2020 Cost to Paint a House | Avg Exterior Painting Per Sq Ft

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.

Cost to Paint a 2-Story House Exterior vs. Ranch-Style

• Add 30% above 8 feet.
• Add 60% above 13 feet.
• Add 90% above 17 feet.
• Add 120% above 19 feet.

Exterior Paint Price Per Gallon

A single gallon of paint can run anywhere from $20 to $80 per gallon. Professionals get a contractor discount of anywhere from 25 to 50 percent. For rough siding, like stucco, you’ll need to use 10 to 20 percent more paint. Some textures, like wood and stucco, require extra paint because they have more surface to cover in a tiny area comparied to smooth siding. . Use the highest quality exterior paint your budget will allow for your project. It will look the nicest and save you money by offering better coverage and durability. Better coverage means fewer coats and fewer work hours. You’ll also go a few years longer without needing to shell out more cash for a new coat. How do you know how much paint you’re paying for? Here’s some helpful math:

Exterior Paint Labor Cost

Most of a projects 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.

Cost to Paint a House Exterior Stucco

• 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.

Cost to Paint Vinyl Siding

• clean and repair any damage.
• replace clapboards or vinyl sections that have blown off because of climate conditions.

Cost to Paint Wood Siding

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.

House Painters Cost for Concrete Siding

Paint Metal/Aluminum Siding

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.

Painting a Brick Home

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-foot by 20-foot garage with 10-foot-high walls costs $600 to $300 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.

Cost to Paint Exterior Trim or Window Trim

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. Pro’s include this in the project quote.

DIY vs. Having Your House Painted

Cost to Paint a House Exterior Yourself

It’ll cost you between $500 and $1,000 to paint the exterior yourself. Not including paint, it’ll cost you no more than $200 to $300 at a home improvement store like Home Depot, Lowes or Menards. 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.

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 do pros charge to paint a house?

Pro’s charge per square foot but will quote the price as a total project price.

How much does exterior paint prices differ from interior?

Some brands charge up to 25 percent more for exterior over interior paint. However, with many brands, you’ll find little different in price.”

How much is it to test and remove lead paint?

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.

What’s the price to paint an exterior wall?

Painting an exterior wall costs $1 to $3 per square foot.

How much is 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 percent to the square foot cost for every level above the first.

Home Exterior Paint Prep

Whether you decide to do the preparation work yourself or have a professional do it as part of your project, proper preparation makes all the difference in creating a smooth and lasting finish. Do it correctly the first time or you’ll quickly end up spending more to fix peeling and chipping paint. Follow this process before starting on your home’s exterior. Keep in mind that the process may vary based on your siding materials:

1. Power wash your home’s exterior to remove any dirt, dust, moss and other residue.
2. If there are any problems with your siding, repair the loose or broken fascia, siding pieces, trim and soffits beforehand.
3. Next, remove loose paint with a scraper or stripper. This process might vary with metal siding, as a scraper could seriously damage it.
4. Sand siding with a pad sander or sandpaper to remove any rough spots.
5. Fill in any holes or dents with caulk or putty.
6. Apply primer to the siding OR apply first coat of paint.

A few final notes:

• Expect the job to last anywhere from one to three weeks.
• Low-quality: redo every four to five years.
• High-quality: redo every seven to 10 years.