Most pressure washing contractors leave serious money on the table after every driveway and patio job. You clean the surface, pack up, and move on -- but the customer's concrete is still unprotected. Adding concrete sealing as an upsell can turn a $225 wash job into a $1,200+ ticket without extra drive time or a second visit.

The Quick Answer

Concrete sealing adds $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot to any wash job, depending on the sealer type. Here's what that looks like on a typical driveway:

Standard pressure wash (1,500 sq ft): ~$225
Pressure wash + topical acrylic sealer: ~$900-$1,100
Pressure wash + penetrating sealer: ~$1,100-$1,275

That's a 4x revenue jump on the same customer, same stop, same day. Here's how to add it to your menu the right way.

The 3 Types of Concrete Sealers (And What to Charge)

Not all sealers are the same. You need to know the difference before you recommend one to a customer.

Topical Acrylic Sealer

This is the cheapest option -- and the shortest-lived. Acrylic sealer sits on top of the concrete and wears off in 1-3 years. It's good for homeowners who want to see results fast (it adds a nice sheen), but they'll need resealing more often.

Installed price: $1.52-$1.79 per sq ft. Material cost is low ($0.10-$0.30/sq ft), so your margins are strong here.

Topical Polyurethane or Epoxy

More durable than acrylic. Lasts 5-10 years and holds up better to traffic, UV, and chemicals. The go-to recommendation for busy driveways and commercial properties.

Installed price: $1.45-$1.71 per sq ft. Mid-range materials, solid margins.

Penetrating Sealer (Silane-Siloxane or Silicate)

This soaks into the concrete instead of coating the surface. It's invisible, lasts 10+ years (silicate-based formulas can last decades), and is the best option for older or damaged concrete exposed to freeze-thaw cycles or road salt.

Installed price: $0.89-$1.04 per sq ft. Lower price than topical, but the longevity makes it easy to sell. Popular brands include Foundation Armor SX5000 and RadonSeal.

When to Recommend Sealing (and When Not To)

The upsell only works if you're recommending it to the right customers. Here's the rule:

Recommend sealing when: concrete is 2+ years old, shows staining or weathering, is exposed to harsh winters (salt, freeze-thaw), or the customer wants long-term protection
Skip the pitch when: concrete was poured in the last 6 months (let it cure), or it's in near-perfect condition with no history of neglect
Always pitch it on: driveways, patios, pool decks, sidewalks, commercial parking lots

One easy trigger: if you notice staining, spalling, or discoloration while washing, that's your opening. "I noticed this surface is starting to wear -- want me to seal it while I'm here?"

The Timing Rule You Can't Skip

Concrete must be completely dry before you apply sealer. That means waiting at least 24-48 hours after pressure washing. Some thick or shaded slabs need 48-72 hours. Applying sealer too early traps moisture underneath and causes bubbling or peeling -- which is a callback you don't want.

The practical move: offer sealing as a separate second visit, scheduled 48 hours after the wash. Book it before you leave the property. Customers are more likely to say yes when you're standing right there and their driveway looks freshly clean.

If the job allows it and weather is right, some contractors pre-schedule the second visit as a two-day package from the start. This commands a premium -- customers pay for convenience.

Concrete Restoration vs. Simple Sealing

Before you seal, the surface has to be in the right condition. Here's when a job crosses from sealing into full concrete restoration:

Sealing only: concrete is structurally sound, just dirty or faded. Clean it, let it dry, seal it.
Restoration first: cracks, spalling (surface flaking off), or deep staining that pressure washing alone won't fix. Restoration involves crack filler or resurfacing compound before sealing.

Restoration is higher-ticket work ($2-$5 per sq ft for full resurfacing) but also requires more skill and materials. If you're not set up for it yet, focus on sealing first. It's simpler, faster, and still dramatically increases your average job value.

How to Add It to Your Pricing Menu

The simplest way to start: add sealing as a line item on every concrete estimate. When you quote the wash, give them an option:

Option A: Pressure wash only -- $[X]
Option B: Pressure wash + sealing -- $[X + sealing price]

Show them the sealer lifespans. Most homeowners will pick the middle option -- not the cheapest, not the most expensive. Build that into your menu.

For a 1,500 sq ft driveway, a fair sealing add-on runs $150-$375 depending on sealer type. Your material cost is $15-$75. The rest is margin.

Bottom Line

Concrete sealing is the single easiest upsell in pressure washing. You're already on-site, the surface is already clean, and customers want their investment protected. A topical acrylic seal on a standard driveway takes 30-45 minutes and adds $150-$375 to the ticket.

The best time to pitch it is right after the wash, when the results are visible and the customer is happy. If you want to build sealing quotes into your website so customers can see the price before they call, try QuoteSnap for free. You can add sealing as a service option and let customers build their own package online.

Concrete Restoration & Specialty Surface Sealing: Upselling Beyond the Wash (2026)