Service Business

How Much to Charge for Driveway Cleaning and Pressure Washing in the UK (2026): Prices per m², Re-Sanding and Sealing

Nexior Gray· Updated 13 October 2026· 11 min read

A driveway clean can cost anything from about £80 for a quick wash of a small concrete drive to £900 or more for a large block-paved drive that's been cleaned, re-sanded and sealed. The final price depends on four things: the size of the drive, the surface, how dirty it is, and whether you want just a wash or the full restoration.

"Pressure washing", "jet washing" and "power washing" all mean the same thing in the UK, so the prices below apply whichever name your local trader uses. This guide covers what homeowners typically pay in 2026, including patios, paths and decking as well as driveways, then how pressure washing businesses should price their jobs.

About these figures: they're typical UK ranges as of October 2026, drawn from published price guides and advertised trade rates. Prices vary by area and trader, so use them to sense-check quotes, not as a fixed price list.

Driveway Cleaning Cost at a Glance

Typical prices for a professional pressure wash, with the drive cleaned and the debris rinsed away:

Driveway sizeApprox. areaWash onlyWash + re-sand (block paving)Wash + re-sand + seal
Small / single car15–20m²£80–£120£120–£180£200–£320
Two cars30–40m²£120–£200£180–£300£350–£550
Three cars50–60m²£180–£280£260–£420£500–£750
Large / wraparound70–100m²£250–£400£350–£600£650–£1,000+

Most traders also have a minimum charge, typically £80–£100, so very small areas rarely cost less than that. London and the South East typically run 15–25% above these figures.

Cost Per Square Metre

Most professionals work out the price from the area, so measuring your drive (length × width) is the quickest way to sense-check a quote:

ServiceTypical rateNotes
Pressure wash: concrete / slabs£2.50–£4.00/m²Flat, forgiving surface
Pressure wash: block paving£3.00–£5.00/m²Joints need extra passes and usually lose sand
Natural stone / Indian sandstone£3.50–£5.50/m²Lower pressure and more care to avoid surface damage
Tarmac£2.50–£4.00/m²Lower pressure. Too much can strip the surface
Resin-bound£3.00–£5.00/m²Low-pressure or soft washing only
Re-sanding (kiln-dried sand)£1.50–£3.00/m²Essential after washing block paving
Sealing£5–£8/m²Includes the sealer and usually two coats
Heavy moss, weeds or oil stains+20–50%Pre-treatment, biocide or degreaser, extra passes

Pressure Washing Prices for Other Jobs

Most traders also clean other outdoor surfaces, and you'll often get a better rate by booking several areas in one visit. Typical prices:

JobTypical priceNotes
Patio (around 20m²)£80–£150Natural stone needs lower pressure and more time
Patio (around 40m²)£140–£250Re-sanding or re-pointing joints costs extra
Garden paths£50–£120Often added cheaply to a driveway job
Decking£3–£5/m²Usually £80–£200. Staining or oiling afterwards costs extra
Garden walls£2–£4/m²Brick and stone only. Render is usually soft-washed instead
Artificial grass£2–£4/m²Low pressure, plus anti-bacterial treatment
Driveway + patio package£200–£450For an average semi-detached or detached house

Render, cladding and roofs are usually cleaned by soft washing (low pressure with a cleaning solution) rather than pressure washing, because high pressure can damage them. Soft washing is priced separately and often costs more per m².

Cleaning, Re-Sanding and Sealing: What's the Difference?

Pressure washing

This removes surface dirt, moss, algae and some staining. On concrete, tarmac and slabs it's often all you need.

Re-sanding

Pressure washing block paving blasts the sand out of the joints. Re-sanding brushes kiln-dried sand back in, which locks the blocks in place and makes it harder for weeds to grow. If a quote for block paving doesn't include re-sanding, ask why: leaving the joints empty causes blocks to move and weeds to return quickly.

Sealing

A sealer binds the joint sand, resists oil and stains, slows down weed and moss regrowth, and can enhance or deepen the colour. It's the most expensive step, but a sealed drive can stay clean for several years rather than needing a wash every year or so. The drive must be completely dry before sealing, so it's weather-dependent and often a two-day job.

What Affects the Price?

DIY Driveway Cleaning Cost

Doing it yourself typically costs:

DIY can save money on a small concrete drive. But domestic machines are much slower than commercial ones, and the wrong pressure or nozzle can etch concrete, strip tarmac or damage stone. For block paving that needs re-sanding and sealing, many people find a professional job better value.

How Often Should a Driveway Be Cleaned?

Most driveways benefit from a clean every 1–2 years. Shady, north-facing drives under trees go green faster. A sealed block-paved drive can often go 3–5 years before it needs a full clean and re-seal, with a light wash in between.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

  1. Measure the drive (length × width) and note the surface type.
  2. Send photos showing the worst areas: moss, oil stains, weeds in the joints.
  3. Ask exactly what's included: pre-treatment, re-sanding, sealing, weed treatment, and clearing up the slurry.
  4. Ask about insurance, and look at before and after photos of their work.
  5. Be cautious of very low prices on block paving, which usually means no re-sanding.

For Pressure Washing Businesses: How to Price a Job

"I'll do your drive for £80" is how a lot of pressure washing businesses quote. It's also how a lot of them lose money on jobs that turn out to be twice the size, or twice the mess, they looked from the pavement. Pricing by area and surface type, not by eye, is what separates a sustainable business from one that dreads its biggest jobs.

Price from measured area

Two driveways that both "look like a driveway" can differ two or three times in actual area, and again in surface type and soiling. A flat price averaged across your typical job means you're underpricing your biggest, hardest jobs and overpricing your smallest, easiest ones. That's the opposite of where you want your margin. Measure on site, or estimate from photos and satellite imagery, before you quote.

Set a minimum charge

Every job carries fixed costs: loading the van, travel, setting up, and clearing away. A minimum charge of £80–£100 makes sure small jobs are still worth doing.

Upsell re-sanding and sealing properly

Re-sanding and sealing are where the margin is on block paving jobs, and they give the customer a better, longer-lasting result. Quote them as clear tiers (wash only, wash + re-sand, and full restoration) so customers can see the value of each step.

Costs to build into your rate

Deposits and getting paid

Take a deposit before larger jobs, especially sealing work where you're buying materials. It protects your cash flow and filters out customers who aren't serious. Keep track of which jobs have paid deposits and which invoices are outstanding. A before and after photo log protects you in the occasional dispute.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to clean a driveway in the UK?

A professional pressure wash typically costs £80–£120 for a small single-car drive, £120–£200 for a two-car drive and £180–£280 for a three-car drive. Block paving with re-sanding costs more, and a full clean, re-sand and seal typically costs £350–£750 for an average drive.

How much does it cost to jet wash a driveway?

Jet washing is the same as pressure washing. A typical UK driveway costs £80–£120 for a small single-car drive, £120–£200 for a two-car drive and £180–£280 for a three-car drive, with re-sanding extra on block paving.

How much does pressure washing cost in the UK?

Most UK traders charge about £2.50–£5.00 per m² depending on the surface, with a minimum charge of around £80–£100. A typical driveway costs £120–£280, a 20m² patio £80–£150 and decking £80–£200.

How much per square metre is driveway cleaning?

Typically £2.50–£4.00 per m² for concrete or slabs and £3.00–£5.00 per m² for block paving. Re-sanding adds about £1.50–£3.00 per m² and sealing about £5–£8 per m². Most traders have a minimum charge of around £80–£100.

How much does it cost to clean and seal block paving?

A full clean, re-sand and seal typically costs £200–£320 for a small drive, £350–£550 for a two-car drive and £500–£750 for a three-car drive. Large drives can exceed £1,000.

Does pressure washing damage block paving?

It removes the joint sand, which is why re-sanding afterwards is essential. Used at the wrong pressure or too close, a pressure washer can also mark the surface. Professionals usually use a rotary surface cleaner to give an even finish.

Is it cheaper to clean a driveway yourself?

Usually yes for a small concrete drive. Hiring a pressure washer costs about £40–£90 a day, plus £15–£40 for moss treatment. For block paving that needs re-sanding and sealing, the gap narrows, and professional kit gives a more even finish.