House Washing Costs

House washing costs in Australia vary by property size and service type. A single-storey house wash typically costs $250–$500. A two-storey house wash runs $400–$800. Roof cleaning costs $300–$700. A full pre-sale exterior package can cost $500–$1,400. Prices vary by city, surface type and contamination level.

House washing specifically refers to cleaning the exterior walls, eaves and fascia of a home, usually using soft wash (low-pressure with chemical treatment) to protect painted and rendered surfaces. Pressure washing is a broader term covering driveways, paths, decks and hard surfaces using high-pressure water. House washing almost always uses soft wash techniques because high pressure damages most exterior cladding materials.

Most homes benefit from exterior washing every 12–24 months. Properties in humid climates, near the coast, or with heavy tree coverage may need annual washing. Homes in dry inland areas with minimal shade may only need washing every 2–3 years. Regular washing prevents permanent staining and reduces long-term maintenance costs.

Soft washing using low pressure (100–500 PSI) and appropriate cleaning chemicals is safe for most residential cladding including render, painted surfaces, weatherboard, Colorbond and brick. The operator must select the correct chemical concentration for each surface type. High-pressure washing should never be used on rendered, painted or delicate surfaces.

A good house washing quote should specify which surfaces are included, the washing method for each surface type, whether chemical pre-treatment and biocide post-treatment are included, any access requirements for multi-storey sections, and whether window frames and gutter faces are part of the scope. Always compare quotes on the same scope.

Driveways and paths can be DIY-washed with a hired pressure washer. House exterior washing requires specialist chemical selection, correct pressure settings for different surfaces, and safe access to eaves and upper walls. Using the wrong pressure on render or painted surfaces causes expensive damage. Professional house washing is recommended for most homeowners.

A clean exterior significantly improves first impressions and street appeal. Real estate agents consistently report that pre-sale house washing is one of the highest-return preparation investments, costing $500–$1,400 for a full exterior clean but potentially adding thousands to perceived value. It also makes other presentation work like garden and interior staging more effective.

Late winter to early spring is ideal for most Australian properties — it removes winter mould and algae before the warmer months. Autumn washing before winter is also effective. Avoid washing during heavy rain periods as surfaces cannot dry properly for biocide treatment to cure. Pre-sale washing should be booked at least 2 weeks before photography.

House washing prices have increased by approximately 15–20% between 2023 and 2026 in Australia, driven by rising fuel, insurance and chemical input costs. A single-storey house wash that cost $220–$450 in 2023 now runs $250–$500 in 2026. The main change is that biocide treatment is now included as standard on most quotes, adding value even though the headline price is higher.

Pre-sale house washing is consistently rated by real estate agents as one of the highest-return preparation investments. A full exterior package costs $500–$1,400 but transforms street appeal, making every other presentation investment — garden, interior staging, photography — more effective. Clean exteriors signal a well-maintained property and remove a common buyer objection before it forms.

Soft wash uses low pressure (100–500 PSI) combined with chemical cleaning agents to dissolve mould, algae and organic staining without damaging surfaces. Pressure washing uses high-pressure water (1500–3000+ PSI) to physically blast dirt off hard surfaces like concrete driveways and paths. Most residential exterior walls need soft wash — high pressure damages render, paint, weatherboard and brick mortar.

A standard single-storey house wash takes 2–4 hours including chemical dwell time. Two-storey homes take 3–6 hours due to the additional height access and surface area. A full pre-sale exterior package covering house, driveway, deck and fences typically takes a full day (6–8 hours). Heavily contaminated homes that have not been washed for 5+ years may require additional time for multiple chemical passes.