7 Questions to Ask a Pressure Washer
Ask any pressure washing company seven things before you book: proof of insurance, how they clean roofs and siding, how they protect plants, what is in the written scope, and more below. Vague or defensive answers are a reason to keep shopping.
The gap between a careful professional and someone with a rented machine shows up later, as etched concrete, water behind the siding or a voided roof warranty.
The questions that protect your home
Work through these before you book. Vague or defensive answers to any of them are a signal to keep shopping.
- Are you insured, and can you show me proof? Someone is going on a ladder or your roof, liability coverage is not optional.
- Do you soft wash roofs and siding, or pressure wash them? The right answer is soft wash. High pressure on those surfaces is how the damage happens.
- How do you protect my plants and landscaping? A pro pre-wets and rinses greenery and has a real answer ready.
- What exactly is included, downspouts flushed, debris hauled, edges detailed? Get the scope in writing so the cheap quote is not cheap because it skips half the work.
- Do you guarantee the result, and what happens if I am not happy? A satisfaction guarantee should mean they come back, not shrug.
- Are you local, and can I see recent work in my area? Local crews know our moss, our roofs and our weather, and they are still here next season.
- Will the people who quoted the job be the ones doing it? Know whether you are hiring the company or an anonymous subcontractor.
Why insurance is the one you cannot skip
Exterior cleaning is ladder-and-roof work in the rain. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, or a ladder goes through a window, that can land on you. Proper liability insurance exists precisely for those moments, and any legitimate company will produce proof without hesitation.
The lowest quotes are often lowest because they carry no insurance and no overhead. That saving is really a risk transfer, onto you.
Method tells you who knows the trade
The fastest way to gauge competence is to ask how they would clean your roof and siding. If the answer is a pressure wash, that alone tells you they will strip shingle granules and force water behind panels. A pro will explain soft washing without being prompted, and will match method to surface, high pressure for concrete, low pressure and detergent for everything softer.
You should also hear plain talk about limits. A good company will tell you when a very old stain may only lighten, or when a surface needs repair before it is worth cleaning. Overpromising is its own red flag.
Other warning signs
Watch how the business works as well as what it says. A quote with no written scope makes the price look low because it covers less. Pressure to decide on the spot, cash only with no paperwork, and promising a perfect result on a decade-old stain without seeing it are all reasons to keep looking.