
These are general intervals, not a rule. Homes on shaded, wooded lots in Radnor, Marple or Newtown Square usually need more frequent washing, because algae and mildew thrive in moist shade.
We go deeper on this in how often to wash a house in Delaware County.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to pressure wash a house in PA?
Most one and two story homes fall between $250 and $800 for a full house wash, depending on height, siding type and how dirty the exterior is. Bundling the driveway or deck usually lowers the per surface price.
How much does it cost to pressure wash a 2,000 square foot house?
A 2,000 square foot, two story home typically lands in the middle of the $250 to $800 house wash range. Height, access and siding condition matter more than floor area, so ask for an on site or photo based quote.
Can I power wash my house siding?
You can clean vinyl siding with low pressure and the right detergent. Most professionals, however, soft wash siding to avoid forcing water behind panels or stripping paint, especially on older Delaware County homes.
What surfaces should you avoid power washing?
Avoid high pressure on asphalt shingle roofs, painted surfaces on pre-1978 homes, stucco, soft woods such as cedar, window screens and seals, and exterior electrical fixtures.
Are there mobile pressure washers in Delaware County that work weekends?
Yes, several local operators offer mobile service with their own water tanks, and some take weekend bookings. Availability tightens sharply in April and May, so ask about weekend slots when you request a quote and book early.
Do I need to be home during the cleaning?
Usually not, as long as the crew has water access, the gates are unlocked, and windows, doors and vents are closed. Be home, or reachable, for the final walkthrough so you can point out any missed areas before paying.
The bottom line
The right pressure washing company for your Delaware County home is registered and insured, matches its method to each surface, protects your plants and local creeks, and prices each surface clearly.
Start by listing the surfaces you want cleaned. Then collect at least three itemized quotes and use the 10 questions above to compare them. Finally, book before the spring rush.
And if all that sounds like a lot of homework for a clean driveway, it is. That is rather the point of writing it down once, so you only have to do it once.
Want a quote you can actually compare? Get a free quote and we will itemize it by surface.
Sources
- Housecall Pro, 2026 pressure washing pricing: housecallpro.com
- Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, algae discoloration guidance: asphaltroofing.org
- DVRPC, Delaware County Housing Data Profile: dvrpc.org
- US EPA, Protect Your Family from Sources of Lead: epa.gov
- Connecticut Department of Public Health, lead-safe practices for homeowners: portal.ct.gov
- PA DEP, MCM 3: Illicit Discharges: dep.pa.gov
- PA Office of Attorney General, home improvement contractor registration: attorneygeneral.gov
- Pennsylvania search volume for "pressure washing near me", Google Ads data via DataforSEO, retrieved September 2026.
