Guide
How Much Does Jet Washing Cost in the UK?
Jet washing a small patio in the UK usually costs somewhere between £50 and £80, a standard two-car driveway between £120 and £250, and a full roof clean anywhere from £250 to £600 depending on size and access. Commercial work is most often priced by the day or by the square metre, starting at around £300. These are 2026 guide ranges, not fixed prices — every property is different, and reputable operators quote after seeing the job rather than reading off a price list.
The honest reason quotes vary so much is that jet washing is labour-intensive work where the condition of the surface matters as much as its size. A driveway thick with moss and weeds can take three times longer than the same area that has been kept clear. In this guide we break down typical costs job by job, explain what pushes the price up or down, and show how to compare quotes fairly. Jet Washing Manchester gives free, no-obligation quotes across Greater Manchester — call +44 7845 463877 any time, we are open 24 hours.
Key takeaways
- In 2026, UK jet washing typically costs £50–£80 for a small patio, £120–£250 for a standard driveway, £250–£600 for a roof clean, and from £300/day for commercial work.
- Size, surface type, condition and access drive the price — a neglected surface can take three times longer than the same area kept clear.
- Very cheap quotes usually skip the steps that matter: proper pre-treatment, joint re-sanding and biocide aftercare.
- Compare quotes like-for-like in writing, and get free quotes with photos rather than firm prices given sight-unseen.
Typical jet washing prices in 2026
As a rough guide for Greater Manchester in 2026: a small patio or yard clean runs about £50–£80, and a larger patio or decking area £90–£160. A standard two-car block-paved or concrete driveway generally falls between £120 and £250, while a long or double-width driveway can reach £300–£400. Roof cleaning typically costs £250–£600 depending on the size of the property and how easy the roof is to reach safely. Gutter clearing combined with an exterior wash is usually £100–£180.
Commercial and communal work — car parks, forecourts, footpaths, bin stores — is usually quoted per square metre or per day, commonly £300–£500 per day for a professional two-person team with proper equipment. Remember these are ranges: your exact price depends on the job itself, and any figure given without someone looking at the property is only ever an estimate. That is why we quote free after seeing photos or the property in person.
What drives the price up or down
Four things set the price more than anything else. First, the area: more square metres means more hours on the job. Second, the surface: block paving with weedy joints, textured concrete and porous sandstone all take longer than smooth tarmac or flags. Third, the condition: heavy moss, lichen, algae, oil stains and years of neglect add serious time because the growth has to be loosened, lifted and cleared away. Fourth, access: a rear garden with no side access, steep slopes, or a roof that needs scaffolding or specialist access equipment will all add cost.
Extras also move the figure. Re-sanding block paving after washing, applying a biocide treatment to stop regrowth, or sealing a driveway are worthwhile add-ons that a good quote will list separately rather than burying in the headline price. Water supply matters too — most professionals run their machines from your outside tap, and a long hose run or poor water pressure can slow the work down.
Why two quotes for the same job can look very different
If one quote is dramatically cheaper than the rest, it is rarely the bargain it looks like. Some operators run underpowered domestic machines that take far longer and leave a patchy finish; others skip the unglamorous steps — pre-treating growth, clearing weeds from joints, re-sanding block paving, applying biocide afterwards — that determine how long the result actually lasts. A quote that seems high may include all of that, plus proper insurance and commercial-grade equipment.
The fairest comparison is like-for-like: ask every company exactly what is included, how long the job will take, and what aftercare is provided. A proper written quote should state the areas to be cleaned, any treatments, and whether re-sanding or sealing is included. Anyone who quotes a firm price from a phone description alone, without photos or a visit, is guessing — and the price usually moves on the day.
How to get an accurate quote
Photos are the fastest route to an accurate figure. Send clear pictures of the areas you want cleaned, an estimate of the size, and note anything unusual — oil stains, heavy moss, drainage problems, or difficult access. For roofs, include the number of storeys and how the roof can be reached. This lets an experienced operator judge the labour involved honestly instead of padding the quote for unknowns.
Ask for the quote in writing with the scope spelled out, and check the company is insured for the work — roof work in particular should never be done by an uninsured operator. We offer free, no-obligation quotes across Greater Manchester: message photos to +44 7845 463877 on WhatsApp or call any time. Because we are open 24 hours, you can send your enquiry at whatever hour suits you.
Saving money without cutting corners
The smartest way to bring the cost down is to bundle jobs: having the driveway, patio, paths and gutters done in one visit costs less per area than booking each separately, because the biggest cost is getting the equipment and crew to you. Booking before surfaces are deeply neglected also keeps the price down — light annual maintenance is cheaper than rescuing a surface that has not been touched in a decade. And always fix the cause, not just the symptom: if a leaking gutter is feeding the moss on your wall, the moss will be back within months whatever you pay to remove it.
Want it done for you? Call +44 7845 463877 for a free quote — open 24 hours.
FAQs
How much does it cost to jet wash a driveway in the UK?
A standard two-car driveway typically costs £120–£250 in 2026, with larger or heavily neglected drives reaching £300–£400. The main variables are size, surface type (block paving takes longer than tarmac) and condition — heavy moss and weeds add real labour. Re-sanding joints and a biocide treatment are usually quoted as extras, so check whether your quote includes them.
Why is one jet washing quote much cheaper than the others?
Dramatically cheaper quotes usually mean corners are being cut: underpowered equipment, no pre-treatment of moss and lichen, no re-sanding of block paving joints, no biocide aftercare, or no insurance. These shortcuts show within months as regrowth. Compare written quotes line by line for what is actually included, not just the headline price.
Do jet washing companies charge by the hour or by the job?
Most UK operators quote a fixed price for the job after seeing photos or the property, which protects you from slow work running up the bill. Commercial work is more commonly priced per square metre or per day (£300–£500/day for a professional team). Be cautious of anyone quoting a firm figure with no sight of the property at all.
How can I get a cheaper jet washing quote without losing quality?
Bundle everything into one visit — driveway, patio, paths and gutters together cost less per area than separate bookings. Book before surfaces are deeply neglected, and fix causes like leaking gutters so growth does not return quickly. Avoid chasing the absolute lowest price; the cheapest job is rarely the cheapest once you pay to redo it.
How do I get a free jet washing quote in Manchester?
Send photos of the areas you want cleaned to Jet Washing Manchester on WhatsApp at +44 7845 463877, or call any time — we are open 24 hours. Include rough sizes and note anything unusual like oil stains or difficult access, and we will give you a free, no-obligation written quote covering Greater Manchester.
How much does it cost to jet wash a patio in the UK?
A small patio or yard typically costs £50–£80 in 2026, while a larger patio or decked area usually falls between £90 and £160. The price depends on size, slab type — textured or porous stone takes longer than smooth flags — and how much moss, algae and staining has built up. Heavily shaded patios take noticeably longer, and a biocide treatment afterwards is usually quoted separately. These are guide ranges: a free quote based on photos gives you the real figure.
How much does gutter cleaning cost in the UK?
Gutter clearing combined with an exterior wash usually costs £100–£180 in 2026, with gutter-only jobs on a standard house often sitting at the lower end of that range. Height, access and how blocked the gutters are set the price — gutters packed with compacted moss and seedlings take far longer than a routine clear-out. It is worth bundling gutters with driveway or patio cleaning in one visit, since getting the equipment to you is the expensive part. Always ask whether downpipes are cleared too, not just the gutter runs.
How much does it cost to have decking professionally cleaned?
Professional decking cleaning typically costs £80–£150 depending on size and condition, though badly greened or grooved decking can cost more. Wooden decking needs a soft wash — low pressure with a suitable detergent — rather than a full-pressure blast, which splinters and furs the timber. Composite decking is more forgiving but still benefits from the right technique. If a quote for decking reads like a standard driveway price, ask what method they actually plan to use on the wood.
Is it cheaper to hire a jet washer than to pay a professional?
Hiring a domestic jet washer costs roughly £60–£100 per day plus detergents, transport and your weekend — so for a small, sturdy concrete area, DIY can genuinely save money. The maths changes on block paving, sandstone, decking or roofs, where one beginner mistake (etched concrete, excavated joint sand, splintered decking) costs far more to fix than the professional clean would have. Be honest about your surface and your experience before deciding.
Is there a minimum charge for jet washing?
Most professional operators have a minimum charge, typically around £50–£80, because getting commercial equipment, hoses and treatments to your property costs the same whether the job takes twenty minutes or two hours. That minimum usually covers a small patio, a path or a single area. It is one reason bundling pays off: adding the paths and patio to a driveway booking costs far less per area than booking each as a separate minimum-charge visit.
Does re-sanding or sealing add much to a driveway clean?
Re-sanding block paving joints with kiln-dried sand is often included in a professional quote or added as a modest extra — always check, because skipping it is a false economy that leads to loose blocks and fast weed regrowth. Sealing is the bigger add-on and can roughly double the cost of the clean, since it needs clean, fully dry paving and suitable weather. A reputable quote lists re-sanding, biocide and sealing as separate lines so you can see exactly what each costs.