Key Points
- Exterior house painting costs vary by home size: $8,000–$12,000 for a 1,200 sq. ft. ranch, $12,000–$20,000 for a 2,500 sq. ft. two-story, and up to $40,000+ for extra-large homes over 4,500 sq. ft.
- Main cost factors include siding type, paint finish, color choice, house size, labor, and damage repairs, with labor making up 75–85% of the total cost.
- High-quality painting projects typically include power washing, caulking, masking, priming, and precise painting for durable results.
Brushing Up on Costs: A Clear Guide to Exterior Painting Expenses
Have you ever wondered how much it costs to paint a house exterior?
Or found yourself questioning if you’re getting the best value for your money?
Many homeowners wrestle with these concerns as they plan to refresh their home’s curb appeal.
In this post, you’ll discover what impacts the cost of exterior painting, from the type of siding to the paint finish and even labor choices.
By the end, you’ll have a crystal-clear understanding of how to budget and make informed decisions for your home’s transformation.
Ready to take the guesswork out of your next painting project?
Let Tribble Painting Company help!
Call us or fill out our contact form today to get started on a seamless and satisfying exterior painting experience.
Average Exterior Painting Cost By Square Footage Of A Home
Here are the averages for the cost to paint a house exterior by square footage:
| Home Type | Square Footage | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Story Ranch Home | 1,200 sq. ft. | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| 2-Story Home | 2,500 sq. ft. | $12,000 – $20,000 |
| Larger Home | 3,500 sq. ft. | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Extra-Large Home | 4,500+ sq. ft. | $20,000 – $40,000+ |
Each exterior painting project by Tribble Painting Company also includes:
- Power washing to clean the siding,
- Caulking to fix any gaps
- Masking to protect parts of the house not being painted (like windows)
- Applying primer
- Painting the siding and trim
*These are Tribble Painting’s average exterior house painting cost estimates, the exterior painting price is subject to change based on each unique project.
Cost to Paint Exterior Trim of a House and Cost to Paint Decks
The cost to paint exterior trim is typically between $7,000 and $15,000, though it can go higher.
The main differentiating factors are house size and the amount of detail on the trim.
The cost to paint or stain a deck can range from $3,000 to $10,000:
| Deck Size | Square Footage | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Small Deck | 150 – 250 sq. ft. | $3,000 |
| Medium Deck | 300 – 600 sq. ft. | $4,000 – $6,000 |
| Large Deck | 600 – 1,000 sq. ft. | $6,000 – $10,000 |
What Factors Can Change The Cost Of Exterior Painting For A House?
The cost of exterior painting isn’t one-size-fits-all—it depends on factors like your home’s siding type, the paint finish you choose, and even the size of the project.
By understanding these variables, you can better plan your budget and avoid surprises.
Let’s dive into 11 factors that influence the cost of exterior painting and examine how they affect your bottom line.
1. Type of Siding
Different types of siding can have their own best type of exterior paint and other variances.
This causes the cost to paint a house exterior to change.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is by far the most popular type of siding used on homes today.
It’s relatively low-maintenance and can be cleaned with a garden hose and some soapy water.
In terms of painting, vinyl siding is one of the easiest types of siding to paint.
That’s because there’s no need to do any extensive prep work before painting.
In most cases, all you’ll need to do is give the siding a good power washing to remove any dirt and grime.
This gives vinyl siding a cheaper exterior painting cost than most any other siding type.
Wood Siding
Wood siding requires a bit more prep work than vinyl siding before it can be painted.
That’s because wood is susceptible to rot, so the painter may need to repair the rotting wood before painting can begin.
In addition, the entire surface will need to be sanded in order to create a smooth surface for painting.
Once the prep work is done, however, wood siding is relatively easy to paint.
Still, the extra prep work can raise the exterior painting cost for wood siding.
Brick Or Stone Siding
Brick and stone are two of the most durable materials you can use for your home’s exterior, but they’re also two of the most expensive.
When it comes to painting, brick and stone are also two of the most difficult materials to work with.
That’s because both materials are porous, so any paint that’s applied will need to be sealed in order to prevent it from being absorbed into the material. In addition, any cracks or chips in the brick or stone will need to be repaired before painting can begin.
These factors increase the cost of painting a house exterior made from any kind of masonry.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding is one of the least popular types of siding because it’s difficult to work with and easily damaged.
The paint doesn’t adhere well to aluminum, so it needs to be sanded and primed before painting.
This added prep work can add significantly to the cost of painting aluminum siding. In addition, aluminum siding is easily dented or scratched, so any damage will need to be repaired before painting can begin.
These combine to raise the cost of painting a house exterior made from aluminum.
2. Type Of Paint Finish
The type of exterior paint finish you choose will also affect the cost of painting your house exterior.
Paints with a higher sheen or gloss tend to cost more than ones with a lower sheen.
This is due to the makeup of the actual paint.
Flat Finish
A flat finish has a matte sheen and helps hide imperfections in the surface being painted.
It’s a popular choice for exterior painting because it doesn’t reflect light, which can be beneficial in areas with intense sunlight.
Flat finishes are also more forgiving when it comes to brush strokes and other imperfections.
The main downside to a flat finish is that it doesn’t clean as easily as other finishes and can require more touch-ups over time.
Expect to pay $35 to $45 per gallon for quality flat paint.
Satin Finish
Satin paint has a low-gloss sheen that’s easy to clean and hides imperfections well.
The main downside to satin paint is that it’s more susceptible to fading and chipping than other finishes.
Expect to pay $35 to $55 per gallon for satin paint.
Semi-Gloss Finish
Semi-gloss paint has a glossier sheen that’s durable and easy to clean.
The main downside to semi-gloss paint is that it shows imperfections more easily than some other finishes.
Expect to pay $60 to $70 per gallon for semi-gloss paint.
High-Gloss Finish
High-gloss paint has a mirror-like sheen and is the most durable type of paint finish.
The main downside to high-gloss paint is that it shows imperfections more easily than other finishes and can be difficult to apply evenly.
Expect to pay $75 to $100 per gallon for high-quality high-gloss paint.
3. Type Of Exterior Paint
Exterior paint prices will also vary based on the type of paint you choose.
Latex Paint
Latex paint is known for being durable and easy to work with, and it can be used on a variety of different surfaces.
One gallon of latex paint typically costs between $35 and $75.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint provides a high-gloss finish and is especially durable in harsh weather conditions.
One gallon of oil-based paint typically costs between $35 and $100.
*Tribble Painting doesn’t use oil-based paints for exterior house painting because it shows too many imperfections in the siding.
Alkyd Paint
Alkyd paint is a type of oil-based paint that has been modified to dry more quickly than traditional oil-based paints.
It’s a good option if you’re looking for oil-based paint but don’t want to deal with the long drying time.
One gallon of alkyd paint typically costs between $35 and $100.
4. Color Choices
Changing colors drastically, like from dark blue to white, takes more work and materials to do a quality job.
Painters need more time for prepping and painting and more materials, such as additional coats of primer and paint.
For many, it’s worth it to have one of the popular house exterior colors.
Dark Colors vs. Light Colors
One factor that will affect the price you pay for exterior house painting is the darkness or lightness of the color you choose.
Darker colors tend to be more expensive than lighter colors because they require more paint to achieve full coverage.
If you’re set on a dark color for your home’s exterior, you might be able to offset some of the cost by choosing a cheaper paint brand.
However, it’s important to remember that cheaper paints may not provide the same level of quality and durability as more expensive options.
Custom Colors vs. Standard Colors
Another factor that can influence the cost of your exterior painting project is whether you choose a custom color or a standard color.
Custom colors have to be mixed, which can add to the overall price of your project.
On the other hand, standard colors are usually less expensive because they’re ready-made and don’t require any mixing.
5. Complexity of the Home
The three main elements of a home that painters will need to account for are siding, trim, and eaves/soffits.
- Siding is the primary element that will be painted and will generally make up the bulk of the cost.
- Trim includes any door or window frames, as well as gingerbread-style detailing on older homes.
- Eaves/soffits are the horizontal boards that make up the roof overhang.
In terms of square footage, the siding will generally make up 40 to 60% of the total area to be painted, with trim coming in at 20 to 40% and eaves/soffits making up 10 to 20%.
However, it’s important to note that these percentages can vary depending on the particular style of home.
For example, a home with a lot of large windows may have less footage of actual siding than one with fewer windows.
6. Labor Costs
Labor costs can differ from contractor to contractor.
Most of the time, about 75% to 85% of the total cost goes toward labor.
Cheaper contractors may charge less per hour to paint a house exterior.
This may seem like the best way to go until you see the terrible job they do and have an awful experience.
At least, that’s what we hear from clients who chose that route first!
Higher-quality painting contractors will charge more, which will increase the cost to paint your house exterior.
You’ll love it because they will have courteous teams that’ll treat both you and your home well.
You’ll also love how your home looks once the project is over.
7. Who You Hire
Professional Painters
If you want the best possible job for your money, then you’ll want to hire a professional painter to paint your house exterior.
Professional painters specialize in painting homes and have the experience and training necessary to get the job done right.
They also usually carry insurance, which protects you in case something goes wrong.
The downside to hiring a professional painter is that they usually charge more per hour than handymen or painting companies.
However, because they’re usually more efficient and can complete the job in less time, the overall cost is often about the same—or even less—than what you would pay for a lower-quality job.
Handymen
Handymen are versatile workers who are able to do a variety of tasks around the home, including painting.
The major advantage of hiring a handyman is that they usually charge less per hour than professional painters.
However, because they’re not specifically trained in painting houses, they often take longer to complete the job, which ultimately ends up costing you more in the long run.
In addition, many handymen don’t carry insurance, so if something goes wrong while they’re working on your home, you could be stuck with the bill.
Painting Companies
If you want a higher-quality job and want to lower the cost of painting your house exterior, then hiring a painting company is a good option.
Painting companies usually have several painters on staff who are capable of completing jobs quickly and efficiently.
Since they typically work on volume discounts with paint suppliers, they can often get supplies for cheaper than what you would pay on your own.
The downside to hiring a painting company is that some cut corners to save costs.
For example, some companies use lower-quality paint or thinner coats to save money.
Others might rush through the job so they can move on to their next customer.
That’s why it’s important to do your research before hiring any company to paint your house exterior.
Make sure they have a good reputation, and that past customers have been satisfied with their work.
8. Quality of the Paint
In general, higher-quality paints cost more upfront, but they also last longer, require fewer coats, and look way better.
Eventually, they save you money in the long run.
If you’ve ever purchased a can of paint for $25 and another for $70, you may have noticed that the pricier option generally provides better coverage, lasts longer, and looks better.
That’s because higher-quality paints are made with higher-quality ingredients that provide better adhesion, durability, and color retention.
As a result, you’ll usually need fewer coats of high-quality paint to achieve the same level of coverage as you would with a lower-quality product.
When a job is done right the first time, there’s less chance of costly touch-ups down the road.
Along with better coverage and durability, high-quality paints also tend to resist fading and staining better than their lower-priced counterparts.
So if you live in an area with harsh sunlight or a lot of rain or snow, investing in a top-of-the-line product can help your paint job look fresher for longer.
9. Damage to the Exterior of the Home
Damages to your house exterior will cause the cost to paint it to increase for multiple reasons.
Here are some of the most common damages to exterior paint we find:
Dings, Dents, and Scratches
Just like your car, your house is susceptible to dings, dents, and scratches.
These can come from things like falling tree branches, wayward basketballs, or even hail storms.
Just like your car, these need to be repaired before painting can begin.
Otherwise, the paint will just highlight the imperfections.
The good news is that most of these types of damages are relatively minor and can be easily repaired by a skilled painter.
However, the time it takes to repair them will add to the overall cost of the project.
Sun Damage
If your house is exposed to a lot of sunlight, then it’s likely that the paint has started to fade.
In some cases, this fading can be so bad that sanding and priming are required before repainting.
Sun-damaged paint can also be very flaky and peeling, which means you’ll have to fix the peeling paint before the painting can begin.
As you might expect, all of this additional work will add to the overall cost of the project.
Water Damage
Water damage is probably the most serious type of damage that your house can suffer.
Water can seep into cracks in the foundation and cause all sorts of problems, including mold and rot.
If you have water damage, then you’ll need to have a professional come in and assess the extent of the damage before any painting can begin.
In some cases, extensive repairs may be needed before painting can even start—and all of those repairs will add to the cost.
10. Size of the House
Perhaps the most obvious factor that affects the cost of exterior painting is square footage.
The bigger your house is, the more surface area our exterior painters will have to cover and the more it will cost to paint.
Another size factor that affects the cost of exterior painting is accessibility.
If our exterior painters can easily reach all sides of your home without having to use ladders or scaffolding, the job will go more quickly and, therefore, cost less.
Conversely, houses with multiple stories or difficult-to-reach nooks and crannies will take longer to paint and may therefore increase the cost to paint them.
11. Paint Brand
There are three main brands of exterior paint that are most commonly used by professional painters: Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and PPG Paints.
All three brands offer high-quality products that will provide excellent coverage and durability.
However, some key exterior house paint price differences between them can impact the cost of painting your home’s exterior.
- Benjamin Moore is generally the most expensive option, but it also offers the best coverage and longest lifespan
- Sherwin-Williams is a mid-range option that strikes a good balance between price and quality
- PPG Paints is the most affordable option, but it may not provide the same level of coverage or lifespan as the other two brands
If you’re looking for the highest quality product regardless of cost, Benjamin Moore is the way to go.
Follow the link to learn more about the differences between Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin-Williams.
But, if you’re trying to save money without sacrificing too much in terms of quality, PPG Paints is a good option.
If you want something that falls somewhere in between, Sherwin-Williams is a good choice.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your budget and your priorities.
How To Save Money On Exterior Painting Projects
Do Your Research:
- Estimate the total cost of the project, including materials, labor, and associated costs.
- Use this information to identify areas where you can cut costs.
Shop Around for Paint:
- Compare prices between different brands, as more expensive paint isn’t always better quality.
- Find good-quality paint at a fraction of the cost by exploring multiple options.
Buy in Bulk:
- Purchase larger quantities of paint if you need more than one gallon.
- Bulk buying is especially useful for larger homes or planned touch-ups.
Do It Yourself:
- Ensure you take your time and do a thorough job to avoid costly mistakes or rework later.
- Save on labor costs by painting your home yourself.
Cost of Exterior Painting FAQs
1. How much does it cost to paint exterior trim and soffit?
The cost to paint exterior trim typically ranges from $7,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of the house and the amount of detail on the trim and soffits.
2. What factors influence the cost of exterior painting?
Key factors include the type of siding, paint finish, color choices, size of the house, and labor costs. Additionally, damages like cracks, rot, or peeling paint can add to the overall expense.
3. Are darker paint colors more expensive to use?
Yes, darker colors often cost more because they require additional coats for full coverage. This can increase the amount of paint and labor needed for the job.
4. What is included in the average exterior painting project?
Typical exterior painting projects include power washing, caulking gaps, masking non-paint areas, priming, and applying high-quality paint to siding and trim.
5. How can I save money on exterior painting?
You can save money by researching and comparing prices, buying paint in bulk, or tackling the project yourself if you have the time and skill.
6. What’s the average cost to paint a home’s exterior?
Depending on the size of the home, costs can range:
- 1,200 sq. ft. ranch: $8,000 – $12,000
- 2,500 sq. ft. two-story: $12,000 – $20,000
- 3,500 sq. ft. larger home: $15,000 – $25,000
- 4,500+ sq. ft. extra-large home: $20,000 – $40,000+
7. Why should I hire a professional painting company?
A professional painter will provide high-quality results, efficient service, and insurance protection, ensuring your home looks stunning and stays protected without the stress of a DIY project.
Transform Your Home with Tribble Painting Company’s Expertise
Now that you’re armed with a deeper understanding of exterior painting costs and the factors that influence it, planning your project just got easier.
From choosing the right paint to understanding labor considerations, you’re equipped to make smart, cost-effective decisions.
Why tackle the hassle and complexity of exterior painting alone?
With expert guidance, professional craftsmanship, and years of experience, you can ensure your home looks stunning and stays protected for years to come.
Tribble Painting Company is here to make your vision a reality.
Whether it’s a complete exterior makeover or detailed trim work, our skilled team delivers exceptional results that you’ll love.
