If your home’s exterior paint is fading, cracking, or peeling, it may be time to consider repainting. While a fresh coat of paint provides obvious aesthetic benefits, it also protects your home from moisture damage and boosts curb appeal. However, painting the exterior is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and budgeting.
This article will break down all the factors that impact exterior painting costs so you know what to expect.
It is important to consider size
The overall square footage of your home’s exterior surfaces is the primary driver of painting costs. Larger homes with greater surface area require more time, effort, and paint to complete the job. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay around $0.70-$1.25 per square foot for exterior painting. A 2,500 square foot home would run you anywhere from $1,750-$3,125 just for labor and materials. Two-story homes cost 10-15% more per square foot on average. Don’t forget to account for the square footage of garage doors, sheds, and other structures. An accurate measure of total exterior square footage is crucial for getting accurate quotes.
Complexity Counts
Homes with lots of architectural details take more time to prep and paint, which adds to the bottom line. Details like dormers, railings, balconies, trim, and ornate porches drive up the number of labor hours required. Similarly, homes with peeling paint or damage will need extra hours of prep work like pressure washing, scraping, sanding, and priming before painting can begin. Tree coverage can make exterior painting more complex and expensive too. Also factor around 10% more for painting the front door, garage door, shutters, and other accent areas in a complementary or contrasting tone.
Paint Selection
Another major cost factor is the type and quality of paint used. Premium or specialty exterior paints cost more. For instance, expect to pay an extra $10-20 per gallon for brands like Benjamin Moore over budget options. Paint with built-in primers, stains, mildew resistance, or gloss boost the price as well. The amount of paint needed depends on the surface area and number of coats – often a primer, two coats of paint, and a protective sealer. Generally, you can expect to spend around $30-50 per gallon of standard exterior paint. Investing in quality paint leads to longer-lasting results.
The Crew Matters
Hiring experienced, professional exterior painters always costs more than a DIY project – but saves huge headaches. Skilled painters work efficiently and complete projects smoothly. Expect to pay at least $50 per hour for labor – but prices can range from $30 for handymen up to $70 for crews with decades of experience. Be sure to get multiple quotes from exterior painters. Verify they are properly licensed and insured. You want qualified professionals for lasting results.
Additional Expenses
Beyond the basic costs of paint and labor, prep work, specialized equipment rentals, travel fees and other costs bump up the total price of an exterior paint job. Some painters charge extra fees for travel to remote locations. Renting scaffolding or lifts to safely reach second stories adds hundreds more. Power washing ranges from $150-$300 depending on the size of your home. Also budget extra costs for priming bare wood, caulking, fixing cracks, and similar prep work.
To Summarize
Repainting your home’s exterior is a major investment, but adds tremendous value. Carefully evaluate all the cost factors – square footage, details, paint quality, crew rates, and prep work needed. Invest in experienced local exterior painters to get the job done right. While it’s not cheap, a fresh exterior coat lasts for years and boosts your home’s curb appeal. With proper planning and budgeting, you can make your home shine again!
Get a Fresh New Look with Valleywide Painting Services
Is your home’s exterior looking faded, cracked, or just plain tired? Now is the perfect time to give your property new life with a professional exterior paint job. Valleywide Painting Services specializes in residential and commercial painting projects throughout the Okanagan Valley and Penticton region. Our fully licensed and insured painters handle the entire process – from pressure washing and surface prep to priming, finish coats, and clean up. With Valleywide Painting Services, you can count on lasting paint jobs, stress-free processes, and completely satisfied customers.
Don’t wait to boost your home’s curb appeal and value this season. Contact us today at (250) 809-1779 for a free estimate on revitalizing your exterior with fresh new paint. Our experts will inspect your home and provide transparent quotes with no hidden fees.
Let the team at Valleywide Painting Services make your property shine again with a new coat of exterior paint this year!