Exterior soft wash
Exterior soft wash cost in Chicago
Exterior soft wash in Chicago runs between $0.082 and $0.258 per square foot of exterior wall, most likely $0.154. These are the Illinois rates.
- Facade wash (drone)
- $0.154
- most likely, per square foot of exterior wall
- Range
- $0.082 to $0.258
- low to high, per square foot of exterior wall
- Drone reach
- 45 to 250
- feet, 4 to 20 stories
- Minimum job
- $5,000
- raised to it once, on the proposal
- Buildings on file
- 386,020
- public building records, as of October 14, 2026
- With measured height
- 357,308
- public building records, as of October 14, 2026
- Tallest
- 1,450.1 feet
- public building records, as of October 14, 2026
- Median estimate
- $11,000
- most likely, per building, SkyPSI estimator, as of October 14, 2026
Rates by service
| Service | Low | Most likely | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facade wash (drone) | $0.082 | $0.154 | $0.258 |
| Facade wash with mold or growth treatment | $0.124 | $0.227 | $0.391 |
| Facade wash, conventional access | $0.154 | $0.278 | $0.464 |
Grade C: modelled from the Texas calibration and scaled by the state factor of 1.03. What the grades mean.
What moves the price
- Moderate: adds 10%
- High: adds 25%
- Extreme or first clean: adds 40%
- Minimum job value: $5,000
- Boom lift, up to 8 floors: $2,000 a week
- Boom lift, 9 to 12 floors: $3,500 a week
- Boom lift, 13 floors and up: $4,500 a week
- Lift fuel: $75 a day
- Access and permit costs
Building types
Tallest buildings on file
- 215 South Wacker Drive, Chicago1,450.1 feet, 108 stories
- 401 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago1,170.9 feet, 98 stories
- 130 East Randolph Street, Chicago912.1 feet, 71 stories
- 10 South Dearborn Street, Chicago853 feet, 60 stories
- 737 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago725.1 feet, 63 stories
- 141 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago603.7 feet, 45 stories
- 500 West Monroe Street, Chicago600.4 feet, 42 stories
- 5415 North Sheridan Road, Chicago499.8 feet, 54 stories
- 454 North Columbus Drive, Chicago497.1 feet, 37 stories
- 500 West Madison Street, Chicago491.8 feet, 42 stories
- 3660 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago490.3 feet, 49 stories
- 2105 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago438.6 feet, 34 stories
Methods
- Dronebuildings from 45 feet to 250 feet tall
- Boom liftany height
- Rope accesswork above what a pole reaches
Questions
What does mold or algae treatment add by drone?
A drone facade wash with mold or growth treatment runs between $0.124 and $0.391 per square foot of exterior wall, most likely $0.227.
When does a boom lift or rope access fit better than a drone?
Conventional access suits buildings under 45 feet, which sit below the drone range. A conventional facade wash runs between $0.154 and $0.464 per square foot of exterior wall, most likely $0.278.
What changes the price of exterior soft wash in Chicago?
Difficulty adds 10% for moderate access or soiling, 25% for high, and 40% for an extreme building or a first clean.
What does a boom lift add?
A boom lift for a building up to 8 floors adds $2,000 a week.
Is there a minimum job value?
The minimum job value is $5,000. A smaller job is raised to it once, on the proposal.
Which rates does Chicago use?
Chicago uses the Illinois rates.
About these estimates
SkyPSI sets the exterior cleaning estimate for commercial buildings. Exterior soft wash is a service. Drone, boom lift and rope access are methods.
Related
Ask SkyPSI for a quote on your building.
Request a QuoteSources: USA Structures, Overture Maps building footprints, SkyPSI estimator, USGS 3D Elevation Program.
An estimate, not a quote. How a SkyEstimate is built.