How much does it cost to paint a house? 6 things that will affect your budget

Upgrading your home doesn't just mean renovating the interior. The exterior of your home needs a good update every once in a while to keep it looking fresh and boost your curb appeal.

But how much does it cost to paint a house? It isn't as simple as working out how much it costs to paint a room. One large tin probably won't cut it for an area so large, after all.

We asked the experts for their thoughts on the cost of painting a house exterior, and they broke down the fees from paint to tools, to professionals to help you make the most informed decision when renovating and updating.

How much does it cost to paint a house?

Unfortunately, there is no one set answer for how much it costs to paint a house exterior. Costs can vary widely depending on the size of your home, the paint you're using, your location, and any further preparation work required before painting, begins Brandon Walker, construction manager at ASAP Restoration.

'Many companies use a price per foot approach to determine the cost for a project,' he explains. 'This price can swing wildly from one location and company to another, but typical prices per square foot range from $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot.'

‘This brings the average cost to paint a house to between $1,800 and $4,400, depending on the size of your home, type of siding you have, and whether or not you need to complete any prep work beforehand,’ adds Mallory Micetich, home expert at Angi.

Before you dive right in and put roller to paint, these are the six things to consider before repainting that might affect the final cost.

6 things that impact the final cost of painting a house

1. The size of your home

As you’d guess, a bigger home means a larger outlay for painting, and the number of stories is crucial, too. ‘Bigger homes require more materials, paint, and labor time,’ says Mallory Micetich, home expert. ‘On average, painting a home exterior costs between $1.50 and $4 per square foot.

‘You’ll also need to pay more if your home is more than one story. Expect to pay 50 per cent more per story for exterior painting.’

2. The siding material

How your home is constructed is also an important element of cost. ‘The type of siding your home has can significantly affect the cost of your exterior paint job,’ Mallory Micetich, home expert, continues.

‘Siding materials that are quick and easy to paint will usually be less expensive than more difficult siding materials. You can check whether you can paint vinyl siding in our dedicated guide. Here are the popular siding materials and how much it costs to paint them:

• Wood: $700 to $3,000
• Vinyl: $600 to $3,500
• Brick: $3,500 to $10,000
• Metal: $400 to $3,500
• Stucco: $1,400 to $6,000
• Concrete: $500 to $3,000

3. The materials needed

Of course, the most important cost in painting a house exterior is the materials required, says Ryan Parr, painting expert and president of Nashville Painting Professionals.

This, of course, means the paint itself, 'which can range from $20-70 a gallon, depending on the quality, paint finishes, and paint type,' he explains. You also have to factor in other supplies such as tools, scaffolding, and supports to keep laborers safe, primers, calking, and sealants if needed, he adds. This all adds up to the final cost.

Bear in mind that some paint brands are better, and therefore more expensive than others. Always go for quality brands that your painter recommends; cheaper paints and poor preparation will mean you have to have your home repainted more quickly. Consider, too, color choices: colorful paints are often more expensive than pure white.

4. Labor costs

One of the worst mistakes to make when painting a house exterior is to omit to factor in the labor charges unless you choose to paint a house yourself.

'Labor requires assessing the current state of the exterior, properly preparing and priming surfaces, using trim brushes/rollers for precision, and applying two to three coats for an even finish,' says Jason Lamprey, home remodeling contractor at Square One Contracting Services. 'This meticulous work by trained professionals ultimately determines the quality and longevity of the results.'

's a result, you can expect labor to be the next highest cost after the materials, if not the most significant chunk of your budget.

5. Your house location

Where you live will be a large determinant of what you can expect to pay to paint a house. This is as location can determine climate and architectural details, shares Jason Lamprey, home remodeling contractor.

'The specific climate and architectural details of a home also impact the overall price. For example, homes in coastal Florida may require more frequent painting to combat humidity compared to Arizona. Victorian styles with intricate details typically cost more than a minimalist ranch.'

Your local climate can also affect how well paint dries, meaning you need to work out the best time to paint a house exterior near you for the best results.

'But when done well, a professional paint job can revive a home’s appearance and add value to a home,' he assures.

6. The state of your home exterior

If you do not stay on top of your regular home maintenance, then you might spot signs that your home needs urgent renovation, such as cracking and peeling paint or damaged siding.

This is why preparatory work is so important before painting a house exterior, reminds painting expert Ryan Parr. Just as you would prepare walls for painting inside your home, the exterior of your home needs to be cleaned, dried, and repaired before you can add primer.

'Proper preparation is crucial for a long-lasting paint job. This includes power washing, scraping off old paint, sanding, filling cracks and holes, and priming surfaces,' Ryan details.

FAQs

Can I paint my whole house myself?

You can paint a house yourself, as well as painting walls, and painting ceilings in its interior. Be mindful, though, that it is a job that will take both time and effort, and that requires the correct equipment, including to ensure safety when working at height.

Generally speaking, it is wiser to high a professional to complete this type of work.

How long does it take to paint a house?

How long it takes to paint a house will depend on its size, the number of people working on the job, and your location. It usually takes around five days from start to finish for experts to paint a house, depending on the prep work required and the speed at which the paint dries (this will be different depending on your climate).

Working out the budget for painting a home exterior is only part of the job. You also have to choose a house exterior color scheme (which some would argue is more difficult). Before settling on a color, always do a patch test first and check any local HOA rules to ensure you don't end up having to repaint later.