How much will your exterior painting cost?
Columbus, OH 43215
Exterior house painting costs$3,014 - $24,282
National average fixed price
- Most common low price:$3,014
- Most common high price:$24,282
How much does it cost to paint a house's exterior?
By Thumbtack Staff
Last updated Mon, Jul 07
The national average cost to paint a home exterior ranges from around $1,777-$4,785, and most people pay around $1,917, according to Thumbtack data. The size of your home, the exterior material, and the condition of the exterior and interior walls can affect pricing, and your cost may exceed $4,785 based on these factors.
Cost to paint a house's exterior
| National average cost | $1,917 |
|---|---|
| Low-end average cost | $1,777 |
| High-end average cost | $4,785 |
Source: Thumbtack
Get free painting estimates from a professional for more accurate pricing. And continue reading to learn about which factors can impact the materials, equipment and labor cost for this project.
Table of Contents
- Cost to paint a house's exterior
- House painting costs by exterior type
- How much does it cost to paint a house's interior?
- How much does it cost to paint a room?
- How do I estimate the cost of painting a house?
- Factors that impact house painting costs.
- 5 tips to save money when painting your house.
- Is it cheaper to paint your own house?
- Get free cost estimates from house painters near you.
House painting costs by exterior type
| Home exterior type | National average cost range |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $1,040-$2,800 |
| Wood | $1,390-$3,741 |
| Vinyl | $1,690-$4,549 |
| Stone | $1,853-$4,989 |
| Fiber cement | $1,898-$5,111 |
| Brick | $2,034-$5,475 |
| Stucco | $2,250-$6,056 |
*Total national average cost ranges reflect costs to prime and paint a 2,500-square-foot home in good condition. Cost per sq. ft. figures are rounded to the nearest cent. Source: Xactware
Many factors impact how much it costs to paint the exterior of your home — including the type of siding you have. You’ll also want to consider the current condition of your siding. If repairs are required to fix damage from weather, insects or animals before painting, this could increase the total cost.
Of course, your home’s size will affect exterior painting costs as well. Use the tables in this section to get an idea of the cost to paint your home. But always contact a few local exterior painting contractors for a more accurate estimate for your home.
An exterior painting contractor will usually provide a quote with a detailed list of materials, equipment, and labor costs. This information is necessary to finish the job. The table shows that labor costs for painting a house are usually higher than the materials costs.
National average material and labor costs for exterior house painting
| Siding type | Average labor cost | Average material cost | Average equipment cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brick/masonry | $3,075-$5,005 | $1,433-$2,391 | $125-$187 |
| Metal siding | $2,202-$3,545 | $686-$1,142 | $125-$187 |
| Stucco | $3,253-$5,302 | $722-$1,202 | $125-$187 |
| Wood or fiber cement siding | $3,685-$6,023 | $1,143-$1,906 | $125-$187 |
*The figures shown are the national average cost estimates for painting homes that are 2,500 square feet and are in good condition. Pricing does not include market price fluctuations. Source: Xactware
How much does it cost to paint a house's interior?
| Ceiling height | Home square footage | Total national average cost range |
|---|---|---|
| 12 ft. | 2,800 | $14,530-$24,282 |
| 10 ft. | 2,000 | $9,019-$15,071 |
| 9 ft | 1,600 | $6,679-$11,162 |
| 8 ft | 1,400 | $5,401-$9,026 |
*Interior house painting costs above reflect pricing for an entire home’s interior of average condition. Costs include sealing and priming, two coats of paint and two paint colors. Market price fluctuations are also included in the total cost. Source: Xactware
As with a home’s exterior, various factors will affect how much you pay for an indoor home paint job. The type of paint and its quality are important factors. The square footage of the home, ceiling height, and the condition of the walls and other surfaces should also be taken into consideration.
How much does it cost to paint a room?
The average cost to paint a room can range anywhere from $324-$1,620. The cost is determined by several factors. These include the square footage, the number of coats and colors desired, and the condition of the walls and ceiling.
| Sq. ft. of surface area in room | Estimated national average cost |
|---|---|
| 400 | $324-$540 |
| 600 | $486-$810 |
| 800 | $648-$1,080 |
| 1,000 | $810-$1,350 |
| 1,200 | $972-$1,620 |
*All figures above reflect national average cost range estimates to seal, prime and paint walls and ceiling in one color with two coats, which is $0.81-$1.35 per sq. ft. Source: Xactware
The cost to paint a room largely depends on the room’s total square footage. Typically, a small room (like a bathroom) will need one gallon of paint to cover 400 square feet. An average-sized room has about 800 square feet of painting surface and will require two gallons of paint. And a large room typically needs three gallons, which will cover 1,200 square feet.
How do I estimate the cost of painting a house?
Calculate the cost of painting your home by using the average cost per square foot. But, keep in mind that your home’s condition and any necessary home improvements will impact the total cost.
Calculating the cost on your own will give you an approximate budget. However, to get a more accurate estimate, it's best to get cost estimates from at least three local painters.
Factors that impact house painting costs.
The following factors can influence total materials and labor costs for a house painting project:
Type of paint.
The type of paint you use plays a major role in your interior and exterior painting cost. Some rooms in your house will benefit from specific types of paint. For example, you may want to use latex water-based paints for high-moisture rooms, like bathrooms.
Higher-quality paint can often withstand environmental factors like condensation and UV rays than lower-quality, cheaper paint. A high-quality gallon of paint may cost more initially. However, it can save you money in the long run if the paint is more durable.
Plus, you may need fewer coats to get the same results. This could save money on materials and labor.
Speak to a painting professional near you. They can help you decide which type of paint is most suitable for your interior or exterior surface.
Surface material.
Related to the type of paint is the surface material you’ll be painting. For example, it may be cheaper to paint on the slick surface of metal compared with a porous surface like stucco. Certain building materials may require additional coats of paint or special paint types to be effective.
Square footage.
The bigger the home and the higher your ceilings, the more it will probably cost to paint your exterior or interior. A professional painter will have to cover more surface area, which increases the labor and supplies cost. A 400-square-foot paint job will likely cost less than a 1,500-square-foot paint job.
The cost of painting your home can be affected by the number of floors. When extra floors need to be taken into account, special safety methods may be required, such as ladders or scaffolding.
Home’s qualities.
Your home's features can affect painting costs. For example, the amount of trim, number of doors and windows may drive prices up or down. The more detailed your home's features, the more it could cost to paint.
Home’s condition.
The condition of any painting surfaces could also impact costs. It is important to check for lead paint and asbestos before painting a popcorn ceiling. This is best done by a professional. If there are chips in the outside walls, you may want to repair those before you paint over them.
Cleaning surfaces, sanding old paint, caulking gaps, repairing walls and priming the surface area will all factor into the total cost.
Time of year.
Environmental conditions could also impact labor costs. For example, painting outside in extreme temperatures may incur additional charges. This is compared to painting in more comfortable weather conditions. There may also be higher costs during busy painting seasons.
Economy and labor market.
There may be an increased cost for professional painting if there is a shortage of labor and materials. This is especially true if there is a high demand for labor services in the local area. In addition to paying a bit more, you may also have to wait longer to get your project done. If you’re thinking about painting your home, contact local contractors sooner rather than later.
5 tips to save money when painting your house.
A fresh coat of paint can dramatically transform your home’s exterior or interior. A new paint job can add curb appeal and may even increase the resale value of your home. It can also make it a more pleasant place to live for you and your family.
But the price of the project can quickly add up. To keep costs low when you’re painting your home, consider using these tips:
1. Compare quotes.
To help ensure you’re not overpaying for painting services, get estimates from multiple painters in your area. Compare what the pros offer, research their past work and hire one you’re comfortable with based on their work quality and the value they can provide.
But remember: cheaper upfront costs could cost you more throughout the project, especially if a painter is sloppy or damages your flooring or furniture. Paying a little more for painting expertise can help you save overall.
Get a free estimate from a great Painter near you.
2. Use high-quality paint.
Think long-term when you’re painting your house. To avoid shoddy paint jobs or walls that need to be refreshed more frequently in the future, use high-quality paint that’s appropriate for the environment. For example, semi-gloss paints are more stain resistant and easy to clean.
Consult your contractor when picking out the best paints for your interior or exterior.
3. Repurpose paint.
It’s possible you could save on paint by using the same paint and color in multiple rooms or areas. If you’re planning a big paint job, think about repurposing one color in several spaces. Buying paint in bulk could help you save as well.
4. Schedule painting during a cheaper season.
Labor demand or environmental factors like weather can affect paint job prices, so try to schedule work during a less-expensive time.
Schedule painting in advance to avoid rush charges or missing out on an appointment. This is especially important during busy seasons, such as the spring. If you want to paint your home during this time, make sure to plan ahead.
5. Opt to paint an accent wall.
You don't have to paint the entire house to give it a new look. Consider buying services for a single accent wall instead. Decreasing the square footage, labor, and supplies required to paint can lower costs.
6. Find out if you should buy the paint yourself.
Talk with a house painter about the possibility of purchasing the paint yourself. If that’s an option, you can look for paint sales to cut down on the cost of materials. However, if your painter can snag a better deal on the paint, let them purchase it yourself.
7. Consider DIY-ing some tasks.
Painting your home (interior or exterior) could be a DIY job, but working with a professional often produces the best results. That said, you may want to consider doing some of the work yourself if you’re on a tight budget. For example, consider:
Washing or cleaning the surface before your painter arrives
Fixing any damage on your own if you’re comfortable doing repairs
Painting a small bedroom or bathroom yourself, but leaving the exterior, kitchen or living room to a professional
Is it cheaper to paint your own house?
You may be able to save on labor costs by painting your house yourself. However, if you’re not an experienced painter, your learning curve will be steeper. Making an error will add more time and required resources to the project.
Another consideration with painting your home yourself is safety. If you’re painting a multi-story house or walls with high ceilings, you’ll need to be comfortable with heights and ladders. When you hire a professional painter, they should be insured and know the proper safety protocol.
or smaller paint jobs, such as touch-ups or painting a single interior wall, DIY may be more suitable. You can save on labor and purchase paint that’s on sale. But consider your comfort with imperfection. A poor paint job could result in you wanting to hire a pro anyway.
To determine whether it’s better to hire a pro or paint your home yourself, consider the following.
How much time you have and when you want the paint job completed
Your comfort with heights, safety procedures and ladders
Your ability to cover and tape off furniture, valuable items and areas you don’t want accidentally painted
Your confidence in selecting the appropriate paint for the surface material
The cost to buy materials, equipment and paint compared to hiring a professional
Lastly, think about the value of your time. When you factor in considerations like these, it may make more sense financially and for your lifestyle to hire a professional painter.
Related: How to paint a room.
Get free cost estimates from house painters near you.
Painting the inside or outside of your home can be a big endeavor, whether you DIY or not. Your time and money are precious, so do your research. Talk with house painters near you to get a clearer idea of what you can achieve with your budget.
*The project cost estimates included in this article were provided by Xactware’s pricing data (unless otherwise noted). For more information, visit Xactware’s pricing methodology page.
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