Most U.S. homeowners pay $295 to $597 to have a roof cleaned, and the national average is $436, according to HomeAdvisor. This Old House puts the typical rate at $0.20 to $0.70 per square foot. Here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, most of the roofs we soft wash cost $450 to $650. This guide covers what drives those numbers, how roof size and material change the price, and what to expect in Arlington and the rest of DFW.
Want a quick number for your home? Try our free pressure washing cost calculator for an instant price range.
Roof Cleaning Cost at a Glance
| Source | Typical range | Average | Per square foot | Data date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor | $295–$597 | $436 | $0.20–$0.60 | Published Jan. 10, 2022 |
| This Old House | $300–$1,050 (1,500 sq ft roof) | $675 (1,500 sq ft roof) | $0.20–$0.70 | Updated Mar. 31, 2026 |
| Stegmeier Pressure Washing (DFW soft wash) | $450–$650 | — | $0.20–$0.25 | October 2026 |
Roof Cleaning Cost by Roof Size
Size is the biggest single factor because most companies price by the square foot. These are This Old House‘s national figures:
| Roof size | Cost range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $50–$750 | $400 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $75–$1,125 | $600 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $100–$1,500 | $800 |
| 2,200 sq ft | $110–$1,650 | $880 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $125–$1,875 | $1,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $150–$2,250 | $1,200 |
Roof Cleaning Cost by Roof Material and Method
The right method depends on what your roof is made of. Asphalt shingles and tile should be soft washed; metal can take higher pressure. This Old House‘s national price ranges:
| Roof material | Recommended method | Price per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | Soft wash | $0.30–$0.75 |
| Clay tile | Soft wash | $0.30–$0.75 |
| Concrete tile | Soft wash | $0.30–$0.75 |
| Metal | High-pressure wash | $0.20–$0.60 |
| Slate | Low-pressure wash | $0.30–$0.70 |
| Wood shakes | Low-pressure wash | $0.30–$0.70 |
| Rubber or tar and gravel | Chemical wash | $0.20–$0.30 |
HomeAdvisor reports an average of about $425 for tile roofs and $300 to $575 for asphalt shingle roofs. If you have a concrete or clay tile roof in DFW, see our tile roof cleaning service for how we clean tile without walking on it or blasting it.
What Changes the Price
- Roof size: more square footage means more solution and more time.
- Height and pitch: HomeAdvisor reports about $0.10 more per square foot for a second or third story and about $0.15 more for a steep roof.
- Amount of growth: heavy algae or thick moss can need a stronger mix or a second pass.
- Roof material: shingles, tile, and metal are cleaned differently (see the table above).
- Access: trees, tight side yards, and delicate landscaping add setup time.
Add-On Costs to Know About
- Moss prevention treatment: $150–$250, average $200 (This Old House).
- Moss treatment after removal: $100–$200 (HomeAdvisor).
- Stain removal for related grime or salt buildup: $50–$100 (This Old House and HomeAdvisor).
- Gutter cleaning: about $160 nationally (HomeAdvisor); $125–$275 for most of our DFW jobs.
Roof Cleaning Cost in Dallas-Fort Worth
In Arlington, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and the rest of our DFW service area, most roof soft wash jobs cost $450 to $650 ($0.20 to $0.25 per square foot). Smaller single-story roofs with light streaking land near the low end. Larger, steeper, or two-story roofs with heavy algae land near the high end.
- Roof soft wash: $450–$650 ($0.20–$0.25 per sq ft)
- Roof plus gutter cleaning: roof price plus gutters at $125–$275 ($1.50–$1.80 per linear ft), often less when booked together
- Full exterior package: $500–$900 (see packages and all our prices)
The black streaks on most North Texas roofs are an algae called Gloeocapsa magma, which feeds on the limestone filler in many asphalt shingles. Killing that algae is the main job of a roof cleaning, so algae treatment is included in our price, not added on. See our roof cleaning service in Arlington for what every visit includes. For the roofing industry’s view, see Algae Discoloration of Roofs from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.
Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing a Roof
High pressure can strip the protective granules off asphalt shingles and force water under them. That is why we never pressure wash a shingle roof. A soft wash uses low pressure and a cleaning solution that kills algae, moss, and lichen, then rinses gently. This Old House lists soft washing at $0.30 to $0.75 per square foot and high-pressure washing at $0.20 to $0.60, so a lower pressure-washing quote can cost you more in roof damage later.
Is Roof Cleaning Worth It?
For most homeowners, yes. Cleaning costs a small fraction of a roof replacement, removes the growth that holds moisture on the roof, and is a common step before listing a home or installing solar panels.
Save by Cleaning Your Roof and Gutters Together
Roof cleaning sends debris and runoff into the gutters, so it makes sense to clear them in the same visit. Book both and we only set up once. See our gutter cleaning service for what is included, or read why roof and gutter cleaning pays off together.
How to Get an Exact Quote
Send us your address and a couple of photos of the roof through our contact page, or call 817-580-9881. We will look at the size, pitch, material, and how much growth there is, and give you a firm price before we start.
Roof Cleaning Cost FAQs
How much does roof cleaning cost?
Nationally, most homeowners pay $295 to $597, with an average of $436 (HomeAdvisor). In Dallas-Fort Worth, most of our roof soft wash jobs cost $450 to $650.
How much does roof cleaning cost per square foot?
HomeAdvisor reports $0.20 to $0.60 per square foot, and This Old House reports $0.20 to $0.70. Our DFW soft wash price is $0.20 to $0.25 per square foot.
How much does it cost to soft wash a roof?
This Old House lists soft washing at $0.30 to $0.75 per square foot, with an average of $0.525. In DFW, most of our roof soft washes cost $450 to $650.
Is it cheaper to pressure wash a roof?
High-pressure washing is listed at $0.20 to $0.60 per square foot, but it is not safe for asphalt shingles because it removes the granules that protect them. We only soft wash shingle and tile roofs.
How much does roof moss removal cost?
This Old House reports $0.20 to $0.70 per square foot, with an average of $0.45. Moss removal is usually included in a standard roof cleaning, and a prevention treatment adds $150 to $250.
Does a two-story or steep roof cost more to clean?
Yes. HomeAdvisor reports roughly $0.10 more per square foot for a second or third story and $0.15 more for a steep roof.
How much does tile roof cleaning cost?
HomeAdvisor reports an average of about $425 for tile roofs, and This Old House lists $0.30 to $0.75 per square foot for soft washing clay or concrete tile.
Is roof algae treatment extra?
Not with us. Killing the algae that causes black streaks is the main purpose of a soft wash, so it is part of the price.
Can I save by cleaning my roof and gutters together?
Usually, yes. Booking both in one visit saves setup time, and our exterior packages discount two or more services.
Sources: HomeAdvisor, “How Much Does Roof Cleaning Cost?” (published January 10, 2022); This Old House, “Roof Cleaning Cost” (updated March 31, 2026); Stegmeier Pressure Washing published DFW prices, October 2026.
