Why a first cleaning is worth doing
When you buy a home, you inherit years of someone else's maintenance habits. Some owners washed the house every year. Others never touched it. A thorough first cleaning wipes that history away so that from now on, every stain and streak you see is one you can track.
It also does something less obvious. Dirt hides things. Once walls, concrete and gutters are clean, small cracks, rust trails, water stains and failing paint become easy to see. Finding those early is cheaper than finding them after the next rainy season.
Where to start: priorities in order
Start at the top and work down, because that is how water and dirt move. Gutters come first. Clogged gutters overflow in the first big storm and dump water against walls and foundations. Next is the roof, if it shows dark streaks or debris. Then the house walls, eaves and windows. Finish with the ground: driveway, walkways, patio and steps.
If budget is tight, gutters and the driveway are the two that matter most. One protects the house; the other is the first thing everyone sees. Walls and patios can follow.
Timing helps too. In Los Angeles, fall is a smart window because it comes before the rainy season, roughly November to March. If you closed on the house in spring, you can still do it right away; just plan to check gutters again before the first storms.
What to look for once things are clean
Walk the property the day after cleaning, when everything is dry. On stucco, look for hairline cracks around windows and corners, bubbling or chalky paint, and brown or orange streaks that suggest rust from metal flashing or fasteners. On wood trim and fascia, press gently on any dark spots. Soft wood means rot, and that needs a carpenter, not a cleaner.
On concrete, look at cracks and how they move. A thin crack that stays flat is normal. A crack where one side has lifted is a trip hazard and may point to roots or soil movement. Also check where water collects. Mud lines, dark patches or a ring of silt near the house after rain suggest a drainage or grading issue worth asking a professional about.
Set your maintenance baseline
Take photos of every surface right after the first cleaning. Those become your baseline. In six months or a year, compare. You will quickly learn which areas get dirty fast, like a shady north wall that grows algae or a driveway under a messy tree, and which stay clean for a long time.
Keep a simple note of what was cleaned, when, and what you found. It sounds fussy, but when you call a painter, roofer or concrete contractor later, a dated history with photos makes the conversation much faster and more accurate.
In most of Los Angeles, a reasonable starting rhythm is a house wash every year or two and concrete cleaning yearly, adjusted after you watch your own property for a season. Homes near the coast, under big trees or along busy streets usually need more frequent attention than the average.
What a first cleaning costs
As of October 2026, our rates are $0.35 per square foot of exterior wall for house washing, $0.50 per square foot for driveways, $0.55 for walkways, $1.25 per linear foot for gutters and $0.95 per square foot for a roof soft wash. Every visit has a $195 minimum.
Because a new-home reset usually covers several services, the bundle discount helps: 5% off for two services in one visit and 10% for three or more. The instant quote calculator lets you try different combinations, and the flat price is confirmed before work begins.
What cleaning will not solve
Be ready for a few surprises. Old oil stains may only lighten. Sun-faded paint looks cleaner but not newer. Etched stripes from a previous owner's pressure washer stay. Our post on what pressure washing can and can't fix explains these in detail, and knowing them up front helps you decide where cleaning ends and repair or repainting begins.
A word on DIY for the first round
Plenty of new owners buy a pressure washer along with the lawnmower. That can work well for routine upkeep, but the first deep clean is a harder job: years of buildup, unfamiliar surfaces and hidden weak spots. Too much pressure on old stucco, painted trim or a previous owner's patch work can cause damage you then have to repair.
A reasonable approach is to have the first reset done professionally, watch how it is handled, and then maintain lighter areas yourself with a hose, brush and mild detergent between professional visits.
Key points
Where to start: priorities in order
Start at the top and work down, because that is how water and dirt move. Gutters come first. Clogged gutters overflow in the first big storm and dump water against walls and foundations. Next is the roof, if it shows dark streaks or debris. Then the house walls, eaves and windows. Finish with the ground: driveway, walkways, patio and steps.
Set your maintenance baseline
Take photos of every surface right after the first cleaning. Those become your baseline. In six months or a year, compare. You will quickly learn which areas get dirty fast, like a shady north wall that grows algae or a driveway under a messy tree, and which stay clean for a long time.