Exterior Painting cost breakdown
At a mid-range, national-average baseline, a typical exterior painting project is estimated at $2,050 to $6,100. The table below breaks the cost down so you can see where your project is likely to land.
| Home size | Cost per sq ft | Typical total |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft, one story | $1.50 to $4 /sq ft | About $1,500 to $4,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $1.50 to $4.50 /sq ft | About $3,000 to $7,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft, two story | $2 to $5 /sq ft | About $5,000 to $12,500 |
| 3,500 sq ft | $2 to $5.50 /sq ft | About $7,000 to $19,000 |
Exterior Painting cost by project size
Most of your exterior painting cost scales with size. Here is the estimated national-average range at a few common project sizes.
| Home size (square feet) | Estimated total cost | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| 750 square feet | $1,000 to $3,050 | Smaller project |
| 1,500 square feet | $2,050 to $6,100 | Typical project |
| 2,630 square feet | $3,550 to $10,700 | Larger project |
What drives exterior painting cost
- Home size and wall area to cover.
- Number of stories and accessibility.
- Siding type and condition (prep is most of the labor).
- Amount of trim, detail, and accent colors.
- Paint quality and number of coats.
- Regional labor rates.
Key cost factors
Prep is the real cost
Power washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, and priming take more time than the painting itself. A home with peeling paint or damaged siding costs much more to prep than one in good shape.
Stories and access
Two and three story homes need ladders, scaffolding, and more time, which raises labor. Easy single-story access keeps cost down.
Paint quality pays off
Premium exterior paint costs more per gallon but lasts longer and resists fading, stretching the years between repaints.