Exterior Cleaning Pricing Guide
Pressure washing, soft washing, gutter cleaning, and solar panel cleaning — prices and when pressure is the wrong tool for the job.
Exterior cleaning spans pressure washing concrete, soft-washing rendered walls, clearing gutters, and cleaning solar panels. Pricing depends on surface area, access, and the right technique — pressure-washing rendered walls or painted weatherboard can strip finish and cost thousands to repair.
For delicate surfaces (paint, render, roof), soft-washing with low pressure plus mild chemicals is standard. High-pressure is for concrete, pavers, and unpainted masonry only.
What exterior cleaning typically costs
$200–$500
What's included
Concrete or pavers up to ~80 sqm. Pre-treatment for oil stains extra.
When this tier fits
Moss/green growth, ingrained dirt, before selling.
$400–$1,200
What's included
Low-pressure chemical wash on render, painted brick, weatherboard. Single-storey.
When this tier fits
Grey or green mould on walls without damaging paint/render.
$150–$500
What's included
Remove leaves and debris, flush downpipes. Single-storey lower, two-storey higher.
When this tier fits
Annually before the storm season; twice yearly near gum trees.
$150–$400
What's included
20–40 panels, deionised water, brush. Ladder access; roof harness if steep.
When this tier fits
Every 1–2 years. Dust and bird waste can drop output 10–25%.
$600–$1,800
What's included
Soft-wash roof tiles or colorbond, treat mould/lichen, flush gutters.
When this tier fits
Lichen on tiles, pre-sale, or as part of solar install prep.
Prices are indicative AUD ranges based on typical Australian metropolitan pricing. Actual quotes depend on scope, access, and local market.
What affects the price
Area & surface
Concrete pressure-washes fast; render and weatherboard soft-wash slower. Walls also need chemical dwell time.
Height / access
Two-storey jobs need harness, scaffold, or ladder stand-offs. Adds 30–60% to flat-rate quotes.
Condition
Heavy moss, lichen, and oil stains need chemical pre-treatment and a longer dwell, which is time billable.
Water access
Jobs without nearby tap access can take longer; some operators charge a surcharge or bring water tanks.
Before you book — what to check
Pressure washing vs soft washing
Pressure is for hard surfaces (concrete, pavers, unpainted masonry). Everything else needs soft wash. Using 3,000 PSI on painted render is a quick way to need a repaint.
Solar cleaning increases output
A dirty panel array can lose 10–25% of output — worth real money over a year. Clean before summer peak production.
Working at heights
Legally, work above 2m needs height-safety training and equipment. Cheap quotes skipping this aren't insured if something happens.
Gutter guards
Gutter guards reduce cleaning frequency but aren't maintenance-free. Flush still needed every 2–3 years.
Damage from DIY
Hired pressure washers are the most common cause of stripped render and ruined window seals. The labour cost of a pro is often less than fixing DIY damage.
Common exterior cleaning gear
Brand and product names you're likely to see in quotes.
Karcher / Gerni
Common petrol and electric pressure washers used by pros.
Thirty Seconds / Wet & Forget
Popular outdoor mould and algae chemical treatments.
Frequently asked questions
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Related guides
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Roofing
Roof repairs, re-roofing, and gutter replacement costs — plus the old-home gotchas like asbestos and structural batten upgrades.
Painting
Interior and exterior house painting prices in Australia — and why prep work, not paint brand, determines how long the job lasts.