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Last updated: 5 June 2024
Patio cleaning cost guide
Want to turn your patio from tired and faded to bright and gleaming? Professional patio cleaning is the way forward. Learn all about the average patio cleaning costs here.
Fast Facts
Patio cleaning services cost around £3 - £4 per m²
Patio cleaning costs will vary based on your patio's size, structure and condition
Oil stains and other areas of an oil based stain, will incur additional cost
How much do patio cleaning services cost?
Patio cleaning services usually involve jet washing your patio with professional machinery. With that in mind, the cost of patio cleaning can range from around £3 - £4 per m².
| Item | Unit | Cost low - high | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning costs | |||
| Patio slabs | m² | £2 - £4.50 | £3 |
| Block paving | m² | £2.33 - £5.25 | £3.50 |
| Concrete | m² | £2 - £4.50 | £3 |
| Tarmac | m² | £2 - £4.50 | £3 |
| Timber decking | m² | £2.67 - £6 | £4 |
| Cleaning and sealing | |||
| Patio slabs | m² | £3.83 - £8.63 | £5.75 |
| Block paving | m² | £4.33 - £9.75 | £6.50 |
| Concrete | m² | £3.83 - £8.63 | £5.75 |
| Labour | |||
| Labour cost | Per day | £250 - £350 | £300 |
| Notes | |||
| There will be a minimum call out cost, most likely based on a minimum of a 30m² call out cost | |||
| Oil stains and other areas of an oil based stain, will incur additional cost | |||
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
What are the average patio cleaning costs?
Wondering how much you can expect to pay in patio cleaning costs? Here are some average prices based on the type of your patio:
Patio slabs - £2 - £4.50 per m²
Block paving - £2.33 - £5.25 per m²
Concrete - £2 - £4.50 per m²
Tarmac - £2 - £4.50 per m²
Timber decking - £2.67 - £6 per m²
Patio cleaning hourly rates
Patio cleaners will tend to charge per size and material rather than an hourly rate. However, the average daily rate of a patio cleaner is around £2.67 - £6 per day.
But this will of course depend on the individual tradesperson, their experience and the nature of the cleaning work involved.
They'll include all the tools and products they need in the total price so you don't have to worry about material costs.
Patio cleaning cost calculator
To calculate your total patio cleaning cost, you'll need to account for several factors. These include the:
Size and structure of the patio
Condition of the patio
Type of cleaning required
Location
In general, the bigger your patio and the dirtier it is, the more it's going to cost to clean.
Patio deck cleaning prices
Just like patios, garden decking can get dirty, mouldy, and grimy.
If you don't clean your decking, you'll find that the surface can quickly become slippery and unsafe. Your decking may even discolour, which can be permanent in some extreme cases.
The average deck cleaning cost is around £2.67 - £6 per m².
Remember, the cost of cleaning your patio decking is an investment that will not only make it look great but will also keep it safe to use.
Getting a patio cleaning quote
The best way to get an accurate patio cleaning price is to get quotes for the job from patio cleaners near you.
We always recommend getting at least three quotes. This way, you can get a feel for a range of different companies to find the right fit. Plus, you can make sure you're paying a fair and competitive price for the work.
Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes – you post details about the job you want to do, and we’ll send it out to local tradespeople in your area. Try it out!
Alternatively, just enter your postcode into the box below to browse a selection of patio cleaners in your area.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Check out the transformation of this patio jet wash from one of our members
Driveway cleaning and sealing costs
Driveways are cleaned in a very similar way to patios, and will very often be sealed at the same time.
The average cost of cleaning and sealing a driveway is around £3.83 - £8.63 per m².
But just like with a patio, your total cost will depend on its size.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
Benefits of patio cleaning services
Throughout the year, your patio is exposed to wind, rain, ice, snow and hail. Together, these elements can leave your patio looking weathered, dirty and stained.
But don't worry, getting your patio cleaned can turn it from tired and faded to bright and gleaming again. Here are some of the main benefits of getting your patio cleaned.
Keep it looking fresh
A patio always looks its best when clean.
So, cleaning it regularly and taking care of your paving means you get to regularly enjoy it looking its finest.
Remove weeds
If you're not careful, weeds, moss and grass can quickly sprout up in cracks or grooves in your patio.
Not only do they ruin the look of your beautiful patio, but their roots can cause damage and grass can stain your paving. Regular cleaning will help you avoid these plants taking root.
Boost its lifespan
Over time, acidic dirt and destructive weeds will erode your patio if you leave them untreated.
Cleaning your patio regularly will help deal with those issues and give it a longer life in better condition.
Improve safety
Not only does a dirty patio look unsightly, but it can be unsafe. Algae, moss and grime can be slippery underfoot.
The last thing you want is for you, your family or your visitors to slip and fall. Keeping your patio clean will avoid this unnecessary risk.
What does cleaning a patio involve?
There are several different ways to clean a patio.
If you choose professional cleaning services, they'll almost always use a pressure washer. Also known as jet washing, this involves using water at a high pressure to blast away dirt, moss, algae and other stains.
It's the best way to get rid of tougher stains that you won't be able to remove with soap and water or a broom.
Some companies will also offer additional patio cleaning services. For instance, steam cleaning is a low-pressure method that's gentler and therefore kinder to patios made from natural stone. Your patio cleaner may also use light chemicals to remove black lichen spots and algae.
Always ask what methods your patio cleaner uses and check that they have the right tools to be able to clean your specific patio.
Can I clean my patio myself?
If you're a keen DIYer, you can try your hand at cleaning paving slabs yourself. This is one of the more accessible DIY jobs at home and can be satisfying to carry out - although it can also be tiring and messy.
If you only need to give your patio slabs a light clean, you can use soap and water with a broom or hard brush.
This method will get rid of some of the light dirt. However, it won't deal with any tougher ingrained dirt, algae or oil stains. For this, you'll likely need to hire a pressure washer.
If you're hiring a pressure washer, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, wear protective goggles and wash carefully. You can end up badly damaging brickwork and concrete if you use a pressure washer in the wrong way.
It's best to hire a professional patio cleaner if you're not comfortable and confident - or if you just don't have the time or inclination to carry out the job yourself.
They’ll come with all the right equipment and will deal with all the work and mess for you. Plus, you can be confident that they'll carry out the job to a high standard that will improve the look, longevity and safety of your patio.
Patio cleaning key takeaways
Cleaning a patio usually requires jet-washing
Get several quotes for patio cleaning services near you
Take a photo of your patio before and after cleaning so you can admire the difference!
Ready to get your patio looking spick and span? Type your postcode into the box below to find a professional patio cleaner in your area.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
FAQs
What time of year should I clean my patio?
The best time of year to jet wash your patio is the beginning of spring. You won't run the risk of water freezing at this time of year. Plus, it'll allow you to start getting your patio ready for summer, when you'll want it looking its best.
Do you use customers' water when pressure washing?
Yes, most patio cleaners will hook up to your outdoor tap to get water for pressure washing. This is generally the easiest solution as it means your pressure washing company won't need to bring water to your home.
Some companies can bring their own water storage tank for pressure washing if they need to. However, this will usually cost extra as it's more difficult to transport.
Talk to your patio cleaner about how they plan to get their water before hiring them for the job.
How long does it take to clean a patio?
How long it takes to clean a patio will depend on a number of things, like the size of your patio and the cleaning method used.
That said, professional patio cleaning services will normally take just a few hours to jet wash your patio.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
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