What actually determines the price
Square footage is the starting point but rarely the whole story. Beyond that:
Number of stories. A two or three-story home means ladder work, more setup, and more time.
Surface material. Stucco, wood and roofs need soft washing with solution and dwell time. Flat concrete is faster per square foot.
Condition. A house washed annually is a straightforward job. One that hasn't been touched in eight years may need pre-treatment, longer dwell, and repeat application on the worst elevations.
Access. Long driveways, steep hillside lots, gated properties, tight side yards and limited water access all add time.
How many services at once. Doing a house wash, driveway and windows in one visit costs less than three separate mobilizations.
Why the Bay Area runs higher than national averages
Labor, insurance, vehicle and fuel costs are all higher here than the national figures you'll find in generic cost articles. Any national average you read is going to be low for this market — not because companies here are opportunistic, but because operating costs are genuinely different.
How to compare quotes without getting burned
Get the scope in writing, not just the number. Which surfaces, which method, and whether things like gutter exteriors, eaves, screens or re-sanding are included.
Ask about method by surface. If a quote for a stucco home says 'pressure washing' with no mention of soft washing, that's worth a conversation before you sign.
Be suspicious of a quote that's dramatically below the others. It usually means a narrower scope, a rushed job, or no insurance — and the last one is your problem, not theirs, if something goes wrong on your property.
Ask whether they're insured and ask to see it. A legitimate company will send documentation without hesitation.
Getting a real number
A walkthrough takes fifteen minutes and produces an accurate quote instead of a range. Photos work too for simpler jobs — a few clear pictures of the surfaces and we can usually give you a solid number the same day.