The quick answer: Professional jet washing in the UK costs £3-15 per square metre in 2026, depending on the surface type and condition. A typical driveway costs £80-350, while a standard patio runs £60-200. Prices vary by surface material, area size, dirt level, and whether extras like sealing or moss treatment are included.
This guide covers jet washing prices for every common surface, what factors push the price up or down, and how professional cleaning compares to doing it yourself. Whether you need your driveway cleaned, your patio restored, or your render soft washed, you'll find the costs broken down clearly below. For a detailed look at how the terms compare, see our guide on pressure washing vs jet washing.
Jet Washing Prices by Service Type
Different surfaces require different equipment, techniques, and time. Block paving needs re-sanding after cleaning, render requires gentle soft washing rather than high pressure, and decking needs careful pressure control to avoid splintering the wood. These differences are reflected in the pricing.
| Service | Price per m² | Typical Job Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway cleaning | £4-£8 | £80-£350 |
| Patio cleaning | £3-£7 | £60-£200 |
| Block paving (with re-sanding) | £5-£9 | £150-£300 |
| Decking cleaning | £4-£8 | £80-£180 |
| Render soft washing | £8-£15 | £150-£350 |
| Commercial | £3-£5 | From £200 |
Driveway and patio cleaning are the most commonly booked services and offer the best value per square metre for larger areas. Block paving costs more because of the kiln-dried sand re-sanding required after cleaning — without it, weeds regrow within weeks and blocks can shift. Render soft washing is the most expensive per metre because it uses specialist low-pressure equipment and biocide chemicals rather than high-pressure water, protecting the render surface from damage. For full breakdowns, see our driveway cleaning cost guide, patio cleaning cost guide, and block paving cleaning cost guide.
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Get Your Free QuoteWhat Affects Your Jet Washing Price?
Two driveways of the same size can have very different cleaning costs. Here are the main factors that determine what you'll pay.
1. Surface Area
This is the biggest factor. More square metres means more time, more water, and more wear on equipment. However, larger jobs benefit from economies of scale — the per-metre rate typically drops as the area increases because setup time, travel, and equipment costs are spread across a bigger surface. A 20m² driveway might cost £5-8 per m², while a 60m² driveway could come in at £4-6 per m². Use our cost calculator to estimate your specific area.
2. Surface Type
Different materials need different approaches. Concrete and tarmac are straightforward to clean. Block paving requires re-sanding of joints with kiln-dried sand. Natural stone like Indian sandstone needs lower pressure to avoid surface damage. Render requires soft washing rather than pressure washing. The more specialist the technique, the higher the price.
3. Condition and Dirt Level
A driveway that was cleaned last year needs a quick maintenance wash. One that hasn't been touched in five years has embedded moss, thick algae, and years of grime that require pre-treatment, multiple passes, and significantly more time. Heavily soiled surfaces can add 20-50% to the base price. If moss is a concern, our driveway cleaning frequency guide covers optimal maintenance schedules.
4. Access Difficulty
Easy access — where equipment can park on or next to the surface and there's a nearby water supply — keeps costs down. Carrying heavy equipment through the house, up steep slopes, or across gardens adds time and effort. Properties with restricted parking, narrow side access, or no outside tap may face a surcharge of £20-50.
5. Location
Prices are higher in London and the South East compared to the Midlands and North. Surrey prices typically sit in the middle-to-upper range, reflecting the higher cost of living and operating a business in the area. Within Surrey, premium areas like Reigate Hill and Cobham tend towards the higher end, while more competitive markets like Crawley and Croydon may offer slightly lower rates.
6. Extras
Additional services beyond the standard clean will increase the total cost. Common extras include sealing (£3-8 per m² on top of cleaning), moss and algae pre-treatment for heavily affected surfaces (£20-50), oil stain removal (£10-30 per stain), and weed treatment (£15-40). Combining multiple surfaces — driveway plus patio plus paths — in a single visit usually qualifies for a package discount of 10-20%.
Jet Washing Cost by Property Size
To give you a realistic idea of total spend, here's what different property sizes typically pay for a combined driveway and patio clean in 2026. These estimates assume moderate soiling and standard access.
| Property Size | Driveway | Patio | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (20m²) | £80-£160 | £60-£140 | £140-£300 |
| Medium (40m²) | £160-£320 | £120-£280 | £280-£600 |
| Large (80m²) | £320-£640 | £240-£560 | £560-£1,200 |
Small properties with terraced house driveways and compact patios fall at the lower end. Detached properties with large driveways, turning areas, and extensive patio spaces will be at the upper end — but benefit from lower per-metre rates due to the larger area. Most homeowners combining driveway and patio cleaning pay between £200 and £500 for a thorough job.
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Most Surrey homeowners pay £120-250 for a professional jet wash. Get your personalised quote — free, no obligation, 2-hour response.
Get Your Personalised QuoteIs Professional Jet Washing Worth the Cost?
Many homeowners consider hiring a pressure washer from a tool hire shop and doing the job themselves. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide. For a deeper dive, see our full DIY vs professional pressure washing guide.
DIY Equipment Costs
Hiring a consumer-grade pressure washer costs £40-80 per day. Purchasing one outright costs £150-400 for a machine capable of cleaning a driveway effectively. On top of that, you'll need detergent (£10-20), a surface cleaner attachment for streak-free results (£30-60), kiln-dried sand for block paving (£10-15 per bag), and potentially extension hoses if your outside tap is far from the driveway. Total DIY cost for a single clean: £60-120 for hire, or £200-500 if buying equipment.
Time Investment
A professional team with commercial-grade equipment (3000+ PSI, hot water, industrial rotary surface cleaners) completes a typical 40m² driveway in 2-3 hours. The same job with a consumer pressure washer takes a full day — 6-8 hours — due to lower water pressure, smaller cleaning heads, and the learning curve of getting consistent results without leaving stripes or marks.
Risk of Damage
Incorrect pressure settings, holding the lance too close, or using the wrong nozzle can etch concrete, gouge sandstone, dislodge block paving joints, or strip the surface of tarmac. Professional operators know the correct pressure, distance, and technique for each surface type. They carry public liability insurance in case anything does go wrong. For more on this risk, read our guide on whether pressure washing can damage your driveway.
Results Comparison
Professional equipment uses hot water at much higher pressure than consumer machines. Hot water kills moss and algae at the root, meaning results last 18-24 months. Cold-water consumer machines clean the surface but leave roots intact, so regrowth appears within 6-12 months. Professionals also use rotary surface cleaners that provide even, streak-free coverage — something difficult to achieve with a standard lance.
The Bottom Line
For a one-off clean, DIY hire is cheaper upfront but delivers shorter-lasting results. For regular maintenance or if you value your time, professional cleaning is better value. The cost difference narrows significantly when you factor in your time, the risk of damage, and how much sooner you'll need to clean again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does jet washing cost per hour?
Most professionals charge £30-50 per hour, but the majority price jobs by the square metre rather than by time. Per-metre pricing is more transparent because it gives you a fixed cost regardless of how long the job takes. A professional with better equipment may finish faster but charge the same per-metre rate as someone slower — you're paying for the result, not the clock.
Is jet washing the same as pressure washing?
Yes. Jet washing and pressure washing refer to the same process — using high-pressure water to clean outdoor surfaces. "Jet washing" is the more common term in the UK, while "pressure washing" is used more internationally. Some professionals distinguish between cold-water jet washing and hot-water pressure washing, but in everyday use the terms are interchangeable. Our guide on pressure washing vs jet washing covers this in full detail.
How long does jet washing take?
A typical driveway of 30-50m² takes 2-4 hours for a professional, including setup, pre-treatment, cleaning, and re-sanding if applicable. Smaller patios may take 1-2 hours. Larger properties, heavily soiled surfaces, or jobs that include sealing can take a full day. Most residential jobs are completed in a single visit.
Can jet washing damage my driveway?
Not when done correctly with professional equipment and proper technique. Damage occurs when incorrect pressure is used — too much pressure on soft stone, or the lance held too close to block paving joints. Professionals adjust their approach for each surface type and always re-sand block paving joints after cleaning. Read more in our pressure washing damage guide.
How often should I jet wash my driveway?
Every 1-2 years for most driveways. Shaded north-facing surfaces that attract more moss and algae may benefit from annual cleaning. South-facing driveways in good condition can often go 2-3 years between professional cleans. Regular maintenance is cheaper than restoration cleaning on heavily neglected surfaces. See our full driveway cleaning frequency guide for recommendations by surface type.
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We provide free, no-obligation quotes for jet washing throughout Surrey. Our prices are transparent — the quote you receive is the price you pay, with no hidden extras or surprise charges.
We serve Redhill, Reigate, Horley, Dorking, Banstead, Crawley, and all areas within a 20-mile radius of RH1. Whether you need a small patio freshened up or a large driveway and patio combination restored, we can help bring your outdoor surfaces back to life.
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Related guides: Driveway Cleaning Cost UK | Patio Cleaning Cost UK | Block Paving Cleaning Cost | DIY vs Professional | Pressure Washing vs Jet Washing | Can Pressure Washing Damage My Driveway? | How Often to Clean Your Driveway