How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House Exterior?

To learn more about what determines the cost of a new paint job, we spoke to two experts in exterior house painting. Ryan Parr is the founder and CEO of Nashville Painting Professionals. Carr Lanphier is a Chicago-based painter and the CEO of Improovy, a painting company with contractors in cities throughout the US. They helped us understand how much homeowners should expect to pay and what factors affect your out-of-pocket costs. 

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What does it cost to paint a house exterior?

Important

The major expense will tend to be labor costs, which will depend on how long the job takes.

How much you’ll spend depends on the size of your home, how many stories you have, your home’s materials, and average prices in your part of the country.

“The major expense will tend to be labor costs, which will depend on how long the job takes,” says Lanphier. “I’d recommend homeowners keep in mind that the bigger their house, the more it will cost, especially with more complex or multi-level home designs.”

Ryan Parr says homeowners in his market in Tennessee can expect to pay between $2 and $5 per square foot. “The exact cost depends on factors such as the number of stories, the number and type of windows, and whether the project includes both siding and trim or just one of these elements,” says Parr. “Additional considerations, like addressing any rotten wood that may need replacing, can also affect the final price.”

Home improvement aggregator Angi found the following average price-per-square-foot reported by painters throughout the country, which we’re applying to a 2300-square-foot home. That’s just above the median size of homes sold in 2023, according to Census.gov.

What factors affect the costs of painting your home?

“When estimating quotes, several components come into play, such as surface size, condition, and the type of paint used,” says Parr. Here’s how each of those break down:

Labor and materials

Experts say the costs of materials have shot up in recent years. Sherwin Williams recently announced price increases will continue, with an expected 5% jump in 2025.

The skilled labor that painters bring to the job is the biggest component of an exterior paint job’s cost. The more complex the job, the more hours painters will spend working on your home.

Prep work is a major driver of the number of hours needed for the job. “Any additional tasks such as power washing or sanding increase the cost,” says Parr.

Complexity of the job

When painters have to get off the ground to do the job, the costs go up with them. Home improvement site Home Guide says that a second story on your home can increase your exterior painting costs by 25 to 50 percent.

Surfaces to be painted

The surface of your home’s walls will make a difference in pricing, too. Paint adheres to some materials more readily than others, which means more prep time to get your home in shape for a lasting paint job. Texture is part of the difference.

There’s a lot more work involved in getting even coverage over all the nooks and crannies of a brick wall than there is in a smooth concrete surface. Brick also requires a primer to keep the porous material from soaking up excessive amounts of paint.

Concrete is another material that will need priming in advance to smooth out the rough surface.

Both aluminum and vinyl siding are lower cost winners when it comes to painting. The smooth nature means less prep for a great result. 

Stucco is one of the surfaces that can cost the most to repaint. The cost of repainting is close enough to the cost of redoing the stucco. If you are thinking of painting to hide water damage or cracks, new stucco could be the more cost-effective option. 

Seasonal factors

Finally, the time of year will affect the cost of having your home painted. If you are asking for a quote during peak season, expect to pay a little more. Talk to painters in your local area to find out if you can save money by having your home’s exterior painted in the off-season. 

How often should you paint your home exterior?

Parr says your home should be painted every five to 10 years, depending on your region’s climate and your home’s construction materials.

“Regions that are more prone to sunlight or extreme temperatures may require paint to be redone more often,” Parr says. “We always recommend that homeowners inspect the home’s exterior regularly to see if the paint has faded, peeled, or cracked.”

Leaving paint too long can lead to damage to the surfaces underneath. Peeling paint, for instance, can trap moisture against sensitive surfaces like wood. This can lead to rot and a far more expensive job when you are ready to repaint. Keeping your home in good repair can keep home improvement costs down. 

Can I paint my house myself?

Doing it yourself is an option that can save money––if you take on the right jobs. When it comes to DIY home improvements, experts recommend sticking to cosmetic improvements and leaving the more involved construction projects to the pros. Exterior home painting can fall into this category, with a few caveats.

DIY is best for single-story homes where every area is easily and safely accessible. Professional painters have platforms and scaffolding that allow them to access second stories and other difficult areas with minimal risk of falls. Most homeowners do not have the equipment to safely paint a two-story home.

You should also be mindful of all the details involved in doing the job right. Surfaces should be properly prepped to ensure the paint adheres correctly. This starts with washing and can include scraping old paint and repairing damaged surfaces. 

You should also be wary of potentially hazardous home surfaces. If your home’s paint was applied before 1978, there is a good chance there is lead in it. Older homes may also have asbestos siding. These are both materials that require expert handling to avoid exposure to dangerous materials. 

Parr cautions homeowners to be realistic about how much time they’ll take painting and how much they’ll need to spend to do the job right. “While DIY painting may seem like a cost-saving option, it requires proper tools, relevant safety measures and appropriate planning,” he says. “If you’re not experienced, it’s easy to make mistakes, and those mistakes can end up costing more in the long run.”

One option is to split up the work between yourself and the pros. Spending a couple of hours borrowing your neighbor’s pressure washer, for instance, can cut down on the prep needed before the pros show up.

Talk to your painting contractor about different painting options and other ways to cut down on costs. You may be able to work out a deal by having the job done outside peak season or by doing some of the job yourself while leaving more challenging work to the experts. 

Tip

Doing it yourself is an option that can save money--if you take on the right jobs.

How to pay for exterior house painting

How you’ll pay to paint your house will typically depend on the pricing factors we’ve discussed. A small house with a cheap-to-paint surface can often be covered by savings or a credit card you pay off at the end of the month.

More involved jobs will involve greater costs and might compel you to get a loan. If you have adequate equity in your home, a HELOC or home equity loan could be the right choice for paying for your new paint job. These loans, because they are secured by your home’s equity, can be less expensive than other loan options.

However, if you do not qualify for a home equity loan or do not wish to tap what you have invested in your home, a personal loan can be a better fit. 

Personal loans also offer flexibility and speed. At Acorn Financing, we can find you matches with a bit of information about your credit history and your income. Most loans fund within days, allowing you to get on with your latest project. 

Acorn Financing works with over a dozen trusted lenders. Our simple interface allows you to compare terms, interest rates, and total loan costs side by side so you can easily choose the best deal for you.

Is it time to give your house a much-needed facelift? Take a few minutes to see what our lenders are willing to offer. You can get an answer without affecting your credit and be well on your way to improving the look and durability of your home. Get pre-approved today.