How Much Does Exterior House Painting Cost?
Last updated: April 28, 2026 by the How Much Does That Cost? editorial team. Estimates are informational - see our methodology.
Exterior house painting typically costs $3,000 to $8,000, averaging around $4,800 for a standard 2,000-square-foot home. Exterior jobs usually cost more than interior painting of the same size because of surface prep, scaffolding or ladder work, and weather-resistant paint.
A small single-story home or townhouse can be painted for under $2,500, while a large multi-story home with extensive prep, wood repair, or premium paint can run $12,000-$14,000 or more. The calculator below adjusts for your home's size and condition.
Quick Answer
Typical range: $3,000 – $8,000
Low end
$1,800
High end
$14,000+
Actual pricing varies by location, project size, materials, labor rates, and job complexity. Use the calculator below for an estimate tailored to your project.
Exterior House Painting Cost Calculator
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Estimated Project Cost
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Typical estimate: —
This is an estimate, not a quote. Actual pricing depends on your specific project details and local contractor pricing.
Cost Breakdown
How a typical project budget breaks down by category.
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Paint & materials | $450 – $1,300 |
| Labor | $1,600 – $4,000 |
| Surface prep (scraping, sanding, washing) | $450 – $1,200 |
| Priming & caulking | $250 – $700 |
What Affects the Cost
Home size and stories
More exterior square footage means more paint and labor, and homes with 3 or more stories require scaffolding or lifts, which adds cost and time.
Surface prep and condition
Peeling, cracked, or chalky old paint requires scraping, sanding, and priming before new paint goes on — this prep work often takes longer than the actual painting.
Siding material
Wood siding typically needs more prep and primer than vinyl or fiber cement, and stucco often requires a different, thicker coating.
Paint quality
Premium exterior paint costs more per gallon but resists fading, cracking, and moisture better, which matters most in harsh climates.
Weather and season
Exterior paint needs a stretch of dry, moderate-temperature days to cure properly, so scheduling around your region's weather patterns affects contractor availability and pricing.
Wood repair needs
Rotted trim, fascia, or siding boards found during prep need to be replaced before painting, which is typically billed as an add-on once uncovered.
Cost by Home Size
| Home Size | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $2,000 – $5,200 |
| 1,800 sq ft | $2,800 – $7,000 |
| 2,400 sq ft | $3,600 – $9,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $4,500 – $11,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $6,000 – $14,500 |
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Doing it yourself
DIY exterior painting can save significantly on labor, with materials typically running $500-$1,500 for an average home, but it requires ladder or scaffolding safety, proper prep, and can take multiple weekends.
Hiring a professional
Professional painters have the equipment for safe multi-story access, know how to properly prep and prime different siding materials, and typically complete an average home in 3-7 days with a workmanship warranty.
Bottom line: DIY can work well for single-story homes in good condition, but multi-story homes, extensive prep needs, or lead-paint-era homes (pre-1978) are safer and often more cost-effective to leave to professionals.
Ways to Save
- Wash and lightly prep the surface yourself before the crew arrives if your contractor allows it, to reduce billed prep hours.
- Schedule painting in early fall or spring shoulder seasons when demand (and pricing) tends to be lower than peak summer.
- Address wood rot and caulking issues yourself ahead of time if you're handy, since prep and repair often cost as much as the paint itself.
- Choose a standard acrylic paint instead of elastomeric coatings unless your siding specifically needs the extra flexibility.
- Get quotes that include a written warranty period — some painters include a 2-5 year warranty at no extra cost.
- Bundle exterior painting with other exterior work like gutter cleaning or trim repair to consolidate site setup costs.
How We Estimated This Cost
We model each calculator from public price ranges, labor data, material pricing, industry surveys, and the regional adjustment method explained in our methodology. Estimates are reviewed for consumer usefulness, then shown as ranges because local quotes, site conditions, materials, and timing can change the final price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a house?
Exterior house painting averages around $4,800, typically ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 for a standard-sized home, depending on square footage, number of stories, and prep work needed.
How much does exterior painting cost per square foot?
Exterior painting typically costs $1.50 to $4 per square foot of exterior area, including labor, prep, and materials.
How long does it take to paint a house exterior?
A professional crew typically paints an average-sized home's exterior in 3-7 days, depending on size, number of stories, and how much prep work is required.
How often should you repaint your house exterior?
Most exteriors need repainting every 5-10 years, though wood siding may need it every 3-7 years and vinyl or fiber cement can often go 10+ years between paint jobs.
Is it cheaper to paint your house yourself?
Yes, DIY exterior painting mainly costs materials — often $500-$1,500 — but it requires significant time and ladder/scaffolding safety, and multi-story homes are often safer left to professionals.