How Much Does Pressure Washing Cost in Vancouver?
Living in the Lower Mainland means living with moss, algae, and grime. Our wet climate is fantastic for green space — and equally fantastic for turning your driveway, deck, and siding into a science experiment. Pressure washing in Vancouver typically costs $150–$1,200 per surface, depending on what you're cleaning, how big it is, and how bad it's gotten. A standard two-car driveway runs $150–$400. A deck costs $200–$500. Full house siding cleans run $300–$800. And roof cleaning — which is really its own category — ranges from $400–$1,200.
These aren't luxury services in BC. They're maintenance. Moss left on a roof eats through shingles. Algae on a deck makes it dangerously slippery. Green siding lowers your curb appeal and can mask moisture damage underneath. Here's a full breakdown of what pressure washing costs in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, what factors change the price, and how often you actually need it done.
Price Breakdown by Surface Type
| Surface | Typical Cost Range | Average Duration | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway (2-car, concrete/pavers) | $150 – $400 | 1 – 2 hours | Annually |
| Deck (200–400 sq ft) | $200 – $500 | 2 – 3 hours | Annually (before staining) |
| House Siding (avg home) | $300 – $800 | 3 – 5 hours | Every 1 – 2 years |
| Roof (moss treatment + rinse) | $400 – $1,200 | 3 – 6 hours | Every 2 – 3 years |
| Patio / Walkway | $150 – $350 | 1 – 2 hours | Annually |
| Fence (per side, 100 ft) | $200 – $450 | 2 – 3 hours | Every 2 – 3 years |
These prices reflect 2026 Vancouver-area rates. Bundling multiple surfaces in a single visit typically saves 15–25% compared to booking each separately — we set up once, and the incremental time for an additional surface is less than a standalone visit.
Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing: What's the Difference?
Not every surface should be hit with 3,000 PSI. Understanding the difference between pressure washing and soft washing is critical, especially in BC where cedar is everywhere:
Pressure Washing (2,500–4,000 PSI): High-pressure water blasts away dirt, grime, moss, and stains through force. Best for hard surfaces: concrete driveways, concrete patios, brick, and stone. Pressure washing is fast and effective on surfaces that can handle the force.
Soft Washing (500–1,000 PSI + cleaning solution): Low-pressure water combined with a biodegradable cleaning solution that kills moss, algae, and mildew at the root. Best for delicate surfaces: cedar siding, cedar decks, vinyl siding, roofing shingles, and painted surfaces. The cleaning solution does the work, not the pressure.
Why this matters in BC: The Lower Mainland is full of cedar — cedar siding, cedar decks, cedar fences. High-pressure washing on cedar damages the wood fibres, raises the grain, and can actually accelerate deterioration. We see damage from improper pressure washing on cedar regularly. If a contractor is going to blast your cedar deck at 3,000 PSI, that's a red flag. Cedar requires soft washing followed by light rinsing. The result is actually better because the cleaning solution kills moss and algae at the root, preventing rapid regrowth.
Factors That Affect Your Pressure Washing Cost
1. Surface Area: This is the primary cost driver. A 300-square-foot driveway costs less than a 600-square-foot driveway. Most contractors either quote per square foot ($0.25–$0.75 for hard surfaces, $0.50–$1.50 for decks and siding) or by the job based on size and condition.
2. Surface Type: Concrete is straightforward. Wood requires soft washing and more care. Roofing requires specialized equipment and safety measures. The surface type determines the method, the chemicals needed, and the time required — all of which affect cost.
3. Severity of Buildup: A driveway that was cleaned last year takes half the time of one that hasn't been touched in five years. Heavy moss buildup on a roof may require manual scraping before the chemical treatment, adding significant labour. If your surfaces have been neglected for several years, expect to pay at the higher end of the range for the first clean.
4. Access and Height: Single-story homes are cheaper to clean than two-story or three-story homes because of the ladder and extension equipment required. Houses built on hillsides with limited ground-level access to upper walls add complexity. A ranch-style home with easy siding access might cost $300 for a full wash, while a three-story home in Deep Cove could be $700–$800.
5. Moss Removal: Moss is a fact of life in the Lower Mainland. Light moss washes off easily. Thick, established moss — especially on roofs and decks — requires pre-treatment with a moss-killing solution, a waiting period, and then removal. Roof moss treatment is essentially a two-step process: apply the solution, wait for it to work (sometimes we return a second day), then rinse. This doubles the labour compared to a simple wash.
6. Post-Treatment: After cleaning a deck, many homeowners want it stained or sealed. We offer this as an add-on — figure $3–$6 per square foot for a quality deck stain applied after the wash. For driveways and patios, concrete sealing ($1.50–$3/sq ft) protects the surface and extends the time between cleanings.
BC-Specific Considerations
You Need This More Than Other Regions: Let's be direct: if you live in the Lower Mainland, your home gets dirtier faster than homes in most of Canada. Vancouver gets 1,200+ mm of rain annually. That constant moisture combined with our mild winters creates ideal conditions for moss, algae, lichen, and mildew growth. Homes in North Vancouver, Coquitlam, and other areas near the mountains get even more precipitation. Annual cleaning isn't a luxury here — it's property maintenance.
Cedar Requires Special Treatment: We mentioned this above, but it bears repeating because it's the most common mistake. Roughly 40% of homes in the Lower Mainland have some amount of cedar — siding, decks, fences, or trim. Cedar must be soft washed, never pressure washed. A contractor who doesn't distinguish between the two methods is someone you want to avoid. We carry separate equipment for hard-surface pressure washing and soft-surface treatment.
Roof Cleaning in BC: Roof moss isn't just ugly — it's destructive. Moss holds moisture against your shingles, accelerating granule loss and reducing shingle lifespan. In the Lower Mainland, an unaddressed mossy roof can lose 5–10 years of its rated lifespan. Most roofing manufacturers consider moss damage to be a maintenance issue, meaning it can void your warranty. Roof cleaning every 2–3 years is a genuine investment in your roof's longevity.
Environmental Regulations: In Metro Vancouver, wash water containing cleaning chemicals cannot be discharged into storm drains (which flow untreated into local waterways). Professional contractors use biodegradable, eco-approved solutions and contain wash water where required. This is a real distinction between a professional service and a DIY job — improper discharge can result in fines.
How to Get an Accurate Estimate
Know what you want cleaned. "The whole house" is fine as a starting point, but be specific: driveway, walkways, patio, deck, siding (which sides?), roof, fence? Each surface is a line item.
Note the condition. Light dirt? Heavy moss? Black algae streaks? The condition determines the method and time, which determines the cost. Photos help — send us pictures and we can often give you a ballpark before the site visit.
Ask about the method. A professional will tell you which surfaces they'll pressure wash and which they'll soft wash. If someone says "we pressure wash everything," they're not distinguishing between concrete and cedar, and your cedar will pay the price.
Red flags: Contractors who quote by phone without seeing the property. Extremely low prices (under $100 for a driveway means they're either cutting corners or using consumer-grade equipment). And anyone who doesn't carry liability insurance — pressure washing can cause property damage if done incorrectly, and you want to be covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I pressure wash my house in Vancouver?
For most Lower Mainland homes: driveway and walkways annually, deck annually (ideally in spring before staining season), siding every 1–2 years, and roof every 2–3 years. North-facing surfaces and properties with tree cover need more frequent attention because they stay damp longer and grow moss faster. If you bundle everything into one annual visit, you'll save money and keep your entire property looking sharp year-round.
Q: Can pressure washing damage my surfaces?
Yes, if done incorrectly. High-pressure water can gouge wood, etch concrete, strip paint, damage mortar joints, and void roofing warranties. That's why method matters. Hard surfaces like concrete and brick can handle high pressure (2,500–4,000 PSI). Softer surfaces — cedar, vinyl siding, asphalt shingles, painted wood — require soft washing at low pressure. A professional contractor adjusts the pressure and method for each surface. If someone is using the same pressure setting on your concrete driveway and your cedar siding, that's a problem.
Q: Is DIY pressure washing worth it?
For a small driveway or patio, a rented pressure washer ($50–$100/day) can work fine if you're careful. For siding, decks, and roofs, we genuinely recommend hiring a professional. The risk of damage is real — we've repaired more damage caused by DIY and amateur pressure washing than we'd like to count. A professional has the right equipment, the right chemicals, the right technique, and liability insurance. For most homeowners, the $200–$500 for a professional clean is a better investment than the $50 rental plus the risk of a $2,000 repair.
Get a Free Estimate
We provide pressure washing and soft washing services across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and the entire Lower Mainland. Whether it's a single driveway clean or a full property wash-down, we'll give you an honest quote based on your specific surfaces and conditions.
Call us at 236-881-2977 or request your free estimate online. Send us photos for a quick ballpark, or we'll come out for a free on-site assessment.
