The average cost to pressure wash a fence ranges from $100 to $350, with a national average of $225. The fence material and size of the fence impact cost the most.
If you’re looking to pressure wash a fence, it’ll cost between $90 and $500, with the average homeowner paying about $225. Who doesn’t love the look of a fresh, clean fence? If dirt and debris have your fence looking worse for wear, you can revive it with a good pressure washing. A 500-square-foot fence with modest grime should take between two and three hours to wash. Let’s get our hands dirty with all the cost details.
Pressure washing can be dangerous and damage your property if not done correctly. We highly recommend hiring a pro to ensure the job is completed safely and correctly.
The amount of pressure needed is referred to in terms of pounds per square inch (PSI). The durability of different fencing materials determines the PSI that can be used with a pressure washer. As a result, fencing materials that are more delicate under pressure tend to cost more to pressure wash due to the extra time needed when the PSI setting is softer.
| Fence Material | Max PSI |
|---|---|
| Softwood | 500 |
| Hardwood | 1,300 |
| Composite | 1,500 |
| Aluminum | 1,800 |
| Steel | 2,000 |
| Vinyl | 2,000 |
| Wrought Iron | 2,300 |
The total size of your fence will also impact the cost to pressure wash it. In the table below, you can see how much it would cost to pressure wash fences of different sizes. The figures are based on the average residential privacy fence height (6 feet to 8 feet) and the average cost of pressure washing ($0.10 to $0.50 per square foot).
| Fence Size in Linear Feet | Fence Size in Square Feet | Average Pressure Washing Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 300–400 | $30–$200 |
| 100 | 600–800 | $60–$400 |
| 150 | 900–1,200 | $90–$600 |
| 200 | 1,200–1,600 | $120–$800 |
| 250 | 1,500–2,000 | $150–$1,000 |
| 300 | 1,800–2,400 | $180–$1,200 |
The special touches you request can impact the total cleaning cost.
Some cleaning companies offer gentle cleaning solutions for fences that don't carry environmental or health concerns—but these services may cost more. You’ll find eco-friendly cleaning solutions for $20 to $80 per gallon at hardware stores, but when you hire a pro, the cost of these supplies is included in their quote.
If your pro finds mold on your fence, they may need to power wash it with hot water or use special cleaning agents to tackle the problem, potentially increasing your project costs. But there are ways to spot mold, mildew, and algae yourself, so you can give your cleaner a heads up when you book. Look for brown, green, or black spots on your fence.
Applying a sealant immediately after a fence is freshly pressure washed can help to protect the surface of the fence from water, mold, bacteria, and pest damage. The average cost to seal a 500-square-foot fence is $400. Sealing costs a bit more than pressure washing because it’s a labor-intensive project that requires a pro to cover every inch of the fence.
The average cost to rent a medium-duty gas pressure washer with a maximum of 2,800 PSI is around $90 per day when doing a DIY pressure washing. An electric pressure washer with a maximum PSI of 1,400 rents for around $40 per day. Most hardware stores charge additional fees for each accessory you wish to rent.
| Max PSI | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| 2,800 | $90 |
| 1,400 | $40 |
For some people, pressure washing a fence is a doable DIY job. If you’re willing to rent and learn how to use a pressure washer, this is a project you could tackle in an afternoon. Before you begin, find out which PSI setting to use for your fencing material and get a good grasp of local regulations regarding pressure washer discharge disposal. If you don’t get rid of the waste responsibly, you could be fined.
However, the costs can be close when comparing renting versus hiring a pressure washer. While renting a pressure washer to clean a fence saves most homeowners money, the price gap can get pretty narrow once you factor in additional fees and costs for accessories. If you can't complete the job in a day, a two-day rental gets you even closer to the cost of a professional pressure washing.
When researching prospective pressure washing pros, consider asking them the following questions to ensure you hire a qualified pressure washing company near you.
What factors determine your costs to pressure wash a fence?
What are the different techniques you use for different fence materials, such as wood, composite, and metal? Will your technique affect costs?
How do you ensure that the pressure washer won’t damage the fence?
Are there any hidden costs I should prepare for, such as fees for deep stains or mold removal?
Can you offer a discounted price if I want to bundle additional services, like staining?
How long does it take you to pressure wash a fence like mine?
What type of detergents and cleaning solutions do you use? Are they safe for the surrounding ecosystem?
Do you recommend applying any treatments or coatings after pressure washing to preserve my fence’s appearance?
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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If you don’t use the right PSI setting for your fence’s material, then yes, pressure washing can ruin your fence. Specifically, if you use a PSI that's too powerful, you may permanently damage a fence. Pressure washers can also remove paint from fences, though this can be a great thing if you’re looking to restore an old wood fence.
Yes, you can pressure wash metal fences. However, as with other fencing materials, it’s important to use the right PSI when pressure washing a steel, aluminum, or other metal fence. If you apply too much pressure, you could strip off the paint, ruin the protective coating, or otherwise damage the fence.
While pressure washing can remove debris from a fence, power washing is usually more effective since it uses hot water (rather than warm or cold water). In some cases, additional cleaning methods are also needed to target mold. Fence cleaning professionals can often provide eco-friendly, pet-safe cleaning solutions for removing mold from fences.
The main difference between pressure washing and power washing is that a power washer uses heated water and is stronger than a pressure washer. That’s not to say that a pressure washer isn’t good at its job—in fact, it’s a better option for surfaces that could be damaged by the intensity of a power washer, like wood and aluminum siding.
Pressure washing pros use several factors to determine fence pressure washing costs—and one of the main factors they consider is the fence’s material. The material dictates the required PSI—which, in turn, affects the amount of labor needed for the job.
Contractors may also consider the number of gallons per minute (GPM) needed to pressure wash specific materials. GPM, which refers to the rate of water being released from a pressure washer, helps determine how long a job will take for specific fencing materials.
