Booking and the quote
It starts with a quote. You describe what needs cleaning — or better, send photos — and the company gives you a written price listing each area and the method for each surface. Once you approve it, you pick a day. Most residential jobs are scheduled within a week, weather permitting. You will get a confirmation and usually a reminder the day before.
Before the crew arrives
You do not need to do much. Move cars off the driveway, unlock gates, and make sure the crew can reach an outdoor water spigot. Close windows and doors. That is genuinely about it — the crew handles everything else, including protecting your plants. (Our full checklist lives in our home preparation guide.) You do not need to be home, though many homeowners like to be there for the walkthrough.
The walkthrough
A good crew starts with a walk around the property with you — or on their own if you are not home. They confirm the areas on the quote, note problem spots like heavy stains or delicate plantings, and check water access. This takes five to ten minutes and prevents surprises later. If something looks different from the photos — say, the algae is much heavier than expected — this is when they will mention it, before any work starts.
How long jobs take
Most single services are quicker than people expect. A standard driveway takes one to two hours. A full house soft wash usually takes two to four hours depending on size and stories. A roof soft wash runs two to four hours. A whole-property package — house, driveway, pool deck, and walkways — is typically a half day. These are working times; the crew also needs setup and pack-up time on each end.
The noise question
Yes, it is loud. Professional pressure washing rigs run on gas engines, and they sound roughly like a loud lawn mower running for hours. Plan around it: if you work from home, schedule calls for another time or work from a quiet room. Warn the neighbors as a courtesy, especially for early appointments. Pets and napping kids do best indoors with doors closed — or better yet, out of the house for a few hours.
Water use
The crew will almost always use your outdoor spigot — that is standard in the industry. A professional rig connects to your hose bib and boosts the pressure from there. Expect a noticeable but not shocking bump on your water bill for that cycle: a typical house wash uses a few hundred gallons, roughly comparable to several loads of laundry. (More detail in our water usage guide.) Make sure the spigot works and the crew can reach it — a seized-up valve discovered on wash day causes delays.
What the crew actually does, step by step
For a house soft wash: plants get pre-wet and delicate ones covered. Cleaning solution is applied from the bottom up. It dwells while it kills the growth. Everything is rinsed from the top down at low pressure. Plants get a final rinse. For concrete: the surface is pre-treated, then cleaned with a rotary surface cleaner for an even finish, edges detailed with the wand, and everything rinsed toward the street or lawn. Throughout, the crew keeps an eye on windows, doors, and anything that should stay dry.
After the wash
Surfaces need time to dry — concrete in a few hours, siding faster in sun. The crew should do a final walkthrough with you, pointing out the results and noting any stains that did not come out and why. Plants get their final rinse. The crew packs up, and your property should look like they were never there — except much cleaner. Payment is usually due on completion, by card, check, or whatever the company accepts.
What good service looks like
You should expect shoe covers or care around entryways, hoses routed to avoid crushing garden beds, a crew that communicates, and a finished job with no missed patches, no dead plants, and no mess left behind. If anything looks off, say so on the spot — reputable companies fix touch-ups immediately.
Ready to book your wash day? Request a free quote from Orlando Pressure Washing Pros and we will walk you through every step.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be home during the wash?
No. As long as the crew can access the work areas, gates are unlocked, and a water spigot is available, the job can be done while you are out. Many homeowners prefer to be there for the walkthrough, but it is not required. Payment and photos can be handled electronically.
How loud is it really?
About as loud as a gas lawn mower running continuously. It is noticeable inside the house. If you work from home, plan important calls around the appointment, and give the neighbors a heads-up.
Will they use my water?
Yes — using the customer's outdoor spigot is industry standard. The rig connects to your hose bib. A typical house wash uses a few hundred gallons. If your spigot is broken or hard to reach, mention it when booking so the crew can plan ahead.
What if it rains on my appointment day?
Light rain usually does not stop a wash — surfaces are getting wet anyway. Heavy rain, lightning, or high winds will cause a reschedule. The company should contact you the morning of if weather forces a change.
How soon can I use my driveway or pool deck after?
Concrete is usually fine to walk on within a few hours once it looks dry. Give it a full day before parking cars on a freshly cleaned driveway so tire marks do not set into damp concrete. Pool decks are typically swim-ready the same day once rinsed and dry.