Should You Buy, Rent, or Hire a Pressure Washer?

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 Buy or Rent a Pressure Washer?

If you’re a weekend warrior who loves DIY projects around the house, buying or renting a pressure washer might be the most cost-effective solution to grime on your home exterior, deck, patio, walkway, or other hard outdoor surfaces. The main factor in choosing whether to buy or rent is deciding how often to pressure wash your house. 

Buying a Pressure Washer

If you plan to pressure wash multiple times a year, consider buying instead of renting. 

• Pros: You’ll have year-round access to your machine and can use it on your own schedule as often as you like.

• Cons: You'll need to store it and pay the cost of occasional engine maintenance. Your machine will wear down and become less efficient over time.

If you buy, consider a gas vs. electric pressure washer, and whether you’ll be able to afford a big enough unit to tackle all your household jobs. The last thing you want is to purchase a small unit that meets your budget, but fails to be heavy-duty enough to meet all your needs. Doing so may lead you to hiring a pro to do the rest, defeating the purpose of owning a pressure washer at all.

Renting a Pressure Washer

If you only plan to use a pressure washer once per year, consider renting.

• Pros: You'll avoid needing to store or service the machine. You'll always have access to a recent, well-maintained model—potentially one that would otherwise exceed your budget for buying.

• Cons: Transportation can be a time-consuming hassle. You won't always have your machine on demand, and you risk paying more if inclement weather forces you to postpone your project.

Is Owning a Pressure Washer Worth It?

Buying a machine and doing the work yourself instead of hiring a pro can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. That is, it’ll save you money if you pressure wash your property frequently. Many of your home and garden investments, such as fencing, driveways, walkways, and patios, can and should be washed a few times a year and not all at the same time, so it might make sense to own your machine for ease of use. But if you only need a pressure washer for one day to remove a stain on the sidewalk, renting one is more cost-effective. 

Renting a Pressure Washer vs. Hiring 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 to 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.

Cost to Hire a Pressure Washer vs. Cost to Rent 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?

How Much Does a Pressure Washer Cost on Average?

A pressure washer costs $100 to $1,000 on average. This range includes both electric models suited to small projects and larger, gas-powered models that can blast dirt and debris from every surface (within reason—not all areas of your home’s exterior can be pressure washed). The cost to rent a pressure washer can be anywhere from $35 to $175 per day.