What's in This Guide
1. Insurance — The Non-Negotiable
This is the single most important thing to verify. If a company doesn't have insurance and damages your property (cracked window, water intrusion, damaged siding), YOU pay for it. If a worker falls off a ladder on your property and isn't covered, YOU could be sued.
What to ask for:
- Commercial General Liability (CGL): Minimum $2M. This covers property damage and bodily injury. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance — any legitimate company will provide one.
- WSIB clearance: If they have employees (not a solo operator), they need Workplace Safety & Insurance Board coverage in Ontario. Without it, an injured worker could file a claim against YOUR homeowner's insurance.
- Vehicle insurance: Commercial auto insurance for any vehicles used on your property.
2. 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring
Print This Checklist
- Are you insured? Can I see your Certificate of Insurance?
- What exactly is included in the price? (Screens? Tracks? Sills? Downspout flushing?)
- What type of water do you use? (Purified/deionized vs tap?)
- What PSI do you use on interlock driveways? (Should be 1,200-1,800 max)
- Do you provide before/after photos?
- What's your satisfaction guarantee? (Specific terms, not vague promises)
- How long have you been operating?
- Do you do the work yourself or subcontract?
- What's your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
- When can you start? What's your current lead time?
3. GTA Pricing Guide 2026
| Service | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows (ext) — Bungalow | $99-$149 | $149-$199 | $199-$299 |
| Windows (ext) — 2-Storey | $149-$199 | $199-$349 | $349-$499 |
| Windows (int+ext) — 2-Storey | $249-$349 | $349-$499 | $499-$699 |
| Gutter cleaning — Bungalow | $99-$149 | $149-$199 | $199-$299 |
| Gutter cleaning — 2-Storey | $149-$199 | $199-$299 | $299-$399 |
| Pressure wash — Driveway | $129-$199 | $199-$349 | $349-$499 |
| Pressure wash — Interlock | $199-$299 | $299-$449 | $449-$599 |
| House wash (soft wash) | $199-$299 | $299-$499 | $499-$699 |
| Full exterior bundle | $399-$599 | $599-$999 | $999-$1,500 |
4. 8 Red Flags
- No insurance / won't show certificate. Walk away immediately.
- Cash only, no receipt. Legitimate businesses accept multiple payment methods and provide receipts.
- Door-to-door "today only" pricing. Pressure tactics = cut corners. Legitimate companies earn business on reputation.
- No written quote. Verbal estimates change. Written quotes hold.
- Dramatically cheaper than competitors. If one quote is 40-50% below others, they're cutting corners — insurance, equipment, or time on your property.
- No Google reviews / only suspicious reviews. Five 5-star reviews all posted the same week with generic text = fake.
- Won't explain their process. Professionals are happy to explain how they work. Evasion means they don't have a process.
- Demands full payment upfront. Standard is payment on completion. Large jobs may require a 10-25% deposit — never 100%.
5. Why Water Quality Matters (GTA-Specific)
This is the #1 factor most GTA homeowners don't know about.
Greater Toronto Area tap water is HARD — meaning it's high in dissolved minerals (calcium and magnesium). When this water dries on glass or other surfaces, it leaves white mineral deposits.
| GTA Area | Water Hardness (mg/L) | Impact on Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Halton (Oakville, Burlington, Milton) | 170-220 | Very hard — spots within 24 hours |
| York (Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill) | 180-200 | Very hard — heavy mineral deposits |
| Peel (Mississauga, Brampton) | 150-170 | Hard — noticeable spots |
| Durham (Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa) | 140-160 | Moderately hard |
| Toronto (city) | 125-150 | Moderate — some spotting |
Purified/deionized water has minerals removed. It dries completely spot-free — no residue, no streaks, no mineral deposits. It also cleans better because it actively absorbs dirt from surfaces (pure water wants to dissolve minerals). Hard water stain guide →
6. The Interlock Driveway Warning
Over 50% of GTA homes built after 2000 have interlock driveways. This is the surface most commonly DAMAGED by pressure washing companies.
Concrete driveways can handle 2,500-3,000 PSI. Interlock pavers need 1,200-1,800 PSI MAX. Using concrete-level pressure on interlock:
- Destroys polymeric sand between pavers
- Erodes paver surfaces (visible pitting)
- Causes shifting and settling
- Repair cost: $3,000-$8,000
After cleaning, polymeric sand MUST be re-applied. If your pressure washer doesn't mention this, they don't know interlock. Full interlock safety guide →
7. How to Compare Quotes
Don't compare total price — compare what's INCLUDED:
Quote Comparison Checklist
- Water type (purified vs tap)
- Screens included or extra?
- Tracks and sills included or extra?
- Downspout flushing included? (gutters)
- Polymeric sand re-application? (interlock)
- Before/after photos?
- Written guarantee terms?
- Insurance certificate provided?
- Same-crew consistency?
- Communication (text updates, arrival notification)?
8. When to Book
April is the most important month — removing 5 months of winter damage. Book in February-March for April availability. Full seasonal calendar →
9. City-Specific Recommendations
We've written detailed "best companies" guides for every major GTA city:
View all guides & blog posts →
Ready to Hire? Start Here.
ClearCoat™ purified water. All-inclusive pricing. $2M insurance. Written redo-or-free guarantee. Serving the entire GTA.
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