True Cost Guide Cleaning Services Sandblast an Exterior Surface

How Much Does It Cost to Sandblast a Home?

Typical Range:

$466 - $1,592

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 101 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data

How We Get This Data

Homeowners use HomeAdvisor to find pros for home projects.

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When their projects are done, they fill out a short cost survey.

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We compile the data and report costs back to you.

Updated December 13, 2021

Written by HomeAdvisor.

It costs an average of $990 to sandblast a home's exterior, with a typical price range of $466 and $1,592. In some cases, it may cost a little more than $200 to do the job, while a sizable sandblasting project could cost upwards of $10,000 or more.

Sandblasting is a method of cleaning home surfaces by propelling tiny bits of material to clean or even carve a surface at an extreme velocity. However, sand has fallen out of favor due to concerns about the lung disease silicosis, so pros use particles like steel grit, shells, and powdered abrasives instead.

This guide breaks down the cost of sandblasting the exterior of a home, how much you're likely to pay, and what factors affect the price.

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National Average	$990
Typical Range	$466 - $1,592
Low End - High End	$120 - $3,800

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 101 HomeAdvisor members.

Sandblasting Material Prices

Here’s what you can expect to pay for equipment and materials to sandblast your home:

Sandblaster: $25–$650
Sandblaster mask: $25–$40
Sandblasting medium (such as steel grit, shells, or powdered abrasives): $2–$5 per lb., assuming you’ll need about 1 lb. for every square foot

If you want to use a portable sandblaster on a 100-square foot section of your house, you might pay as little as $250 to do the job. But if you use an industrial sandblaster to do the whole house and have 2,000 square feet to cover, you might pay as much as $10,000.

Sandblasting Labor Costs

You can expect to pay $40 to $70 per hour to have a local sandblasting service contractor clean your home. However, you may pay up to 30% more if you want specialty sandblasting services, like applying anti-slip and high-temperature coatings.

Sandblasting Costs by Square Footage

Contractors typically charge $2 to $5 per square foot for this service. As a result, the total project cost of sandblasting will heavily depend on how large of an area you want to be sandblasted. A small 100-square foot area may only cost a few hundred dollars, but if you're going to sandblast 2,000 square feet or more on the exterior of your home, expect to pay thousands of dollars—even five figures.

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Sandblasting Cost Factors

Besides square footage, there's a wide cost range for sandblasting, mainly due to two key factors.

Medium

This material used for sandblasting the surface area generally costs $2 to $5 per pound. Sandblasters don't always use sand. Sometimes they use steel grit, walnut shells, glass beads, pumice, and other types of materials. Some are coarser than others, which results in a different finish and etching. The more square footage you have to cover, the more material you'll need and the higher your price will be.

Industrial vs. Portable Sandblaster

Portable sandblasters are inexpensive, costing as little as $25. However, these are only good for sandblasting small areas. If you want to sandblast a large part of your home exterior, an industrial-strength sandblaster, which typically costs $300 to $650, would better serve you.

DIY vs. Hire a Sandblasting Pro

You could save thousands of dollars by doing the job yourself, paying only for the sandblaster itself and the medium. However, there are a few reasons why you should consider hiring a professional.

A sandblasting contractor will get the job done right since sandblasting is a difficult project, and you want someone with the proper know-how and equipment. A pro will know what sandblasting material is best and be more efficient with the materials so that there's minimal waste. Also, sandblasting material is highly abrasive and can harm not only the lungs but the skin and sensitive areas like the eyes and nose. Professionals have special protective equipment like full masks with respirators and bodysuits to protect themselves.

If you're thinking of doing the project on your own, contact a sandblasting service near you to at least get a consultation and a quote. Then, you'll be able to make an informed decision on whether this process is something you want to do on your own or leave to the professionals.

FAQs

What’s an alternative to sandblasting?

Laser cleaning is a good alternative to sandblasting if you want something that doesn't use abrasive materials and is cleaner and more precise. Laser cleaning can remove rust, grease, and paint without impacting the material underneath.

Does sandblasting make a mess?

Yes, you’ll create a mess with your sandblaster, which you’ll have to clean up after the project. The materials you blast onto the service will collect on the ground, and the process will also spread a lot of debris in the air.

Are sandblasters loud?

Yes, sandblasters are very loud, with sound power levels up to 115 to 125 decibels. That's louder than a chainsaw.

Do I need a permit to use a sandblaster?

No federal laws restrict sandblasting as long as you aren’t doing it commercially. However, your state or local authorities may have their own restrictions or permits required for sandblasting, so check with them first.