Painting the exterior of your house gives it a new life. An exterior paint job can freshen up the old, dull color or change the look and feel of your home entirely.
For anyone hoping to sell their house, a new exterior paint coat will increase curb appeal and resale value.
In addition to the aesthetic benefits of repainting your home, a new paint job can also protect your siding and prevent damage.
If you are ready to repaint your house, connect with local painting pros for FREE ESTIMATES!
Average Cost To Paint A Home Exterior
Painting the exterior of your home will cost you, on average, $2,960. The cost ranges between $1,748 on the low end, and up to $4,173 on the high end.
The absolute least you can anticipate paying for a newly painted exterior is $600, whereas large homes with multiple floors and complex architecture can cost as much as $7,000 or more.
You can also use our Exterior Painting Calculator for a quick price estimate to repaint your home exterior.
The table below summarizes the typical price range people across the US spend on painting their home exterior.
| Average Cost | $2,960 |
|---|---|
| Standard Price Range | $1,748 – $4,173 |
| Low End – High End Cost | $600 – $7,000 |
Labor Cost To Paint Your Home’s Exterior
The price of professional labor is another factor you will have to include in your budget plans, unless you are intending to complete the project DIY.
On average, exterior painting pros charge $40-75 per hour. Its possible to get a handyman to do an easy exterior paint job for as little as $25-35 per hour.
Some contractors will include the cost of labor based on the estimated number of hours the project will require in their offered bid. Other contractors, though, will charge you based on time and materials.
Items typically included in the exterior paint job:
– Power wash the siding to remove dirt and mildew
– Scrape and sand the siding surface to remove old paint
– Putty all window sashes, caulk holes, cracks
– Make all necessary siding repair
– Remove all window shutters and paint their fronts
– Scrape, glaze, prime and paint all windows
– Prior to painting, cover all outside plants, grills, furniture for protection
Keep in mind, that different pros may include other items in their price quote or charge extra for things that others will include in the initial cost of labor.
This is why its so important to have an itemized contract from your painting pro, so that you know exactly what you are paying for and how much each item costs.
Cost to Paint Home Exterior Per Square Foot
Per square foot, painting the outside of your home will cost you between $0.50 to $3.50. On average, a 2,500 foot home will cost around $4,000.
When calculating the cost of painting the exterior of your home, you need to find the total paintable area of your house. The total paintable area is the total square footage of your home exterior, minus all the doors and windows.
A door is on average twenty one square feet and a standard window is twelve square feet; you can use these figures in rough calculation estimates.
| Total Paintable Area | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 square feet | $500 – $3,500 |
| 1,200 square feet | $600 – $4,200 |
| 1,500 square feet | $750 – $5,200 |
| 1,800 square feet | $900 – $6,300 |
| 2,000 square feet | $1,000 – $7,000 |
| 2,200 square feet | $1,100 – $7,700 |
| 2,500 square feet | $1,250 – $8,750 |
| 2,800 square feet | $1,400 – $9,800 |
| 3,000 + square feet | $1,500 – $10,500 + |
Cost To Paint Home Exterior Based On Number Of Stories
The height of your home is one of the primary factors that determines the cost of repainting it. The more stories your home has, the more expensive it will be to paint.
The cost of painting a two story house is often more than twice as much as the cost of painting a one story house. This is because painting a taller structure requires more safety equipment such as ladders and harnesses, which ups the price.
You can expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,500 on average for a single-story home, between $3,000 and $6,200 for a two-story home, and $4,500 to $10,000 and above for a three story home or larger.
| Number of Stories | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Single Story | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Two Story | $3,000 – $6,200 |
| Three Story + | $4,500 – $10,000 + |
Factors That Impact The Cost To Paint Exterior Of Your Home
How much you end-up spending on repainting your house exterior can vary depending on a number of different factors. The most common ones include:
Your Location: As with all home improvement projects, the cost will be determined by the region you live in. Labor costs are higher in the coastal areas of the USA, so expect increased prices than other regions. Local labor rates may vary by as much as 20-30% up or down depending on whether you live in a high-income city or not
Exterior Condition: If the exterior of your home has not been repainted recently, the old layer of paint may be chipped and peeling. To paint over it, significant work must be done to smooth it out, increasing the cost. Repainting your home more frequently can prevent this from happening.
Height: Taller homes cost more to paint because of the extra safety equipment required to paint it, as well as the additional labor time. 2 storie house cost 50-60% more to paint compared to single storie houses.
Windows: If you have many windows, repainting your home may be more costly, even though the paintable surface is less. That is because windows must be protected, which is a long, time consuming process.
Colors: If you are choosing multiple colors for your home, it will be more expensive than painting your home one color. Separate colors for trim and detailing will all cost more.
Paint Type: the brand and quality of paint and finish you select will impact the total price.
Repairs: you should budget extra for the cost of any minor carpentry repairs like nailing in loose shakes, shingles or moldings. You may also need to pay extra to repair or replace any rotted or broken wood.
Cost To Paint Home Exterior By Siding Type
Depending on the type of siding you have on your home, the cost to paint your exterior will change. The most expensive type of siding to repaint are stucco and brick, while the most affordable types are concrete and metal.
The table below outlines the overall price to paint your siding depending on type, based on a house square footage between 1,500 and 2,000 sq.ft.
| Siding Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Aluminum / Metal | $400 – $3,500 |
| Concrete | $500 – $2,000 |
| Vinyl | $600 – $3,500 |
| Fiber Cement | $600 – 4,000 |
| Wood | $700 – $3,000 |
| Stucco | $1,400 – $6,500 |
| Brick | $3,500 – $10,500 |
Cost To Paint Aluminum/Metal Siding
While you may think metals do not need protective painting like wood, in fact maintaining a coat of paint on your metal siding can help protect it.
Aluminum and metal siding tends to be very affordable to paint since it requires little prep work. In cases of well-maintained siding, a simple cleaning with a hose or power washer will suffice, and painting your siding can cost as low as $400.
In cases where the existing paint has chipped or peeled, you will need to remove the old covering and either use a specialized metal paint or etch the metal with acid.
However, if the metal siding is in disrepair, and has rusting or other damage, the siding will need to be repaired before it can be repainted, which will be quite costly, reaching $3,500 and beyond.
Cost To Paint Concrete Siding
Painting concrete costs between $1 and $3.50 per square foot, which averages to between $500 and $3,000 for the entire home.
Concrete can be more pricey to paint, though, as it often requires a primer layer under the paint, which ups the square foot price to between $2 and $7 per square foot.
If your concrete siding requires stripping, you can expect to pay between $4 and $14 per square foot.
If your concrete siding is damaged and requires repairs before it can be painted, expect to pay between $100 and $500 per 100 square feet of repairs.
Cost To Paint Vinyl Siding
Repainting your vinyl siding costs between $600 and $3,500, or $1,25 to $3 per square foot.
If you have to change the finish of your siding, repainting vinyl will cost more, but changing the finish is not necessary unless it is extensively damaged and worn.
Pro Tip: You should only use the same color as the original color of the vinyl siding, or a lighter color. Its best to AVOID using a darker color exterior paint on vinyl because it cause cause the siding to buckle or warp due to heat build up.
Also, make sure that the vinyl siding manufacturer recommends painting their siding and what colors are best to use.
Cost To Paint Fiber Cement Siding
The cost to paint fiber cement siding, such as James Hardie or Allura is similar to the cost of painting vinyl siding. You can expect to spend $1.25 – 3.50 per square foot, which includes materials and professional labor.
For a 1,500 sq.ft. house clad with cement board siding, the exterior paint cost is $1,875 – 5,250
If you plan on repainting fiber cement siding, its extremely important to avoid oil-based primer. This type of primer will increase the roughness of the board surface of the board, thus preventing the paint from adhering properly.
Moreover, using an oil-based primer on fiber cement siding can even cause cracking and chalking.
Pro Tip: cement board siding manufactures sell a special primer for use on their unprimed siding products. By using the manufacturer’s primer, you will ensure that your warranty will continue to be in effect.
On the other hand, using a different primer brand may actually VOID your warranty.
If you are installing cement boards that have already been primed, its best to use 100% acrylic exterior paint.
Cost To Paint Wood Siding
Wood siding requires painting to protect it against moisture damage such as rot, infestations, and mold, so it is very important to repaint your wood siding when the old coat begins to fade. Typically, wood siding should be repainted every five to ten years.
Repainting wood siding costs around $1 to $3 per square foot, and between $700 and $3,000 for the home.
While it is comparatively affordable to repaint, the frequency at which wood must be repainted does add up in the long run.
Cost To Paint Stucco
It turns out that stucco is one of the most pricey materials to repaint, costing between $1,400 and $6,000. For comparison, installing new stucco siding costs only slightly more, at $1,750 to $6,500.
Moreover, if you would like to add texture to your stucco this will cost an additional $400-500 per every 1,000 sq.ft.
In many cases, it may be more advantageous to replace the stucco siding rather than repaint it.
Stucco is so expensive to repaint because it requires significant amounts of time and effort. The stucco must be thoroughly prepared beforehand, which includes cleaning, caulking, and filling in cracks.
Stucco takes longer to repaint than other types of siding, and also requires more paint per square foot.
Cost To Paint Brick
Painting brick siding is the most costly of all siding types, ranging between $3,500 and $10,500. Per square foot, painting brick costs between $1.50 and $4.50.
Brick is so pricey to repaint because it is so rough and porous. Because of this, a gallon of paint covers only 250 square feet, compared to the average 400 square feet. Also, brick requires a primer to ensure the paint adheres, which increases the price.
How Much Does House Exterior Paint Cost?
If you are painting your home DIY, you will need to consider how much paint will cost. If you are painting your home exterior through a contractor, they will likely receive large discounts from suppliers, rather than pay per gallon.
If you are purchasing the paint yourself, it will cost you between $20 and $80 per gallon depending on the quality of the paint.
One gallon of paint covers around 400 – 500 square feet. If the surface is very porous, the exterior paint may only cover about 200 sq.ft.
Overall, its best to use acrylic paint for exterior siding. High-quality exterior acrylic paint can last 7-10 years.
The table below summarizes the best exterior paint to use for different types of siding.
| Siding Type | Exterior Paint Brand |
|---|---|
| Vinyl Siding | Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior Paint and Primer in One |
| Sherwin-Williams Super Paint Exterior Latex Paint | |
| Metal Siding | Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior Paint and Primer in One |
| Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior Latex Paint | |
| Fiber Cement Siding | Sherwin-Williams DurationExterior Latex Paint |
| Rust-Oleum Zinsser PermaWhite Exterior Paint | |
| Wood Siding | Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior Paint and Primer in One |
| KILZ Exterior Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint | |
| Rust-Oleum Zinsser Perma-White Exterior Paint | |
| Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes Solid Color Acrylic Exterior Stain | |
| Stucco | KILZ Exterior Siding, Fence, and Barn Paint |
| Sherwin-Williams Loxon Masonry Primer | |
| Sherwin-Williams Super Paint Exterior Latex Paint or Duration | |
| Valspar Duramax Elastomeric Paint | |
| Brick | Glidden Premium Semi-Gloss Latex Exterior Paint |
| Sherwin-Williams Loxon Masonry Primer | |
| Sherwin-Williams Super Paint Exterior Latex Paint or Duration | |
| Valspar Duramax Elastomeric Paint |
Additional Exterior Painting Costs
The siding itself may not be the only thing you want to be repainted, so you need to include all other features into your price calculations.
Some contractors will charge separately for the additional aspects you want to paint, whereas others may include it in the package. Be sure to discuss with your contractor which additional features you want painted.
The table below outlines the average costs to paint common features around the home.
| Feature | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Doors | $70 – $350 |
| Window Sashes | $100 – $200 |
| Shutters | $150 – $800 |
| Gutters and Downspouts | $200 – $800 |
| Fascia | $500 – $1,000 |
| Porches | $500 – $2,000 |
Cost To Paint Home Exterior DIY
Painting your home’s exterior can be a good DIY project for those with the right experience and tools. Unless you have all the proper safety equipment, do not attempt to paint your home DIY, especially if it is a multi-story building.
While painting your home yourself will save you in labor costs, remember that the cost of paint per gallon will be about twice as expensive as what a professional would pay.
Purchasing all the necessary tools and materials will cost you between $500 and $1,000 or more, depending on the quality you choose.
Here is an itemized list of essentials you need to paint the exterior of your house and how much they cost.
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Paint (1 gallon) | $20 – $80 |
| Ladder | $100 – $300 |
| Brushes | $10 – $100 |
| Scrapers | $5 – $35 |
| Rollers and rolling handles | $15 – $30 |
| Sandpaper | $5 – $20 |
| Sprayer and power rollers | $100 – $2,000 |
| Masking tape (1 roll) | $3 |
| Buckets | $5 |
| Pans | $6 |
| Caulk (1 tube) | $2 – $10 |
| Total | $266 – 2,589 |
When Should I Repaint my Home?
The decision of when to repaint your home depends on many factors, such as climate, siding material, and the quality of the previous paint coat.
As a rule of thumb, however, you should always repaint your home’s exterior before noticing signs of wear and tear such as chipping or peeling. Waiting until you see obvious signs of damage means that repainting will be much more expensive when the time comes.
Roughly, wood siding should be repainted every five to ten years. Aluminum, stucco and vinyl should all be repainted every five to seven years. Brick can last up to twenty years without repainting.
Some clear indications that it is time to repaint your home are when you see any fading, peeling, chipping, bubbling, or chalky residue. It is also a good idea to repaint your home before putting it on the market so it looks as good as new.
What Color Should I Paint My House?
Choosing the right siding color to paint your home exterior will help make your home feel most ‘you.’ There are dozens of color choices available, and you can mix and match different colors on different parts of your home to create the look you are going for.
In terms of affordability, it is cheaper to repaint your home in a similar color to the previous paint, as it will require less coats to cover the old color.
Additionally, it is best to avoid choosing bright colors for the home exterior, as they require many more coats to achieve the bright hue.
Dark colors tend to fade faster than light colors, so you may have to repaint dark siding more frequently than a lighter shade.
If you want to add color to your home exterior but also want to maintain affordability, you can choose a neutral color for the siding and then a bright, interesting color for the trim, doors, and other features.
How To Save Money When Painting Your Home
Painting the exterior of your home can be a large investment. There are, however, ways to significantly cut costs, keeping your project affordable and within budget.
First, it is important to seek out competitive bids from 3-4 contractors, and not simply settle for the first bid you get.
Their prices will likely be within the same thousand dollar range, but saving a few hundred dollars may make all the difference. Also, you never know if some contractors have discounts or special package sales, so it is worth shopping around a little before settling on one contractor.
Another important aspect to consider is when to get your home painted. If you wait until all of the paint is chipped and peeling to repaint the exterior of your home, the price will be much higher than if you get a repaint job when the original coat has just begun to fade.
That is because old, peeling paint will require time consuming removal, so the preparation time before painting will take longer. Save costs by scheduling your repaint before the old paint coat has become too damaged.
For anyone DIY-inclined, you can do some or all of the work yourself. Then you will only have to cover the cost of paint and tools, not labor.
This works best for stouter homes that require less special equipment to reach the higher levels, as painting a three story home DIY may lead to some safety hazards.
If you are not able to paint your home’s exterior DIY, there are still some steps you can take on your own to prepare the home for painting, which will cut down on your costs.
First, remove any furniture or objects beside the exterior of your home. Trim down any shrubbery, and remove the outlet covers, switch plates, and doorknobs. This will make the job of the painter faster, reducing their labor cost.
Finally, choosing the right color can help you save costs in the long run. Dark, bold colors are more expensive to repaint as they require more layers to be covered up, and they also fade faster than lighter colors.
If your original color is not in bad condition, you may be able to save costs by repainting it with the same color, which would require fewer layers.
Is Repainting My House Exterior Worth It?
Many homeowner wonder if repainting their house siding is a worthwhile investment, especially if they are prepping the house for sale.
It turns out that repainting the exterior of your home can be one of the best ways to attract more buyers, create a great first impression and boost the resale value of your house by 2-5%.
Painting your house exterior is also much cheaper than replacing your siding, so if your current siding is in decent shape (without much damage), then giving it a new coat of paint is the way to go.
Keep in mind, that selecting the right exterior paint colors, is key to optimizing your return on investment and boosting house value. Its best to choose light greys and lights blues, as these are the most popular and attractive colors to the majority of home buyers.
