If you’ve ever tried to hire a painter or power washer in July, you already know—it’s almost impossible. Everyone’s booked. And not just for a week or two. We’re talking full calendars from end to end.

So what’s the deal? Why does summer, especially July, make demand explode for these two services?

Here’s what’s really going on.

1. July is Home Improvement Season

Let’s start with timing. July is when people notice the outside of their homes again. The weather’s good, the sun is out longer, and homeowners start seeing every chip, crack, and mildew patch that’s built up.

That’s when calls go out. According to a recent survey by Thumbtack, summer is the busiest time for home improvement, with over 60% of homeowners tackling projects between May and August.

Painters and power washers ride that wave.

2. Homes Look Rough After Spring Storms

North Texas isn’t exactly gentle in the spring. We get hail, heavy rains, high winds—you name it. And while your roof might survive, your siding, driveway, and fence probably took a hit.

By July, people are over the cleanup phase and ready to fix what’s left behind.

Power washing especially becomes a no-brainer. Dirt, algae, pollen—it all shows up more clearly in the bright summer sun.

3. Outdoor Events Push Homeowners to Act

Think cookouts. Fourth of July parties. Backyard birthdays. When people plan to have others over, they want their space to look presentable. That means cleaning off the patio and touching up the paint.

There’s a lot of that going on in July.

And painters feel it too. Front doors, porches, shutters—people want everything looking good for guests. It’s not always a full repaint job. Sometimes it’s just the parts that show.

4. Summer is Easier for Scheduling Work

Here’s something simple that makes a big difference: good weather.

Painters and power washers both need dry conditions. July offers more dry days than spring or fall. That makes scheduling easier and reduces delays.

For contractors, that means less downtime. For homeowners, it means faster service. Everyone wins.

5. People Are Preparing for Fall Sales

This one might surprise you. A lot of people plan to list their homes in late summer or fall. So they use July to get the place cleaned up and ready.

First impressions matter. A freshly painted entryway or clean driveway can add curb appeal instantly.

According to the National Association of Realtors, power washing and exterior paint are two of the top outdoor projects with the highest ROI when prepping a house to sell. (source)

6. July Means Visibility

This one’s often overlooked.

When painters and power washers are out in the neighborhood in July—people notice. One clean driveway on the block turns into three. One fresh exterior paint job leads to two more on the same street.

Summer marketing is word-of-mouth marketing, just outdoors.

This is also a good time to mention: loyal customers make this cycle easier. If you’re in the home services game, check out these 8 strategies for repeat HVAC customers—most of it applies here, too: House to Home Pages guide

7. Business Owners Use This Time to Reset

Not every customer is a homeowner. Some are small business owners refreshing their storefronts. July is a bit of a reset month before fall back-to-school traffic picks up.

We’ve seen a ton of repainting and power washing for:

• Cafes and coffee shops
• Small boutiques
• Local gyms
• Outdoor patios and signage

Especially in neighborhoods like Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, or downtown McKinney—anywhere with foot traffic.

8. The Work Is Visually Satisfying

There’s something about seeing a before-and-after that hits in July. Maybe it’s the sun. Maybe it’s just that the grime builds up faster.

But power washing videos and exterior makeovers are trending right now. They go viral because they’re so visual.

That’s driving demand too. Homeowners want to see the transformation for themselves.

9. It’s a Smart Use of Budget

For a lot of homeowners, July is when they’ve got a little more wiggle room. Vacations are budgeted. School expenses haven’t hit yet.

Spending $250 to power wash a house or $600 to repaint the trim? It feels doable. Especially when the results are instant and noticeable.

Compared to big renovation projects, these services offer fast ROI.

10. They’re Easy to Book (Early)

The smart customers? They booked their paint jobs and power washing back in May.

Which is why, when July rolls around, a lot of painters and washers are already fully booked.

If you’re a homeowner reading this and want your house done before the school year starts, now is the time to call.

And if you’re a pro in this field—now’s the time to raise your rates.

Final Take

So yeah, it’s not just in your head. Painters and power washers are actually busier in July. The weather, the timing, the events—all of it adds up.

Whether you’re a homeowner wanting a refresh or a home service pro trying to get ahead, here’s the takeaway:

Book early, charge right, and make July count.