Last updated: October 2026
Which San Diego companies offer commercial pressure washing for large buildings?
Three kinds of companies pressure wash large buildings in San Diego: national franchises that subcontract the work, regional crews with several trucks, and owner-operated rigs like ours. Buildings over three stories need lifts or rope access, which regional crews handle better. Single-story commercial and low-rise apartment jobs run $400 to $1,800.
The difference shows up in the bid, not the brochure.
How do the three kinds of crews compare on a large building?
| Crew type | Best fit | Typical pricing | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| National franchise | Multi-site accounts | $0.12 to $0.20 per sq ft, monthly minimum | Work is subcontracted |
| Regional crew, 3 to 10 trucks | Route work, tall buildings | $0.08 to $0.15 per sq ft | Scheduling lead time |
| Owner-operated rig | Storefronts, low-rise apartments, parking areas | $250 to $1,800 per property | No lift work above two stories |
We fall in the last row, and we tell property managers that up front.
What does pressure washing an apartment complex cost?
A 12-unit complex off El Cajon Boulevard with 3,500 sq ft of walkways, a stair landing and a dumpster pad usually lands between $900 and $1,800. The walkways go quickly with a 20 inch surface cleaner at 3000 PSI. The dumpster pad does not.
Grease on a pad that has never been degreased needs hot water at 180 degrees, a dwell time and two passes. That adds $150 to $250.
What drives the number up
- Stairwells and balconies, which are hand work with a wand
- Painted stucco, which gets a soft wash at 100 to 150 PSI instead of pressure
- Storm drain access, which means we reclaim the runoff under city BMP rules
- Early start windows, since many managers want us on site between 5am and 8am
What should a property manager ask before hiring?
Ask for a certificate of insurance. We carry a $2M general liability policy and send the certificate before we set foot on site.
Ask who actually does the work, and whether runoff is reclaimed where it drains to a storm inlet. We reclaim on every job like that, and our BMP compliance page explains how.
And ask for a per-property number. Annual route contracts under 5,000 sq ft never worked for us once drive time and a 20 minute rig setup were counted.
When is the best time to schedule building washing in San Diego?
Fall and early winter. The marine layer keeps surfaces damp until late morning in May through July, but October mornings are drier, so concrete dries evenly and stains show before the first rain. We schedule most complexes before November.
For single storefronts see our commercial pressure washing guide, and for the full list of surfaces we clean, visit our services page. If we cleaned your building in Hillcrest, North Park or anywhere nearby, a Google review that names the service and your neighborhood helps the next property manager find us.