The rate in plain numbers
As of October 2026, our roof soft wash rate is $0.95 per square foot. Every visit has a $195 minimum, and travel may be added for longer distances depending on your ZIP code. The final flat price is always confirmed before work begins.
Some examples using that rate: a 1,000 square foot roof is $950, a 1,500 square foot roof is $1,425, and a 2,000 square foot roof is $1,900. A small roof like a detached garage or ADU at 200 square feet would come in at $195 because of the minimum.
Roof area is not the same as your home's square footage
This trips up a lot of people. The square footage on your listing is interior living space. Roof area is the actual sloped surface, including overhangs. A pitched roof has more surface than the footprint of the house below it, and the steeper the roof, the bigger the difference. A one-story home and a two-story home with the same living space can have very different roof areas.
A rough approach is to measure the footprint of the house including the eaves, then add some allowance for slope. If you have an inspection report, a roofing estimate or a solar proposal, it may list roof area already. When in doubt, enter your best estimate and we will confirm before work begins.
Why roofs cost more per foot than walls
House washing is $0.35 per square foot of wall, so the roof rate is much higher. The reasons are practical. Roof work means ladders, careful footing and safety equipment. Crews move more slowly on a slope. Debris has to be cleared from valleys and gutters. Downspouts and landscaping below need protection, because rinse water and solution run off the edges.
Roofs are also cleaned by soft washing, not high pressure. A low-pressure application of cleaning solution needs time to dwell and break down algae and dark streaks, then a gentle rinse. High pressure would strip granules from shingles or crack tiles, so the slower method is the right one.
Roof type and access
Asphalt shingles are the most common and respond well to soft washing for dark streaks and algae. Clay and concrete tile, typical on Spanish-style homes in LA, are cleaned gently and require careful footing because tiles can crack under weight. Flat and low-slope roofs are easier to walk but often collect pooled dirt and debris.
Pitch, height and access all affect the work. A steep two-story roof on a hillside lot is a different job from a low single-story ranch. If your roof is steep, very high, or hard to reach, mention it when you request your quote so the approach and price are settled up front.
Pairing a roof wash with gutters
Roof cleaning sends debris and dirty water into the gutters, so it makes sense to clean them on the same visit. Gutter cleaning is $1.25 per linear foot. Adding it, or a house wash, earns a 5% bundle discount for two services and 10% for three or more.
For example, a 1,500 square foot roof at $1,425 plus 150 linear feet of gutters at $187.50 comes to $1,612.50 before the discount. Five percent of that is about $80. The instant quote calculator shows exact numbers for your home.
When cleaning is not the answer
Soft washing removes algae streaks, lichen staining, dirt and debris. It does not fix cracked or missing tiles, curled or bald shingles, or leaks. If your roof is near the end of its life, cleaning will make it look better but will not extend its lifespan much, and a roofer is the right first call.
It is also worth asking how often the roof really needs it. Many LA roofs with full sun stay fairly clean for years, while shaded slopes under trees or near the coast can streak sooner. Clean when you see dark streaks, moss or heavy debris, not on a fixed calendar.
Getting an accurate quote
Enter your roof area, not your living area, in the instant quote calculator. Mention the roof material, whether it is one or two stories, any steep sections and anything fragile below, like a koi pond, delicate plants or a glass patio cover. If you have solar panels, say so; panel cleaning is $12 per panel and can be added to the same visit.
The flat price is confirmed before work begins, so any adjustments for access or roof type are settled up front, not after the crew climbs down.
Key points
The rate in plain numbers
As of October 2026, our roof soft wash rate is $0.95 per square foot. Every visit has a $195 minimum, and travel may be added for longer distances depending on your ZIP code. The final flat price is always confirmed before work begins.
Why roofs cost more per foot than walls
House washing is $0.35 per square foot of wall, so the roof rate is much higher. The reasons are practical. Roof work means ladders, careful footing and safety equipment. Crews move more slowly on a slope. Debris has to be cleared from valleys and gutters. Downspouts and landscaping below need protection, because rinse water and solution run off the edges.