Case Study: Full Property Exterior Refresh in Irmo, SC
How we transformed a Friarsgate home's entire exterior in two days — pressure washing, landscaping, and mulching for a graduation party deadline.
The Situation: Graduation Party in 10 Days
A homeowner in the Friarsgate neighborhood in Irmo called with a specific deadline: their daughter’s high school graduation party was in 10 days, and 60 guests were expected. The house had not had professional exterior maintenance in over two years, and the homeowner was embarrassed to host in its current condition.
Green algae streaks covered the vinyl siding, particularly on the north-facing wall. The driveway was embedded with tire marks, pollen buildup, and algae. Landscape beds were overrun with weeds and decomposed mulch. The backyard patio was covered in dark mildew that made the stamped concrete look like untreated concrete.
The homeowner had called two other companies first. One could not schedule within the timeframe, and the other quoted only pressure washing without addressing the landscaping.
The Assessment: What Two Years Without Maintenance Looks Like
Our walkthrough identified five distinct problem areas: the driveway (approximately 500 square feet with embedded algae and two oil spots), house siding (approximately 2,200 square feet with heavy green algae on the north-facing wall), hardscape (300 sq ft stamped concrete patio plus 80 linear feet of walkway covered in mildew), overgrown foundation plantings (8 hollies that had grown past the windows, some reaching 7 feet), and 6 landscape beds totaling 600 square feet with decomposed mulch and weeds.
We estimated the total project at 2 full days with a 3-person crew and quoted the homeowner on-site. The quote was accepted the same evening, and we scheduled Day 1 for the following Monday.
Day 1: Pressure Washing + Soft Washing
Day 1 focused entirely on cleaning every hard surface. Started with the driveway: pre-treated the entire surface with sodium hypochlorite, surface-cleaned at 3,500 PSI using a 20-inch surface cleaner, degreased two oil spots with commercial degreaser, and applied post-wash algaecide.
House exterior: soft washed all four sides at 500 PSI with surfactant and sodium hypochlorite mix. Two passes on the north-facing wall where algae was heaviest. Vinyl siding went from green-streaked to original cream in one session.
Patio and walkway: surface-cleaned 300 sq ft of stamped concrete patio at 2,500 PSI (reduced to protect the stamp pattern), 80 linear feet of sidewalk, 6 steps, and front porch. The stamped concrete revealed its original tan and brown pattern under the mildew.
Day 2: Landscape Refresh + Mulching
Day 2 was landscape renovation. Removed the 8 overgrown Burford hollies that had grown past the windows. Installed 27 new plants total: 6 Encore Azaleas (Autumn Twist — reblooming 3x per year), 4 Loropetalum Purple Diamond for year-round purple foliage, 15 linear feet of Liriope Big Blue for bed borders, and 2 Muhly Grass flanking the walkway for fall interest.
Applied 6 cubic yards of double-shredded hardwood mulch at 3-inch depth with clean edges. No volcano mulching — maintained 2-3 inch gap around all trunks and stems.
Why We Chose These Specific Plants
Every plant was selected for Zone 8a performance and low maintenance. Encore Azaleas bloom spring, summer, and fall — not just once like traditional azaleas. Loropetalum provides color even in winter when most plants are dormant. Liriope Big Blue is practically indestructible in SC clay soil, handles full sun to partial shade, and never needs dividing.
All 27 plants will stay within their space for 3-5 years before needing any pruning. The homeowner got multi-season color without committing to high-maintenance annuals.
The Result: Neighbors Asking Before the Party
The homeowner reported neighbors came by to ask who did the work before the party even happened. A driveway that looked new, clean siding with zero algae, fresh landscape beds with multi-season color, and a clean patio ready for 60 guests.
Total project cost was comparable to a single landscape installation at a big-box contractor, but included all pressure washing, soft washing, plant removal, new plantings, and mulch installation.
Cost Breakdown for a Full-Property Refresh
Pressure washing + soft wash (driveway, house, patio, walkway): $450-$700 standalone. Landscape bed renovation (removal, prep, amendments): $300-$500. Plant installation (27 plants): $600-$900. Mulch (6 cubic yards installed): $350-$500.
Bundled full-property package saves 15-25% versus booking each service separately. Most Irmo homes in the $250K-$400K range need $1,200-$2,000 for a complete exterior refresh like this.
Book Your Property Refresh in Irmo
Whether it is a party deadline, listing prep, or just tired of looking at a neglected exterior, a full property refresh is the fastest way to transform your home’s appearance. Midlands Exterior Solutions serves Irmo, Seven Oaks, St. Andrews, and surrounding communities.
Most projects complete in 2-3 days. We provide same-day quotes and can often schedule within 1-2 weeks. Call (839) 250-1959 or request a quote through our smart quote tool.
FAQ
Common questions about general
- Why combine pressure washing and landscaping in one project?
- In the Columbia metro, humidity, pollen, and red clay challenge every exterior surface simultaneously. Pressure washing without fixing the beds still looks unfinished. New landscaping next to a dirty driveway is undermined by contrast. A full-property approach gives the best result per dollar spent and saves on mobilization costs.
- How long does a full property refresh like this take?
- Most residential full-property refreshes take 2-3 days with a 3-person crew. Day 1 is typically pressure washing and soft washing. Day 2 is landscaping, mulching, and finishing touches. Larger properties or more extensive planting may extend to 3 days.
- How much does a full property exterior refresh cost?
- For a typical Irmo home on a quarter-acre lot: $1,200-$2,000 for a complete refresh including pressure washing, soft wash, landscape bed renovation, plant installation, and mulch. Bundling saves 15-25% versus booking each service separately.
- What plants are best for low-maintenance beds in Irmo?
- Encore Azaleas (3x annual bloom), Loropetalum (year-round purple foliage), Liriope Big Blue (practically indestructible border plant), and Muhly Grass (fall interest, drought tolerant). All thrive in Zone 8a, handle SC clay soil, and stay within their space for 3-5 years.
- Can you do a property refresh for a real estate listing?
- Yes. Listing prep refreshes are one of our most popular services. A complete exterior refresh can add $5,000-$10,000 in perceived property value for $1,200-$2,000 invested. We often complete listing prep within 48-72 hours of first contact.
- Do you remove old plants or just install new ones?
- Both. Our landscape renovation includes removing overgrown, dead, or misplaced plants, amending the soil, installing new plantings, and finishing with fresh mulch. We haul away all debris — nothing gets left on site.
- How long do pressure washing results last in Irmo?
- 6-12 months for driveways, 12-18 months for house siding. Applying post-wash algaecide extends results by preventing regrowth. Annual maintenance cleaning is recommended, especially for north-facing walls and shaded surfaces.
- What time of year is best for a full property refresh?
- Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are ideal. Temperatures are mild for both pressure washing and plant installation. Summer works but heat-stressed plants need more watering. Avoid scheduling during active pollen season (April) if exterior cleaning is part of the project.