One of the most common questions we receive from Kitchener-Waterloo homeowners is simple: "How much does it cost?" The honest answer is that exterior cleaning prices vary quite a bit depending on your home, but this guide will give you a clear picture of what to expect — service by service — for 2026.
Factors That Affect Exterior Cleaning Prices
Before diving into specific numbers, it's worth understanding what drives pricing for exterior cleaning in the Waterloo Region market. Contractors take several key factors into account when building your quote.
Home size and layout are the biggest drivers. A 1,500 sq ft bungalow and a 3,000 sq ft two-storey home are fundamentally different jobs. More square footage means more windows, more gutters, more siding — and more time.
Accessibility matters enormously. A home with generous clearance around the perimeter is straightforward to work on. A home with dense landscaping, a steep slope, or an attached garage that limits ladder placement takes longer and may require specialized equipment.
How long since the last cleaning affects every service. Gutters that haven't been touched in four years will have compacted, decomposed debris that takes far longer to remove than gutters cleaned annually. Windows with years of hard water mineral deposits require treatment beyond a standard wash.
Number of storeys is particularly significant for safety and time. Single-storey work is relatively efficient. Two-storey adds complexity, and anything involving a third storey or roofline work typically carries a premium because of the additional safety equipment and setup time required.
Pro Tip: Many companies in the KW market will offer better pricing if you book multiple services at once. A window cleaning + gutter cleaning combo almost always saves more than booking each service separately.
Window Cleaning Pricing in Kitchener-Waterloo
Window cleaning is typically priced per window pane or as a flat rate for the home based on window count and accessibility. In the Kitchener-Waterloo market in 2026, you can expect the following ranges for professional window cleaning:
| Home Type | Exterior Only | Interior + Exterior | With Screens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small home / condo (up to 15 windows) | $120–$180 | $200–$280 | Add $30–$50 |
| Average home (16–25 windows) | $180–$280 | $280–$420 | Add $50–$80 |
| Large home (26–40 windows) | $280–$400 | $400–$600 | Add $80–$120 |
| Two-storey premium | +15–25% | +15–25% | — |
Per-window pricing in the KW market typically runs $8–$15 per exterior pane and $12–$20 per pane for interior + exterior combined. Hard water stain treatment (very common in Waterloo Region due to the local water supply) adds $50–$150 depending on severity.
"Hard water staining is one of the most common issues we see on Waterloo Region windows. Our water supply is high in calcium and magnesium, and those minerals etch into glass over time. The sooner you address it, the easier and less expensive the treatment."
— David, D&D Home Services Co-Founder
Gutter Cleaning Pricing
Gutter and eavestrough cleaning is typically quoted based on linear feet of gutter, the number of downspouts, and the storey height of the home. In Kitchener-Waterloo, professional gutter cleaning rates for 2026 are:
| Home Type | Typical Price Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Single-storey (avg. 100–150 linear ft) | $100–$180 | Debris removal, downspout flush, basic inspection |
| Two-storey (avg. 150–200 linear ft) | $150–$280 | Debris removal, downspout flush, basic inspection |
| Large two-storey / complex roofline | $250–$400 | Debris removal, downspout flush, inspection report |
| Severely neglected gutters (4+ years) | Add $50–$150 | Extra time for compacted debris |
Most reputable companies include downspout flushing in their gutter cleaning price — this is non-negotiable for a proper job, since clogged downspouts are often the root cause of overflow problems. Always confirm this is included before accepting a quote.
Pro Tip: The best time to book gutter cleaning in Ontario is mid-to-late November — after the last leaves have fallen but before the ground freezes. Companies book up fast at this time, so call by early October to secure your spot.
Pressure Washing Pricing
Pressure washing prices depend heavily on the surface type and size. In Kitchener-Waterloo, pressure washing services are typically priced as follows in 2026:
| Surface | Typical Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard driveway (2-car, ~500 sq ft) | $150–$250 | Single pass, edge detail |
| Large driveway (3-car, 700+ sq ft) | $200–$350 | Hot water for oil stains adds cost |
| Walkways and front steps | $75–$150 | Often bundled with driveway |
| Deck (up to 400 sq ft) | $150–$300 | Wood decks need lower PSI setting |
| Patio / interlock (up to 500 sq ft) | $150–$300 | Sand re-application may be extra |
| Fence (per 100 linear ft) | $80–$150 | Wood vs vinyl affects approach |
Note that oil stains on driveways almost always require hot-water pressure washing plus a degreaser pre-treatment, which will add to the base cost. If your driveway has significant oil staining, mention this when requesting a quote so you receive an accurate price.
Soft Washing Pricing
Soft washing — which uses low-pressure water combined with biodegradable cleaning solutions — is the preferred method for house siding, brick, stucco, and other surfaces that could be damaged by high-pressure water. It is also far superior at killing the algae, mold, and mildew that cause staining, rather than just blasting it off temporarily.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, soft washing a full home exterior runs $400–$800 for most residential properties. Smaller townhomes and semis may come in at $250–$400, while large custom homes with complex elevations can exceed $900. The wide range reflects home size, siding type, and the severity of biological growth (algae, mold, lichen).
Soft washing treatments typically last 2–4 years, as the cleaning solutions kill organic growth at the root rather than just washing it off the surface. This makes it more cost-effective over time than annual pressure washing of siding.
Pro Tip: Never let anyone use a high-pressure wand on vinyl or painted siding. High pressure can crack vinyl, strip paint, and force water behind cladding — leading to mold and rot inside your walls. Soft washing is always the right method for siding.
Bundled Service Savings
One of the most effective ways to reduce your per-service cost in the KW market is to bundle services. When a crew is already mobilized at your property, the overhead per service drops significantly. Most reputable exterior cleaning companies — including D&D Home Services — offer meaningful bundle discounts.
| Bundle | Individual Cost | Bundle Price (Approx.) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window Cleaning + Gutter Cleaning | $400–$530 | $350–$465 | 10–12% |
| Gutter Cleaning + Pressure Washing | $350–$530 | $300–$465 | 10–15% |
| Full Exterior Package (Windows + Gutters + Soft Wash) | $750–$1,200 | $625–$1,000 | 12–18% |
| Spring Refresh (Windows + Pressure Wash Driveway) | $350–$530 | $310–$470 | 10–12% |
Beyond the financial savings, bundling means a single booking, a single day of access, and a consistent quality standard across all services. It's genuinely more convenient, and most homeowners find that a full-day exterior clean 1–2 times a year is the most efficient approach.
Getting an Accurate Quote — and What to Watch Out For
The only way to get a truly accurate price for exterior cleaning is to get a written quote from a reputable local company. Online calculators and rough phone estimates are useful for ballparking, but the actual scope of the job — your home's specific size, layout, access conditions, and current state — determines the real price.
Here is what to look for in a legitimate quote:
- Written and itemized: Every service should be listed separately with its own price. Vague lump-sum quotes make it impossible to compare fairly and leave room for scope creep.
- Clear inclusions: Does window cleaning include screens? Does gutter cleaning include downspout flushing? These details matter.
- No pressure tactics: A reputable company will give you a quote and let you decide. "Today only" pricing or high-pressure urgency are red flags.
- Insurance confirmed: Any company working at height on your property should carry $2M liability insurance and WSIB coverage. Always ask before signing.
Be cautious of unusually low bids. If a quote comes in 40–50% below others you've received, that's a signal worth investigating. Under-pricing often means corners are being cut: no insurance, inexperienced crew, cheap equipment that won't deliver results, or a plan to add unexpected charges once the job is underway. The cost of a claim against your home insurance — or of correcting shoddy work — will far exceed whatever you saved on the quote.
D&D Home Services provides free, no-obligation written quotes for all services in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph. We walk through your property, explain exactly what's included, and give you a written price with no surprises on the day. Contact us today to book your free assessment.
Key Takeaways for KW Homeowners
- ✓ Window Cleaning: Expect $150–$350 for most homes (exterior only); interior + exterior typically adds 50%
- ✓ Gutter Cleaning: $100–$250 for single-storey, $150–$350 for two-storey homes
- ✓ Pressure Washing: $150–$300 for a typical driveway; full property packages $400–$800
- ✓ Soft Washing: $400–$800 for a full home exterior; lasts 2–4 years
- ✓ Bundle discounts of 10–18% are common when booking multiple services together
- ✓ Always get a written quote — and be wary of bids that seem too good to be true
