Checklist for choosing a pressure washing company you can trust
A good pressure washing company tells you what it will and will not achieve before it starts, tests the surface first, treats stains rather than blasting them, protects joints and coatings, and has a plan for wash water and residues. Use the checklist below with any company you are considering, including us.
Send us a photo and the m²What should a company ask you before quoting?
A careful company asks questions before it quotes, because the surface decides the method. If nobody asks what material you have or what the stains are, the method is probably the same for everyone.
- What is the surface: imprinted concrete, plain concrete, block paving, stone?
- Has it been painted or sealed before?
- What are the stains: oil, rust, growth, peeling paint?
- Roughly how many square metres, and how is the area reached?
- Is there a pool, delicate planting or a neighbour close by?
- Do you want cleaning only, or are you considering repairs or a recolour?
If you are abroad, notice also how the company handles remote contact. Clear written answers, a willingness to work with your key holder and an offer of photos afterwards tell you a lot about how the job will be run when you are not there to watch it.
Which questions should you ask the company?
These questions separate a careful approach from a rushed one. The answers do not need to be technical, but they should be specific.
- Do you test first? A test patch on each material is a basic precaution.
- How do you adapt to my surface? Look for answers about pressure, distance and angle, not just a bigger machine.
- How will you treat the oil stains? Water alone does not remove absorbed oil; see our oil stain removal page.
- What happens to the joints? For block paving, ask how they limit sand loss; our block paving cleaning service explains the method.
- Where will the water go? Ask about drains, the pool and residues such as paint flakes.
- What will not come out? An honest company tells you which marks may remain.
What should the quote include?
The quote should make clear what is being done, where, and what is excluded, so there are no surprises on the day.
| In the quote | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Areas to be cleaned | Avoids disputes about what was included |
| Stain treatment, listed separately | Shows what extra work is being done |
| Expected limits | Sets honest expectations for old stains |
| Residue handling | Shows they have thought about drains and the pool |
| VAT stated as included or added | Avoids confusion over the final figure |
| What happens if something unexpected appears | No extras without your agreement |
Orientative prices for comparison are on our partner page for pressure washing cost.
Which red flags should make you think twice?
Some answers suggest the job will be done fast rather than well.
- Promises that every stain will come out completely, without seeing it.
- No questions about your surface before quoting.
- Talk only of maximum pressure as the selling point.
- No plan for wash water, paint flakes or the pool.
- Claims of qualifications, insurance cover or long track records that cannot be checked.
- Pressure to decide immediately.
The article on what can go wrong with jet washing shows what these shortcuts lead to.
What should a company say it does not do?
A trustworthy company is clear about its limits. For us that means no new paving, no indoor floors in private homes, no industrial warehouse slabs, no parking line marking and no structural surveys or design.
If a company says yes to everything, ask how. Being told what is outside someone's work is a sign they are not stretching to fit your job.
How can you check the work itself?
Ask to see photos of comparable work, especially split before-and-after images, which show the same surface in both states. Look at the edges, joints and corners, not only the open areas.
After the job, walk the surface in daylight, look for stripes, emptied joints, etched lines and residues in drains, and ask about anything you notice. Our patio and driveway cleaning page lists what a standard clean covers, and the article on what working with us looks like shows the process we follow.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always get more than one quote?
It is reasonable, particularly for larger jobs. Compare the scope and the method, not only the figure: a cheaper quote that does not include stain treatment or residue handling is not a like-for-like comparison. Ask each company the same questions.
Is a quote from photos acceptable?
Yes, for most cleaning jobs. Good photos show the surface, stains and access. A careful company will tell you if something needs checking on site before the quote is final. Be cautious of quotes given without seeing anything at all.
What if a company promises to remove every stain?
Be cautious. Some old oil and rust stains leave a shadow even with proper treatment. A promise made without seeing the stain is not a reliable one. Ask instead what they expect for each stain and why. An honest answer may include the word shadow.
Should the company ask about my pool?
Yes. Wash water and debris must be kept out of the pool, and that needs planning. If nobody asks, raise it yourself. Ask how the work direction is planned, whether the pool needs covering and whether your pool company should be told. These details show how carefully the job has been thought through.
How do I check a company's claims?
Ask for specifics you can verify, such as photos of comparable surfaces and a clear written scope. Be wary of claims about qualifications or cover that are not backed by anything you can see. Concrete answers about method are more useful than general claims.
Does the cheapest quote usually mean worse work?
Not necessarily, but differences in price often reflect differences in method, scope and care. Ask what is included in each quote before comparing. Two quotes for the same area can describe very different jobs. Ask each company to list the areas, the stain treatment and the residue handling, then compare like with like.
What should I check after the work?
Walk the area in daylight. Look for stripes, emptied joints, etched lines, remaining residues in drains and whether agreed stain treatment was done. Ask about anything that looks wrong. Photographing the finished surface also gives you a record. Note anything odd.
Is English communication important?
If you live abroad or are more comfortable in English, yes. Clear communication about scope, limits and access avoids most misunderstandings. It also makes remote management easier. Written quotes and photo updates in a language you read comfortably reduce the risk of misunderstandings when you are not on site.
Should the company handle repairs too?
Not necessarily, but it helps if they can tell you what the clean reveals and whether repairs are needed. Some companies, like us, can continue with repairs and a recolour. Ask what happens next if repairs turn out to be needed.
Can I use this checklist when asking you for a quote?
Yes, please do. We are happy to answer every question on it before you decide. Asking the same questions of every company gives you a fair basis for comparison. If an answer is not clear, ask again; a careful contractor will be glad to explain. Good answers are specific to your surface rather than general promises.