How Much Does Roof Cleaning Cost? [2024]

How much does roof cleaning cost? The answer depends on several factors. A simple, small roof cleaning job will cost less than a larger and more complex one. The steepness of your roof will also play a role as it will determine if your hired tradies need any special safety equipment for the job. 

Here's everything you need to know about the cost of roof cleaning and other services offered by roof repairers, including:

• What affects roof cleaning costs?
• How much does it cost to have your roof cleaned?
• Roof cleaning methods
• Other roof services
• How often should I clean my roof and gutters?
• Getting quotes from roof cleaners

What affects roof cleaning costs?

Roof cleaners take several things into account when giving you a quote for roof cleaning costs. This includes the:

• Roof material
• Roof size
• Roof condition
• Your location

How much does it cost to have your roof cleaned?

No two houses will have the same combination of these, which means every job will cost a different amount. Breaking these factors down can give you an idea of what costs to expect:

Roof material

Some roofs are more expensive to clean than others. Metal and concrete roofs are cheaper to clean than terracotta tiles, which require more time and care. For a low-set average-sized home, expect to pay:

• Concrete tiled or steel roof: $600–$800
• Terracotta tiled roof: $700–900
• High-set home or steep-pitched roof: Per material above plus an additional $100–$200
• Access required by a cherry picker: Per material above plus an additional $400–$500

Roof size

The size and shape of the roof also play a big part in determining the roof cleaning cost. A simple single-storey roof that doesn't slope too much will cost less to clean than a complex roof with steep angles. If a roof has multiple slopes, it will take longer and therefore cost more to clean.

On average, you can expect to pay between $300–$550 for just a small roof cleaning. However, that cost will rise according to the square footage of your roof, so you’ll need to get a few different quotes from various roof cleaning services.

Roof condition

If your roof is already fairly clean, roof cleaning will cost less. If it has moss or algae growing on it, it will take more time to clean, and ground-in dirt will take even longer. If repairs are needed, expect to pay between $1,200 and $1,500 depending on the extent of the repairs.

Where in Australia you are

Roof cleaning costs vary by state. The least expensive location is Western Australia, while roof cleaning in Sydney and other parts of New South Wales is much more expensive. Here are some approximate starting costs:

• NSW: Starting from $80 per hour
• VIC: Starting from $50 per hour
• QLD: Starting from $50 per hour
• WA: Starting from $38 per hour

Roof cleaning methods

There are two ways to clean a roof, which have different costs. One method uses chemical or natural products to give a roof a 'soft' wash. The other method is high-pressure cleaning.

• Soft wash: A soft wash is recommended for most roofs, because high-pressure cleaning can cause leaks if it's not done by a professional, potentially leading to damage to your roof. A soft wash starts at around $350 per small roof, with the price rising according to the size of your roof.
• High-pressure wash: Professionals know just how much pressure any type of roof can take and know how to use high-pressure washers to avoid damaging the roof. Pressure washing costs approximately $400 for small roofs measuring between 100 and 150 square metres – larger roofs will inevitably cost more.

Benefits of roof cleaning

Having your roof cleaned is a process that can save you money down the line. There are two main benefits to having your roof regularly cleaned: 

• Stops mould growth: Mould and bacteria can get into the wood of your house and cause leaks or structural damage due to rot. They are the number one cause of these issues in roofing, which is why regular cleaning can keep bacteria at bay and save the wood supports.  
• Prolongs the life of your roof: Taking care of your roof will make the materials last longer before natural damage occurs. Longer-lasting roofing saves potentially thousands of dollars in repairs or replacements. 

Other roof services

Most roof cleaners are full-service roofing professionals who can offer you much more than just a clean roof. Having a roof cleaner take care of these jobs will usually be cheaper than having each of them done by a different service, as you'll avoid paying for separate travel and set-up costs.

These other services each have separate costs and can include:

• Removing algae or moss: If you have algae or moss growing on your roof, you should have it cleaned. Removing algae and moss costs an additional fee and will depend on your roof's size and the techniques used.
• Cleaning gutters: Many roof cleaning services also include gutter cleaning. Gutter cleaning starts at around $250–$350 for a small, single-storey home, rising up to $600 or more for a large two-storey house.
• Rinsing plants: A good roof cleaning service will also rinse the plants under the roof after they've finished the job. Algae and dirt tend to spill over gutters and onto plants, so it can often be included in the fee.

Roof repairs

Roof cleaners also keep a lookout for parts of the roof that may need repairing and can give you quotes. Some of these may include:

• Roof tile repairs or replacement

• Repointing and cementing
• Replacement or repairs of valleys
• Gutter replacement
• Ridge cap repair

Roof resealing

Old tile roofs should be resealed after several years to protect them from water damage. For full restoration of a tiled roof, it can cost anywhere from $4,000 right up to $11,000 or more for larger jobs.

Roof replacement

If necessary, roofing services can even replace a badly damaged roof. If you need your roof replaced and decide to go with a sturdy material like Colorbond, you can expect to pay the following (for an average three-bedroom house):

• Replace metal roofing: $6,000–$10,000 

• Replace asbestos roofing: $15,000–$20,000 to replace an asbestos roof with Colorbond
• Replace tiled roofing: $20,000+

Read more: How much does it cost to replace a tile roof?

How often should I clean my roof and gutters?

How often a roof should be cleaned can depend on the location of your property. In general, a roof should be cleaned every two or three years, but you will know when your roof looks dirty or has moss or algae growing on it.

Roof cleaning isn’t a DIY job. Even a gently sloping roof will become slippery when water is applied. This is doubly true for heavily soiled roofs or those with algae or moss growing on them. Professional roof cleaners know how to clean roofs safely and will take all necessary safety precautions.

Guttering should be cleaned at least once a year before the winter rains set in. Even small amounts of debris can dam the guttering when the rains come.

Read more: How much does gutter cleaning cost?

Getting quotes from roof cleaners

Compare quotes from at least three roofers or roof cleaners near you and check for testimonials from previous customers so you can be confident that they'll do the job right.

If you think your roof might need repairs as well as cleaning, contact a roof repair service that also does roof cleaning. Many roof repairers include cleaning in their service, so it shouldn't be hard to find a full-service roofing professional in your area.
 

Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.