Methods & safety
What’s Included in a House Washing Service?
A standard house washing service covers the full exterior: all siding surfaces, soffits, fascia, and the exterior face of the gutters, typically using a soft-wash method. Front stoops and covered porches are usually included too. Window glass, screens, garage door interiors, attached decks, and gutter interiors are generally separate services, so it pays to confirm the scope before booking.
What’s always included
Every reputable house washing service cleans the full exterior wall surface: siding from top to bottom, including soffits (the underside of overhangs), fascia boards (the trim along the roofline), and the exterior face of the gutters. This is the core of what you’re buying, and it applies to all siding types: vinyl, fiber cement, brick, stucco, and wood.
The method for these surfaces is almost always soft washing. A low-pressure rinse combined with a biodegradable cleaning solution handles organic growth, dirt, and oxidation safely across all common siding materials, which is also how a good crew can remove moss, mold, and algae from siding without damaging it. High-pressure blasting at the siding is not standard practice for a professional residential power washing job.
The front stoop or covered entryway is typically included in the same job. If your home has an attached front porch with a painted or sealed floor, that usually gets addressed as part of the visit as well. A crew coming out for a full house wash doesn’t leave the entryway looking dingy while the walls above it look clean.
What varies from company to company
Some things aren’t standardized across the industry, so asking before you book makes sense. Window cleaning (the glass itself), screen washing, garage door exterior faces, second-story details beyond the wall, and fences or detached structures can be included, add-on, or excluded depending on the company and the package you choose.
Window glass is the most common area of confusion. A house wash gets water on the windows as a side effect of rinsing the wall, and a good crew wipes obvious streaks as courtesy work. But a proper window cleaning service, where every pane is scrubbed and squeegeed, is a separate line item at most companies, including ours. If spotless windows are important to you, mention it when you request a quote and ask whether window cleaning is priced separately.
Fences, detached garages, and outbuildings are similar. Some house washing packages include a connected fence line at no extra charge, while others quote fences separately. The same goes for a detached garage or shed. It’s always worth confirming what the quoted price covers before the crew shows up.
What is not included in a house wash
- Gutter interiors. The outside face of the gutters is part of the house wash. Leaves, granules, and debris inside the gutter channel require a separate service, which our guide to pressure washing gutters and downspouts explains in full.
- Window screens. Screens can be washed gently, but screen washing is typically a separate service. Mention yours if they need attention.
- Decks and patios. An attached deck or patio is a different surface with different pressure and chemical requirements. It’s quoted and priced separately.
- Driveways and walkways. Concrete and paver cleaning uses a surface-cleaner attachment and a different process than house washing. These are add-on services.
- Interior surfaces of any kind. A house washing service is exterior only. Garage floor, covered porch ceiling, or sunroom interior are each separate conversations.
You can read more about the specific limits of what a house washing service typically addresses on our what a house washing service won’t clean page, which goes into more detail on each category.
| Surface or area | Typically included | Typically separate |
|---|---|---|
| All siding (vinyl, brick, stucco, fiber cement, wood) | Yes | |
| Soffits and fascia | Yes | |
| Exterior gutter faces | Yes | |
| Front stoop / covered entryway | Usually | |
| Window glass cleaning | Yes | |
| Window screens | Yes | |
| Gutter interior cleaning | Yes | |
| Deck or patio | Yes | |
| Driveway or walkways | Yes | |
| Fence | Ask — varies by company |
How to confirm scope before your appointment
The simplest step is to ask two questions when you request your quote: “What exactly is included?” and “What surfaces will not be cleaned?” A clear answer to both tells you whether a company operates transparently. If a quote doesn’t spell out the scope, ask for it in writing before scheduling. That protects both sides.
A transparent company is also happy to explain its methods and safety practices, so you know the crew is using the right approach for each part of your home rather than one blanket setting.
When you call or fill out our quote form, tell us about your property: the siding type, the approximate square footage, any attached structures, and anything specific you want addressed, such as heavy algae, stained gutters, or a stained entryway. That lets us give you an accurate number and a clear list of what the job covers.
We serve homeowners across Fairfax, Manassas, Woodbridge, Ashburn, Reston, Gainesville, and the surrounding Northern Virginia area. Every job comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a crew that communicates the scope before and after the work.
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Frequently asked questions
What’s included in a house washing service?
A standard house washing service covers all exterior siding, soffits, fascia, and the exterior face of the gutters, typically using a soft-wash method. Front stoops and covered entryways are usually included. Window glass, screens, gutter interiors, decks, and driveways are typically separate services. Confirm the scope in writing before booking.
Does house washing include cleaning windows?
Not usually. A house wash gets water on the windows during the rinse, and a professional crew wipes obvious streaks as a courtesy. But scrubbing and squeegeeing every pane is a separate window cleaning service. If clean glass is important to you, ask when you request a quote whether it can be added and what it costs.
Are gutters cleaned as part of a house wash?
The exterior face of the gutters is included in a house wash; the black oxidation streaks and grime on the outside of the gutter come off as part of the job. The interior of the gutters, where leaves and debris accumulate, is a separate gutter cleaning service. Both can often be scheduled on the same visit if you request them together.
Does a house washing service clean the driveway too?
No, not in a standard house wash package. Driveway and walkway cleaning uses a surface-cleaner attachment and a different process from house washing. Most companies offer it as an add-on service you can combine with a house wash on the same visit. Ask when you get your quote if you want both done at once.
Will the crew clean my deck or patio as part of the house wash?
A deck or patio is a separate surface that requires its own pressure settings, tip angles, and sometimes different cleaning solutions. It’s not part of a standard house wash quote. You can add it on when you book and a crew can handle both on the same visit, but it will be priced separately from the house wash.
How do I know if a company’s quote covers everything I expect?
Ask directly: “What exactly is included, and what is not?” before you confirm the appointment. A clear answer in writing protects you if there’s a misunderstanding later. Reputable companies are happy to spell out the scope. If a quote is vague about what it covers, that’s worth clarifying before anyone shows up.
Does house washing include the fence?
It varies by company and by package. Some crews include an attached fence line at no extra charge, especially if it runs along the same path as the house wall. Others quote it separately. Ask specifically about your fence when you request a quote. Connected fences are much easier to add to an existing job than to schedule as a separate visit.
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