How much to charge for roof cleaning
Updated 26 September 2026
Roof cleaners usually price by the square foot of roof, then add for extra storeys and for thick moss or algae. A minimum charge covers small roofs, where getting the ladders and safety gear set up is most of the job.
Example roof cleaning prices
| Job | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-storey roof, 1,500 sq ft, light staining | $470 – $600 | £410 – £520 | A$680 – A$860 | CA$610 – CA$780 |
| Single-storey roof, 2,000 sq ft, heavy moss | $910 – $1,170 | £780 – £1,000 | A$1,310 – A$1,670 | CA$1,170 – CA$1,500 |
| Two-storey roof, 2,500 sq ft, moderate algae | $1,180 – $1,510 | £1,010 – £1,290 | A$1,690 – A$2,160 | CA$1,520 – CA$1,940 |
Priced with the starting rates in our roof cleaning template, in each country's currency. They're a starting point, not a survey of local rates, so set your own from what your jobs take and what others charge near you.
How roof cleaning companies set their prices
Per square foot
One rate per square foot of roof, with percentages added for height, pitch and growth. Big roofs pay more without you writing a new price for each one.
Set prices by roof
Flat prices for common roofs, like a single-storey tile roof or a two-storey shingle roof. Customers like a fixed number, but give each price a size limit and quote bigger roofs per foot.
Clean plus treatment
The clean sold together with a follow-up treatment that slows moss and algae coming back, as a package or a yearly visit. It turns a one-off job into repeat work.
Sample roof cleaning price list
The prices in our template, as a list you can adapt. Percentages change the price of the job; fixed-price extras are added on top.
| Item | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof size, per sq ft | $0.35 | £0.30 | A$0.50 | CA$0.45 |
| Storeys: Two storeys | +25% | +25% | +25% | +25% |
| Storeys: Three storeys | +50% | +50% | +50% | +50% |
| Moss / algae: Moderate growth | +20% | +20% | +20% | +20% |
| Moss / algae: Heavy moss | +45% | +45% | +45% | +45% |
| Minimum job price | $300 | £240 | A$450 | CA$410 |
Put this price list on your website
Customers answer a few questions about the job, see the price and send you their details. This is our roof cleaning quote form with the prices above. Try it as a customer would, then start from these prices and change any of them.
Rooftop Revival
Roof cleaning estimate
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Measuring the floor, not the roof. Eaves and pitch make a roof bigger than the house under it, so a quote from the floor area comes in low. Measure the roof itself.
- Charging heavy moss like light staining. Thick moss needs more solution, longer dwell time and often scraping by hand. Our template adds 20% for moderate growth and 45% for heavy moss.
- Ignoring height. Second and third storeys mean more ladder work and slower going near the edges. The template adds 25% for a second storey and 50% for a third.
- Leaving out the garden and gutters. Wetting plants, rinsing paths and clearing gutters after the wash all take time, and your local rules may cover where runoff can go. Build it into your rate or list it as an extra.
- Skipping the minimum. The roof cleaning template won't quote under $300 in the US, so small roofs still pay for the setup.
Not sure what your time is worth? Work out your hourly rate with the pricing calculator, then check your job prices cover it.
Questions
- Should I charge more for steep roofs?
- Yes. A steep pitch slows you down and needs more safety setup. Add a percentage for steep roofs the same way you add one for storeys.
- Should tile, shingle and metal roofs cost the same?
- Not always. Tiles can crack underfoot, so you move more slowly on them, and some surfaces need a gentler method. Set a rate for your most common roof and add a percentage for the slow ones.
- Should I sell a follow-up treatment?
- It's worth offering. A treatment that slows regrowth gives you a reason to come back, and the roof stays clean for longer. Price it as its own line so customers know what they're paying for.
- Can I quote a roof clean without climbing up?
- Yes, as a first price. Measure the roof from aerial images, have the customer send a photo of the worst side, and give a range. The roof template shows 10% under to 15% over, and the final price waits until you're up there.
- How do I show roof cleaning prices on my website?
- A quote form can hold your per-foot rate and each surcharge. Customers enter their roof size and storeys, pick how much moss there is, and get a range before they send their address.