What to ask before you hire a pressure washing company

Hiring someone to clean the outside of your house is usually a small job compared to, say, a roof replacement, but the same basic questions apply. A short conversation before you book can save you a surprise later, and none of the questions below take more than a few minutes to ask.

Insurance, and how to ask for proof

Ask directly whether the company carries liability insurance, and ask them to send a certificate of insurance rather than just taking their word for it. A legitimate company can usually email one within a day. Liability insurance matters here because exterior cleaning involves water, ladders, and chemicals near your house, your windows, and sometimes your roof — if something goes wrong, insurance is what stands behind the repair instead of you.

If a company can’t or won’t produce a certificate, treat that as an answer in itself.

Get the estimate in writing

A phone quote is a starting point, not a price. Ask for a written estimate that lists what’s included: which surfaces, which method (see our guide on soft washing versus pressure washing), and roughly how long the job will take. A written estimate also gives you something to point back to if the final bill doesn’t match what you expected.

If your house is unusual in some way — extra stories, hard-to-reach areas, heavy staining — ask whether the company needs to see it in person before the price is firm. It’s also reasonable to ask what happens if the crew arrives and finds the job is bigger than expected: whether they’ll stop and requote, or whether the original estimate holds.

Plants, mulch, and runoff

Cleaning solutions and runoff can affect plants, mulch beds, and grass near the house. Ask what the company uses and whether it’s meant to be plant-safe, and ask whether they’ll wet down or cover sensitive plants before starting. If you have a vegetable garden, a pond, or you’re near a storm drain, mention it — a company that’s done this before will already have a plan for it.

Scheduling and weather

Exterior washing depends on the weather: it’s usually not done in freezing temperatures, high wind, or heavy rain. Ask how the company handles rescheduling if the forecast changes, and whether there’s a cancellation fee. It’s also worth asking how far out they’re currently booking, especially in busier seasons.

Payment timing

Ask when payment is expected — on completion, or with a deposit up front — and what forms of payment they accept. A deposit isn’t automatically a red flag, but be cautious of a company that wants full payment well before any work is scheduled, especially if you haven’t worked with them before.

How to read this site’s verified date and insurance wording

Every listing on this site shows a “Verified on” date. That’s the date we last confirmed the listing’s basic facts — phone number, services, and prices — by phone, by checking the company’s own website, or directly with the owner. It is not a rating and it isn’t based on a completed job; it just tells you how recently the information was checked, so you can judge for yourself whether it’s likely still accurate.

Insurance works the same way: a listing shows “Insured” only when we’ve confirmed the company’s insurance status ourselves. If a listing says “Insurance not confirmed,” that doesn’t necessarily mean the company lacks insurance — it means we haven’t been able to verify it either way, and you should ask the company directly and request a certificate before you book.

None of these questions are meant to put a company on the spot. A company that does this work regularly will be used to answering them, and a clear answer — or a certificate that shows up in your inbox the same day — tells you more than any listing on this site can.