Published · Last updated · By the Big Deal Exterior Cleaning team, Sydney
Typical Sydney price ranges
Roof cleaning is quoted on the job rather than a flat rate, because a steep two-storey tile roof covered in lichen is a fundamentally different job to a single-storey Colorbond roof with light soiling. These are the ranges most Sydney homes fall into.
| Property | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-storey, up to 150m² | $450 – $700 | Standard tile or metal, good access |
| Single-storey, 150–250m² | $650 – $950 | Larger footprint or moderate lichen |
| Double-storey | $850 – $1,400 | Height access and safety setup |
| Heavy lichen or moss | +$200 – $400 | Extra treatment and dwell time |
| Steep pitch (over 25°) | +15–25% | Additional roof safety requirements |
| Roof + gutters bundled | Usually discounted | Gutters must be cleared first anyway |
What actually drives the price
Roof area is the starting point, but it is rarely the biggest variable. Access and safety setup frequently cost more than the cleaning itself, particularly on double-storey homes and steep pitches where anchor points and harness systems are required.
- Roof area in square metres — the baseline for every quote
- Storey height and pitch — both drive safety setup time
- Access — narrow side paths, steep blocks and tight streets add time
- Degree of lichen and moss — established growth needs more product and dwell
- Roof material — terracotta, concrete tile and Colorbond each behave differently
- Solar panels — masking and protecting them adds time
- Gutter condition — always cleared first so runoff drains
Why the cheapest quote is usually the expensive one
A quote well below the ranges above almost always means a high-pressure blast rather than a soft wash. It looks similar on the day and costs less, but it strips the protective granules from concrete tiles, frequently cracks tiles, and the growth returns within months because the root structure was never killed.
The repair bill that follows — replacement tiles, re-bedding and re-pointing of ridge capping, or ceiling repairs after a leak — routinely exceeds the entire cost of having the job done properly the first time.
What a professional roof clean should include
A complete roof clean is not just the tiles. Anything less than the list below means part of the job has been left for you or for the next contractor.
- Roof safety setup and full site protection before any work starts
- Gutters and downpipes cleared first, with debris removed from site
- Soft wash treatment of tiles, ridge capping and valleys
- Solar panels masked and protected, or cleaned at the same time
- Gardens, paths and driveways rinsed down afterwards
- A written report on any cracked tiles, rust or capping damage found
- Before-and-after photos of the roof you cannot see from the ground
Want this done properly?
We do this work across Sydney every day. Tell us your service and suburb and you'll get a clear, fixed written quote — no call-out fee, no obligation.