How Much to Charge for Roof Cleaning
Roof cleaning typically runs $0.20–$0.60 per square foot, or roughly $300–$700 for an average single-story roof, scaling up with pitch, height, and how much moss or algae has to come off. Soft washing (low-pressure chemical) is the standard method and prices above a plain pressure rinse, and a steep or multi-story roof carries a safety premium priced as its own factor, not folded into the base rate.
Base pricing by area
$0.20–$0.60 per square foot covers most residential roofs, landing around $300–$700 for an average single-story home. The spread comes down to method, pitch, and how much organic growth is on the roof.
Pitch and height are their own premium
A steep or multi-story roof is a different job than a low ranch roof of the same area — more setup, more safety gear, more risk. Price that as its own adjustment on top of the square-foot base, not baked into a single flat rate.
Soft wash vs. pressure
- Soft wash — low-pressure chemical treatment that kills algae at the root and is safe on shingles. The standard, and the higher-priced, method.
- Pressure rinse — faster but risks stripping granules and voiding shingle warranties. Cheaper, and worth explaining to a customer comparing quotes.
The moss factor
Heavy moss is not the same as algae streaking. It needs more product, longer dwell time, and sometimes a gentle manual removal — so a mossy north-facing roof carries a premium a lightly streaked roof doesn’t. Quote it after you’ve actually looked.
Frequently asked questions
Should I price by square foot or per job?
Per square foot is the fairest base since area drives the work, but adjust the final number for pitch and access — a steep, high roof of the same area is a harder, riskier job than a low ranch roof.
Do I charge more for heavy moss?
Yes. Thick moss needs more product, dwell time, and sometimes a gentle scrape, so it's a real premium over a routine algae-streak wash — price it as its own factor after you've seen the roof.
Is soft washing worth charging more than pressure?
Yes. Soft wash uses a chemical treatment that kills the algae at the root and won't strip granules or drive water under shingles, so it lasts longer and justifies a higher price than a quick pressure rinse.