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Exterior Painting Cost Estimator

Exterior Painting Estimate Calculator

Costs to paint the exterior of a house vary greatly by region. Let’s calculate the cost for your zip code.

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NATIONAL COSTS

Average Cost

$5,362

Low Cost

$2,547

High Cost

$12,690

See Exterior Painting Estimate Calculator Breakdown 

Average Cost Project Low-Cost Project High-Cost Project

Cost

Material

15 gallons of paint

$599

Labor

Repainting a 1,500 sq.ft. house exterior, including waterblasting, repair of minor surface defects in siding and trim, priming of stained, cracked or peeling surfaces

$1,948

Materials

6 gallons of water-base primer

$246

10 gallons of exterior flat paint

$517

2 gallons of exterior satin paint

$136

Labor

Sanding and puttying 1,500 sq.ft

$487

Masking 250 l.f.

$406

Waterblasting 1,500 sq.ft.

$1,760

Rolling undercoat and painting 2 coats 1,500 sq.ft.

$782

Priming and painting 1 door and 8 windows

$331

Stripping half the surface 750 sq.ft.

$697

Materials

10 gallons of water-base primer

$410

16 gallons of exterior flat paint

$827

3 gallons of exterior satin paint

$204

Plywood siding for 2,500 sq.ft.

$4,505

Labor

Sanding and puttying 2,500 sq.ft. on a two-story house

$934

Masking 300 l.f.

$488

Rolling undercoat and painting 2 coats 2,500 sq.ft.

$1,499

Priming and painting 1 door and 8 windows

$331

Rolling undercoat and painting 2 coats 2,500 sq.ft.

$347

Installing new plywood siding 2,500 sq.ft.

$3,145

Total

$2,547

$5,362

$12,690

Exterior House Painting Cost Per Square Foot

It’s important to note that when you calculate the square footage of your home, the amount of exterior siding you have to paint does not necessarily equal your interior square footage. Each wall of siding should be calculated separately, multiplying the height and width to find the square footage of that wall, and adding the walls together to get your total. Gables, dormers, and other features should be added into the total separately. Keep in mind that the exterior painting price per square foot can also change depending on the material of the siding you are painting and the complexity of the job.

An average range for outdoor house painting costs per square foot ¹ is between $1.50 and $4 and can be higher or lower depending on your location and the condition of your home.

Average Cost to Paint a House Exterior by Number of Stories

It makes perfect sense that it would be more expensive to paint a two- or three-story house versus a single-story house. Climbing up and down a ladder, repositioning the ladder, and refilling the sprayer or tray adds several extra hours and increases the risk of a fall or spill.

Since prices vary, we’re going to take a closer look at the different types of houses. The estimated cost to paint an average one-story house averages about $2,250 to $5,800. A ranch style home is defined as a home with a low-pitch roofline, so painting is easier. Therefore, it will be cheaper, too. Expect the cost to paint a ranch house to be around $1,000 to $2,000. Homeowners with two-story homes enjoy a larger home but reaching the higher areas affects the price tag. The cost to paint a two-story house exterior is approximately between $4,500 and $6,500. A stunning three-story home will be welcoming to guests and family, but the residents will be paying a hefty price when it comes time to paint. The cost to paint a three-story house can tick up as high as $10,000.

Exterior Paint Cost by Type

Just as there are different types of primers, there are also different types of paint. Your painter may have a preference for working with one over another, or the type of siding that you have may require one over another as well.

Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint

Acrylic latex paint is an excellent choice for vinyl and other glossy surfaces. It costs between $20 and $50 per gallon. This paint is easy to clean up with soap and water and has low or no VOCs. These are direct advantages over other types of exterior paints. One disadvantage that should be noted is that this is not a long-lasting paint, so it chips over time. Also, it has a less smooth texture and is not a good fit for a wet climate.

Exterior Latex Paint

Water-based exterior latex paint computes to a simple clean-up. You can expect to pay between $20 to $50 a gallon. This paint doesn’t yellow, dries quickly, is environmentally friendly, and is available in many colors, making it a versatile choice for many homes. Oil-based paint is often a better choice for wood siding or trim, so it is not suggested to use it on other materials.

Exterior Oil Based Paint

The cost for oil-based paint is $20 to $70 per gallon. Oil-based paint provides a smoother application but requires a longer drying time. The extended drying time is helpful if you make a mistake. With this paint, you will also notice more thorough coverage. Some of the disadvantages of this type of paint include the fact that it is a more expensive option, is high in environmentally harmful VOCs, and requires a daunting clean-up with mineral spirits or turpentine It is prone to cracking, fading, and yellowing.

Exterior Paint Cost Per Gallon

There are a number of factors that can influence the cost of paint, including the color, the brand, and the location. In addition, the amount of paint or the number of gallons that your home will need for coverage can be influenced by several things such as the condition of the siding, the size of the project, and the type of material. As a rule of thumb, non-porous materials require less paint than porous materials, and materials in good condition require less paint than damaged materials.

Exterior Primer Paint Price by Type

Most surfaces that are being painted for the first time or that are making a significant color change need to be primed before they can be painted. Primer helps the paint adhere better to the surface, so it will last longer. In some cases, primer can also help prevent discoloration of the paint, such as is the case when painting cedar; cedar sap can bleed through paint in a condition known as cedar bleed. Priming blocks this sap discoloration so the paint job stays looking fresh longer. If you are making a significant color change, from light to dark or dark to light, primer can help bridge the gap more easily, cutting down on the number of finished coats of paint.

Priming is also necessary if you are switching paint types, such as going from a latex paint to an oil-based paint. In most cases, you should use the same type of primer as the type of paint that you are using. For example, if you are using an oil-based paint, then an oil-based primer is needed.

Adhesive Primer

Adhesive primer is actually a latex-based primer that helps when the surface makes it difficult for the paint to adhere. The cost is $15 to $60 a gallon. It can be used on glossy materials such as vinyl, metal, or glazed brick and can be applied with a sprayer. It is extremely low-maintenance and an easy clean-up, too.

Exterior Oil-based Primer

Oil-based primer costs about $20 to $50 a gallon. It is a messy option as clean-up requires mineral spirits. However, this effective primer covers dark colors, block stains, and odors. It also provides excellent adhesion. This primer is also a great sealant for wood. The drawback is that it shows brush marks very easily, so it must be applied carefully.

Exterior Shellac Primer

Shellac primer is very versatile in that it has the fastest drying time and adheres better than all other primers. For shellac primer, the cost is about $20 to $60 a gallon. It permanently covers stains and odors. However, be advised, it has the strongest smell and a sticky consistency. Clean-up is extensive and involves denatured alcohol or acetone nail polish remover. Because of this, a sprayer cannot be used to apply the shellac primer.

Exterior Latex Primer

Often referred to as acrylic primer, latex-based primer is reduced with water. The cost for latex primer is $20 to $80 per gallon. This primer’s advantages include quick drying time, easy clean-up, and fewer volatile organic compounds or VOCs. It applies to wood, metal, fiber cement, and masonry surfaces. The main disadvantages to a latex primer are that it chips easier than other products and is less effective in breaking down UV lighting.

Exterior Paint Cost by Type of Finish

Paint can have different finishes ranging from extremely flat or matte up to a very high gloss finish. Not every finish is going to work well on every exterior. The most commonly used finish on exterior homes is Eggshell, which has a light sheen to it, rather than being completely flat or high gloss.

Flat Exterior Paint

Flat exterior paint usually costs between $15 to $40 per gallon. This paint provides a completely matte finish with no sheen and has a chalky feel when touched. Flat finish paint is great when trying to hide blemishes and flaws. However it is harder to clean, as it holds onto dirt and is prone to chipping.

Eggshell Exterior Paint

The most popular finish for exteriors, eggshell, has a very light luster with barely any gloss. It usually costs between $30 to $50 per gallon. It gets its name from the fact that the finish looks similar to the shell of an egg. It’s slightly easier to clean than flat paint. Eggshell’s low reflectivity enables it to hide dents and other imperfections more effectively than satin or glossy paints. The application is also more forgiving of brush marks and other mistakes.

Satin Exterior Paint

Satin paint usually costs between $30 to $50 per gallon. It has a slightly deeper sheen to it than eggshell, making it easier to clean. Its velvet-look finish is both appealing and durable. It is resistant to scratches, stains, and scuffing. However, you should beware of darker colors in a satin finish as they appear much richer once dry.

Semi-Gloss Exterior Paint

Semi-gloss paint usually costs between $40 to $60 per gallon. This paint has a much higher gloss making it reflect a lot of light and making it easier to clean. It’s commonly used on the trim as it shows every little bump and flaw. For someone who lives in an area that is very dusty or muddy, a semi-gloss exterior paint makes cleaning the outside of the home easier.

High-Gloss Exterior Paint

High-gloss exterior paint usually costs $50 to $70 per gallon. This paint has a very glossy, reflective finish. It is very durable and works well on doors and some types of trim, or areas where weather beats down. It is not recommended for larger exterior areas unless you are looking to spotlight it.

Exterior Paint Cost by Brand

When it comes to painting your exterior, you may not put too much thought into the brand of paint you use. While most popular paint brands will get the job done, there are some differences between them that you may want to be aware of before you begin your project, There is a wide range of brands available across the country, and most offer a variety of paints with different finishes: flat, satin, eggshell, semi-gloss, and high-gloss.

However, high-gloss paints should generally only be used to highlight details and accents rather than on your entire house. This is because it can magnify your home’s imperfections and almost make your exterior look like it’s made out of plastic. Semi-gloss paint is best used for surfaces that are cleaned frequently, such as exterior trim, doors, gutters, shutters, railings, and window sills. With that being said, it can be used for the entire exterior. It is resistant to diverse weather conditions, but it isn’t the best choice for concealing cracks or chips.

Satin paint is durable, flexible, and resistant to mold, mildew, and peeling. It also contains a UV protectant, making it a great choice if you live in hotter and sunnier climates. However, it will magnify any imperfections already on your exterior. Eggshell paint is similar to satin and is the most popular exterior paint finish because it is the perfect middle ground of paint types. It isn’t dull like a flat finish or too shiny like semi-gloss or high-gloss paints. It offers superior durability and can be applied evenly without showing brushstrokes or spray marks.

Finally, we have flat paint finishes. This used to be the most popular option but has recently taken a backseat to other glossier options. This is because it is susceptible to fading and mildew issues. On the other hand, it can easily disguise flaws in older homes. Whereas the other finishes are best used on architectural details, you should only use a flat finish on the walls themselves to ensure it lasts longer. Let’s take a look at the price breakdown for each.

Benjamin Moore Exterior Paint Price

Benjamin Moore paints are among the least expensive on the market, ranging from $14 to $53 per gallon. Every store across the country is locally owned, so if you’re looking for a trustworthy and family-centric brand, Benjamin Moore is the right choice for you. Though they are known for providing affordable paints, they still have higher-end options that cost more but will be more reliable. When you choose Benjamin Moore paints, you can select your choice of color and finish from a wide variety of options.

Glidden Exterior Paint Price

Glidden is a less expensive paint alternative that can be found at most Walmart stores across the country. Their paints range in price from $20 and $46 per gallon. Despite its lower price point and less recognizable name, Glidden is still known for offering high-quality paints appreciated by homeowners and painting contractors alike. Most of their paints are mildew-resistant, which makes them a great choice for exterior applications.

Behr Exterior Paint Price

Behr has been Home Depot’s house paint brand since 1978 and offers a wide range of different paints for both interior and exterior applications. Their pricing ranges from basic to premium paints, falling between $24 and $60 per gallon. Behr paints are very durable and won’t crack or fade easily. It can be applied easily with a paint sprayer and provides excellent coverage, but it can be tricky to apply with a paint roller. It is also suggested to use at least two coats on your exterior.

Valspar Exterior Paint Cost

Valspar is a Lowes-exclusive paint and offers most exterior finishes ranging from $26 to $80 per gallon. All of their paints are easy to apply with a roller as it is much thinner. However, that means you may need to apply more than one coat to protect your home properly. Valspar paints resist mildew due to their high-quality fillers, but it does not resist dirt with the same level of success. Since Valspar paint is thin, it dries very quickly. This can be a good thing, but it also can cause streaks.

Olympic Exterior Paint Cost

Olympic paints are a great mid-range choice for exterior jobs, ranging in price from $30 to $64 per gallon. Their paints offer great coverage and superior stain resistance. When you choose Olympic, you can select from flat, satin, eggshell, and semi-gloss paints for your exterior paint job. Their paints are eco-friendly and low-odor due to a special VOC (volatile organic compound) formula they use.

PPG Exterior Paint Cost

PPG exterior paints range in price from $38 to $78 per gallon, depending on the finish you choose for your exterior. The brand has over 135 years of experience and is a global supplier of premium exterior paints. PPG paints are useful for painting older homes as they can easily cover up blemishes and imperfections depending on the finish. They offer a variety of colors, metallics, and wood stain colors, too.

Sherwin Williams Exterior Paint Price

Sherwin Williams is one of the top paint brands on the market, which means their paints are generally priced a bit higher, ranging from $42 to $115 per gallon depending on the type of finish. With that being said, they still offer many affordable options, too. Their exterior paints cost more than interior since they are made with special properties to withstand the outside elements without chipping, fading, or discoloration.

Sherwin Williams has stores all across the nation and offers a wide range of products, including basic and self-priming exterior paints. Since their paint is a bit thinner, it dries much quicker. However, you may need to apply multiple coats, which impacts the overall cost of your project. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular finishes.

Labor Cost to Paint House Exterior

While some people may believe that painting a home is easy, it’s actually a time-consuming job that is best done by a professional. A professional painter will tape off and protect specified areas, clean the exterior and prep it before painting, and will know the right type and amount of paint to use for the job. They’ll also know when to use primer ² and how many coats of paint may be necessary for a particular type of siding.

Most painters charge for their services per painter by the hour. The average rate is between $25 and $100 per hour and painter. If you have two painters working on your home, you can expect to pay between $50 and $200 per hour, while three painters would cost between $75 and $300 per hour. The more painters you have, the faster they can get the work done, reducing the total number of hours on the job. For priming and painting of the complete exterior of a 1,500 sq.ft. home, including the siding and the trim, the total number of hours needed is around 16 to 32 for a two-person team. This makes the labor portion of this job around $1,600 to $3,200 of the $2,500 to $6,000 total. If there is no need for priming, labor costs can be cut by half.

Cost to Paint Siding by Material

One of the biggest factors determining the cost of painting siding is the type of material from which the siding is created. Different materials may require more costly preparation, more labor to complete, or more expensive types of paint. Aluminum is a siding growing in popularity that may require painting due to fading over time. It has a smooth, non-porous surface, requiring less paint but special types of paint and primer. Painting aluminum siding runs between $0.83 and $2.50 per sq. ft.

Wood is also a popular siding option as it is easy and cost-effective to paint, running around $1.00 to $3.00 per sq. ft. for painting. Another popular wood option is T1-11, which is plywood routed to look like planked pieces on the exterior of the home. It is similar to painting wood but costs a little more, running between $1.50 and $4.00 per sq. ft. Engineered wood often comes pre-primed, making the painting process easier unless it is being repainted in a different color. You can expect to pay between $1.00 and $2.00 per sq. ft. to paint this type of siding.

Concrete is a more rare form of siding but chosen by some homeowners due to its durability. It can be easily painted but often requires more labor and costs $1.00 to $3.50 per sq. ft. to paint.

Fiber cement siding often comes pre-painted or pre-primed. Also, the surface is not porous, allowing this type of siding to be painted using less paint. You can expect to pay around $1.25 to $3.25 per sq. ft. for painting.

Vinyl siding is one of the most commonly seen siding options in many areas and is often repainted to change the look or freshen up wear and tear. The average cost to repaint vinyl per sq. ft. is between $1.35 and $2.75.

Steel siding is similar to aluminum siding but more durable. It is designed not to require painting, but if a homeowner chooses to, they can expect to pay between $1.50 and $2.50 per sq. ft. to get the job done.

Brick and stone are siding options used in areas with high winds or by homeowners who want a more natural look to their home. These types of siding may or may not require two coats and cost between $2.40 and $4.20 per sq. ft. and $2.40 and $5.00 per sq. ft. respectively to paint. Brick and stone veneer siding are popular options with homeowners who like the look of brick but don’t want the cost or maintenance that goes along with it. They are made of fiber cement and can be painted rather easily, usually costing between $2.50 and $4.50 per sq. ft. for the job.

Cost to Paint Exterior Door

The average cost to paint an exterior door is around $150 to $350 per door. It’s common to have your doors painted at the same time as the rest of your exterior, particularly when going for a completely new color scheme. Interestingly enough, many homeowners opt to have the exterior door a completely different but complementary color to the exterior paint and trim. For example, a white house with black trim might have a brightly colored Robin Egg Blue front door!

Cost to Paint a Garage Exterior

The average cost to paint a detached 2-car garage is around $1,500. If your garage is attached to the house, it will be included in the total cost to paint the siding. Today’s garage doors are often made of different materials than the rest of the home. They may have windows or some type of design. Detached garages, while unique, have separate costs.

Cost to Paint Exterior Trim

The cost to paint trim is between $1 and $6 per linear foot. Many homes also have trim around doors, at the end of siding runs, and sometimes between different styles or colors of siding. You may have decorative trim on some parts of your home as well.

Cost to Paint Exterior Window Trim

The average home has 9 windows, with around 40 linear feet of trim. This makes the estimated cost to paint just the window trim around $80 to $120. The more windows your home has, the higher the costs. It’s common to have the trim on your home painted at the same time as your siding. Window trim, which frames out the windows on your home, can be painted with the rest of the trim, or separately as needed.

Cost to Paint Gutters by Material

Gutters are integral to many homes, installed at the roofline to help direct water away from the foundation of the home. They come in many materials, and while most are designed to be low-maintenance, you can have them painted to match the rest of your house or trim if desired. This pricing includes the average labor cost only, excluding paint.

Cost to Paint Downspouts

Your downspouts will be made of the same material as your gutters, and will therefore have the same cost to paint, between $1 and $4 per linear foot depending on the material. Because downspouts come in many lengths, your costs can vary. The downspout, located at the end of the gutter, transports water from the gutter to the ground. These handy little pieces keep rain from pooling in areas that could cause you problems down the line.

Cost to Paint a Porch

Porches have a square foot painting cost of between $2 and $3 per sq.ft., so the larger the porch the higher the overall cost to paint. Your costs could also be higher if you have a lot of decorative trim on your porch or railings. The cost to paint a more detailed porch railing could add $1 to $2 more per sq. ft. Porches are usually painted at the same time as the rest of your exterior, and they frequently are painted to match the trim on the rest of the home.

Cost to Paint Shutters

Shutters cost $60 to $80 per shutter to paint. They generally should also be painted at the same time as the house or trim to keep them looking their best, or they can be painted separately. Often, it is easier for the painter to remove the shutters, apply the paint, and then reattach due to the proximity of the house paint, which is a different color.

Cost to Paint Exterior Soffit and Fascia

Your fascia board is the trim that the gutters attach to, just below your roofline. It is painted like the rest of the trim on your home and has a painting cost per linear foot of between $1 and $3.

The soffit is found behind the fascia board on the underside of your roof deck. This is also considered part of your home’s trim. It helps conceal your eaves and is usually perforated for ventilation. The cost to paint is between $1 and $3 per linear foot.

Cost to Paint Eaves

Eaves should also be treated like trim, with an average cost to paint of $1-$3 per linear foot. Having exposed eaves not covered by a soffit is uncommon, but can be found occasionally. Painting the eaves can be awkward as they are the roof’s underside that juts out from the house. Some painters may use a sprayer or a roller rather than a brush for this area.

Cost to Stain a Deck

The cost to have a deck painted or stained is between $850 and $1,000 depending on the size of the deck. If you have a deck on your home, you will likely need to paint or stain it regularly. Before staining or painting, the deck needs to be cleaned and possibly stripped, depending on the product used initially. Also, after the deck is finished, a waterproofing product needs to be applied.

Cost to Repaint a House Exterior

Painting siding that has never been painted before, whether it is newly installed wood siding or vinyl siding being painted for the first time, will require a primer. Paint should not be applied directly to bare wood, while some materials like vinyl need a primer to bond the paint to the surface. A few materials, such as fiber cement and some engineered woods, may arrive pre-primed and ready for painting, which can save time and money on the project.

When repainting a home that has been painted before, the material should first be pressure washed and any loose paint needs to be removed. If necessary, repairs may also need to be made to the existing siding or surface material, and any older caulk ³ may need to be replaced around windows and doors. Depending on the condition of the siding and whether you are making a significant color change, you may also need to prime this siding first before painting. All of this can potentially mean that repainting can result in higher overall costs, although this does come down in part to the quality of the siding.

Painting new siding that has been pre-primed will have lower costs, closer to $2,800 to $3,000, with costs slightly higher if priming is required, starting closer to $3,200 to $3,500. This is in contrast to the $2,500 average for repainting existing siding. Keep in mind that costs can vary depending on your location, climate, and the condition and type of siding you are painting, whether new or existing.

Home Exterior Paint Prep Costs

Before homes can be painted, a lot of prep work needs to go into the project. In most cases, a lot of this prep work is factored into the hourly rate for the painters. This includes, but is not limited to pressure washing, removing loose paint, taping off windows, doors, and light fixtures, sanding ⁴, removing old caulk from around windows and doors, patching small holes, priming and priming stains.

Keep in mind that most painters charge by the hour, and the more work there is to be done, the higher the overall costs will be. If your home needs more extensive work, however, such as making significant repairs to the siding or stucco, or if there is a lot of delicate trim that needs to be worked around, you could have higher costs, up to an additional $15 an hour for this work. So, while the above prep work is usually included in the hourly cost of roughly $50 per hour per painter, you can expect costs to climb to an average of $65 per hour per painter for work such as repairing or patching holes, repairing or replacing trim, and installing new caulk or putty around windows and doors.

How Often Should You Paint Your House Exterior?

Many factors impact how often you should paint your home’s exterior. It depends on the type of siding that you have, the climate that you live in, and the quality of the paint. The average homeowner will have anywhere from five to ten years between paint jobs, but unique surfaces require different time between paint jobs.

Wood siding should be repainted every three to seven years, while aluminum and stucco can last between five and six. On the other hand, newer materials like cement fiberboard can go between ten and fifteen years without a paint job. Brick can last twenty years.

As a general rule of thumb, you should always repaint before noticing visible signs of wear and tear. Otherwise, you’ll have to spend a lot more on preparing your exterior and fixing damages before the painting can even begin.

What Color Should I Paint my House Exterior?

Every home is unique, which means every home’s color and appearance will vary, too. Choosing the right color for your exterior depends on more than just your personal preferences. For example, you should generally try to choose a color similar to the current look of your exterior to save money and paint on extra coats. You should also avoid deep colors or use them only on accents. This is because they require more coats to get the color just right.

Darker colors may also seem enticing, but they tend to fade faster due to the elements. Using lighter, neutral colors is usually the best way to go. That way, you can use those splashes of fun or dark colors on other exterior features such as doors, window sills, trim, and more.

When it comes time to paint your exterior, you should think about your interior aesthetic, too. While the two don’t have to be identical, it is a good idea to allow the colors to complement each other. This provides a sense of harmony as people move through your front door and into your home.

House Exterior Painting Cost Factors

There are many different types and styles of home and architecture, as well as different types of siding and paint. Therefore, the exact amount that you would pay to have your home painted could be influenced by many factors, including the height of the walls, the number of gables and dormers, the type and material of siding, the condition of the siding, how many windows and doors you have, and the type of paint and the number of coats needed.

Some types of siding, like brick, will need less paint, while a poorly kept wood siding may require more paint, so even homes of the same shape and size could have different costs. In addition, making a dramatic change in color could require additional primer or paint to make the change, resulting in both more labor and additional materials costs.

We’ve gone over how the square footage of your home impacts the overall cost of your project, but the height of the building can, too. Painting a home that only has a ground level is much easier to paint than one with two or three floors. This is because your painting contractors must maneuver taller ladders or scaffolds, which means the project takes longer. Plus, the higher up you go, the more things there are that can potentially get in the way--tree branches, power lines, etc. You also have to consider how much of the ground below needs to be blocked off to protect passersby from falling objects. Prices will generally go up by $0.10 to $0.25 per foot once you have exceeded ten feet. Therefore, while a ground level 2,500 sq. ft. home will cost between $3,750 and $9,750. The same 2,500 sq. ft. with three stories will cost between $5,000 and $11,000.

The weather also impacts the overall cost of your exterior painting project. High winds, rain, or snow make conditions nearly impossible for painting. And even if your painting contractors can paint in inclement weather, it doesn’t mean they should. Extra moisture can cause the paint to streak when drying, which will completely ruin your exterior’s appearance. The best time to paint is on a temperate day with low winds and intermittent sun.

Spray vs Roller Exterior Paint

Many professional painters use paint sprayers to quickly and efficiently over the exterior of the home. While these sprayers have higher upfront costs for the painter, they cut down significantly on the amount of labor that they need to perform to evenly coat your home with paint.

While for some areas, such as trim, the paint should still be applied manually, to cover large areas in a relatively short amount of time, the sprayer will save time and therefore money for you and the pro. A job that may take 4-6 days with rollers could be accomplished in 2-3 days with a sprayer. Because painters charge by the hour, this can be a significant saving for large jobs. For small, detailed jobs, however, a roller will often do the best work. This does vary by painter, as some prefer to use brushes and rollers, especially in high wind areas, and some prefer to use the sprayer. In general, rolling will cost between $40 and $60 per hour and painter, while spraying can cost $30-$50 per hour and painter.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Mold Remediation Cost

You may find when you go to paint your exterior that there is mold in some areas. In this case, you may need to hire a mold remediation team to take care of it. Mold remediation has costs starting at $500, depending on how large the issue is.

Cost to Repair Siding

Sometimes your siding may be in such poor condition that some of it needs to be repaired prior to painting. If this is the case, you can expect further costs of around $600-$1,200. Wood and vinyl siding are especially susceptible to foundational movements and harsh weather conditions. That’s why it is so important to inspect your exterior in its entirety before you begin painting. A professional can fix loose siding by nailing it back into place and securing everything together.

Window Caulking Cost

Exterior caulk ³ around windows needs to be replaced if it begins to crack or fail. This has a cost of around $50 per window. Caulk is designed to seal cracks or gaps in surfaces efficiently, extend the life of your exterior paint job, and keep your interior comfortable. It prevents leaks and pests from making their way into your home via exterior windows.

Lead Paint Removal Cost

If your home was built prior to 1978, it may have lead paint still on the siding. If you believe this to be the case, you may need to pay for testing and removal to safely paint the home. This has costs starting around $10,000.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Foot: A support for the foundation of a house that also helps prevent settling. It is typically made of concrete reinforced with rebar, but can also be made of masonry or brick. It is usually built under a heavier part of the house like a wall or column, to distribute the weight of the house over a larger area.

² Primer: Preparatory coat applied to materials (drywall, wood, metal, etc.) before painting to ensure paint adhesion, extend paint durability, and help seal and protect the surface to be painted

³ Caulk: A chemical sealant used to fill in and seal gaps where two materials join, for example, the tub and tile, to create a watertight and airtight seal. The term "caulking" is also used to refer to the process of applying this type of sealant

⁴ Sanding: Process of removing the top surface of a material, such as wood, using sandpaper and/or a specialized sanding machine (for large surface areas)