Exterior Specialist

Exterior Painting Estimate Calculator

Get accurate exterior house painting estimates for siding, trim, doors, and all exterior surfaces. Professional calculations that account for weather, access, and surface complexity.

Calculate Exterior QuoteView House Pricing
$2.50-5

Per Sq Ft Siding

5-12 days

Typical Timeline

7-10 years

Paint Lifespan

Exterior Paint Estimate Calculator

House Details

Property Information

Medium House
2 Stories
2,400 sq ft
Good

Project Specifications

Paint type:Acrylic Latex
Season:Spring
Complexity:Moderate
Access level:Standard

Estimate Breakdown

Siding (2,000 sq ft @ $3.50):$7,000
Trim & windows (400 sq ft @ $4.50):$1,800
Doors & shutters (3 @ $275):$825
Paint & materials (16 gal):$960
Surface preparation:$800
Total Estimate:$11,385
Price per sq ft: $4.74 | Timeline: 6-8 days
Save estimate and get detailed breakdown

Exterior Painting Costs by House Size

Professional estimates based on typical house sizes and exterior areas

Small House

Interior: 1,000-1,500 sq ft
Exterior area: 1,200-1,800 sq ft
Height: 1-1.5 stories
Timeline: 3-5 days
$3,000-7,500
Complete exterior
Paint needed:8-12 gallons
Labor hours:40-60 hours
  • Minimal trim work
  • Standard prep
  • Basic access
Most Common

Medium House

Interior: 1,500-2,500 sq ft
Exterior area: 1,800-3,000 sq ft
Height: 1.5-2 stories
Timeline: 5-8 days
$6,000-12,500
Complete exterior
Paint needed:12-18 gallons
Labor hours:60-100 hours
  • Moderate trim work
  • Some height challenges
  • Standard complexity

Large House

Interior: 2,500-4,000 sq ft
Exterior area: 3,000-4,800 sq ft
Height: 2-2.5 stories
Timeline: 7-12 days
$10,000-20,000
Complete exterior
Paint needed:18-28 gallons
Labor hours:100-150 hours
  • Extensive trim work
  • Height equipment needed
  • Complex architecture

Luxury/Estate

Interior: 4,000+ sq ft
Exterior area: 4,800+ sq ft
Height: 2.5+ stories
Timeline: 10-20 days
$18,000-40,000+
Complete exterior
Paint needed:25-50+ gallons
Labor hours:150-300+ hours
  • Premium materials
  • Complex details
  • Professional crew required

Exterior Surface Breakdown

Different exterior surfaces require specialized approaches and pricing

Primary Surface

Siding

Difficulty: Medium
Timeline: 3-7 days
Paint share: 60-80% of total
$2.50-5.00/sq ft
Average cost
  • Largest surface area
  • Weather exposure critical
  • Primer often required
  • Multiple coats needed

Trim & Windows

Difficulty: High
Timeline: 2-4 days
Paint share: 15-25% of total
$3.00-6.00/sq ft
Average cost
  • Detail work intensive
  • Multiple colors common
  • Weather sealing important
  • Precision required

Doors & Shutters

Difficulty: Medium
Timeline: 1-2 days
Paint share: 5-10% of total
$150-400 each
Average cost
  • High-traffic areas
  • Premium paint needed
  • Hardware removal
  • Multiple coats standard

Deck & Railings

Difficulty: High
Timeline: 2-5 days
Paint share: 10-20% of total
$2.00-4.00/sq ft
Average cost
  • Heavy prep work
  • Stain vs paint options
  • Weather resistance critical
  • Safety considerations

Garage Doors

Difficulty: Medium
Timeline: 1 day
Paint share: 5-10% of total
$200-600 each
Average cost
  • Large flat surfaces
  • Metal preparation
  • Sectional painting
  • Hardware masking

Foundation

Difficulty: Low
Timeline: 1-2 days
Paint share: 5-15% of total
$1.50-3.00/sq ft
Average cost
  • Concrete/masonry
  • Moisture considerations
  • Special primers
  • Ground level access

Exterior Painting Challenges

Key factors that affect exterior painting complexity and costs

Weather Conditions

Temperature, humidity, and precipitation affect application and drying

Ideal: +0% | Challenging: +15% | Extreme: +30%
Solutions:
  • Spring/fall optimal
  • Monitor forecasts
  • Flexible scheduling

Height & Access

Multi-story homes require scaffolding and specialized equipment

Single story: +0% | Two story: +25% | Three story: +50%
Solutions:
  • Professional scaffolding
  • Safety equipment
  • Experienced crew

Surface Condition

Peeling paint, wood damage, and surface prep significantly affect costs

Good: +0% | Fair: +20% | Poor: +40%
Solutions:
  • Power washing
  • Scraping/sanding
  • Primer application
  • Repairs

Architectural Complexity

Victorian, colonial, and detailed homes require more time and skill

Simple: +0% | Moderate: +25% | Complex: +50%
Solutions:
  • Detailed estimates
  • Experienced painters
  • Quality brushes

Best Time for Exterior Painting

Seasonal considerations for optimal exterior painting results and pricing

Spring (Mar-May)

Conditions:
Ideal
Availability:
High demand
Pricing:
Premium rates
Advantages:
  • Perfect temperatures
  • Low humidity
  • Stable weather
Considerations:
  • • Book early
  • • Higher costs
  • • Limited availability

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Conditions:
Challenging
Availability:
Peak season
Pricing:
Highest rates
Advantages:
  • Long daylight hours
  • Fast drying
  • No rain delays
Considerations:
  • • Extreme heat issues
  • • Paint drying too fast
  • • Worker fatigue
Best Season

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Conditions:
Ideal
Availability:
Moderate
Pricing:
Standard rates
Advantages:
  • Perfect temperatures
  • Lower humidity
  • Stable conditions
Considerations:
  • • Weather window closing
  • • Leaf cleanup needed

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Conditions:
Difficult
Availability:
Low demand
Pricing:
Discount rates
Advantages:
  • Lower costs
  • Immediate availability
  • Contractor focus
Considerations:
  • • Temperature limits
  • • Shorter days
  • • Weather delays

Exterior Paint Types Guide

Choose the right paint type for your exterior surfaces and climate

Most Popular

Acrylic Latex

Best for: Most exterior surfaces, siding, trim
Lifespan: 7-10 years
Cost: $45-65/gallon
Key Features:
Water-basedEasy cleanupColor retentionMildew resistant
Pros:
  • Durable
  • Breathable
  • UV resistant
  • Fast drying
Cons:
  • • Not for metal
  • • Temperature sensitive

Oil-Based

Best for: Metal surfaces, trim, detailed work
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Cost: $50-75/gallon
Key Features:
PenetratingHard finishSmooth applicationSelf-leveling
Pros:
  • Very durable
  • Smooth finish
  • Metal adhesion
  • Professional look
Cons:
  • • Long dry time
  • • Odor
  • • Cleanup difficult
  • • VOC content

Elastomeric

Best for: Stucco, masonry, problem surfaces
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Cost: $60-90/gallon
Key Features:
FlexibleCrack bridgingThick coatingWaterproof
Pros:
  • Crack resistance
  • Waterproof
  • Long lasting
  • Energy efficient
Cons:
  • • Expensive
  • • Difficult application
  • • Limited colors

Primer + Paint

Best for: Previously painted surfaces in good condition
Lifespan: 6-8 years
Cost: $40-60/gallon
Key Features:
One-coat coverageTime savingGood adhesionMultiple finishes
Pros:
  • Time efficient
  • Good coverage
  • Cost effective
  • Easy application
Cons:
  • • Not for all surfaces
  • • Shorter lifespan
  • • Limited durability

Exterior Painting FAQ

How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?

Exterior house painting typically costs $3,000-20,000+ depending on size and complexity. Small homes (1,000-1,500 sq ft) cost $3,000-7,500, while large homes (2,500-4,000 sq ft) cost $10,000-20,000.

How do you calculate exterior painting costs?

Calculate by measuring all exterior surfaces (siding, trim, doors), multiply by $2.50-5.00 per square foot for siding and $3.00-6.00 for trim. Add costs for doors ($150-400 each) and complexity factors.

How long does exterior painting take?

Most homes take 5-12 days depending on size and weather. Small homes take 3-5 days, medium homes 5-8 days, and large homes 7-12 days. Weather delays can extend timelines.

What is the best time to paint house exterior?

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are ideal with temperatures 50-85°F and low humidity. Avoid painting in direct hot sun, freezing temperatures, or when rain is expected within 24 hours.

How much paint do I need for exterior house?

Most homes need 8-28 gallons depending on size. Small homes need 8-12 gallons, medium homes 12-18 gallons, and large homes 18-28 gallons. Add 10% for waste and touch-ups.

How often should you paint house exterior?

Most exterior paint lasts 7-10 years depending on climate, paint quality, and surface prep. Wood siding may need repainting every 5-7 years, while vinyl and fiber cement can last 10-15 years.

More Painting Tools

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Cost Calculator

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Estimation Guide

Learn professional estimation techniques

Transform Your Home's Exterior

Protect and beautify your home with professional exterior painting. Get accurate estimates, choose the right season, and ensure lasting results with weather-resistant paints.

Get Exterior EstimateView Pro Features

Weather-resistant • Long-lasting • Professional results