External painting is a task that brings a house back to life by changing its exterior color to the one initially there. In many instances, people wonder about the price of painting a house exterior. The following text will concentrate on the determinants that lead to exterior painting costs and will also provide important information for those who think of making this part of their home better.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Paint a House Exterior
House Size and Complexity
The owner’s house size is the most basic variable in determining the cost of painting the exterior surfaces. The shinier coatings and, consequently, longer periods of work, mean more paint and labor, thus increasing the total cost. Elaborate architectural elements such as the second and third stories, rare frameworks, and the cost for the creation of a remarkably unique piece can also affect the price.
Surface Condition and Preparation
The integrity of the existent external surfaces also has an impact on the final cost. A house with ruined or paint-scratched walls or another kind of difficulty needs to be remodeled properly, which increases the final costs. If your home has brick elements that need preparation before painting, such as cleaning or minor repairs, our guide on how to update a brick house offers relevant tips on preparing your brick exterior.
Paint Quality and Quantity
The choice of paints of different types and quality plays a role in the price to paint a house exterior. Expensive are generally more expensive but they make up for this by providing superior coverage and not deteriorating rapidly. Understanding the differences in exterior paint quality is crucial for making a cost-effective decision in the long run. Reputable paint manufacturers like Sherwin-Williams often have articles on their websites explaining the various grades of paint and their respective benefits. The quantity of paint to be used will vary according to the dimensions of the house and the surface’s material.
Labor Costs
The no application to the region equally declares professional painters who achieve various rates. The breakdown of the labor costs is often one of the biggest parts of the total cost of painting.
For homeowners looking for ways of managing their home improvement budget, considering both DIY and professional options, our article on affordable home decor ideas provides various tips and considerations for cost-conscious home projects.
Average Cost to Paint a House Exterior
The concrete cost to paint a house exterior is very much up to each different local area all over the nation. However, the minimum cost for a small- to medium-sized house is around $1500 and can go up to as much as a half of a larger house for the extra complex projects. It can take up to $10,000 for other cases.
Price Per Square Foot for Painting Exterior of House
The low and high price per square foot for painting the exterior of a house can vary from $1 to $4. Different factors such as location, paint quality, and surface condition can result in variant prices.
Exterior Paint Prices
The prices for exterior paint from different brands and qualities may differ. Budget brands may require only $20-$30 per gallon, but high-end brands can go from $50-$100 per gallon or even more.
Breakdown of Exterior Painting Costs
Labor Costs
In most instances, labor expenditures vary as a share of the overall amounts that are related to the correct repainting of the outer part of residential property. Ethical companies can charge $25-$75/hour, depending on their experience and location. For a general idea of the typical labor costs for exterior painting in your area, home improvement platforms like Angi often provide average service rates for painters.
Materials and Supplies
Nearly 80% of the total cost comes from paint, primers, brushes, rollers, and other supplies. The exact amount will, of course, depend on the project and kinds of materials you choose.
DIY vs. Professional Painting: Cost Comparison
Some homeowners are under the impression that DIY is cheaper, and they thus consider it a viable option. While it cuts the costs, it should also acknowledge the difference in time, labor, and quality between their working on the house and the professionals. In most cases, a person who is skilled and has tools like paint sprayers can do a tremendous job faster and better than those who have the same amount of money for professional painting.
DIY Painting Costs
To correctly estimate how much money is needed for the items a person wants to buy, they will need to allocate $500 to $1,500 on materials. The rent of the tools and the payment should also be subtracted.
Professional Painting Costs
In most cases, professional services are sometimes more costly but are the best option regarding the expertise, reasonable time, and desired quality. The cost to paint one’s house externally would be mostly between $1,500 and $6,000 or it could be more.
Tips to Reduce the Cost to Paint the Exterior of the House
Get Multiple Quotes
It is necessary to gain quotes from various reputed house painters to weigh options and services that each of the service providers is offering. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers valuable tips on how to choose a painting contractor and emphasizes the importance of obtaining several bids to ensure a fair price and quality service.
Choose the Right Time
Painting a house exterior is a task that can be completed at a lower cost, mostly, during the off-peak period. Several paint companies give out some discounts when it is their slow season. Typically, late fall and spring in the new year are their periods of regularization.
Prepare the Surface Yourself
Some of the work that is required before the actual start of painting might be done by the homeowners themselves, which in turn can have the overall price of painting. This might be the cleaning of the exterior, scraping off lost paint, or minor fixing.
Consider Color Choices
Simple paint jobs on the walls are usually cheaper but may require repeating the activity if the application is not neatly carried out. On the other hand, a color pick that is the same or nearly the same as the one that is already is on can result in the painter using fewer coats which will, in turn, buy one more time.
Factors That Can Increase the Cost to Paint Exterior of Home
Extensive Repairs
In case the exterior is in bad condition, the repairs will be done in addition to the painting, and this will raise the total costs. Some of the repairs that might be inevitable are fixing wood rot, replacing sidings, or addressing structural issues.
Multiple Stories
Being a multi-floor building, artists usually charge about $9.00 per square foot. Therefore, two-story and higher houses will cost more to paint because painters must utilize special tools and need more labor time. This complexity is also often a factor in larger exterior painting projects, and for more ideas on managing the challenges of complex exterior painting projects, especially for larger homes, as discussed in our article on exterior home remodel ideas.
Detailed Trim Work
Houses that have a lot of ornate trims or architectural features also take a long time to paint and therefore, they are more expensive. This is because it takes more time to paint trims and details that are intricate.
How to Estimate the Cost to Paint Outside of House
For a quick and rough estimation of painting the exterior of a house, you need to do the following:
- Measure the perimeter of the house.
- Multiply the perimeter by the height of the house.
- Subtract the area of doors and windows.
- Divide the total square footage by 400 (average coverage of a gallon of paint).
- Multiply the number of gallons by the cost per gallon of paint.
- Add labor costs (typically 70-80% of the total project cost).
This is an easy way of getting an idea of the house painting prices. However, it is best to get an accurate estimate from the professionals as it will give the exact cost for the work to be done.
The Importance of Quality in Exterior Painting
No matter what the price is, the quality of the job is what matters most. Besides, the use of quality paint and the appropriate way of applying it frequently prolongs the life of the paint job, which in the long run may lead to savings.
Longevity of Paint Job
If the job is done in the right way, the exterior paint will stay for at least 5-10 years. The weather, together with the grade of materials used are the determining factors in the length of exterior paint longevity.
Protection for Your Home
Noticeable exterior painting is not just for beauty but also a shield for the construction parts of your house from weather damage, ultraviolet rays, and pests.
Conclusion
The cost to paint a house exterior may differ widely from area to area. Despite the house painting prices being high on average, people have to figure out that the price is worth it as long as the house now looks much better. By learning about factors that increase the price, homeowners can act accordingly to save money and make the best decision without overlooking quality. Whether choosing to DIY or go for experts, it’s essential to plan well and consider every aspect of successful exterior painting.
FAQs
1. What is the average cost to paint a house exterior?
The cost of painting a house exterior is between $2000 and $6000 on average. But this can be different depending on the variables such as the size of the house, the quality of the paint used, and the outside walls’ condition.
2. How does the size of the house affect the painting cost?
The size of the house is one of the main factors in determining the price of exterior painting. For instance, the bigger the house is, the more paint will be needed as well as the higher the labor cost will become, thereby the whole cost will increase. For example, painting a 1,500-square-foot house may cost around $3,000; compared to a 3,000-square-foot house which could cost $6,000 or more.
3. What additional factors can influence the cost of exterior house painting?
Various aspects contribute to exterior painting costs. They include:
- The selection and quality of the paint to be used.
- The nature of the present exterior surface.
- The number of stories in the house.
- The intricacy of the house design, i.e. how it was constructed.
- There may be the need for repairs or time-consuming preparation.
- The site, proximit,y and approach to the property.
4. How much does paint typically cost for an exterior house painting project?
Paint prices are quite diverse due to their different qualities and brands. One can anticipate a cost of between $30 and $80 per gallon, but sometimes the price may be higher in the case of premium paints, which in turn, may prove to be an advantage as these cover up and last longer, reducing chores you have to do in the long run.
5. Are there any ways to reduce the cost of painting a house exterior?
Yes, there are some ways to cut costs, namely:
- Get multiple quotes from reliable painters.
- Wait until the off-season when demand for painting businesses is lower.
- Do part of the preparation work yourself, e.g. cleaning, or minor repairs.
- Instead of using many colors, go for a more straightforward color scheme and avoid the extra topcoats painting.
- Regularly maintain the outside of your house to keep the costs of repairs down.
Are you looking to give your home a completely different look? Well, if you are looking into how much it will cost to paint the exterior of a house, then you should know budgeting is going to be a wise choice. Be it hiring a pro or doing the work by oneself, knowing the factors that influence costing is quite important. Get your estimates right, save money, and achieve that perfect finish. Time to plan for the exterior paint job today, and see the change it brings to your home’s curb appeal, with the right plan and budget!
