Exterior House Painting Cost: Homeowner Price Guide
Bob Vila puts the typical installed cost to paint a house at $1,811 to $4,435, with a national average of $3,087. Forbes Home gives an average total of $3,000 for exterior painting services, while Fixr’s average range runs from $6,242 to $11,617. The sources do not agree, so compare the ranges below before you set a budget.
Exterior house painting cost breakdown
Prices are listed in the unit each publisher uses, so a per-square-foot rate is not a whole-house total.
| Type | Size or unit | Cost range | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical national range, house painting | Whole house, installed | $1,811 to $4,435 | Bob Vila |
| Average range, exterior house painting | Whole house, installed | $6,242 to $11,617 | Fixr |
| Average two-story house | Whole house, installed | $6,900 to $12,700 | This Old House |
| Professional exterior painting service | Per square foot | $3 to $6 | Forbes Home |
| Exterior house painting | Per square foot | $2.20 to $4.40 | This Old House |
| Exterior wall painting, average | Per square foot | $2.84 to $5.28 | Fixr |
| Wood siding | Per square foot | $1.50 to $5.00 | HomeGuide |
| Vinyl siding | Per square foot | $1.50 to $4.50 | HomeGuide |
| Stucco house | Per square foot | $2 to $5 | HomeGuide |
| Fiber cement siding, average | Per square foot | $1.20 to $3.20 | Bob Vila |
| Home trim | Per linear foot | $2.15 to $3.99 | Fixr |
HomeGuide lists each siding type separately. Wood and vinyl start at the same low figure, but wood reaches higher.
Fixr’s whole-house range is wider than Bob Vila’s, so the two totals are not interchangeable.
Labor vs. materials
HomeGuide puts professional painter rates at $25 to $75 per hour, depending on location and experience. Bob Vila gives a wider hourly range of $25 to $100 and notes that the labor is usually built into the total quote.
On the materials side, This Old House lists standard exterior latex paint at $30 to $50 per gallon. Its figure for premium 100 percent acrylic exterior paint is $45 to $85 per gallon.
Cost by home size and condition
Bob Vila says a two-story home can cost up to 50 percent more to paint than a one-story home. This Old House puts the average two-story house at $6,900 to $12,700, so use that row when you compare two-story bids.
Fixr reports that exterior walls in poor shape can cost over 60 percent more to paint than walls that need little work. Check the condition of the siding before you compare bids.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Painting the outside yourself avoids the hourly labor charge, but it means buying or renting ladders, scrapers, and brushes, plus enough dry days to finish. Work on a tall two-story wall carries a real fall risk, and a ladder job calls for care at every step.
Lead paint changes the job. If the old coating may contain lead, hire a licensed pro, and expect that a permit may be required. Do not sand or scrape that coating yourself.
Keep the scope in mind. A paint-only job differs from one that also replaces siding or removes lead paint, and each adds work.
Ways to save
- Compare several written bids. Line up the quotes by the same unit, scope, and paint grade so the totals can be read side by side.
- Ask whether a trim-only job would meet your goals. Fixr says painting trim is more affordable than repainting the whole exterior.
- Clear access before the crew arrives. Trim shrubs and branches back from the walls and move outdoor furniture so ladders can reach the siding.
- Ask which paint grade the bid uses. Standard latex and premium acrylic have different per-gallon ranges, so a bid should name the product it prices.
How to get an accurate quote
Ask for a written bid that states whether the price is a fixed total or an hourly rate, and which unit it uses for siding and trim. Forbes Home says siding prep is often included in the square-foot price, so ask which prep steps, such as washing, scraping, caulking, and primer, sit inside the figure.
Ask who handles any permit if the job includes replacing siding. Also confirm the paint brand, product line, and number of coats in the written bid.
If the house may have lead paint, ask each contractor how that work is priced.
What changes the price
- Home height and number of stories
- Wall condition and prep needed before painting
- Siding material, such as wood, vinyl, stucco, or fiber cement
- Paint grade, standard latex or premium acrylic
- Painter rates, which vary by location and experience
- Lead paint removal, priced per square foot
- Permits for siding replacement or other changes
Frequently asked questions
How much does lead paint removal cost on the outside of a house?
HomeGuide puts lead paint removal at $6 to $17 per square foot, a per-square-foot rate rather than a whole-house total.
How much does siding prep cost per square foot?
Forbes Home puts siding prep work at $1 to $4 per square foot, the same unit it uses for its painting rates in the table.
Do I need a permit to paint the outside of my house?
Forbes Home says a standard repaint typically does not need a permit. Replacing siding or making other changes to the home might require one, which Forbes Home puts at $200 to $300.
Sources
Related cost guides
Figures are estimates based on the sources above and vary by region, home and contractor. Get at least three written quotes before you hire. See our disclaimer and how we research.