There are few things as satisfying as blasting built-up gunk off your home's surfaces, but sometimes pressure washing is a job best left to the pros
Cleaning your home with a pressure washer can offer instant gratification. Years of built-up dirt and grime can be removed in an afternoon, breathing new life into your home’s exterior. While some pressure washing jobs are small and easy enough for handy homeowners to tackle, others should only be attempted by the pros.
Should I Rent a Pressure Washer or Hire a Pro?
Whenever you’re about to tackle a project around the house, you should first ask yourself if it makes more sense to outsource the job to a professional. The answer will always vary, depending on whether you have the tools (and more importantly, the skills) needed to complete the job. When it comes to hiring a professional pressure washer near you, ask yourself a third question: How do you feel about getting dirty?
When Should You Hire a Professional?
Pressure washing, while incredibly rewarding, can be a wet and dirty project. Homeowners often end up covered in the splash back from whatever they’re cleaning. Additionally, how will you transport the device to and from the store? While pressure washers are generally small and come with wheels, you’ll still have to muscle the machine in and out of your car.
Lastly, consider what kind of job you’re doing. Complex or dangerous jobs are often best left to professionals who already have the necessary skill and tools.
Is It Worth It to Hire a Pressure Washer?
The cost of hiring a pressure washer in your area will vary by both your location and the scope of the job. On average, people pay between $200 and $400 for a professional to come out and clean their home’s exterior. Compare that to the price to rent a pressure washer, which may cost you around $50 a day from a big box store, and your answer may boil down to preference. Would you rather pass the job off to someone else, or save money and do it yourself?
Should You Buy a Pressure Washer?
There’s a third option here as well: If you’re a weekend warrior who loves working on DIY projects around the house, the most cost-effective option may be to buy your own pressure washer. Prices start at around $100 and include models that can tackle everything from small cleaning projects to blasting dirt and debris from every surface (within reason—not all areas of your home’s exterior can be pressure washed) in your yard.
If you’re going to buy a unit, consider the benefits of a gas vs. electric pressure washer, and whether you’ll be able to afford a big enough unit to tackle all of your household jobs. The last thing you want to do is purchase a smaller unit that meets your immediate budget, but fails to be heavy-duty enough to meet all of your household cleaning needs—doing so may lead you right back to the very question of whether you’re better off hiring a professional.
