How to Choose a Pressure Washing Company in Charleston, SC
Anyone can buy a pressure washer. That is why hiring someone to clean your home is riskier than it looks. You cannot see the gap between a careful company and a wand for hire until something goes wrong. Here is what to check, in order.
Short answer: To choose a pressure washing company in Charleston, check three things first: real insurance, a low pressure soft wash for siding and roofs, and recent local reviews. A full house wash here usually costs $500 to $1,500, based on the size of the home. Most homes are done in one day.
1. Start with insurance, not price
Exterior cleaning happens on ladders, near windows, near cars, and on roofs. If something goes wrong at your home, the company's insurance is what pays. Ask each company for a certificate of insurance. Expect a real number, not just "we're covered." Good companies carry at least a million dollars in liability coverage. We are $2 million insured, and we send the certificate to anyone who asks.
If a company stalls, changes the subject, or says the paper is "at the office," move on. That one question screens out most of the risk in this line of work.
2. Ask what will touch your siding
This question tells the pros apart from people who just own a machine. High pressure belongs on concrete, like driveways and sidewalks. It does not belong on siding, stucco, painted wood, or any roof. There, it strips paint, scars soft surfaces, and forces water behind the boards. On a roof, it can void the shingle warranty.
The right answer is a soft wash. That means low pressure plus a cleaning solution that kills mold, mildew, and algae at the root. Then it rinses off gently. If a company plans to pressure wash your whole house, that is not a cleaning plan. It is a damage plan. Our guide on soft washing vs pressure washing shows which method belongs on which surface.
3. Read the reviews like an inspector
A star rating alone does not tell you much. Look for three things. First, look for recent reviews, since a company can change a lot in two years. Second, look for photos of finished work on homes like yours. Third, see how the company replies when something went wrong. A kind, careful reply to a bad review tells you more than ten five star ratings.
Local detail matters too. Reviews that name your area, tall coastal homes, or the same surfaces you need cleaned are worth more than general praise.
4. Expect a real quote in writing
A good quote lists the surfaces to be cleaned and the method for each one. It says what is not included, and it gives the price. It should come in writing. Watch out for "today only" deals. We give quotes in person, after a quick look at your home. The price we quote is the price you pay.
5. Know the red flags
- No certificate of insurance, or a vague answer about it.
- High pressure planned for siding, stucco, or a roof.
- A price far below every other quote.
- A door to door visit with a "today only" price.
- No word about protecting your plants.
- Nothing in writing about what was agreed.
Questions to ask before you book
- What method do you use on siding, and on the roof? The answer should be a soft wash on both, every time. High pressure should only go on concrete and other hard surfaces.
- Can you send your certificate of insurance? The answer should simply be yes.
- How do you protect plants? Listen for wetting plants first, rinsing during and after, and guiding the runoff.
- What happens if I am not happy with the result? A company that trusts its work backs it. We back ours with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- Do I need to be home? Most of the time, no. The crew just needs water and a way through the gates. Either way, you should get photos of the finished work.
Where TrueWash fits
We are an exterior cleaning company based in Charleston. We soft wash every house and roof at low pressure. We use strong spray only on concrete. We are $2 million insured, and we have a 5.0 from 54 Google reviews. Quotes are free and in writing, and every job has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Judge us by the same checklist above. That is what it is for.
Hiring a pressure washing company FAQ
- How much insurance should a pressure washing company carry?
- Enough to cover a worst case accident at your home. Ask for a certificate of insurance instead of just taking a yes. A company with real coverage will send it right away. We are $2 million insured and send our certificate to anyone who asks.
- What is the one question that shows how careful a company is?
- Ask what will touch your siding. The right answer is a low pressure soft wash with a cleaning solution, never high pressure. A company that plans to point a pressure wand at siding, stucco, or a roof can damage your home.
- Are cheap pressure washing quotes a red flag?
- Often, yes. A very low price usually means speed. That can mean high pressure on every surface, no cleaning solution, no plant protection, and no insurance. Fixing the damage can cost far more than you saved.
- Should the company be local to Charleston?
- It helps. Coastal homes deal with salt air, damp marsh air, and fast algae growth. A local crew sees this every day. A local company also has a name to protect, and that shows in how carefully they work.
- What should a good quote include?
- The surfaces to be cleaned, the method for each one, what is and is not included, and a clear price. If the quote does not say how your siding or roof will be cleaned, ask before you book.
- Do I need to get more than one quote?
- It is fine to compare two or three. Just compare the methods and the insurance, not only the price at the bottom. In exterior cleaning, the cheapest quote and the best value are rarely the same.
Related reading
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