How Much Does It Cost to Paint the Exterior of a House? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $1,810 - $4,505

The average cost to paint the exterior of a house is $3,146, but can range between $1,810 and $4,505, depending on home size and siding type.

How we get this data
A professional standing on a ladder paints the exterior of a house
Photo: Spiderstock / E+ / Getty Images
Alison Kasch
Written by Alison Kasch
Contributing Writer
Updated October 26, 2023
A professional standing on a ladder paints the exterior of a house
Photo: Spiderstock / E+ / Getty Images

The average cost to paint the exterior of a house is $3,146. Many factors affect the average cost to paint a house exterior, from the type of paint you choose to how many stories your home has. Before you get a case of sticker shock, remember that exterior painting enhances your house value and protects your home from the outdoor elements. Read on to fully learn what’s considered in the final price.

See the price range for exterior home painting in
your area
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$1,810 - $4,505
  • Average
  • $3,146
  • Low end
  • $600
  • high end
  • $7,500
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Exterior House Painting Cost Factors

The cost to paint the exterior of a house is $3,146 for the typical homeowner. This cost can range anywhere from $1,810 to $4,505, averaging $1.50 to $4 per square foot. The final price depends on the size of your home, the type of siding you have, and any prep work that needs to be done. 

Additional painting projects, like coating a detached garage or painting doors and window sashes, will also add to the overall cost. You may need to factor in the condition of your home’s exterior since more worn-out siding may require more exterior painting prep work and cost more to repaint compared to siding in good condition.

Angi customer Brittany F. from El Dorado Hills, California, hired a professional painter who knew the best way to prep the siding: "One side of our house was very worn down from all the sun it gets throughout the day. Lydia had a great idea to use an upgraded paint on that side of the house as a base and then cover it with the paint that was used on the rest of the house, which will make it last as long as the other three sides, if not longer."

Size

It costs about $1.50 to $4 per square foot to paint the exterior of a house. The bigger the home, the more money it will cost to paint the exterior. Homes with more stories and hard-to-reach areas, like dormers, will also increase costs by around 50% per story. The average cost to paint the exterior of a two-story home is $3,000 to $6,200, and the cost to paint a three-story home is around $4,500 to over $10,000.

Paintable Area (Sq. Ft.)Average Cost to Paint Exterior
1,000$1,500 – $4,000
1,500$2,250 – $6,000
2,000$3,000 – $8,000
2,500$3,750 – $10,000
3,000$4,500 – $12,000

Stories

Painting a two-story house can cost up to 50% more than painting a one-story house. This is mainly because the additional stories are harder to reach, so setting up scaffolding and ladders will tack on extra labor costs. 

Here’s what those increases could look like:

  • Add 30% above 8 feet.

  • Add 60% above 13 feet. 

  • Add 90% above 17 feet.

  • Add 120% above 19 feet.

Number of StoriesEstimated Paintable Area (Square Feet)Average Cost to Paint
Single Story1,000 – 1,500$1,500 – $3,500
Two Stories1,500 – 2,500$3,000 – $6,200
Three Stories2,500 – 3,000$4,500 – $10,000+
Angi Tip
Painting your home often requires getting on a ladder, which can be dangerous. Have a friend hold you steady or entrust the job to a painting professional to ensure your safety.

Siding Type

6 exterior paint costs compared by siding type, including wood ranging from $1 to $3 per square foot

The type of siding you have on your house—wood, vinyl, brick, metal, stucco, or concrete—will help determine the cost of painting your home. Paint adheres to some materials better than others, calling for a quicker and easier job, while others (ahem, brick) are more difficult.

Wood

The cost to paint the exterior of a house with wood siding is between $700 and $3,000 on average, or about $1 to $3 per square foot. Wood siding will require sealant and occasional maintenance (about every three to seven years) to address stains or peeling paint.

Vinyl

Vinyl siding costs between $600 and $3,500, or $1.25 to $3 per square foot, to paint. Vinyl is an inexpensive material to paint, but the finishing you choose may increase the total cost.

Brick

Exterior painting costs for brick houses are relatively high. Expect to pay between $3,500 and $10,000, or about $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot to paint it. Brick is porous, so a gallon of paint won’t go as far on a brick house as on a vinyl one. Painting brick siding requires a primer beforehand to combat this issue.

Metal

Metal or painting aluminum siding costs between $400 and $3,500. If your metal siding looks a bit drab, a fresh coat of protective paint could revamp it while adding a pop of color to your home. But sometimes, a good cleaning will do the trick (and it will cost less).

Stucco

Painting stucco costs anywhere from $1,400 to $6,000, which is nearly the same as installing new stucco siding. So if your siding is damaged, consider installing new stucco instead of painting over the water damage and cracks.

Concrete

Expect to spend between $500 and $3,000 or $1 to $3.50 per square foot to paint concrete siding. Like brick, concrete is porous and fairly rough, meaning it needs a coat of primer before painting to help the paint adhere.

Cost of Common House Painting Add-Ons

You may want to paint more than just your home’s siding. Maybe you need a fresh coat of paint on your trim, or your porch needs some TLC. Here are the costs of common exterior house painting add-ons:

Add-OnAverage Cost
Trim$2 per linear foot
Garage$1,500 – $3,000
Porch$1,200
Window sashes$150
Gutters$500
Soffit and fascia$2.50 – $6 per linear foot
Exterior doors$150 – $500 each
Deck$975

Paint Type and Finish

The best exterior paints for houses are oil, latex, and acrylic latex. Oil paints will have a smooth finish but cost more than the other types at $20 to $60 per gallon. Exterior latex paint and exterior acrylic latex paint both typically cost between $20 to $50 per gallon. Professionals usually get a discount on paint, so working with one could be cost-effective.

Exterior paints come in a variety of finishes: Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. Eggshell finishes are among the most popular, as they’re durable and affordable. Flat paints are the least expensive but the most prone to chipping and other damage. Satin and semi-gloss are two other popular, durable options, while high-gloss is better suited for small areas such as door and window trim.

Labor

Hiring a professional painting team costs about $1 to $3.50 per square foot or about $25 to $100 per hour for each painter. That price includes both adding primer and painting the home’s exterior. 

Prep Work

Paint stripping costs $0.50 to $2 per square foot, and is necessary to remove old paint in poor condition, such as paint that is cracking, flaking, or bubbling. These issues can prevent the new coats of paint from going on smoothly. 

You’ll also need to prime the home before painting, and primer costs $15 to $80 per gallon, not including labor. Most pros will include primer in the project’s total cost.

Painting Access

Difficult-to-access painting surfaces, such as those on high walls or homes with multiple stories, will have extra labor costs. This is due to the additional time needed to set up tall ladders, painting lift rentals, and scaffolding to reach the entire surface.

Location

House painting costs will vary from state to state, but they all fall within a range based on the cost of living—about $3,000 on average. On the low end, the cost to paint the exterior of a house professionally can be as low as $600. On the high end, prices can reach upwards of $6,000. 

Costs are different everywhere, so check with painters in your area for specifics. Here are some examples of exterior painting costs for an average 1,500-square-foot house by region:

RegionCost
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

Additional Exterior Painting Costs to Consider

Depending on your home’s siding type and the paint you choose, you may need more frequent touch-ups or regular power washing to keep the outside of your house looking fresh. Also, you may need to factor tips for your painting crew into your budget.

Maintenance

Keeping your siding in good condition can help prolong the life of your paint job, but it will require a little extra time and money. Check for mold, rot, pests, or other damage at least once per year. You may also want to buy a pressure washer, about $100 to $1,000, to clean your home’s exterior when it looks dirty.

Repairs

Siding repairs cost anywhere from $2 to $50 per square foot, with most projects costing about $600. If you’re about to paint your house, you’ll need to perform repairs first to ensure an even paint application.

Additional Projects

A fresh paint job on a dirty or damaged surface looks sub-par at best, plus the paint might not adhere properly. Here are a few extra preparatory projects that could tack on extra costs: 

Tipping

Most contractors, including painting crews, are paid an hourly rate and do not expect tips. But if you’re pleased with the work, you can still show appreciation by tipping your contractors. If you decide to tip, you may want to offer around $20 to $50 per worker. Keep in mind that some companies do not allow workers to accept tips, but you can show your gratitude with positive reviews, cold beverages, or lunch.

Permits

You’ll spend around $200 to $300 for permits to paint the exterior of your home. If you live in an area with a housing association, you’ll need to check with the HOA and secure any permits through it as well before painting.

Cost to Paint the Exterior of a House Yourself

Savvy DIYers may be eager to paint the exterior of a house themselves instead of hiring a pro to get the job done. The cost to paint a house yourself will be between $500 and $1,000 in total. 

You’ll spend between $200 and $400 getting basic supplies, not including paint, at your local home improvement store. These include buckets, brushes, drop cloths, rollers, tape, and more. Paint can cost anywhere between $20 and $80 per gallon. 

If you don’t have a ladder on hand, or if you’re looking to purchase a high-quality power roller or sprayer, these can add anywhere from $100 to $2,000 to your total. Below are the average costs to consider for the supplies you’ll need to DIY this project.

Painting SuppliesCost RangeAverage Cost
Brushes$5 – $90$45
Buckets$2 – $5$3.50
Caulk$2 – $8 per tube$5 per tube
Drop cloths$10 – $30 each$20 each
Ladder$100 – $300$200
Masking tape$2 – $5 per roll$3.50 per roll
Pans$2 – $10$6
Rollers and rolling handles$15 – $30$22
Sandpaper$2 – $5 per roll$3.50
Scrapers$5 – $30$17.50
Sprayer and power rollers$100 – $2,000$1,050

Cost to DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Painter

Hiring a professional home exterior painter near you will cost about $1 to $3.50 per square foot. If you’re opting for more high-quality paint, hiring a professional who can get it at a discount might be more cost-effective. It’s also a good idea to hire a professional painter if you live in a tall house that requires ladders and safety harnesses or lifts. Pros will have all the proper safety gear already. You can hire the best exterior painter for the job by searching online and checking reviews, references, and rates.

How to Reduce Costs to Paint a House

You don’t have to drain your savings account to paint your home. Fortunately, there are ways to save on everything from materials to labor when it comes to the cost of painting a house exterior.

Work With a Pro

While labor is an additional cost, professional painters usually get the best deals on paint, saving you money and ensuring that your home gets a high-quality, even paint job from the pros.

Get Multiple Quotes

When deciding on a contractor to hire, it’s wise to get at least three quotes from reputable companies to find the best deal.

DIY the Prep Work

If you aren’t looking to DIY the whole project, you can still save money by doing some prep work. For example, you can clean the siding thoroughly and sand away any areas that are bubbling or flaking.

Consider Primer

If you can DIY apply the primer evenly, or if your home’s siding doesn’t need primer, you can save about 50% of the cost of labor to paint a house exterior.

Think About Timing

You may be able to find deals on paint and other materials in the off-season when cooler temperatures and rainy or snowy weather make it less appealing to paint the outside of a house. But if you’re hiring a professional painting crew, the cost may be higher if your project takes place during inclement weather.

Maintain Your Siding

Keeping the exterior of your home clean and in good condition can reduce the number of repairs and prep work your pro has to do before you can start painting.

Consider Bundling Home Improvement Jobs

Instead of painting the exterior of your house now and painting the interior six months later, consider doing it all at once. It may be a hefty sum and can be tricky to plan, but you can get a big discount by doing the two jobs together.

Paige Bennett contributed to this piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most exterior paints will last about five to 10 years, but it can depend on the type of siding, your local climate, and the quality of the primer and paint. Painting over wood means the color will need refreshing more frequently, about every three to seven years, while painting on brick tends to last longer, about eight to 17 years.

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Learn more about our contributor
Alison Kasch
Written by Alison Kasch
Contributing Writer
Alison is a Chicago-based writer who has spent the last seven years focusing her content on everything inside and outside the home.
Alison is a Chicago-based writer who has spent the last seven years focusing her content on everything inside and outside the home.
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