Intake Forms for Pressure Washing Companies: Surface Assessment, Chemical Requirements, and Property Protection

By Daniel Akselrod · July 2026

A pressure washing company that shows up to a job without knowing the siding material, the type of stains present, or whether there are pets and children on the property is one bad decision away from stripping paint off a house, killing a flower bed, or etching a pattern into stamped concrete that costs more to fix than the entire job was worth. Pressure washing looks simple from the outside. It is not. The difference between a clean house and a damaged house is surface knowledge, chemical selection, and PSI control — and all three start at intake.

A proper pressure washing intake form captures the surface types, stain classifications, environmental considerations, access logistics, and scope documentation that turn an estimate into a safe, profitable job.

Service classification: soft wash vs. pressure wash

The most important classification on a pressure washing intake form is whether the job calls for pressure washing or soft washing — and most customers do not know the difference. They call everything “pressure washing” because that is the term they know. Your intake form needs to determine the correct method based on the surface, not the customer’s vocabulary.

Pressure washing uses high-pressure water — typically 2,500 to 4,000 PSI — to remove dirt, grime, oil, paint, and biological growth from hard surfaces. Concrete driveways, sidewalks, brick pavers, and stone patios can handle high pressure. Most other surfaces cannot.

Soft washing uses low-pressure water — typically under 500 PSI — combined with chemical solutions (sodium hypochlorite, surfactants, and sometimes specialized cleaning agents) to clean surfaces that would be damaged by high pressure. House siding, roofing, stucco, EIFS, wood decks, and painted surfaces all require soft washing. Pressure washing a vinyl-sided house at 3,000 PSI will drive water behind the siding, crack panels, and strip paint. Pressure washing an asphalt shingle roof will void the warranty and remove granules that protect the shingles from UV degradation.

Your intake form should classify the service by surface type and route it to the correct method automatically. When the customer says they want their house pressure washed, your form captures the siding type and determines that it is a soft wash job — protecting the customer’s property and your company’s reputation.

Service categories. Beyond the wash method, classify the specific service: house washing, driveway and concrete cleaning, deck and fence restoration, roof cleaning, gutter brightening, commercial fleet or equipment washing, or multi-surface packages. Each category has its own pricing, its own chemical requirements, and its own time estimate. A house wash takes two to three hours. A driveway takes one to two. A roof takes three to four and requires fall protection. Your intake form should capture the service type so the estimate, scheduling, and crew assignment all match the job.

Surface assessment

Surface material determines maximum PSI, chemical compatibility, and cleaning technique. Getting it wrong causes damage that your insurance company does not want to hear about. Your intake form should identify every surface that will be cleaned and classify it by material.

House siding. Vinyl, wood (cedar, pine, cypress), stucco, brick, EIFS (synthetic stucco, also called Dryvit), Hardie board (fiber cement), aluminum, stone veneer, and T1-11 (plywood siding) all have different maximum PSI thresholds. Vinyl can tolerate up to about 1,500 PSI with care, but most professionals use 500 PSI or less with a chemical solution. Wood siding varies by species and condition — old, weathered cedar can be damaged at pressures that new cedar handles fine. EIFS is particularly fragile — high pressure can puncture the synthetic coating and allow water into the substrate, causing mold and structural damage that costs thousands to repair.

Roof material. Asphalt shingles should never be pressure washed. Period. The granules that protect shingles from UV degradation come off under pressure, shortening the roof’s lifespan by years. Asphalt shingle roofs are soft washed only. Metal roofs can tolerate light pressure but are typically soft washed to avoid denting. Tile roofs (clay or concrete) can crack under direct high-pressure spray. Slate is fragile and expensive to replace. Your intake form should capture the roof material if roof cleaning is part of the scope, and your estimate should reflect the method that material requires.

Concrete and hardscape. Standard poured concrete can handle high pressure. Stamped concrete is more delicate — the pattern can be damaged, and the sealant can be stripped. Exposed aggregate requires care to avoid dislodging the surface stones. Pavers (brick, concrete, or natural stone) can be dislodged or chipped under excessive pressure, and the joint sand between pavers will be blown out and need replacement. Your intake should identify the hardscape type and whether it has been sealed.

Deck material. Pressure-treated pine, cedar, redwood, and other natural woods can generally be pressure washed at moderate settings (1,200 to 1,500 PSI), though the technique matters — holding the nozzle too close or using a zero-degree tip will gouge the wood grain. Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Azek) should not be pressure washed at high PSI. Most composite manufacturers recommend soft washing or very low-pressure rinsing only. Pressure washing composite decking can void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Stain and contamination identification

Not all dirt is the same. The type of stain determines the chemical needed to remove it, and using the wrong chemical can set the stain permanently or damage the surface. Your intake form should capture what the customer is seeing so you arrive with the right solution.

Algae, mold, and mildew. Green growth on siding, roofs, and concrete is the most common reason homeowners call a pressure washing company. Algae and mold respond well to sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solutions at appropriate concentrations. The key detail is color: green growth is usually algae or mold. Black streaks on roofing are Gloeocapsa magma, a cyanobacterium that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. Both respond to chemical treatment, but the concentration and dwell time differ.

Rust stains. Orange or brown staining on concrete, siding, or driveways is often caused by irrigation water with high iron content, corroding metal fixtures, or fertilizer runoff. Rust stains do not respond to bleach — they require oxalic acid or a commercial rust remover. If your intake form identifies rust staining in advance, your technician arrives with the right product instead of discovering that the bleach mix is not working after it is already applied.

Oil and grease. Driveways and garage floors with oil stains require a degreaser pre-treatment before pressure washing. Sodium hydroxide-based degreasers are effective on petroleum-based stains but must be neutralized before rinsing. Hot water pressure washing is more effective on oil than cold water. Your intake should capture the approximate size and severity of oil staining so you can price the job correctly and bring the right equipment.

Paint overspray, efflorescence, and oxidation. Paint overspray on concrete can sometimes be removed with pressure alone but may require a chemical stripper. Efflorescence — white mineral deposits on brick, concrete, or stone — is caused by water carrying salts to the surface and requires acid treatment. Gutter streaks (the black vertical lines on gutters) are caused by oxidation of the aluminum finish and require a specialized gutter brightener, not just pressure.

Chemical and environmental requirements

Pressure washing uses chemicals that can harm plants, animals, and water systems if not managed properly. Your intake form needs to capture the environmental conditions that affect chemical selection and runoff management.

Eco-friendly preference. Some customers specifically request biodegradable or plant-safe cleaning solutions. While sodium hypochlorite is effective, it kills plants on contact. Alternatives exist — hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners, plant-safe surfactants — but they may require longer dwell times or multiple applications. Capture the customer’s preference at intake so you can price accordingly.

Pets and children. Chemical dwell time is the period between application and rinsing during which the surface is coated with cleaning solution. If children or pets are likely to walk on treated surfaces, the technician needs to communicate dwell-time safety clearly and potentially adjust the service sequence to minimize exposure risk. Capture whether there are children under 12 or outdoor pets at the property.

Water source. Well water vs. municipal water matters for two reasons: well water may carry iron that causes staining when it dries on surfaces (defeating the purpose of the cleaning), and well pumps have flow-rate limitations that may not support the GPM requirements of professional pressure washing equipment. If the property is on well water, your technician may need to bring a water tank or adjust the equipment to a lower flow rate.

Landscaping and water features. Plants, garden beds, and lawns adjacent to the work area need to be pre-wetted and rinsed after chemical application to prevent damage. Ponds, koi ponds, streams, and swimming pools near the work area require additional precautions — sodium hypochlorite runoff into a koi pond will kill the fish. Your intake should capture the proximity of landscaping and water features so the technician plans the service sequence to protect them.

Property access and preparation

Pressure washing requires water access, electrical access, clear work areas, and sometimes vehicle access for trailer-mounted equipment. Your intake form should capture the logistics that affect crew time and job efficiency.

Water spigot location and condition. Your equipment needs a functional water spigot with adequate pressure and flow. A spigot on the opposite side of the house from the work area means running 200 feet of hose. A spigot with low flow may not feed a 4 GPM machine. Capture the spigot location and whether the customer has noticed any flow issues.

Vehicle and equipment access. Trailer-mounted hot water units, large buffer tanks, and surface cleaners need to be positioned near the work area. If the driveway is too narrow, the grade is too steep, or the HOA restricts commercial vehicle parking, your crew needs to know before they arrive.

Items to move. Patio furniture, grills, planters, potted plants, doormats, decorative items, and children’s toys in the work area need to be moved before the job starts. Some companies include this in the service; others ask the homeowner to clear the area. Your intake should establish who is responsible for clearing and whether the customer needs advance notice to prepare.

Window and door condition. Loose caulking, worn weather stripping, and cracked window seals can allow water intrusion during pressure washing. A house wash that floods a basement window because the seal was compromised is a liability issue. Your intake should ask about the general condition of windows and doors and note any that are known to leak.

Outdoor electronics. Security cameras, speakers, motion sensors, landscape lighting, and electrical outlets in the work area need to be protected or avoided. Capture the locations of outdoor electronics so the technician can plan around them.

Scope, pricing, and documentation

Pressure washing disputes almost always come down to scope: the customer thought the price included the back patio, but the estimate only covered the driveway. Your intake form should document the scope precisely so the estimate matches the work.

Measured area. Square footage for flat surfaces (driveways, patios, pool decks) and linear footage for vertical surfaces (house washing by linear foot of siding, fence washing by linear foot of fence). Measurements drive pricing and time estimates. A 1,000-square-foot driveway is a one-hour job. A 3,000-square-foot driveway is a three-hour job. Your intake should capture the dimensions or note that a site visit is required for measurement.

Add-on services. Gutter brightening (cleaning the exterior face of gutters), window frame cleaning, outdoor furniture washing, concrete sealing after cleaning, and parking lot striping after cleaning are all common add-ons. Capture the customer’s interest in add-ons at intake so the estimate is complete.

Before-and-after photo documentation. This is not optional — it is essential. Before photos protect against claims of pre-existing damage. After photos serve as marketing material and proof of work quality. Your intake should note the property’s current condition and any pre-existing damage (cracked concrete, chipped paint, loose siding, existing staining that may not be removable) so these are documented before your equipment touches the property.

If you service multiple exterior trades, the Trade Services Bundle includes pressure washing alongside 51 other trade-specific intake sets. For more on building documentation across a home services business, see our guide on paperwork every contractor needs.