Pressure washing in Galveston

The Comptroller treats pressure washing buildings, sidewalks and parking lots as taxable grounds cleaning, at homes as well as businesses, and the company needs a sales tax permit to collect it. If a quote leaves tax off, ask why. HomeGuide's national figures put a house wash at $170 to $360 (2024) and a two-car driveway at $100 to $350 (2026), with many companies charging a $75 to $150 minimum. The Texas pressure washing guide has the rest.

The City of Galveston supplies the water. Ask the city's water and sewer utility whether any use restrictions apply before a big wash, and ask the washer where the runoff will go.

In the locally designated historic districts, exterior work falls under the city's Design Standards for Historic Properties. Ask the washer what pressure and method it plans for older siding, and ask the Historic Preservation Officer if the job goes beyond cleaning. Short-term rental owners can find turnover rules on the house cleaning page. See the Galveston hub for other rules.

If a wash shows siding that is damaged rather than dirty, replacing it is construction work. Galveston requires a TDI WPI-8 when siding replacement, roofing replacement, new construction or solar panels are finished, so the job belongs with a contractor who will schedule the windstorm inspection. Galveston roofers explains how that inspection works.