Not every extra earns its place on a soft washing quote. Here is a three-question test for any add-on, a verdict on trim, decks and fencing, and a list of the extras that are really separate jobs so you know what to ask for and what to skip.
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A three-question test for any add-on
- Is it the same method on the same visit? Extras that use the same cleaner, the same setup and the same rinse are the most efficient to add, because the crew is already there.
- Will skipping it make the clean part look wrong? A bright wall beside a green fence or dark soffits looks worse than a uniformly tired house.
- Does it need something a wash cannot provide? If the real fix is sanding, staining, sealing or repair, cleaning alone will disappoint you.
If the answer to the first two is yes and the third is no, the add-on is usually worth pricing. Soffits pass all three. A grey, weathered deck passes the first two and fails the third, because the boards need restoring, not just cleaning.
Trim, fascia and soffits: usually yes
The parts of a house nearest the roof are often the first to collect dark mildew. Soffits and fascia sit under the eaves, where rain does not rinse them, and they catch dust and damp air. Window trim and door frames hold water at the corners.
If they are part of the wall wash, the crew can treat them with the same mix and rinse. If they are left out, clean siding under dirty trim looks like a half-finished job. One catch: painted wood trim with flaking paint needs a gentler approach and an honest conversation about what a wash can and cannot do. Garage doors and entry doors are quick additions using the same method, though painted steel or wood doors deserve a look at the finish first. Read our note on discoloured fascia boards before deciding.
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Decks: yes for mildew, no for restoration
Wood decks grow mildew in shaded spots, under planters and along boards where leaves collect. A low-pressure wash with a suitable cleaner is a fair way to lift that growth without tearing the grain.
It will not restore weathered wood, though. Grey, sun-bleached boards, worn stain and splintering are wood problems, not dirt. Those call for sanding, brightening, staining or sealing, which are separate jobs. Ask whether your quote covers cleaning only.
Do one quick check before you add a deck. Press a screwdriver tip into a shaded board. If it sinks in, that is rot, not mildew, and repair has to come before any cleaning.
Composite decking is different again. Check the maker's care guidance first, since some brands limit the products and pressure you can use.
Fencing: it depends on material and length
- Vinyl fences behave like vinyl siding and are a natural add-on, usually priced by length and height.
- Painted or stained wood fences need care with the mix and the rinse, and a soft wash will not bring grey wood back to its original colour.
- Long fences add real time. Ask for the fence as a separate line so you can decide whether to include it.
- Shared fences have a neighbour on the other side. Tell them, and mention it when you book.
Extras that are really separate jobs
| Extra | How it fits |
|---|---|
| Windows | A different service, from $125 for typical homes. Doing the glass after a wall wash avoids rinse-water spotting. See window cleaning. |
| Eavestroughs | Gutter cleaning starts from $125. Clean troughs stop overflow from streaking a fresh wall. |
| Roof | Roof cleaning is its own service with no published starting price, quoted after assessment. |
| Driveway, patio and walkways | Hard surfaces usually need pressure washing, which starts from $350. |
Because each of these uses different tools or access, bundling mostly saves travel and set-up time. Ask whether the quote reflects that, and keep the scope of each service clear on paper.
How to ask for add-ons on the quote
Before you ask, gather a few rough measurements: the length of any fence, the size of the deck, the number of windows and the number of storeys. Then list every extra you are considering, and ask for each as its own line on the written quote so you can keep or drop it. D&D quotes are free and confirmed in writing before work begins, and the walls-only price for soft washing starts from $350.
Key Takeaways
- Add-ons are worth pricing when they share the method and the visit, would make the clean areas look wrong if skipped, and need no repair first.
- Trim, fascia and soffits are usually the easiest and most sensible extras, because they collect mildew and share the wall wash.
- A soft wash lifts mildew from a deck or fence but will not restore weathered wood, which needs sanding, staining or sealing.
- Windows, eavestroughs, roofs and driveways are separate services, so ask for each extra as its own line on the quote.
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