Pressure washing is more than just spraying water — it’s basic chemistry, equipment, technique, professionalism and communication. Whether you’re cleaning a driveway, patio, or your entire home exterior, choosing the right pressure washing company can make all the difference.
Due to the relatively low barrier to entry into the service, not all pressure washing companies are the same. Some lack experience, equipment, proper insurance, and/or training – all of those are required to deliver consistent high quality results.
To protect your home and your wallet, here are a few questions to ask before you hire a pressure washing company — and the red flags to watch for.
1. Are You Fully Insured?
A pressure washing company should carry a general liability policy, workers comp and commercial auto insurance.
If an accident happens — someone gets hurt or property is damaged — you don’t want to be the one footing the bill. A reputable pressure washing company will gladly show proof of insurance. If they dodge the question or “don’t need it,” move on.
2. What Surfaces and Stains Can You Handle?
What to look for: Experience with concrete, stone, siding, roofs, patios, and stains like oil, rust, or mold.
Every surface reacts differently to pressure, heat, and chemicals. For example, too much PSI on concrete can etch it permanently, and the wrong cleaner on siding can damage finishes or landscaping. You want a provider who understands both surface composition and cleaning chemistry.
3. What Type of Equipment and Cleaning Methods Do You Use?
What to look for:
– Commercial Grade Pressure Washers: Typically 8-10 gpm machine, operating < 2,500 psi.
– Surface Cleaners: Rotary machines usually 24-49 inches in surface coverage. Not just wants or turbo nozzles.
– Soft Washing System: Typically you want to see your pressure washing company have a dedicated soft wash system like a gas-driven chemical pump or an electrically-driven chemical pump.
– Hot Water Systems: Hot water can drastically improve the cleaning process when dealing with organics and oil staining.
4. What Cleaning Solutions Do You Use?
What to look for: Sodium hypochlorite, biodegradable detergents, degreasers, rust removers and surfactants
Safe handling and application of chemicals is a key part of the profession. Understanding surfaces, stains and surrounding landscaping matters.
5. How Do You Protect My Property and Landscaping While Cleaning?
A crucial step in the cleaning process is property protection. This includes rinsing landscaping before, during and after with water as well as bagging and taping fixtures, electrical outlets, keyholes, doorbells and any other sensitive area during the cleaning process.
A green flag to look for is if your company immediately begins surveying their work site for property and items to protect.
5. How Do You Deliver an Estimate/Quote?
We use an software called Jobber – it helps us stay organized and grow our business. It allows us to build quotes, send quotes, send invoices, collect payment, communicate with our customers, schedule jobs and input important call outs noted by the customer. Some companies use similar software systems, while others may use pen and notepad. I would caution against the pen and pad system.
At a minimum your pressure washing company should send your quote by text or email. The quote should contain:
– Service line items (i.e. Residential Pressure Washing, Window Cleaning, Oil Stain Removal, etc.)
– A description of what they will clean
– Line item cost
The quote should have a total all-in price. It is typically best to avoid companies that charge by the hour.
Vague or overly “cheap” quotes often lead to surprises — like upcharges, missed spots, or rushed work. You deserve transparent pricing and a clear scope of work.
We deliver quotes by text and email. Our system notifies us when the quote has been viewed and approved by our customers. Each customer has a client portal they can reference their quotes, past jobs, payment history and future appointments with us.
6. How Do You Send Invoices and Can I Pay Online?
Understanding how and when your pressure washing company will request payment for completed services matters. The invoice should match the quote unless agreed upon.
Prior to invoicing, your pressure washing company should either notify you that they are complete and send before/after photos or notify you so you can perform a walk-through to ensure it meets expectations.
A company is likely to send an invoice in a similar fashion that they sent you the quote. it is ideal that the invoice is sent through a software by text or email. We send our quotes and invoices using our software Jobber. This system allows for easy online payment by debit, credit, ACH, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Most companies will accept cash or check too.
7. Do I Need to Be Home During Service?
Typically for exterior cleaning homeowners do not need to be home. We love meeting our customers but understand you are hiring us to solve a problem and that you’re busy with work and family. Regardless if you are home or not, a good pressure washing company will communicate clearly – when they are on they way, when they begin, when they are complete and ideally send you comprehensive before/after photos.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a pressure washing company isn’t just about finding the cheapest option — it’s about hiring someone who understands your surface, your stains, and your expectations.
At Maple Power Wash, we welcome questions. In fact, we encourage them. We want you to feel informed, confident, and comfortable before we ever turn on a machine.
If you’re considering pressure washing services in Dallas, Frisco, Plano, University Park, or Southlake, or any other city in the metroplex, give us a call. We’ll answer your questions directly, offer transparent pricing, and give you honest feedback — even if it means we’re not the best fit.