How Much Does It Cost to Paint the Exterior of a House in 2025?
On average, the cost to paint a house exterior is $3,178, Most homeowners pay between $1,819 and $4,551, depending on the area size, paint type, and the siding material.
Homeowners pay an average of $3,178 to paint the exterior of a house, with prices ranging between $1,819 and $4,551.
Painters charge by the square foot, with average prices ranging between $1.50 and $4 per square foot.
Location, local climate, paint choice, and required prep work impact the project's cost.
Labor costs range from $1 to $2 per square foot, equating to $25 and $100 per hour per painter.
The type of siding affects the overall cost, as each type requires unique prep work, number of coats, and paint quality.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Painting the exterior of your house in 2025 costs an average of $3,178, with a typical range between $1,819 and $4,551. Factors like your location, the size of your home, and the quality of paint can influence the overall cost. By budgeting for this project and hiring a professional, you can ensure a quality finish that protects your home.
Exterior House Painting Cost Factors
Beyond the cost of paint and labor, several factors can influence the final price of painting your home's exterior. Your location, climate, the amount of prep work needed, and other considerations all directly impact how much your contractor will charge.
House Size
Painting is charged per square foot, so the larger your house, the more you'll pay to have the exterior painted. However, when calculating the square footage, you need to find the total paintable area—not just your home's floor area.
To do this, calculate the square footage of your exterior walls and subtract the area occupied by windows and doors. A standard door measures about 21 square feet, and an average window measures around 12 square feet.
Per Square Foot
Expect to pay between $1.50 and $4 per square foot to paint your home's exterior. The cost depends on factors like the job's complexity, how accessible your property is, and the amount of prep work needed to clean and prepare your exterior for painting. If your contractor uncovers issues such as rot or damaged siding and sheathing, they'll need to fix them before painting, which adds to labor costs.
The table below gives you common paintable area sizes and their associated costs. Add 10% to 15% to these figures to give yourself a buffer in case of unforeseen problems that need remediation.
| Paintable Area (Sq. Ft.) | Cost Range (All-In) | Average Cost (All-In) |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | $1,200–$3,000 | $2,100 |
| 1,000 | $1,500–$4,000 | $2,500 |
| 1,500 | $2,250–$6,000 | $3,300 |
| 2,500 | $3,750–$10,000 | $4,400 |
| 3,000 | $4,500–$12,000 | $5,300 |
Per Floor
Painting a two-story home can cost up to 50% more than painting a one-story home. The harder it is to reach an area, the more time painters spend adjusting scaffolding and ladders, which means higher costs for you.
For example, painting a small house runs from $1,500 to $3,500. A 1,000-square-foot, single-story home with little prep work might only cost $1,500 in some areas, while the same square footage in a two-story house with limited accessibility might reach $4,000 or more.
| Home Size | Square Footage (Estimated) | Total Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Single story | 1,000–1,500 | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Two story | 1,500–2,500 | $3,000–$6,200 |
| Three story | 2,500–3,000 | $4,500–$10,000+ |
Height adds cost. Expect these increases:
Add 30% above 8 feet
Add 60% above 13 feet
Add 90% above 17 feet
Add 120% above 19 feet
Location
Exterior painting costs can vary by region. For an average 1,500-square-foot home, costs range as follows:
Far West: $4,500
Rocky Mountains: $2,900
Southwest: $2,400
Plains: $2,300
Great Lakes: $3,000
Southeast: $3,315
Mideast: $4,300
New England: $4,800
Climate
Your local climate impacts the type of paint needed, the working conditions, and the overall cost. Working in extreme heat or cold can increase labor costs by 50%. Additionally, if you live in a storm-prone area, you might need specialized paint that can withstand bad weather and moisture damage, which can be up to twice as expensive as standard exterior paint.
Paint Quality
Outdoor paint costs from $20 to $80 per gallon. However, some types of paint and some surfaces, such as stucco and wood, require additional coats to achieve a good finish.
Purchase the best-quality paint you can for this project. It'll last longer, look better, and provide more protection for your home. When shopping for paint, remember that good quality tends to come with a higher price. More expensive paint typically has a higher volume of solids and better-quality ingredients. Ask hardware store associates for paint recommendations to decide what will work best for your project.
Amount of Trim
Painting trim costs $1 to $6 per linear foot. Remember to account for both window and door trim for a cohesive finish. If you’re getting your trim done at the same time as the siding, your contractor will include this in the quote.
Labor
The cost to hire a painter ranges between$1 and $3.50 per square foot, equating to$25 and $100 per hour per painter. This includes priming and painting. If your exterior doesn't need priming, you could reduce this cost by 50%. However, if remedial work is necessary, labor costs can increase by 100% or more, depending on the issue.
Permits
Permits for this type of work generally cost around $200 to $300. While standard exterior painting doesn't require a permit, remedial work, such as replacing siding, likely will.
Prep Work
Preparing your house costs anywhere from$0.50 to $2.50 per square foot. The total price usually includes prep work, which is essential for the quality and durability of the finish. Common prep work costs include the following:
Patching: $0.50–$1.50 per sq. ft.
Repairs: $25–$50 per hour
Paint stripping: $0.50–$2 per sq. ft.
Power washing: $240–$400
Caulking and masking: $0.50–$1 per sq.ft.
Paint Stripping
Stripping paint costs $0.50 to $2 per square foot. It may not be necessary for your entire exterior, but bubbled or flaky paint sections may require stripping before painting begins.
If your home was built before 1978, it may still have lead paint on the exterior siding. Specialist intervention is required to keep everyone safe and reduce the risk of contaminating the soil around your home. Lead paint removal costs $8 to $17 per square foot.
Cost of Exterior House Painting by Siding Type
Painting siding costs between $0.50 and $5 per square foot, depending on the type of siding. Different siding varieties require differing prep work, number of coats, and quantities of paint to get a good finish.
| Siding Material | Cost Range per Sq. Ft (All-In) | Average Cost per Sq. Ft (All-In) |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $1.25–$3 | $2 |
| Engineered wood | $1–$2 | $1.50 |
| Concrete | $1–$3.50 | $1.90 |
| Wood | $1–$3 | $2 |
| Steel | $1.50–$2.50 | $2 |
| Fiber cement | $1.20–$3.20 | $2.20 |
| Stucco | $1.50–$4 | $2.70 |
| Aluminum | $1.50–$2.50 | $2 |
| Brick | $1.50–$4.50 | $2.80 |
| Stone | $2.40–$5 | $3.70 |
Vinyl
Painting vinyl siding costs $1 to $3 per square foot. To paint 1,000 square feet, expect to pay between $500 and $2,500. If the vinyl is in reasonably good condition, painting rather than replacing it can save you a significant sum, given that the cost to replace vinyl siding is between $3 and $12 per square foot.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood siding costs between $1 and $2 per square foot to paint, so the cost to paint 1,000 square feet is between $1,000 and $2,000. Engineered wood is usually pre-primed, so unless you're making a drastic color change or there's a lot of damage that needs fixing, it shouldn't need priming, which helps minimize costs.
Concrete
Painting concrete siding costs between $1.20 and $2.70 per square foot in ideal conditions. Painting 1,000 square feet of paintable area costs anywhere from $1,200 to $2,700.
However, because concrete is porous, costs often increase. A good finish usually requires stripping, priming, and additional layers of paint, which can double the project costs. Concrete may also need resurfacing and sealing. Resurfacing concrete costs $3,000 to $5,000 per 1,000 square feet.
Wood
The cost to paint wood siding is $1 to $3 per square foot, or $1,000 to $3,000 for 1,000 square feet of paintable area, not including trim. Even the best wood siding is prone to rot and moisture problems, so it might require repair or remedial work before priming and painting. This can increase costs but is generally easy to paint and care for.
Steel
Painting steel siding costs $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot or $1,500 to $2,500 per 1,000 paintable square feet. Steel siding is extremely durable and non-porous, so it doesn't need painting. However, it is paintable and doesn’t usually require priming.
Fiber Cement
Painting fiber cement siding costs between $1.20 and $3.20 per square foot. To paint 1,000 square feet of fiber cement siding, expect to pay $1,200 to $3,200. Fiber cement requires less paint because it's non-porous. It also generally comes pre-primed, helping to keep costs down.
Stucco
Painting stucco siding costs between $1.50 and $4 per square foot, totaling $1,500 to $4,000 to paint a 1,000-square-foot area. Given the similar cost of installing new stucco siding, it may be more cost-effective over the long term to replace the siding rather than repaint it.
Before painting can begin, stucco siding usually requires extensive and time-consuming prep work, including repairs like caulking and filling gaps. Additionally, because the surface is so heavily textured, it requires around 50% more paint than smoother surfaces.
Aluminum
The cost to paint aluminum siding is between $1.50 and $2.50 per square foot, or $1,500 to $2,500 for 1,000 square feet. While not essential, a coat of paint can further protect the siding from moisture damage and weather extremes. Generally, aluminum siding requires minimal prep work, but if the existing paint is badly chipping and flaking, it may require stripping and priming before painting.
Brick
Painting brick siding costs $1.40 to $4.20 per square foot or $1,400 to $4,200 per 1,000 square feet. It's among the most costly to paint because brick is porous and has an extremely rough texture. It requires priming and uses more paint than smoother, non-porous surfaces.
Stone
Painting stone siding costs $2.40 to $5 per square foot or $2,400 to $5,000 per 1,000 square feet. Stone veneer siding doesn't require painting, but if you want to change the look of the siding or get a different finish without the cost of replacing it, painting over stone is a valid option. Stone is porous and rough, so it requires sealing and takes much more paint than smooth siding.
Additional Exterior Painting Costs
Aside from the prep work and painting the siding and trim, there are many other painting costs you may want to factor into your budget.
| Additional Exterior Painting | Cost Range (All-In) | Average Cost (All-In) |
|---|---|---|
| Trim | $1–$3 per linear ft. | $2 per linear ft. |
| Fascia | $2.50–$5.50 per sq. ft. | $4 per sq. ft. |
| Shutters | $50–$150 | $100 |
| Window sashes | $100–$200 | $150 |
| Door | $100–$500 | $300 |
| Garage door | $200–$500 | $350 |
| Gutters | $200–$800 | $500 |
| Porches | $500–$2,000 | $1,200 |
Budgeting for Exterior House Painting
While painting your home's exterior can be a costly project, there are several steps you can take to save money when hiring a pro:
Maintain your siding: Keeping your home's exterior clean and in good repair reduces the prep work your pro has to do before they start painting.
Choose the best quality products you can afford: Spending more upfront saves you money in the long run. High-quality paint lasts longer and better protects your home from the elements. Opting for the lowest-priced paint might lead to siding damage from water or weather, and you'll need to repaint more frequently, increasing your costs.
Wait until the off-season: Be flexible with your timing and avoid booking the project during peak times. You can save significantly by waiting until winter or watching for special promotions from local house painters around major holidays.
Do the prep yourself: Save money by doing as much as possible yourself. Clear the area around your home and give your siding a thorough cleaning. Sand away any flaking or bubbling paint and repair minor damages you find.
Get multiple quotes: Interview potential contractors and review their itemized quotes before deciding.
Consider bundling jobs: Instead of having your home's exterior painted now and the interior painted six months later, consider doing it all at once. You may receive a substantial discount by bundling the projects.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 30,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Exterior paint costs around $20 to $80 per gallon, while interior paint costs around $20 to $30 per gallon. Outside paints tend to be pricier because they need to withstand the elements, such as abrasion, moisture, and color corrosion from the sun. In addition, painting the outside of a home is more costly at around $3,100, while painting a home interior costs around $2,000.
Use our paint calculator to determine the number of gallons of paint needed for your project. The average gallon of exterior paint covers 350 square feet in a single coat. So, a 1,500-square-foot home with a paintable area of 1,100 square feet requires seven gallons of paint for a two-coat application.
When determining how much extra paint to purchase and whether to apply primer, clear planning is essential. Rounding up your paint requirements ensures complete coverage and prevents gaps during the application process. Extra paint acts as a safeguard against miscalculations, while proper primer application—decided by the paint type and exterior condition—secures adhesion and long-lasting protection.
When determining how often to repaint your home’s exterior, careful evaluation of both the current paint condition and building materials is crucial. Exterior paint is engineered to last five to 10 years. Aluminum surfaces require repainting every five years, wood requires a new coat every three to seven years, and painted brick needs refreshing every 15 to 20 years. Visible chipping or cracking signals the need for prompt repainting to sustain protection and curb appeal.
When deciding whether to roll or spray exterior house paint, the method chosen directly influences the overall finish and work efficiency. Rolling delivers precision and control for tight, detailed areas, whereas spraying achieves a smooth, even coat on large surfaces with high efficiency. The equipment used and labor intensity are key considerations; homeowners must choose the technique that best suits their project scale and quality requirements.
When evaluating the duration of an exterior painting project, a professional team completes an average-sized house within three to four days. Larger or more complex projects—such as three-story homes or residences with extensive architectural details—require five to six days due to increased surface area and additional setup. A contractor provides an exact timeline after reviewing all project specifics.
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