How to Price Driveway Cleaning Jobs (Without Competing on Price) 

1. Calculate Your True Hourly Cost (UK Example)

Before choosing a per-square-metre rate, you must know your break-even hourly cost.

Example Monthly Costs (UK-Based)

  • Van finance/lease: £400

  • Fuel: £500

  • Insurance (public liability + van): £250

  • Equipment payments/maintenance: £300

  • Marketing: £600

  • Software & admin: £150

  • Wages (1 employee): £2,000

  • Misc overhead: £300

Total Monthly Cost: £4,500

If you realistically bill 120 hours per month (after rain days, travel, admin):

£4,500 ÷ 120 = £37.50 per hour (break-even)

Now add profit (minimum 30%):

£37.50 ÷ (1 - 0.30) = £53.57/hour

Round up: £55–£60 per billable hour minimum

That is your pricing foundation.

2. Convert to Per-Square-Metre Pricing

Most UK driveway cleaning is priced per m².

Profitable UK Range:

  • £2.50 – £4.50 per m²

  • Minimum job price: £150–£250

Example:

80 m² driveway × £3.50 = £280

If the job takes 4 hours:
£280 ÷ 4 = £70/hour

That’s a healthy margin.

If you price at £1.50/m²:
80 m² × £1.50 = £120
£120 ÷ 4 hours = £30/hour (barely sustainable)

Cheap pricing kills growth.

3. Always Set a Minimum Charge

Small driveways eat your day with travel and setup time.

Recommended UK minimum:
£150–£250

Even if it’s 30 m², your time still has value.

4. Charge More for Difficulty

Increase pricing for:

  • Heavy oil stains

  • Rust staining

  • Lichen build-up

  • Block paving (requires re-sanding)

  • Steep driveways

  • Poor drainage

  • Long hose runs

Block paving with re-sanding and sealing can push pricing to:
£4.50–£8.00 per m²

Hard jobs should pay more — not the same.

5. Stop Selling “Pressure Washing”

You are selling:

  • Kerb appeal

  • Increased property value

  • Safety (less slippery surfaces)

  • Pride of ownership

Position yourself as a professional exterior cleaning company, not someone with a jet wash from the local DIY store.

Authority supports higher pricing.

6. Bundle Services to Avoid Price Comparison

Driveway-only pricing invites comparison.

Offer packages:

  • Driveway + patio

  • Driveway + house soft wash

  • Full exterior refresh

Example:

  • Driveway only: £280

  • Driveway + patio: £450

  • Full exterior package: £699

Now customers compare value — not price per m².

7. How to Handle “You’re More Expensive”

Say:

“We’re fully insured, use professional-grade equipment, apply correct chemical treatments, and guarantee results. We may not be the cheapest, but we deliver long-lasting results.”

Never discount immediately.

Price shoppers leave. Quality clients stay.

8. Healthy Close Rate

If you're closing:

  • 70%+ → Raise prices

  • 40–60% → Perfect zone

  • Below 30% → Improve sales process, not pricing

Winning every quote means you’re too cheap.

9. Build Premium Positioning

To charge £3.50–£4.50 per m² consistently, you need:

  • Branded van

  • Uniform

  • Strong Google reviews

  • Professional website

  • Before/after photos

  • Fast response times

  • Clear written quotes

Trust justifies premium pricing.

Simple UK Pricing Formula

  1. Calculate your true hourly break-even

  2. Add 30–40% profit

  3. Convert to £/m²

  4. Set a minimum job charge

  5. Add difficulty surcharges

Then stop worrying about the cheapest competitor.

Example of Profitable UK Pricing

Standard 70 m² driveway
£3.75 per m² = £262.50
Round to £265

Add oil treatment: +£40
Total: £305

4-hour job = £76/hour

That’s a real business — not a hobby