How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House Exterior?

Homeowners report that painting a home’s exterior costs an average of $3,048 with a typical range between $1,764 and $4,331. The average price per square foot ranges from $0.50 to $3.50 depending on your geographic location, condition of your exterior and accessibility.

Paint the exterior of your home to boost its curb appeal, change a color you don't like or refresh a dilapidated paint job. It’s a large job that requires proper planning, preparation and tools. In most cases, it’s best left to a pro. But before you call one, consider a few factors that will affect your project's budget.

Average Cost to Paint a House Exterior

How to Estimate a Painting Job’s Area

It’s important to understand that a 2,500-square-foot home does not always have 2,500 square feet of paintable walls. More likely, you’ll end up with anywhere from 1,600 to 2,700 square feet of paintable area for this home size. Use these two simple steps to determine total coverage area:

1. Total Finished Area: measure the perimeter of your home and multiply by the height.

2. Total Paintable Area: Subtract the area of doors and windows from the total finished area. A standard door is 21 square feet. A standard window is 12 square feet.

Once you have the total area, head over to our paint calculator to find out how much you’ll need. If you have multiple gables or other difficult-to-measure architectural elements, contact a professional for a detailed quote.

Exterior House Painting Cost Per Square Foot

It’ll cost anywhere from $0.50 to $3.50 per square foot to hire a painter for the exterior of your home. However, most homeowners spend between $0.75 to $2 per square foot for the total project. Your location, the condition of your exterior, and ease of access all play significant roles in project pricing.

“The key to a good paint job is proper preparation,” says Bob Tschudi, a general contractor based in Raleigh, North Carolina. “You have to get the surface ready for paint, which can involve rot remediation, sheathing and siding replacement, chipped paint removal, and extensive caulking.”

Exterior Home Painting Costs Per Square Foot

* does not reflect home’s total square footage

Cost to Paint a House Per Floor

A two-story home can cost as much as 50% more to paint than a one-story home. The harder it is to reach an area, the more time spent adjusting scaffolding and ladders. More time spent on a job equals higher costs.

The cost to paint a small house runs $500 to $4,000. A 1,000-square-foot home with little prep on one story might only take $500 in some areas while the same square footage in a two-story house with limited accessibility might reach $4,000 or more. Height adds cost. Expect these increases:

• Add 30% above 8 feet.

• Add 60% above 13 feet.

• Add 90% above 17 feet.

• Add 120% above 19 feet.

Outdoor Paint Price Per Gallon

“For any whole-house paint job we do, we include an intensive pressure-washing before applying the first coat of paint,” says Tschudi. “You don’t want to put new paint over existing dirt, grime, and mold.”

Labor Costs

Most of a project's price is the cost of labor at $25 to $75 per hour. However, most contractors bid out based on the entire project which includes all work hours. Hourly rates are only useful if your pro asks to do the job as “time and materials.” However, be wary of this pricing structure, it usually shows the contractor is uncertain how long the project will take.

Average Costs to Paint Siding

You’ll spend anywhere from $1 to $4.50 per square foot to paint the exterior siding of a home. Material type plays a large role in the type of paint and amount of time spent on your project.

*based on 1,500 to 2,000 square feet.

Stucco

You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,400 to $6,000 to have stucco revitalized with paint. Installing new stucco siding costs only slightly more at $2,200 to $8,300. For damaged siding, consider simply replacing it. For the total finished area, you’ll pay $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot. There are multiple reasons for the increase in price:

• Stucco siding requires extensive preparation work (cleaning, caulking, filling in cracks, etc.).

• It’s very rough, meaning paint that would cover 350 square feet of smooth area might only cover 150-200 square feet of stucco.

• Done properly, it takes slightly longer than typical siding.

Vinyl

Expect to pay between $600 to $3,500 or $1.25 to $3 per square foot to coat vinyl, with prices likely increasing for the finish. It is one of the more inexpensive siding materials to have repainted, especially with recent innovations in materials. You can save nearly half the vinyl siding installation cost of $4 per square foot by painting rather than replacing. Before adding a new coat to vinyl siding:

• Clean and repair any damage.

• Replace clapboards or vinyl sections that have blown off because of climate conditions.

Wood

You can expect to pay between $700 to $3,000 to paint wood siding. You’ll end up spending $1 to $3 per square foot, but typically you’ll find this material is cheaper than brick or vinyl. Wood requires some type of sealant, be it paint, stain or oil. Lumber takes well to a wide variety of coverings giving you endless options for modern, contemporary or classic looks. Some things to consider when choosing wood:

• Wood requires more frequent maintenance, typically every 3-5 years for stains and 5-10 years for paint–or when it begins to visibly peel.

• Although wood is easy to repair, rot and other damage does increase the price.

Concrete

You’ll spend between $500 and $3,000 or $1 to $3.50 per square foot to paint concrete. However, expect to pay $2 to $7 per square foot since concrete almost always needs a coat of primer first. Double that price if the concrete requires stripping. Concrete is porous. Sealing it not only helps blend foundations and walls with your home’s aesthetic, but also seals it against water. Repairing or resurfacing concrete costs $300 to $500 for every 100 square feet.

Metal/Aluminum

The cost to paint metal siding falls between $400 and $3,500. Most metals, even corrosion-resistant types like aluminum and galvanized steel, can use a protective coat of paint. Consider the following before beginning your project.

• In some instances, a simple cleaning will suffice to prepare the siding. More often, you’ll need to remove the old covering and etch the metal with acid or use a specialized metal paint.

• In worst cases, professionals will need to repair metal that is rusted, damaged or missing pieces due to climate conditions.

• In severe cases, you might consider a new installation. Metal siding installation costs $4,500 to $18,500.

Brick

Painting a brick house costs $3,500 to $10,500. At $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot, it’s one of the most expensive materials to cover. Because brick is porous and rough, a gallon only covers about 250 square feet. Like concrete, brick requires a primer to help it adhere.

Cost to Repaint a House

Repainting a home costs anywhere from $1 to $5 per square foot or $1,000 to $10,000 total. There are several cost factors to consider:

1. Size and configuration of the home. Expect complex layouts to increase the price.

2. Multiple stories and hard-to-reach areas increase the time it’ll take.

3. Prep work can double the cost. Preparing a home requires fixing siding, filling holes, sanding, power washing, scraping, and priming the surface.

Exterior Paint Estimator

When determining the total cost of a home’s exterior project, you’ll want to include things like the trim, a garage, foundation, windows, and doors. All work is calculated by square footage and sometimes by the linear foot, such as in the case of trim. Your contractor will give you a price for the entire project unless you specifically ask for each item separately.

Cost to Paint a Garage

The average 18-by-20-foot garage with 10-foot-high walls costs $300 to $600 to paint. Material type and whether it is attached or not help define the price. You can also choose to simply update the door, floor, and driveway for inexpensive curb appeal.

• Garage door painting costs $200-$500

• Garage floor coating costs $1,500-$3,200

Cost to Paint Exterior Trim or Window Trim

Painting trim costs $1 to $3 per linear foot. If you’re getting your trim done at the same time as the siding, your contractor includes this in the quote.

Fascia, Soffit & Eaves

Painting a fascia and soffits $2.50 to $5.50 per square foot. Replacing fascia or soffits costs $600 to $6,000. Check with your professional, but it’s often more cost-effective to replace them altogether.

Cost to Paint Shutters

Painting shutters costs $50 to $150 each. When combined with your entire exterior, it’ll fall within the $1 to $4.50 per square foot range. Pros include this in the project quote.

Deck & Patio Staining or Painting

Staining a deck costs $540 to $1,000. Covered porches might hit $2,000. Consider negotiating the price a bit lower by combining it with a full exterior job. Painting handrails can run anywhere from $1 to $2 per linear foot, depending on whether it’s wood, metal or some other material. Although you might think this is an easy $30 to $100 job, most painters charge a minimum fee regardless of the size of the project. You’ll probably end up paying at least $150.

Painting Additional Exterior Features

If you decide to paint additional features around your home, some professionals might include them as part of a package. Others will charge for them separately. Check with potential professionals on these items before settling on a contract. Costs will likely fall in the following ranges:

Painting Prep Work Costs

Prepping a house costs anywhere from $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot. This is almost always included in the total project price. However, the DIYer might negotiate some discounts for completing this work on their own. Be warned, proper prep is key to the quality and durability of the finish. If you do this work yourself, the contractor might not guarantee the finished product.

• Patching: $0.50-$1.50 per square foot.

• Repairs vary by the material type but expect to pay anywhere from $25-$50 per hour.

• Scraping, sanding, and stripping: $0.50-$2.50 per square foot.

• Power washing costs $200-$400.

• Caulking and masking: $0.50-$1 per square foot.

DIY vs. Having Your House Painted

If you have two weeks, a ladder, and some experience, this makes an excellent DIY project. On most surfaces, it is forgiving of mistakes and easy to work with. Correcting mistakes only adds more time and not much more expense. However, a professional will get it done faster and with a better finish. If you don’t have 2 to 3 weeks to spare, find a professional painter near you.

Cost to Paint a House Exterior Yourself

It’ll cost you between $500 and $1,000 to paint the exterior yourself. You may end up spending more if you buy high-quality products from specialized shops. Professionals can get the same supplies for about half what you’ll pay.

Cost of Painting Supplies

Getting House Painting Quotes

Quotes are almost always free, quick, and often completed in one day. An experienced pro will often give you a price during a home visit.

• Never take a quote without the pro visiting your home.

• Always get at least three quotes.

• Always ask for references and check painter reviews.

• Take the time to inspect their previous work.

FAQs

How much do exterior paint prices differ from interior?

Some brands charge up to 25% more for exterior over interior paint. However, with many brands, you'll find little difference in price.

How much is it to test and remove lead paint?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, professionals must check for lead, especially if a home was built before 1978. Many DIYers forget to test for lead. It’s dangerous; it's far better to find it before you put time and effort into painting your home than after the fact.

• Professional lead paint inspections cost $225 to $425.

• Find lead testing kits at home improvement stores for less than $40.

How much does it cost to paint a mobile home exterior?

It’ll cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000 to paint a mobile home exterior.

How much does it cost to paint a commercial building?

Painting a commercial building costs $1 to $5 per square foot on average. However, once you exceed two stories, the costs start to add up. Add about 30% to the square foot cost for every level above the first.