Roof cleaning costs $250 to $700 on average, or $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot depending on the method.123 Soft washing — the safest method for shingles and tile — runs $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot.23 Most homeowners pay $440 to $612 for a typical 1,500-square-foot roof.23 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on roof size, pitch, stories, material, and how much moss or algae has built up.
$440 – $612
average job, HomeGuide & Fixr
$0.15 – $0.75
per sq. ft. by method
$150 – $1,000
full range, Angi
up to 90%
labor share, Angi
Quick math: the same 1,500 sq. ft. soft wash prices at $225 to $900 (HomeGuide, $0.15–$0.60/sf), $450 to $1,125 (Fixr, $0.30–$0.75/sf), and $560 to $900 (Angi), our arithmetic from each band.123 The overlap — roughly $560 to $900 — is where most quotes should land. A bid far below it usually skips the chemical treatment that actually kills the moss.
Cost by cleaning method
| Method | Per sq. ft. (HomeGuide / Fixr) | Typical total (Angi) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof blow (debris only) | $0.05 – $0.10 | — | Leaves and light debris |
| Chemical wash | $0.20 – $0.30 | $450 – $840 | Moss and algae on rubber, tar and gravel |
| Pressure / power wash | $0.20 – $0.70 | $350 – $700 | Metal roofs only |
| Low-pressure wash | $0.30 – $0.70 | $600 – $1,100 | Wood, slate |
| Soft wash | $0.15 – $0.60 (HG) / $0.30 – $0.75 (Fixr) | $560 – $900 | Asphalt shingles, tile, most roofs |
| Moss removal | $0.20 – $0.75 (HG) | — | Established moss growth |
Soft washing is the safest and most common method for asphalt shingles: a diluted chemical solution at low pressure kills moss, lichen, and algae at the root.23 Contractors strongly recommend against high-pressure washing shingles — it strips the protective granules and shortens the roof’s life.2
Cost by roof size
| Roof size | Angi | Fixr ($0.10–$0.60/sf) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $200 – $600 | $100 – $600 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $300 – $900 | $150 – $900 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $400 – $1,200 | $200 – $1,200 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $600 – $1,800 | — |
Both tables match their per-foot bands exactly — 1,500 sq. ft. × $0.20 to $0.60 = $300 to $900 (Angi), our arithmetic.13 Fixr’s $612 average is a pressure wash of a 1,500 sq. ft. roof: $0.41 per foot, our arithmetic, mid-band.3
Surcharges and add-ons
| Add-on | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Steep roof | +$0.15 – $0.20 per sq. ft. | HomeGuide |
| Additional story / multi-level | +$0.10 – $0.20 per sq. ft. | HomeGuide |
| Moss prevention treatment | $100 – $250 | HomeGuide |
| Zinc oxide application | $0.05 – $0.15 per sq. ft. | Fixr |
| Zinc strips (materials) | $30 – $60 per 50-ft roll | HomeGuide |
| Gutter cleaning (same visit) | $110 – $240 | HomeGuide, Angi |
Labor is the whole job: up to 90% of the total, at $35 to $80 per worker per hour (Angi).1 That is why steep pitches and extra stories move the price — they slow the crew down and add safety rigging.2
Worked examples
Example 1 — 1,500 sq. ft. asphalt shingle roof, soft wash. HomeGuide: $0.15 to $0.60 per foot = $225 to $900, our arithmetic.2 Angi’s soft-wash band of $560 to $9001 overlaps the top half — expect a quote in the $500 to $900 range with chemicals included.
Example 2 — same roof, steep pitch and two stories. Add HomeGuide’s surcharges: +$0.15 to $0.20 (steep) and +$0.10 to $0.20 (multi-level) = +$0.25 to $0.40 per foot, or $375 to $600 more on 1,500 sq. ft., our arithmetic.2 A $600 job becomes a $1,000 job — get the pitch and story surcharges itemized.
Example 3 — moss prevention after cleaning. Zinc oxide at $0.05 to $0.15 per foot on 1,500 sq. ft. = $75 to $225, our arithmetic (Fixr)3 — or a $100 to $250 prevention treatment (HomeGuide).2 Skipping it means the moss is back before the next cleaning cycle.
FAQ
Is pressure washing safe for shingles? No — contractors warn it strips protective granules and can void warranties. Soft washing is the recommended method for asphalt shingles and tile (HomeGuide).2
How often should a roof be cleaned? Every 1 to 3 years in most climates, more often under heavy tree cover or in humid regions where moss spreads fast, our rule of thumb.
Can I clean my own roof? Angi’s answer is no: labor is 90% of the price because the work is dangerous, and the safety risk is exactly what you are paying to avoid.1
Why did one quote come in far below the others? It probably skips the chemical treatment. A rinse-only job looks clean for a month, but the moss roots survive and regrow (Fixr).3
Does cleaning really extend roof life? Yes — moss works under shingles and tiles, lifting them and causing leaks. Removing it early is far cheaper than the $150 to $3,000 repair bills HomeGuide lists for the damage it causes.2
DIY shopping: zinc roof strips near the ridge leach moss-killing zinc with every rain — $30 to $60 per 50-foot roll (plain link, no affiliate relationship).
Sources
- Angi, How Much Does Roof Cleaning Cost? (2026 data).
- HomeGuide, How Much Does Roof Cleaning Cost? (2026).
- Fixr, How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Roof? (2026 data).
Related guides
Roof Repair Cost
Roof Replacement Cost
Gutter Cleaning Cost
Pressure Washing Cost
All cost guides