If you’re thinking about painting your house exterior, you’re probably wondering how much it will cost. The answer to that question depends on many factors, including the size of your house, the type of paint you choose, and whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional.
The US National average for a professional painter to paint a house exterior is $3,438 to $7,675, with the typical homeowner paying $5,356 for professional painting on a 1500 square foot (SF) home with minor prep work, wood siding, and trim. The average price is about $3.57 per SF, ranging from $2.29 to $5.12 per SF. The overall cost of professional painting will include paint materials, labor, and prep work.
| House SF | Low | High | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | $2,425 | $5,650 | $3,838 |
| 1500 | $3,438 | $7,675 | $5,356 |
| 2500 | $5.463 | $11,725 | $8,394 |
| 3500 | $7,488 | $15,775 | $11,431 |
Painting a house exterior yourself will save labor costs, but you’ll still need paint and paint supplies. For paint and primer, you’ll spend about $35 to $100 per gallon. You’ll also need ladders, scaffolding, and other supplies like brushes and rollers at around $300 to $1000. Consider renting a pressure washer from Home Depot for $45 to $85 daily to clean your house before painting.
Let’s examine how much it costs to paint an exterior house calculator.
Exterior Paint Calculator
Our exterior paint estimate calculator will reveal the number of paint and trim gallons you’ll need per coat when painting the exterior of your house. It will also estimate the cost of painting the exterior of a house by a professional painting company. Enter some basic information, and the exterior painting calculator will auto-adjust to your specifications.
Our house painting cost estimator helps you not overpay for a professional painting contractor or to estimate the amount of paint to buy for your painting project.
Get FREE quotes from the best local painters in your area today. Whether you need a whole house painted or just a bedroom, we can help with all your interior or exterior painting needs!
How Much Does It Cost to Paint House Exterior?
Painting your house exterior can be daunting, but if you do it yourself, you can save money while giving your home’s exterior a new look. If you’re thinking of tackling the job yourself, you may wonder how much it will cost.
The answer depends on several factors, such as the type of paint used and the size of your house. Consider some things when estimating the cost of painting your house exterior.
Cost to Paint House Exterior Per Square Foot
Without accurate estimation, you may overspend on your house exterior painting project. Here are a few ways to estimate your home’s size without using a measuring tape.
To estimate your home’s exterior painting surface area in the United States, start with the total square footage, including any attached spaces like a sunroom or garage. This “ballpark” method should get you within 500-1000 sqft of the space needed to be painted. According to recent statistics, exterior paint costs an average of $3.57 per sqft.
You will need to add 10-50% more square footage for complex designs, like a second story, many corners, or a home with a sloped roof and dormers. These areas take more time and effort to paint, so you’ll need more money in your budget. The same goes for any place with peeling or failing paint – you’ll need to do extra work before you can start painting.
To calculate how much it will cost to paint your house exterior, use this equation:
Home’s square footage X $3.57
To find the square footage of your home, measure your house’s length and width and multiply those numbers.
Are you looking for another way to measure the size of your house? Another approach is using Google Maps from a satellite view perspective. You can also use county records to cross-reference and get accurate measurements of your property and buildings.
More Exterior Painting Price Factors
If you plan to make drastic paint color changes or have surfaces like brick or stucco, you should budget an extra 50%. Usually, you’ll need a coat of primer and two coats of paint for good coverage.
A dark exterior house color can take more than two coats. Likewise, covering a dark color with a lighter color requires a primer as a base coat to prevent the dark paint color from peaking true and obtaining a true color.
- The average cost per linear foot for caulking is between $0.48 and $0.92,
- Power washing tends to fall between $50 and $80 per hour
- Scraping, sanding, and priming services cost about $0.60 and $1.00 per square foot.
Not neglecting these essential exterior home pricing details is crucial, or you’ll eventually spend much more money.
It’s important to remember that these are only rough estimates for exterior home painting price ranges. Each house is different in style and size, which affects the cost of painting per unit and how much it will affect your budget.
If you’re thinking about painting the interior of your home instead, use this handy guide on interior painting prices to get a good deal.
Prep Work Labor Rates
Prep work is used for surface preparation tasks that need to be completed before an exterior repaint. Preparation work like power washing surfaces, scraping loose paint, priming bare wood, the number of coats, and caulking cracks can take significant time and effort.
The labor cost to paint the house’s exterior varies but is usually an hourly rate of $50 to $200 an hour. The actual cost can be hard to pinpoint, especially for novice painters.
Additional considerations when preparing for an exterior repaint include proper containment of lead paint and replacing rotted wood or damaged siding material.
Ensure you get a detailed estimate from your painting contractor outlining all the prep work they will do before starting the project.
Cost to Paint Exterior House Per Hour
The average hourly rate for exterior painting services ranges from $55 to $95, depending on the state or region in which you live. Remember that these numbers vary significantly from city to city, so use them as a general guideline when budgeting for this project.
Cost to Paint Exterior House by Story
It costs $3,750 to $9,750 to paint a single-story home. This price range can increase if the house requires extensive prep work or special paint for proper coating.
Professional painters charge around $6,250 to $16,250 to paint two-story homes, with an average of $8925 for labor and materials.
They’ll charge around $8,750 to $22,750 to paint three-story homes, with an average of $12,495 for labor and materials.
It’s more challenging to paint a tall house by yourself since you need ladders and other equipment, which can be expensive. It’s also much riskier than painting a one-story home.
What’s Included in the Price of Professional Painting?
When hiring a professional painter, you should expect the cost to include all necessary materials and labor costs. It will usually include primer, paint, paint trays, drop cloths, tape, brushes, rollers, and other equipment needed to complete the job. Most painters will clean up after themselves when finished and leave your home looking as good as new.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Pro
Hiring a professional painter has several benefits. The most obvious is that you won’t have to worry about tackling the exterior paint job yourself, and professionals can usually get it done more quickly and efficiently than DIYers.
They also come with a certain level of expertise that ensures the job will be done correctly and look great when finished.
The downside of having a professional painter is that it can be expensive, depending on the size and scope of your project. Additionally, if there are any problems with the job or you’re unhappy with the results, you may spend more money to fix mistakes or redo parts of the job.
Cost to Paint House Exterior by Location
The cost to paint a home’s exterior will vary depending on your location. Labor costs have the most impact on professional painting costs. They can differ from region to region, so it is important to consider the area you live in when estimating painting costs.
Several factors affect the cost of painting outside your house, including the size of the house, the type and quality of paint, any necessary prep work, and location. It is important to accurately assess these factors before committing to any painting job.
We recommend contacting a professional house painter for an accurate estimate of any potential costs associated with the project. They can provide you with more detailed information on what to expect and what materials will be needed.
Cost to Paint Siding
The price to have your siding painted largely depends on the siding materials. Some cost more time and effort to prep than others.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum is a newer type of smooth-surfaced, non-porous siding that doesn’t fade over time as other colors do, though you’ll likely spend between $1 and $5 per square foot.
Wood Siding
Although wood siding is a popular option because it’s easy to paint and inexpensive at about $1.25 to $3.25 per square foot, engineered wood is often pre-primed, costing between $1.25 and $2.25 per square foot to paint.
Concrete Walls
Poured concrete or concrete block isn’t as popular because of its high cost. However, some people choose it due to its durability. Concrete can be easily painted but is more expensive than other materials and requires extra labor, which costs $1.20 and $2.75 per square foot.
Fiber Cement Siding
If you’re looking to cut project costs, fiber cement siding is the better repainting investment. On average, it’ll only cost between $1.30 and $3.35 per square foot, whereas, with vinyl siding, the price range jumps significantly from $0.55 to $2.60 per square foot.
Vinyl Siding
Due to its low maintenance, vinyl siding is prevalent in many places. Painting vinyl siding is not too common, but it may be worthwhile if the color has faded and the siding is still in good condition. It costs about $0.55 to $2.60 to paint vinyl, and you need to be sure the painter uses paint that bonds with the vinyl siding well.
Steel Siding
Steel siding is your best bet if you’re looking for a material that’s like aluminum siding but more durable. It doesn’t need to be painted unless the homeowner wants to, in which case they would pay $1.55 to $2.60 per square foot.
Brick Masonry
Painting brick masonry seals it when it starts to crumble from age or if the brick doesn’t match. Painting brick houses can also hide step crack repairs from foundation movement. Brick masonry usually only requires two coats and costs between $2.50 and $5.25 per square foot.
It’s best to paint brick with a paint sprayer for even coverage. It also saves time and money on labor costs.
Stucco
Stucco costs between $1.60 and $4.20 per square foot and usually require multiple coats of paint. Most painters elect to use a paint sprayer instead of a roller because it provides even coverage over a stucco surface.
While many different factors must be considered when estimating the cost of your project, understanding labor, and material costs can help you make an informed decision. Research local contractors and compare their quotes before committing to a paint job.
| Siding Type | Cost to Paint |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | $0.55 to $2.60 |
| Wood | $1.25 to $3.25 |
| Metal / Aluminum | $1.00 to $5.00 |
| Concrete | $1.20 to $2.75 |
| Fiber Cement Board | $1.30 to $3.35 |
| Steel | $1.55 to $2.60 |
| Stucco | $1.60 to $4.20 |
| Brick / Stone | $2.50 to $5.25 |
How Many Gallons of Paint You’ll Need for Exterior Siding
There’s some math involved in figuring out how many gallons of paint you’ll need for siding. Generally speaking, one gallon of paint covers about 300 square feet of surface area, so measure your siding carefully and do the calculation.
The estimated amount of paint calculation for two coats:
- Single-story house: 10 to 12 gallons
- Two-story house: 16 to 20 gallons
- Three-story house: 25 to 30 gallons
How Much Paint You’ll Need for Exterior Trim?
The estimated amount of paint calculation for two coats:
- Single-story house: 5 to 7 gallons
- Two-story house: 10 to 12 gallons
- Three-story house: 15 to 18 gallons
Average Cost of Paint Per Gallon
The cost of paint greatly depends on the type and quality you select. Low-end paints average about $35 to $40 per gallon, while high-quality paint can run up to $115 or more per gallon.
You’ll also need primer, which typically costs around the same price as paint. Some of the most popular paint prices are listed below. For Paint+Primer, add $4 to $7 per gallon.
| Paint (Add $4 to $7 for Paint+Primer) | Cost per Gallon |
|---|---|
| Glidden Essentials | $28.98 |
| Glidden Premium | $38.98 |
| Behr Premium Plus | $47.98 |
| Behr Ultra | $55.98 |
| Behr Marquee | $68.98 |
| HGTV HOME® by Sherwin-Williams Everlast | $69.98 |
| Valspar Defense | $61.98 |
| HGTV HOME® by Sherwin-Williams Weathershield | $56.98 |
| Valspar Duramax | $51.98 |
| Valspar SeasonFlex | $41.98 |
| Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint | $78.99 |
| Sherwin-Williams Resilience | $90.49 |
| Sherwin-Williams Emerald | $110.49 |
Cost to Paint House Exterior Yourself
One of the primary benefits of painting your house exterior yourself is that you can save some money on labor costs. However, it’s important to remember that it might take more time and effort than hiring a professional painter. Plus, DIYers may not have access to all the same resources as professional painters and could spend more on materials.
Cost of the Paint Materials You’ll Need
When you’re ready to start painting your house exterior, ensure you have all the necessary materials and tools.
This includes drop cloths, painter’s tape, sandpaper, a ladder (or scaffolding if needed), paintbrushes in several sizes, rollers, primer, caulk and putty knives, sanding blocks, and paint. You can also consider using a paint sprayer to save time.
If you’re using oil-based paint, it’s also essential to have mineral spirits on hand for cleaning up after a painting job. Depending on the size of your house and how much coverage you need, you may require several gallons of paint for an even coat. Make sure to research and buy the right paint finish for your project.
Painting Time You’ll Need
How much time you will need to paint your house exterior depends on the size of your project. For example, painting a small one-story home might only take a weekend if you can enlist some help and work quickly. On the other hand, if your home is large and multi-floored, it could soon become an all-day affair or take several days or weeks if you’re a DIYer.
Consider the Skill level You’ll Need
Painting your house exterior doesn’t require special skills, but having some experience or knowledge of painting techniques is always helpful. Newer painters may benefit from watching tutorials online or reading how-to guides to familiarize themselves with the basics. Experienced painters may find that their existing knowledge saves them time and money.
Exterior House Painting FAQs
Whether you’re considering the cost of painting your home’s exterior yourself or intend to hire a professional painting company, you’ll likely to still have some questions.
Can I paint my house exterior by myself?
Yes, painting your house exterior yourself is an option. Depending on the size and scope of the job, DIYers can save money on labor costs but may not have access to the same resources as professional painters.
Is it cheaper to paint the house exterior myself?
It may appear cheaper to paint the house exterior yourself, but you could lose time and money overall. It depends on your skill level and the paint job size. DIYers can save money on labor costs but may not access the same tools and resources as professional painters, so it’s essential to research and compare prices before deciding.
How long does it take to paint a house exterior by yourself?
Painting the exterior of a house can be a time-consuming project. Depending on the size and complexity of your home, it could take anywhere from several days to multiple weeks for you to finish.
To speed up the process, have all the necessary paint and materials before starting the job. It also helps to familiarize yourself with painting techniques before starting the project.
Is it better to spray or roll exterior paint?
If painting a textured surface, it’s best to use an airless sprayer for even coverage. Rolling is typically better for smooth surfaces since it enables you to spread the paint more evenly.
Can I paint over the existing exterior paint?
Yes, you can paint over the existing exterior paint if it is clean and in good condition. Inspect the surface and ensure no loose or peeling areas before painting. Use a pressure washer to remove any dirt or debris that could interfere with the new coat of paint.
Should I pressure wash my house before painting?
Yes, we highly recommend pressure washing your house before painting to help remove any dirt or debris that could interfere with the new coat of paint and ensure a smooth finish. Pressure washing can also help reveal any areas of water damage that need repair before painting. Allow the surface to dry completely before starting the project.
Does exterior paint need primer?
In most cases, you should use a primer before applying the exterior paint to ensure better paint adhesion and increase its durability. If damage is present, it should be prepped and primed before painting. Some modern higher-quality paint is self-priming, allowing you to paint over existing paint as long as it is clean and in good condition.
Key Takeaways:
- Calculate the cost of materials and labor when determining how much it will cost to paint your house exterior.
- Make sure you have all the necessary materials and tools before painting.
- DIYers can save money on labor costs but may not have access to the same resources as a professional painting company would.
- Painting your house exterior yourself can be a great way to customize and personalize the look of your home.
- Take time to familiarize yourself with painting techniques before starting the project. With preparation, you’ll be able to paint your house exterior like a pro!
Conclusion
Painting your house exterior yourself can be a great way to customize and personalize the look of your home. Consider the cost, time, and skill level you’ll need before starting the project. Make sure to have all the necessary materials and tools on hand, research painting techniques, and take time for proper preparation.
