Pressure washing looks like the simplest work to price and catches people out for two reasons. The condition of the surface changes the time by a large factor, and the site may not supply what the job needs: water at a usable pressure and a legal place for the runoff to go. A quote given over the phone from an address and a square footage is a quote given before either of those has been checked.
Price a power washing estimate by surface and condition, then check the access
Driveways, patios, render, decking, roofs and fleet each have their own rate and their own risk of damage. Condition moves the time more than area does: heavy organic growth or years of neglect can double a job that looked routine in a photograph.
Water and runoff decide whether the job is possible
Confirm there is a usable supply or bring a tank, and know where the runoff is going, because surface water drains and environmental rules are not optional. These two checks are the difference between a day's work and a wasted journey with a difficult conversation.
State what the result will and will not be
Cleaning does not repair. Say that staining, etching, previous damage and uneven fading may remain visible, and photograph the worst areas before starting. That paragraph prevents the most common dispute, which is about expectation rather than about the work.
Questions people ask about pressure washing estimates
Should I quote from a photograph?
As a range, with the price confirmed on site. Photographs understate condition consistently, and a firm price given from one is a firm price you will regret on the awkward third of jobs.
How is soft washing priced differently?
It is chemistry and dwell time rather than pressure, so the labour profile differs and the chemical cost is real. Price it as its own service rather than as a discount on pressure washing.
What insurance question comes up most?
Damage to render, seals, paintwork and planting. Method and pressure choice are your protection, and a note in the estimate about surfaces excluded from the work is the second layer.