Exterior Painting · Property Services

Pressure Wash & Paint Prep

The most important part of an exterior paint job happens before the first drop of color. Washing, scraping, sanding, caulking and priming decide whether new paint lasts ten years or peels in two. This package covers only the preparation, so you can hire the painter of your choice or hand the surfaces to the same person afterward. NorTech connects you with vetted independent providers who set their own price for the prep.

Pricing set by local pros
60-day warranty
Before & after photos
Background checked
Book Pressure Wash & Paint Prep
Tell us about the job
Up-front — no surprises
Your pro backs the work for at least 60 days
Background-checked pros
Before & after photos

Need more hands? Pick a company that sends crews and choose how many technicians. Want a second pro for a different job? Add one right after you book.

Book several services with one pro. Pros set their own bundle discounts.
Compare Bids
Bigger or unusual job? Local pros bid on it and you pick who does the work.
See pros near you

What proper prep includes

Prep is a sequence, not a single step. It starts with washing off dirt, chalk and mildew so the paint can grip. Then loose paint is scraped back to a sound edge, rough areas are sanded and holes and cracks are filled. Gaps around windows, trim and corners are caulked, and bare wood is spot primed. Each step prevents a different failure: peeling, cracking, water intrusion or stains bleeding through. Skipping any one of them shortens the life of the finish. Ask the provider to point out which areas needed the most work, so you know what a painter will find when they arrive and what to watch for later.

Why a separate prep package can make sense

Some homeowners prefer to separate the prep from the paint, for example when the painter they want is booked months out, or when they want to inspect the surfaces before committing to a color. A prep-only visit leaves the exterior clean and primed, which is a good moment to find soft wood, failed flashing or rotten trim that a painter would otherwise cover up. It also protects against painting over damp surfaces after rain. Letting the surface dry completely before painting is not optional, and a careful provider will check the moisture level of the wood before signing off.

Lead-safe work on older homes

If your house was built before 1978, scraping and sanding old paint can release lead dust. Providers who work on these homes should follow lead-safe practices, such as containing debris, avoiding dry sanding and cleaning up with a HEPA vacuum. Ask whether the person you book holds the certification, and tell them the year the house was built so they can plan accordingly. If your house has older windows with wavy glass or putty, mention it, because those details often need extra care that a standard prep package does not cover.

When to book pressure wash & paint prep

You are planning a repaint and want the surfaces prepared by a separate provider.
The paint is chalky or dirty and needs washing before any new coat.
Peeling and flaking paint has to be scraped back before painting.
Gaps around windows and trim are letting in air and water.
You want to inspect the wood and surfaces before choosing a color.
The painter you want is booked, but the house needs to be ready.
60-Day Warranty
Backed by your provider’s warranty. If covered work fails, your provider makes it right — free.

Frequently asked

Pressure Wash & Paint Prep — common questions

Pressure washing is one step. This service adds scraping, sanding, caulking and priming, which is what makes a surface ready for paint. A plain wash alone does not fix peeling or gaps.

The surface must be fully dry, which can take a day or more depending on weather and the material. Your provider will tell you when it is safe to paint.

Many can. If you want to keep it with one provider, mention it when you book and ask them to price the paint separately. Mention it when you book so the price and the schedule include both.

Used incorrectly, it can gouge wood and force water behind boards. Experienced providers match the pressure and tip to the material and sometimes use a gentler soft wash.

Minor repairs are common, but replacing rotted boards is usually a separate carpentry task. Ask the provider to point out any soft wood during the prep visit.

The 60-day workmanship warranty covers prep work that fails, such as caulk that separates or primer that peels. Damage from weather before painting and hidden rot is outside it.

Didn’t find your answer? Nova, our AI assistant, is in the chat bubble in the bottom-right corner and can help anytime.

What homeowners say

Pressure Wash & Paint Prep reviews

Verified reviews from every city where NorTech connects customers with providers will appear here.

Be the first pressure wash & paint prep review

Your pro backs the work with a workmanship warranty — if covered work is not right, your pro makes it right, free. Book with confidence and tell the Bay Area how your pro did.

Book Pressure Wash & Paint Prep

Check your coverage

Is Pressure Wash & Paint Prep available near you?

NorTech connects you with vetted local providers for pressure wash & paint prep. Enter your ZIP to check coverage and see your price.

Are there pros in your area?

Enter your ZIP code and we’ll point you to your local hub.

or search your city
AthertonPortola ValleyWoodsideLos Altos HillsHillsboroughBelvedereTiburonRossSan FranciscoPalo Alto

Browse the full coverage area →

Explore more

Related home services

Homeowners who book pressure wash & paint prep often need a hand elsewhere too. Browse related NorTech services — pricing set by local pros, vetted local providers, and a guarantee or warranty suited to each service.

Front Door Painting

A fresh front door is the highest-return upgrade there is — prepped, primed, and finished.

Learn more

Garage Door Painting

Single or double garage doors coated in an exterior finish rated for direct sun.

Learn more

Exterior Paint Refresh

Touch up and refresh exterior paint on siding, stucco, or fiber-cement — front, back, or a probl…

Learn more

Exterior Trim, Fascia & Soffit Painting

Repaint exterior trim, fascia, or soffits with crisp lines and a weather-ready finish.

Learn more

Fence, Deck & Pergola Staining & Sealing

Semi-transparent or solid stain, or a clear waterproofing sealer, that protects wood decks, fenc…

Learn more

Porch & Patio Painting

Porch floors, railings, and patios refreshed in durable, foot-traffic-ready enamel.

Learn more

Full Exterior Repaint (Whole-House)

A complete exterior repaint — prep, primer, and two coats — for the whole house, not a single se…

Learn more

Wood Siding Painting & Restoration

Wood siding scraped, sanded, repaired, primed and painted or stained to protect it from moisture…

Learn more

Stucco Painting

Stucco exteriors cleaned, repaired, primed and coated with elastomeric or masonry paint to seal…

Learn more

Book in minutes

Ready to book pressure wash & paint prep?

Choose a background-checked local provider, see your price the moment you enter your ZIP, and lock in a time that works — backed by your pro’s 60-day workmanship warranty.

Book Pressure Wash & Paint PrepCompare Bids
Prefer to compare bids yourself?Get quotes from independent local contractors — you pick who does the work.Compare →