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There are a variety of methods for pricing pressure washing services. However estimates usually need a good bit of experience to properly estimate a pressure washing job. Inexperienced pressure washers can lead to bids that are too low or too high, so experience is recommended when charging by the hour. The simple formula is to determine what you need to charge per hour, with costs in mind, to net a healthy profit margin. If your companies target profit margin is 30% on a job then you will need to charge appropriately to meet that number.
For example, you look at a job and determine that it will take 8 man hours (total hours, total employees) to clean. You must determine your hourly charge to meet your desired profit percentage.
Hourly Charge Method:
Example 1:
We charge at $100/man hour and want a 30% profit margin.
8 man hours X $100 = $800.00 estimate
This means that approximately $560 would go to expenses and $240 is net profit.
If we do two of these jobs in a day we would net $480. Is this enough? Do we need to charge more per hour, or less? Do we need to make a higher profit margin? Do we actually spend more or less in expenses? Only you can determine which way these numbers must move.
Example 2:
We charge at $80/man hour and operate on 50% profit.
8 man hours X $80 = $640 estimate
This means that approximately $320 dollars would go to expenses and the other $320 would go to profit. If we do two jobs a day we would net $640.
As you can see by the examples that knowing your expenses or operating at different profit margins can greatly change the profitability of your company. In Example 2 we actually are charging less and making more money. The key is to know your business.
Area Method:
This method calls for you to determine a price per linear foot or square foot. To illustrate this method we will go over estimating pressure washing a house.
An industry rule has been to charge $1.00 per linear foot (this will vary from company to company), per floor for pressure washing homes and buildings. This does not include for items such as difficult architecture (dormers, steep roofs, many different sides and areas, sunrooms, etc.), lifts, scaffolding, and other added costs.
Example 1: A two story house that is 30ft. X 60ft.
30+30+60+60 = 180 linear feet
180 x $2.00 (two stories) = $360.00 estimate
Example 2: A three story building requiring a lift. The building is 120 X 80
The lift will be rented at a cost of $300
120+120+80+80 = 400 linear feet
400 X $3.00 (three stories) = $1,200.00
Rental of the lift is $300 and the rule of thumb is to double the cost of extra supplies and materials. In this case we would charge the customer $600 for lift rental. You do not need state this in the estimate, just give a total price informing them that a lift will be used.
$1,200.00 + $600.00 = $1,800.00 estimate
Many contractors will take this base estimate of $1.00/linear ft., per floor and combine this with an hourly charge for extras. In other words, if height and ladder work will be excessive and time-consuming, the contractor will estimate how many more hours will be needed and multiply that by the base hourly rate. In essence, using a combination of both methods.
Pressure Washing Roofs
Pricing for roof washing varies widely, and most contractors charge in a range from $.50 cents a foot up to $1.50 depending on the pitch of the roof and the difficulty of the job. The same bidding principles apply, so when figuring roof bids simply substitute your “square foot” charge.
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Pricing for pressure washing
