True Cost Guide Painting Rent a Pressure Washer

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Pressure Washer?

Typical Range:

$25 - $2,000

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated January 23, 2023

Written by HomeAdvisor.

The cost to rent a pressure washer is $100 on average, usually for a full-day rental. However, you might spend anywhere from $25 for a small electric one for half a day to up to $2,000 for several weeks' use of a high-end commercial-grade power washer for large projects. It’s almost always cheaper to rent rather than purchase if you use one only infrequently.

Average Cost to Rent a Pressure Washer

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$100	$2,000	$25

What’s the Difference Between a Power Washer and a Pressure Washer?

The only difference between a power washer and a pressure washer is the temperature of the water and it’ll usually cost more to rent a power washer versus pressure washing. Both machines use pressurized water to clean and strip surfaces. However, a power washer uses a heating element to project a hot pressurized stream or water, whereas a pressure washer uses cold pressurized water.

Comparison of power versus pressure washer rental, with a power washer heating the water and a pressure washer using cold water

Power Washer Rental Cost by Time

You’ll generally only have a couple of options for rental sizes, after which it’s a matter of determining how long your project takes. Pressure washer rentals often break down into four categories: 4-hour, daily, weekly, and monthly. The table below provides the price range for each rental period.

Rental Period	Cost Range
4 Hours	$25 – $150
1 Day	$35 – $300
1 Week	$150 – $900
4 Weeks	$400 – $2,000

Don’t forget to figure in the time it takes to set it up, take it down, clean it, and then drive back to the rental shop. You’ll also need to make sure the shop is open when you need to return it or has a contactless drop-off.

Get the Right Pressure Washer for the Job

Cost to Rent a Pressure Washer by Type

There are two main types of power and pressure washers: gas and electric. Electric pressure washers are generally the less expensive option and have a lower pressure output (measured in pounds per square inch or PSI). Gas pressure washers are more expensive, but usually have a higher pressure output that extends to professional grade. It is important to note that the higher the PSI, the higher the cost to rent will be.

Type of Pressure Washer	Pressure	Rental Price Range (per day)
Electric	varies	$35 – $65
Gas: Residential	Up to 3000 PSI	$70 – $110
Gas: Commercial	Over 3,000 PSI	$100 – $300
Gas: Power Washer	varies	$100 – $300

Electric Pressure Washers

The cost of a pressure washer rental averages $40 per day for electric models. They’re not commonly available to rent as to purchase. Electric pressure washers are on the low side of the scale in terms of pressure—generally ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 PSI. Electric pressure washers provide an affordable option for smaller-scale projects such as washing windows, decks, or sidewalks at home.

Gas Pressure Washers

Renting gas power washers costs $100 per day and comes in a wide range of pressure options from 1,500 to 4,500 PSI. These pressure washers usually come mounted on wheels for easy transportation and are equipped to handle almost any project. They’re an excellent option when compared to professional driveway pressure washing costs. They’re also a great choice for stripping paint.

Gas Power Washers (Hot)

Power washer rental costs average $150 per day. Gas power washers include heating elements. They can be found with PSIs in the 2,500 to 5,000 range. Power washers in the 4,000 to 5,000 PSI range can sometimes run on diesel rather than gas. The high-pressure stream provides an excellent way to remove mold and mildew from hard surfaces.

Other Power Washing Rental Cost Factors

Pressure and power washing costs don’t stop at the initial rental fee. You’ll want to consider any accessories you’ll need for specific cleaning projects, like driveways and decks.

Pickup and Drop Off

Pickup and drop-off times vary by location and rental agency. You’ll want to make sure you’re not late for a drop-off. Otherwise, you’ll likely incur fees, including adding extra days to your rental. You’ll also want to consider how long it’ll take you to travel to the store, including loading and unloading the machine.

Accessories

Accessories vary by location, but they add to the daily rate. You’ll usually find surface cleaners and extension wands. Surface cleaners help cut down driveway and deck power washing costs by using the rental more efficiently.

Extension wand: $10–$20 per day
Surface cleaner:$25–$35 per day

Taxes and Deposits

Depending on your location, you’ll often have to pay additional fees, such as a deposit or taxes for the rental. This varies quite a bit from place to place depending on local laws and regulations. Check with your local rental office for exact rates.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pressure Washing Professional

Renting a pressure washer costs only $100 on average, while professional pressure washing costs $200 to $400. It’s more expensive, but typically comes with a guarantee of quality and frees up your time—avoiding picking up and dropping off the unit plus time spent with setup, tear down, cleaning, and the actual project. Talk to a local power washer to explore your options before renting.

Have More Questions About Pressure Washers?

FAQs

Should I buy or rent a pressure washer?

You should rent a pressure washer if you only use it once or twice per year or simply don’t have the space to store one. Renting is a great way to get a quality pressure washer for only a couple of hundred dollars per year. However, if you’re using a pressure washer regularly, it’s usually a better idea to buy one. Even with storage and any repairs or maintenance you might have, you’ll still end up saving money in the long run.

What is the difference between a power washer and a pressure washer?

The only two differences between a power washer and a pressure washer are hot water and cost. Both machines pressurize water into a stream for use in cleaning. The difference starts with the power washing adding a heating element to heat your water. This is effective for cleaning oily and greasy surfaces. Because it uses hot water, it usually costs slightly more to both buy and rent.

Where should you not use a pressure washer?

You shouldn’t use a pressure washer anywhere that it might damage the surface. For example, shingled roofs are easily damaged with pressure washing at anything above the lowest setting. Be careful with roof cleaning since the roof repair costs far exceed professional roof washing costs. Pressure washing anything with seals, like a motorcycle engine, has the potential to damage the seals.