Roof cleaning cost per square foot
| Roof material and method | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle or tile (soft wash) | $0.20–$0.75 | A low-pressure wash with cleaning solution, used on most shingle and tile roofs |
| Metal (high-pressure wash) | $0.20–$0.70 | Metal can take a higher-pressure wash |
| Wood shake or slate (low-pressure wash) | $0.30–$0.70 | Delicate surfaces get a gentler wash |
| Rubber or tar and gravel (chemical wash) | $0.20–$0.30 | Chemical wash for flat and rolled roofing |
HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr and This Old House agree on the shape of the prices but not the details. HomeGuide puts the national average at $440, Angi at $600 and Fixr at $612, and Forbes Home puts it at $765 for a 1,700 sq ft roof. Angi puts chemical or eco-friendly cleaning at $0.35 to $0.70 per square foot, above the $0.20 to $0.30 that Fixr and This Old House give for a chemical wash. HomeGuide sets a minimum charge of $150.
Cost by roof size
| Roof area | Asphalt shingle or tile | Metal | Wood or slate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $200–$750 | $200–$700 | $300–$700 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $300–$1,130 | $300–$1,050 | $450–$1,050 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $400–$1,500 | $400–$1,400 | $600–$1,400 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $500–$1,880 | $500–$1,750 | $750–$1,750 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $600–$2,250 | $600–$2,100 | $900–$2,100 |
These are square feet of roof surface, not of the floor plan. A roof is larger than the footprint of the house under it, so measure the roof or ask the cleaner for the figure they are quoting from.
What changes the price
- Roof material. Each material gets a different method, and wood and slate cost the most per square foot.
- Roof area. The total is the per-square-foot price times the area of the roof.
- Height and pitch. A second story or a steep roof adds a per-square-foot charge.
- Moss and algae. Heavy moss costs more, though most basic cleanings include it.
- Prevention. Zinc strips and moss treatments are separate charges.
- Minimum charge. Very small roofs pay a minimum.
- Where you live. The calculator adjusts the labor share for your state's roofer wages.
Extras to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Second or third story | $0.10–$0.20 per sq ft | A roof that is harder to reach |
| Steep roof or many gables | $0.15–$0.20 per sq ft | Slower, harder work |
| Moss removal, billed separately | $0.20–$0.75 per sq ft | Heavy moss, if not already in the wash |
| Zinc strips or zinc oxide | $0.05–$0.15 per sq ft | To slow regrowth |
| Moss prevention treatment | $100–$250 | After the cleaning |
If the roof is worn out rather than dirty, see roof repair cost or roof replacement cost. The gutters usually get done at the same visit: see gutter cleaning cost. Overhanging branches feed moss, and tree removal cost covers cutting them back. For the walls below, see siding replacement cost.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Which method will you use on my roof material, and why?
- Is moss removal included, or is it a separate charge?
- Is the price per square foot of roof or a flat price, and what area are you quoting from?
- Is there a minimum charge, and is the second story or a steep pitch extra?
- What happens to the plants and gutters below, and who is responsible for any damage?
Methodology and sources
We price each roof material from published guides, take the middle of their lows, midpoints and highs, and adjust the labor share for your state's wages. Forbes Home is used as an independent cross-check. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeGuide: roof cleaning cost — price by method, moss, prevention, minimum charge
- Angi: roof cleaning cost — price by material, size and method, labor rate
- Fixr: roof cleaning cost — price by method, moss and zinc treatment
- This Old House: roof cleaning cost — price by method and material, add-ons
- Forbes Home: roof cleaning cost — used as an independent cross-check
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2181, Roofers) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide |
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| Angi |
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| Fixr |
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| This Old House |
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Common questions about roof cleaning costs
How much does roof cleaning cost?
A typical job (1,800 sq ft, asphalt shingle) comes to about $720 nationally, within a range of $360 to $1,350. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
What is the roof cleaning cost per square foot?
About $0.20–$0.75 per sq ft for asphalt shingle or tile with a soft wash, $0.20–$0.70 for metal, $0.30–$0.70 for wood or slate and $0.20–$0.30 for rubber or tar and gravel.
How much does it cost to clean a 2,000 sq ft roof?
About $400–$1,500 for an asphalt shingle roof, $400–$1,400 for metal and $600–$1,400 for wood or slate.
How much does it cost to clean a two-story roof?
A second or third story adds about $0.10–$0.20 per sq ft. For a 2,000 sq ft shingle roof that brings the total to $600–$1,900.
How much does moss removal from a roof cost?
Moss removal is usually included in a soft or chemical wash. Priced separately it runs about $0.20–$0.75 per sq ft, and a moss prevention treatment about $100–$250.
How much do zinc strips cost?
Zinc treatment costs about $0.05–$0.15 per sq ft, according to This Old House and Fixr. HomeGuide prices zinc strips at $30 to $60 per 50-foot roll.
Is there a minimum charge for roof cleaning?
HomeGuide puts the minimum at $150, so a very small roof costs more per square foot than the table shows.
How much does the average roof cleaning cost?
HomeGuide puts the national average at $440, Angi at $600 and Fixr at $612. Forbes Home puts it at $765 for a 1,700 sq ft roof.
How much of the cost is labor?
Angi puts labor at $40 to $90 per hour. The cleaning solution is a small part of the visit, which is why the calculator treats about 75% of the price as labor.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 4 published cost pages from 4 publishers, last checked Oct 9, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 4 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.