How Much Does it Cost to Paint a House Exterior?
Posted on September 10, 2024
Exterior painting is one way to transform your home in a dramatic way. Even just updating fading or chipping paint can breathe new life into your home. Such a project can be a big undertaking, however, and requires some planning. You’ll certainly want to consider the cost to paint a house exterior as part of your budgeting process.
The overall price of such a project is going to depend on a lot of different factors. For example, the price will depend on the number of coats needed, any repairs that need to be made, and the square footage of the house. We’ll dive into more detail on each of these factors below.
The cost to paint a home varies on a variety of factors including the location and the condition of your home. This guide gives some general averages on the national level. For accurate local pricing, contact your local CertaPro Painters Franchise for a free estimate.
The Average Cost of Exterior Painting
While the cost for each exterior painting project is going to vary, there are some averages we can provide to give you an idea of what this project will cost. For the last 12 months, the average CertaPro Painters® exterior painting project cost a total of $5,174.50. This is the national average for CertaPro Painters® exterior painting projects. Your local market rates will vary. However, this total also includes labor and materials, such as primer and paint.
We recommend getting an estimate for your unique exterior paint project for a more specific and accurate price range. CertaPro Painters® offers detailed proposals. With our custom estimates, you’ll be able to see a full cost breakdown, including the number of coats and types of paint you will need, additional services that will be provided, and how different architectural elements of your home impact the price. You will have a comprehensive understanding of the scope of your project when you choose CertaPro Painters®.
5 Factors that Affect the Cost of Exterior Painting
1. Cost of Labor & Expertise
An exterior painting job requires several tasks that require trained professionals. Make sure the painters you hire are licensed and insured so you and your home are fully protected. Additionally, it is a good idea to have a company with a proven process ready to go for any complications that may arise.
Ensuring these qualifications will also make it more likely that one company can take care of all your needs. More often than not, an exterior painting project will also need a few repairs. Make sure to check all exterior painting services offered to ensure they can take care of your home’s needs.
2. Size & Condition of Home
The size of the home will be one of the largest factors in determining the cost to paint a house. On average, in 2024, the cost to paint a home starts at $4.25 – $7.95 per square foot. This specific statistic is referring to the entire footprint of the house, not paintable square footage. Therefore, it exemplifies the fact that the bigger the home, the more materials and time it will take to complete the project. Remember, this amount is the national average, and your local market rates will vary!
If your home has difficult to reach areas that require special equipment, like a lift, it will also impact the total cost of the project.
3. Inclusion of Trim & Windows
Painting trim is usually done separately from the rest of the house. Painting trim is usually done by hand with greater attention to details. If your project includes trim, or your home has a lot of trim, it could increase the pricing for your project.
The quantity of windows on the home will also contribute to the overall cost of the painting project. Windows, like trim, require careful masking and prep work and need individual attention from the crew.
4. Type of Finish
Paint finishes also come in different types and each one has a different price range. The cost of the paint finish is dependent on several factors including the level of sheen or gloss, durability, and level of coverage.
5. Additional Paint Benefits & Protection
There are multiple types of paints out there, each with a different specialty and reason for use. Additionally, there are types of paint that offer additional benefits for exterior painting. Exterior paint should be carefully selected depending on your local climate and protection needs.
Protection & Weatherproofing
Specialty paints designed for specific applications, such as waterproofing, fireproofing, or chemical resistance, may come at a higher cost due to their specialized formulations and unique properties.
Eco-Friendly Paint
Paints that are eco-friendly or contain fewer harmful chemicals may come at a higher price point due to the added cost of developing and producing these products.
Get Your Exterior Painting Estimate
At the end of the day, there are too many factors to accurately state a specific range for exterior painting. To get an accurate estimate of what your exterior paint project will cost it is best to get a free, no-obligation estimate from a trusted professional.
An estimator will learn about your project and consider all of the factors outlined above to give you an accurate quote for how much it will cost to paint your home’s exterior. Your home’s transformation is just a few steps away!
