How Much Does Dry Ice Blasting Cost?

There is no single per-hour or per-square-foot price for dry ice blasting. Cost depends on the scope of work, the contaminant, the equipment, access, location, dry ice consumption, compressor needs, safety requirements, and schedule. The honest answer is that two jobs that look identical from across a parking lot can price 3× apart once you walk up to them.

The big cost drivers

• Project size and access — confined space, elevation, scaffolding needs.
• Contaminant type and thickness — light dust vs baked-on carbon.
• Substrate sensitivity — energized switchgear vs structural steel.
• Dry ice usage rate — typical jobs consume 200–1,000 lb per shift.
• Compressor and power needs — 375–1600 cfm diesel air at 80–250 psi.
• Safety, PPE, confined space, hot work, and LOTO requirements.
• Travel, lodging, and per diem for multi-day crews.
• Schedule — planned outage, scheduled maintenance, or true emergency.
• Number of operators and shift pattern.

What you can do to lower cost

• Bundle multiple pieces of equipment into one mobilization.
• Schedule in advance — emergency premiums add up fast.
• Provide compressed air and power on site if you have spare capacity.
• Send photos and a brief scope before the walkthrough.
• Combine cleaning with planned outages instead of standalone visits.

How estimates actually get built

A useful estimate starts with a 10-minute call, a few photos, and a realistic schedule. From there we can usually produce a written quote within one business day. For larger scopes (HRSGs, refineries, multi-line food plants), we do a no-charge site walkthrough.

Getting a fast estimate

Call (866) 648-0030 or request a quote. A short conversation about your equipment, photos of the contamination, and a realistic schedule is usually enough for us to provide a clear estimate.