THE SHORT ANSWER
Write a pressure washing estimate by identifying surface types, measured areas, access and the cleaning result included. Separate stain treatment and sealing from standard cleaning, and avoid promising complete removal of every mark.
This Australian walkthrough uses a fictional driveway and walkway cleaning in Melbourne, Victoria. The matching pressure washing estimate example shows the same item quantities and amounts in an app-exported PDF. Measure your own site and replace the example rates before issuing a client quote.
1. Group surfaces by material and condition
A concrete driveway, painted surface and timber deck are not interchangeable scopes. This example includes concrete only. Record visible staining, damage and sensitive adjacent areas so the estimate reflects the actual property.
For this example, the agreed starting scope is: Clean a 74.32 m² concrete driveway and 18.58 m² of concrete walkways. Include setup, surface protection, standard cleaning, a limited spot-treatment allowance and cleanup. No sealing or guarantee of complete stain removal. A change to a listed surface, product or access assumption should trigger a revised line or allowance.
2. Measure the cleaning footprint
Break the job into rectangles or other measured areas and keep a clear takeoff. Separate driveways from walkways when their access or rates differ. State whether steps, curbs and edges are included rather than leaving them implied.
3. Explain treatment limits
Standard cleaning and specialized spot treatment should have distinct descriptions. Discuss realistic expectations for discoloration and pre-existing damage. The estimate is not a promise that every stain will disappear or that every surface is suitable for the same method.
4. Account for setup and site arrangements
Small jobs still require travel, setup and cleanup. Identify water-access assumptions and any site-specific runoff or protection requirements to resolve before work. Use an explicit setup line when it helps explain the quoted total.
Worked pressure washing calculation
Two checkable lines from the example are 74.32 m² × A$3.25 = A$241.54; 18.58 m² × A$4.00 = A$74.32. The full 5-line estimate totals A$532.86 with the demonstration tax input at 0%. The amount is a fictional scenario, not an Australian market rate or a recommended selling price.
Material purchasing and installed quantities may differ. For your own estimate, use the actual takeoff, supplier prices, labour plan, access and disposal requirements. Decide how overhead, profit and the applicable tax treatment affect your final quote; do not copy the example's zero tax setting.
Before you share the estimate
- Identify surfaces and existing damage.
- Measure driveway and walkway areas.
- Confirm access and site arrangements.
- Separate spot treatment and sealing.
Scope boundary in this example: No sealing, painted or timber surfaces, hazardous-substance removal, restoration of damaged concrete or guaranteed complete stain removal.
Confirm the client details and location, item descriptions, measured units, total and validity date. If opening up the work reveals a different condition, document the changed scope and price before proceeding.
Common questions about pressure washing
Should I include setup in a small cleaning estimate?
Account for it somewhere in the price. A separate, described setup line can make small-job pricing easier to understand.
Does pressure washing include sealing?
Only when explicitly scoped. Cleaning and applying a sealer are different services and should not be silently combined.
FROM SCOPE TO PDF
Make your own pressure washing estimate.
Describe the actual job in Estimates on iPhone or Android, then review every quantity, rate and scope note. Add your business and client details, check the document and share an itemised PDF. Example amounts are fictional, and some app features may require an in-app purchase.
