Exterior Painting Cost Calculator

Exterior house painting costs $2–$5 per square foot of paintable surface for labor and materials. A typical 2,000 sqft home costs $4,000–$10,000 for professional painting. Multi-story homes cost 30–60% more due to scaffolding and ladder work. Add $200–$500 for power washing, $500–$1,500 for trim painting, and $0.50–$1/sqft for primer. Premium paint adds $15–$30 more per gallon over standard.

Exterior paint lasts 5–10 years on average. Factors: paint quality (premium lasts 10–15 years, standard 5–7 years), surface prep quality, climate (extreme sun/rain shortens life), siding material (wood needs painting more often than fiber cement), and number of coats (2 coats outlast 1). Signs it's time to repaint: fading, chalking, peeling, cracking, or bare wood showing. Dark colors fade faster than light colors.

One gallon covers 350–400 sqft per coat. For a 2,000 sqft exterior with 2 coats: 2,000 × 2 ÷ 375 = about 11 gallons. Add 10–15% for waste and touch-ups. Rough siding (stucco, brick) absorbs more paint — budget 250–300 sqft per gallon. Smooth siding (vinyl, aluminum) needs less — 400–450 sqft per gallon. Trim and accent colors: 1–3 gallons depending on trim amount. Standard paint: $25–$40/gallon, premium: $40–$70/gallon.

Paint if your siding is structurally sound — painting costs $4,000–$10,000 vs. $10,000–$40,000 for new siding on a typical home. Replace if: siding is rotting, warping, or has insect damage covering more than 20% of the surface, or if you've been repainting every 3–4 years (new siding is more cost-effective long-term). Fiber cement siding lasts 30–50 years and needs painting every 10–15 years. Vinyl siding never needs painting.

Spraying is faster and gives a smoother finish — best for large areas, stucco, and smooth siding. Takes 1–2 days for an average home. Brushing provides better adhesion and coverage — best for trim, rough surfaces, and detailed areas. Takes 3–5 days. Most professional painters combine both: spray the body of the house and brush/roll trim and detail work. Spraying uses 20–30% more paint than brushing.

Late spring through early fall (May–September) is ideal. Requirements: temperature 50–85°F, low humidity (below 85%), no rain for 24 hours before and after painting, and no direct sunlight on the painting surface (follow the shade around the house). Avoid painting in extreme heat (paint dries too fast, leaving brush marks) or cold (paint won't cure properly). Morning dew must dry before starting.

Yes, power washing ($200–$500) is strongly recommended before exterior painting. It removes dirt, mildew, chalky residue, and loose paint that prevent new paint from adhering. Wait 24–48 hours after washing for surfaces to dry completely. Professional painters include power washing in their prep — it's not optional for quality results. Without it, new paint may peel within 1–2 years.

Trim painting costs $500–$1,500 for an average home, depending on how much trim you have. Window and door trim: $50–$150 per opening. Shutters: $50–$100 per pair. Fascia and soffit: $2–$5 per linear foot. Railings and columns: $100–$300 each. Many painters include basic trim in their whole-house price. Detailed Victorian trim or multi-color schemes cost more — get a separate quote for complex trim work.