Patio Cleaning Costs in the UK

Quick Cost Breakdown:

• A small patio (up to 15m²) typically costs £75-£150 for a professional clean
• Pressure washing is the most affordable method at £4-£8 per m².
• Most patio cleaners charge a minimum call-out fee of £50-£80, regardless of patio size.

Patio Cleaning Cost Guide Contents

1. Average Patio Cleaning Costs
2. Patio Cleaning Costs by Surface Type
3. Patio Cleaning Methods and Costs
4. What Is Included in a Professional Patio Clean?
5. DIY vs Professional Patio Cleaning
6. Tips to Keep Patio Cleaning Costs Down
7. How to Find a Patio Cleaner on MyBuilder
8. FAQ: Common Questions about Patio Cleaning Costs

Average Patio Cleaning Costs

Most patio cleaners price jobs by the square metre, which makes budgeting relatively straightforward once you know the size of your patio.

Condition matters too - a surface that has been left untreated for several years, with embedded moss or heavy organic growth, will take longer to clean and may require pre-treatment before the pressure washer goes on.

Patio cleaning costs by size:

Patio Size	Average Cost
Small (up to 15m²)	£75 - £150
Medium (15 - 30m²)	£150 - £300
Large (30 - 50m²)	£300 - £500
Extra large (50m²+)	£400 - £700+

Prices in London and the South East typically run 15-25% higher than the national average. In the North of England and Wales, rates are generally at the lower end of the ranges above.

One thing to check before booking: most professionals apply a minimum call-out charge of £50–£80, regardless of the actual size of the area. If your patio is very small, this means paying a flat minimum rather than a per-m² rate - worth factoring into your budget.

Patio Cleaning Costs by Surface Type

The material your patio is made from has a significant effect on both the cleaning method and the cost.

Harder surfaces tolerate higher pressure and are quicker to clean, delicate natural stone requires lower pressure, specialist solutions, and more care - all of which add time and cost.

Surface Type	Typical Cost per m²
Concrete slabs	£4 - £7
Block paving	£5 - £8
Indian sandstone	£6 - £10
Porcelain	£5 - £9
Natural stone (limestone, slate, granite)	£7 - £12

Concrete slabs are the most straightforward surface to clean. They are robust, handle high-pressure washing well, and clean quickly. Older concrete can become porous over time, which means moss and algae penetrate deeper into the surface - a biocide pre-treatment applied 24-48 hours before washing gives significantly better results on heavily soiled concrete.

Indian sandstone requires more care than concrete. It is a porous material that absorbs moisture and stains readily, and the wrong pressure or cleaning solution can damage the surface finish or cause colour fading. A professional with experience on natural stone will use lower pressure settings and a pH-neutral cleaning solution rather than an acidic or alkaline cleaner.

Porcelain is non-porous and the easiest material to maintain - moss and algae struggle to establish on a well-sealed porcelain surface. Cleaning is generally quicker and cheaper than natural stone, though care is still needed around the joints where kiln-dried sand can be dislodged by excessive pressure.

Limestone and slate are among the most delicate patio surfaces to clean. Both are sensitive to acid-based cleaners and high pressure. Soft washing with a biocide solution is often the preferred method, which takes longer but avoids surface damage.

For a broader overview of patio materials and their long-term costs, see our patio installation cost guide.

Patio Cleaning Methods and Costs

The cleaning method used affects both the price and the longevity of your patio clean. A good cleaner will assess your surface and condition before recommending an approach - the cheapest method is not always the most appropriate one.

Pressure Washing Costs

This is the most widely used method and the most affordable at £4-£8 per m². Commercial-grade pressure washers operate at significantly higher PSI than domestic models, which means faster, more thorough cleaning.

Rotary surface cleaners - a spinning attachment that moves the jet in a circular pattern - are standard on professional jobs and produce a far more even finish than a standard lance.

Soft Washing Cost

Soft washing combines low-pressure water with specialist cleaning solutions to break down moss, algae, and organic growth at the root rather than blasting it away.

The results last longer than pressure washing alone because the biological growth is killed rather than just removed from the surface. Costs run at £6-£10 per m².

Chemical Treatment Cost

This involves applying a biocide or fungicide directly to the patio surface. It is particularly effective on patios with heavy moss or lichen growth that has established itself in the joints and surface texture. Results are excellent for long-term prevention but not instant and costs run at £6-£12 per m².

Steam Cleaning Cost

This method uses high-temperature steam to deep clean and sanitise the surface without chemicals - an option for homeowners with pets, ponds, or a preference for chemical-free cleaning. It is the most expensive method at £8-£15 per m² and less commonly offered, but the finish is thorough and the absence of runoff chemicals is a genuine advantage in certain gardens.

Not sure which method is right for your patio? A good cleaner will assess the surface and condition before recommending an approach - and most will be happy to explain their reasoning before any work starts.

Post your job on MyBuilder with a description of your patio surface and condition, and local cleaners will get in touch with quotes and advice tailored to your specific situation.

Find local patio cleaners on MyBuilder

What Is Included in a Professional Patio Clean?

Understanding exactly what a professional clean covers helps you compare quotes on a like-for-like basis and avoid surprises on the day.

A thorough patio cleaning service typically includes the following stages:

• Pre-treatment involves applying a biocide or moss killer to the surface before pressure washing begins. This breaks down organic growth at the root and makes the main clean significantly more effective - particularly on surfaces that have not been cleaned for several years. Not all cleaners include this as standard; it is worth confirming upfront.

• Pressure or soft washing is the main cleaning stage, covering the full patio surface using appropriate pressure for the material. A professional will adjust settings between surface types and use a rotary surface cleaner for an even, streak-free result.

• Detail work covers edges, steps, drainage channels, and areas around walls or planters that the main surface cleaner cannot reach. This stage is often what separates a professional finish from a DIY one.

• Joint clearing removes weeds, moss, and old pointing material from between slabs. This is particularly important for block paving and natural stone where joint material degrades over time.

• Re-sanding replaces kiln-dried sand in joints that have been disturbed during cleaning. This is typically included on block paving jobs but may be quoted separately on slab patios - worth checking.

• Debris removal covers clearing and removing all waste material from site at the end of the job.

Sealing is usually offered as an add-on rather than included in a standard clean. It adds £5-£15 per m² to the total but significantly extends the time before the next clean is needed and reduces staining on porous surfaces.

DIY vs Professional Patio Cleaning

DIY pressure washing is a realistic option for small patios in reasonable condition, particularly on harder surfaces like concrete or block paving.

As a comparison: a professional clean on a medium 25m² patio typically costs £150-£200 and takes a professional two to three hours. The same job done by a competent DIYer with hired equipment and purchased solution costs roughly £60-£90 and takes a full day.

The time saving alone justifies the professional cost for most homeowners, for delicate surface materials, the risk reduction does too.

For patios needing more extensive work beyond cleaning - relaying sunken slabs, repointing, or replacing damaged sections - see our patio installation cost guide for a full breakdown.

Tips to Keep Patio Cleaning Costs Down

A few straightforward choices can reduce what you spend on patio cleaning without compromising the result.

• Book in the off-peak season. Demand for patio cleaning peaks between March and August. Booking in late autumn or winter, when cleaners have more availability, can bring prices down by 10–25% compared to peak-season rates.

• Bundle with other outdoor surfaces. If you also have a driveway, path, or decking that needs cleaning, having everything done in a single visit is considerably more cost-effective than separate bookings.

• Maintain between professional cleans. Sweeping away leaves and debris regularly, treating isolated moss patches early with a spot biocide, and keeping drains clear all slow down the build-up that makes professional cleans more time-consuming.

• Seal the patio after cleaning. Sealing adds £5-£15 per m² to the initial cost but significantly reduces how quickly moss and algae re-establish on porous surfaces.

• Get at least three quotes. Prices for the same job can vary by 30-40% between cleaners, particularly between sole traders and larger cleaning companies.

Post your job on MyBuilder and compare responses from local cleaners with reviews and photos of previous work before committing.

How to Find a Patio Cleaner on MyBuilder

There is no need to spend time searching for local cleaners or making calls around your area.

It only takes a couple of minutes to post your patio cleaning job on MyBuilder, local cleaners with availability will register their interest, and you can review their profiles, read customer feedback, and compare quotes before deciding who to hire.

All tradespeople on MyBuilder undergo checks at registration - such as ID documents, company details, certifications for regulated jobs and skill assessments - allowing you to hire with confidence.

Find local patio cleaners on MyBuilder

FAQ: Common Questions about Patio Cleaning Costs

How Often Should I Have My Patio Professionally Cleaned?

Once a year is sufficient for most patios in a reasonably sunny position with good drainage. Patios in shaded areas, particularly north-facing gardens or those under trees, tend to accumulate moss and algae significantly faster, and may benefit from cleaning every six months.

Applying a sealant after each professional clean, and keeping the surface swept regularly between visits, helps extend the time before the next clean is needed.

Do I Need to Seal My Patio After Cleaning?

Sealing is not essential, but for porous surfaces, sandstone, limestone, and concrete in particular, it makes a significant difference to how quickly moss and algae return. A quality impregnating sealer creates a barrier that prevents water and organic matter from penetrating the surface, reducing staining and making future cleans faster and cheaper.

Can Pressure Washing Damage My Patio?

It can, if the wrong pressure or technique is used. Natural stone surfaces - particularly sandstone, limestone, and older concrete - are vulnerable to surface erosion or colour fading if cleaned at excessive pressure.

A professional cleaner will adjust settings to suit the material and use a rotary surface cleaner rather than a directional lance, which distributes pressure more evenly and reduces the risk of streaking or surface damage.

What Is the Best Time of Year to Get My Patio Cleaned?

Spring and early summer are the most popular times, the patio is freshly cleaned for the warmer months ahead. The downside is that demand is highest during this period, which can push prices up and lead to longer waiting times for availability.

Late autumn is an underrated time for patio cleaning: growth from the summer has died back, conditions are usually still dry enough for cleaning to be effective, and prices are often lower. Winter cleaning is possible on frost-free days but is less common.

How Long Does Professional Patio Cleaning Take?

A standard patio of around 15-20m² typically takes two to four hours depending on the method used and the condition of the surface. Patios with heavy organic growth may require a biocide pre-treatment applied 24-48 hours in advance, adding a second visit before the main clean.

Larger patios or those needing additional services such as re-sanding, sealing, or detail work around steps and walls can take a full day.