Planning exterior cleaning: scope, methods and costs
A forecourt covered in leaves needs different treatment from weathered timber or a dirty facade. Total area alone is not enough: a useful quote identifies each surface, its condition and how it can be reached.
What does exterior cleaning include?
Exterior cleaning is an umbrella service. It can cover one balcony or several areas around a property. The scope needs agreement; gardening, repairs and winter services are not automatically included.
| Area | What to specify |
|---|---|
| Patios, balconies, paths and forecourts | Floor area, surface material, stains, furniture and planters |
| Facades and outside walls | Affected wall areas, materials, soiling and working height |
| Windows and external blinds | Approximate number; specify glass, frames and blinds separately, with inside cleaning only if requested |
| Gutters | Parts of the building, access and whether checking outlets is an additional task |
Match the method to the material
Pressure washing is not suitable for every surface. Stone hardness, porosity and joints matter; for timber, the species and condition are important. Composite decking, coated metal and rendered facades also need appropriate treatment. For delicate or unidentified surfaces, a small test patch can help establish a suitable approach.
Washing does not repair cracks, loose joints or peeling paint. Have cleaning and repairs assessed separately. Older fibre-cement panels need specialist assessment for possible asbestos before they are disturbed; do not scrape off your own sample.
If you do not know the surface material, describe its appearance and any visible damage. Existing photos or care instructions can help identify it. You do not need to choose a pressure setting or cleaning product to request a quote.
- Timber and composite decking. Cleaning, oiling and aftercare are separate tasks. Products must suit the material, and drying times affect the schedule.
- Stone and paving. Cleaning can expose existing weak or washed-out joints. Re-sanding or impregnation should be justified and priced separately.
How much does exterior cleaning cost?
Area, treatment and access affect the price. For small jobs, travel and setup can matter more than the square-metre rate. Work at height, moving heavy objects and treating particular stains also change the scope.
Published Swiss prices illustrate different service models: one price list gives CHF 8.65 per m² including VAT for outdoor pressure cleaning. Another offers balcony and patio cleaning from CHF 5.50 per m² including VAT as an addition to a deep-cleaning job. Checked in October 2026. These are individual examples, not a market range; an add-on price is not equivalent to a standalone visit.
The first price example charges travel, cleaning products and materials separately.
Compare the total for the same work. Check minimum charges, preparation, travel, wastewater handling and VAT. A rate per square metre of ground surface also tells you little about the cost of gutters or hard-to-reach windows.
Plan for cleaning water and surrounding areas
Before wet cleaning, establish where water drains and what substances it may pick up. Rainwater drains are not a disposal route for arbitrary cleaning wastewater. Depending on contamination and local drainage, collection and an agreed disposal method may be needed. Plants, neighbouring surfaces and building openings also need consideration.
An algae or moss product is not automatically permitted on every outdoor surface. Application rules for paths and patios differ from those for facades. A ‘biodegradable’ label does not remove the need to check. Ask the contractor to choose a permitted method and explain how the resulting water will be handled.
Prepare for a straightforward visit
Approximate quantities are enough for the initial request. Estimate ground and wall areas separately; windows can be counted. Photos or a site visit may be needed for a firmer quote. Do not climb to measure inaccessible gutters or facades yourself.
An enquiry might read: “We would like an approximately 30 m² concrete patio with green deposits cleaned, along with a 12 m² composite-decked balcony on the first floor. There are also four ground-floor windows, glass and frames outside only, excluding external blinds. We will move the chairs; please include moving two heavy planters. A water connection is available. We do not know where the water drains. Please quote for each area separately and clarify the methods, protection of surrounding areas and wastewater disposal.”
If you need the areas ready for a particular date, mention it early. Agree how unsuitable weather will affect the booking and when furniture or planters can be put back on the cleaned surfaces.
- Define the areas. Include only the surfaces that need work. Mention differences in condition between building sides or balconies.
- Agree access. Clarify keys, passageways, parking and available water connections. The contractor determines any additional access equipment.
- Assign preparation. Agree who moves furniture and planters, and whether removing leaves and loose debris is included.
- Coordinate use. Inform occupants, keep routes clear and agree when the areas can be used again.
One-off cleaning or regular care?
A fixed annual schedule does not suit every outdoor area. Shade, trees, weather and use affect how quickly deposits return. A busy entrance has different needs from a sheltered patio.
Distinguish regular sweeping and leaf removal from intensive wet cleaning. Simple ongoing care can be useful without treating every surface intensively each time. Impregnation or coatings do not prevent new dirt indefinitely and should not be an automatic addition to the service.
Compare quotes for equivalent work
Ask for combined jobs to be broken down by area. This shows whether a lower quote covers less work or genuinely charges less for the same service. Quotes should state which outcomes depend on inspecting materials or stains first.
Walk through the agreed areas together at handover: have edges and surfaces beneath moved objects been reached? Have loosened dirt and splashes on neighbouring building elements been removed? Discuss any remaining stains and compare with the test patch, if there is one. Where a surface can only be assessed after drying, agree how to follow up.
- Quantities and outcome. Check areas, item counts, sides to be cleaned and the expected finish. Cleaning does not mean repair or guaranteed removal of every discolouration.
- Base price and options. Separate travel, access, preparation and disposal from optional aftercare, impregnation or joint repairs.
- Inspection and extra work. Record unfinished areas or damage and agree who will check them and by when. Approve additional cleaning, aftercare or repairs before they are carried out.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need exact measurements?
No. A reasonable estimate is enough initially. For a combined job, give separate information for ground areas, facades and windows. Final quantities can be confirmed during a site visit.
Is pressure washing always the best option?
No. An unsuitable method can damage timber, joints, coatings or porous materials. The contractor chooses according to the material, condition and type of dirt.
Must I clear the patio or forecourt first?
The agreed areas need to be accessible. Decide whether you will clear them or the contractor will move furniture and planters. Mention heavy or fixed objects separately.
Will oil stains and discolouration disappear completely?
This cannot be promised without inspection. Absorbed substances, weathering and damaged coatings may remain visible. A test patch can help assess the likely result.
Are windows and blinds automatically included?
No. Select those areas explicitly. Glass, frames, blinds and inside surfaces are separate tasks that should be specified in the quote.
