You got your orders. The timeline is tight. Between clearing post, coordinating movers, and getting the kids enrolled at the next duty station, the last thing on your mind is what the driveway looks like. But here is the problem: that driveway, those sidewalks, and the exterior of your house are going to matter during checkout. If you own and you're selling, dirty exteriors cost you showings. If you're renting and your property manager is handling the turnover, they'll charge you for anything that's not up to standard. And if you're in Lendlease-managed on-post housing, the exterior condition of the home is part of the inspection.
We've been through hundreds of PCS move-out cleans in the Fort Cavazos area. May through August, it's the bulk of our schedule. This is the exterior cleaning checklist we've built from real experience with real military families in Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, and Temple.
Why the Exterior Matters at Move-Out
Most people focus on the inside of the house during a PCS move. That makes sense. You're scrubbing floors, patching nail holes, cleaning out the garage. But the exterior is the first thing a buyer, a new tenant, or a housing inspector sees. And in Central Texas, exteriors deteriorate fast.
A house that sat through one full cycle of cedar pollen (December through February), followed by spring rain, followed by Central Texas summer humidity, will have visible mold on the north-facing walls, green algae on the concrete, and dust caked onto every horizontal surface. That's not neglect. That's just what happens here. But it still needs to be cleaned before you hand over the keys.
The Exterior Move-Out Checklist
Here's what we clean on a typical PCS move-out job, and what we recommend you prioritize if you're on a tight budget or short timeline.
1. Driveway and Garage Apron
This is the single highest-impact surface. A dirty driveway with oil stains and tire marks makes the entire property look neglected. A clean driveway makes it look maintained. The concrete cleaning process takes about an hour for a standard two-car driveway. If your driveway has heavy oil stains from the truck that sat there for three years, we pre-treat those separately. They won't always come out completely (that's an honest limitation of any pressure washing job on porous concrete), but we can reduce them by 80% or more in most cases.
2. Front Walkway and Porch
The path from the driveway to the front door is the literal walkthrough for every buyer or inspector. If you can only afford to clean two things, clean the driveway and the front walkway. Everything else is a bonus. These two surfaces set the first impression.
3. House Exterior (Siding, Brick, Stone)
A full house wash removes the mold, pollen film, and dirt that accumulate on walls over a tour of duty. Most Killeen and Harker Heights homes are brick or a brick-and-siding combo. We soft wash these surfaces to avoid damage. High pressure on brick can blow out mortar joints, and high pressure on vinyl or Hardie board siding can crack it or drive water behind it. Soft washing uses a cleaning solution that kills the mold at the root, then a low-pressure rinse to clear it away.
4. Fence
Cedar fences in Central Texas take a beating. If your fence is green or gray, it needs cleaning. If you're selling and the fence faces the street, a clean fence noticeably changes the curb appeal. If the fence is in the backyard only and you're short on time, it's the lowest priority on this list. But if the buyer or inspector is going to walk the yard, don't skip it.
5. Patio and Back Concrete
Most homes in the Fort Cavazos area have a rear patio slab, and many have a concrete pad for a shed or hot tub. These surfaces get neglected during a PCS move because nobody sees the backyard during a drive-by. But an inspector will. And a buyer's agent will walk them through it. Budget $100-$200 for back patio cleaning depending on size.
6. Gutters
Not technically pressure washing, but we mention it because clogged gutters are a common inspection failure. If you haven't cleaned your gutters since fall, there's a good chance they're packed with live oak leaves and cedar debris. Overflowing gutters stain fascia boards and cause water damage around the foundation. We can clean gutters on the same visit as the exterior wash.
Timeline: When to Schedule
Book your exterior cleaning 7 to 14 days before your final walk-through or listing date. Here's why that window works:
- Too early (3+ weeks out): Central Texas pollen and dust will re-coat surfaces before anyone sees them. You'll have wasted money.
- Too late (day before): If we find a problem (heavy staining that needs a second treatment, gutters that need repair, etc.), there's no time to address it.
- The sweet spot (7-14 days): Surfaces stay clean long enough for inspection or listing photos. And if anything needs a touch-up, there's time to handle it.
During peak PCS season (May through July), we book up fast. If you know your report date, schedule us early. We can always adjust the date if your timeline shifts. No cancellation fees for military families.
On-Post vs. Off-Post: What's Different
On-Post (Lendlease Housing)
Lendlease manages all on-post family housing at Fort Cavazos. Their move-out inspections cover both interior and exterior condition. The standards are clear but strict. They're looking for mold and mildew on walls, stained or discolored concrete, debris in gutters, and overall curb appearance. They won't fail you for normal wear, but visible mold on siding or a green driveway counts as beyond-normal wear in their framework.
One thing to know: Lendlease can and does charge for cleaning if the exterior doesn't meet standards at checkout. We've had families tell us the charge was $200-$400 for exterior cleaning that Lendlease contracted out. You're better off hiring someone you trust at a price you agree to in advance.
Off-Post (Owned or Rented)
If you own, the motivation is straightforward. Clean exterior, faster sale, better price. The Temple-Killeen market during PCS season is competitive. Dozens of military families list at the same time. Your home needs to stand out in photos and in person.
If you rent, check your lease. Most property managers in Killeen require the home to be returned in the same condition as move-in, and that includes the exterior. Some will handle it and deduct from your deposit. Others expect you to arrange it. Either way, it's cheaper to handle it yourself than to let the landlord's contractor do it and bill you at their rate.
What a Full PCS Move-Out Clean Costs
For a typical 1,500-2,000 square foot home in the Killeen or Harker Heights area with a two-car driveway, full house wash, front and back patio, and walkways, expect $450-$700 for the complete exterior. That includes everything on the checklist above except gutters (add $125-$200 for gutter cleaning) and fence (add $200-$400 depending on linear footage).
Most families do the full package. It saves money versus booking each service separately, and it means one truck visit on one day instead of multiple appointments during an already chaotic week.
What We Can't Fix
Pressure washing is not magic. Cracked concrete stays cracked. Peeling paint stays peeled. If your fence has structural damage (leaning posts, broken pickets), washing it won't help. We'll tell you upfront if something needs repair rather than cleaning. Some oil stains in concrete are permanent after years of soaking in. We'll improve them, but if someone parked a leaking truck on the same spot for four years, that stain may never fully disappear. We'd rather be honest about that than overpromise.
Book Your PCS Move-Out Clean
If you're PCS-ing out of Fort Cavazos this spring or summer, get on the schedule now. Call (254) 555-0319 or request a free quote online. Tell us your report date and we'll work backward to find the right cleaning window. Military discount applied automatically.