It may be time to repaint your exterior paint if it is peeling, cracking, or chipping. If the paint color on your home needs to be updated, you should consider a new coat. The curb appeal of a new exterior paint job is attractive to many homeowners, but they wonder if the cost will be affordable.
A 2,000-square-foot home will cost you about $5,200 to paint, but a three-story home can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000. The average cost of outdoor painting is $1-$4 per sq. ft., regardless of how many stories your house has or its square footage. We will explain what factors determine the cost of exterior painting, provide examples, and discuss the pros and cons of painting the exterior of your home yourself.
Paint House Exterior Cost Per Square Foot.
The size of your house is the biggest factor in determining the cost of painting the exterior. The surface area of a larger home is greater, but places with the duplicate square footage may have different exterior surfaces to paint because of windows, doors, and other features.
Cost To Paint A House Exterior By The Number Of Stories.
A higher labor cost and increased surface area are factors in the printing costs. When house painters are required to use higher scaffolding or ladders, safety and accessibility can be a concern. It takes more time to paint a house with multiple levels.
Paint House Exterior By Siding.
It is also important to consider the material used for the exterior of the house. Some siding materials require more preparation, more paint, or even specialized paint. The cost of wood siding and Vinyl siding is lower because they are easier to paint and come pre-primed.
Metal siding and brick can be inexpensive to paint but more expensive depending on their finish and the number of coats required. Painting a home’s stucco can be expensive because the texture of the surface requires more preparation, extra materials, and labor.
Cost To Paint House Outside By Project Type.
The exterior of a house is not just the walls. You can update the curb appeal of your house, even if you have good-looking exterior walls, by painting the trim, shutters, and exterior doors. Professional painters may charge per square foot or linear feet for these features. Others will offer a price per project.
Labor Cost.
Professional exterior painting projects often cost between 70% and 80% more than the materials. Painting a home involves gathering materials, repairing and preparing the walls, caulking gaps, sanding old paint, and priming and painting two coats.
Painters can charge as little as $20 per hour. These discounted rates may seem appealing, but beware. In most places, there is no requirement for licensing in the residential painting industry. This means that anyone can call himself a painter. Most experienced technicians charge between $40 and $80 per hour.
Factors That Affect The Cost.
Paint is a smaller factor than you might think in determining the cost of a painting project. Three gallons of paint can cover a typical single-story house in two coats. You won’t be saving much money if you choose cheap, low-quality painting. It’s usually a good choice to choose the best quality paint that your budget allows. Paint that is visually appealing will last longer and increase the time between painting jobs.
Types Of Paint
Exterior paint is classified into three types: acrylic, latex, and oil-based. Oil-based paints tend to be a bit more expensive than acrylic and latex. Remember to choose paints based on their surface and not price.
Latex
Water-based latex paints are the least toxic and also the easiest to clean. It dries very quickly and spreads easily, making it perfect for large surfaces such as exterior walls. The low price and wide availability of latex paints also make them very popular. Paint is extremely durable because it can expand and contract to the material beneath. Latex paint is available for $20 to $70 per gallon and comes in buckets of 5 gallons for large painting projects.
Acrylic
Some acrylic paints are water-based, and they may be called acrylic latex paint. Acrylic paint can also be a mixture of chemicals. It is more elastic and flexible than latex, as well as more weatherproof. It’s not as quick drying or spreadable as latex paint. Both acrylic and latex paints are priced between $20-$70 a gallon.
Oil
Oil-based paints tend to be less popular because of their strong smell and the release of hazardous compounds upon wetting. It’s safer to use them outside rather than indoors, and they tend to dry faster than water-based ones. This also makes them more susceptible to cracking and fading and are more difficult to maintain. Oil-based paints cost between $30 and $90 per gallon and are used best on trim, small details, and doors.
Finish Type
Paints are also classified according to their sheen or finish. The shinier the paint is when it dries, the more expensive it will be, but the difference in price is not large. Not all paint finishes are suitable for outdoor painting. The following are some of the most common outdoor paints and their costs.
- Flat: Flat paint is spreadable and glossy but is not very durable. The paint is easily damaged by power washing or cleaning products. The cost of flat paint is usually between $20 and $40 per gallon.
- Eggshell: This is the most common paint for exterior walls because of its durability and balance between coverage and shine. It is less likely to chip than matte paint and has a smoother appearance than satin. The price of eggshell paint is $30 to $60 per gallon.
- Satin: A satin finish paint has a slightly higher gloss than an eggshell paint. You can expect to spend $30-$60 a gallon for this type of paint.
- Semi-gloss: This paint type is great for its shine and stain resistance. Its higher shine will draw attention to any flaws, dents, or scratches but also makes it easy to clean, so it is the best exterior paint for properties that are dusty or muddy. Semi-gloss is usually priced between $40 and $80 per gallon.
- High-gloss: High-gloss is the most reflective house paint. It dries to a hard exterior, and it’s very durable. However, this type of paint works best on small areas. Water-resistant, it is a great choice for doors, trim, and windows. High-gloss costs between $50 and $90 per gallon.
Brand Of Paint.
Branding can have only a small impact on the price of paint, but it is still less important than the type and finish. Some brands are cheaper than others if you want to save money.
Home improvement stores carry a wide range of budget brands, such as Benjamin Moore, Glidden, or Behr. The paint they sell is usually priced between $20 and 50 per gallon, depending on the finish and type of paint. Brands such as Valspar PPG and Sherwin-Williams are a bit more expensive than budget brands. They usually cost between $35-75 per gallon.
Use the formula below to estimate how many gallons you will need for your exterior paint project.
Additional Cost Considerations.
You may need to double the amount of time and effort required to paint your house if the exterior is dirty or damaged. If you want to paint your house, you shouldn’t require a permit. However, you may need one if you decide to change the siding. If you are changing the color of your home, such as from a dark shade to a lighter one or vice-versa, it is likely that more paint will be needed. If you are unsure which exterior paint color you should choose, you may want to consult a color consultant at a painting firm.
Save Money by Doing It Yourself.
You’ll also need the right supplies if you decide to do it yourself. Paint alone can be expensive. You can estimate the cost of painting materials by using these estimates:
- Brushes: $3-$20
- Drop Cloth:$5 to $30
- Ladder: $80-$300
- Paint trays: $3 to $5
- Painter’s tape: $3-$10
- Primer: $20-$40 per gallon
- Rollers: $10-$20
- Sandpaper: $5-$30
- Scraper: $5-$20
Renting a paint sprayer costs $30 to $50 per day. However, for detail work or wall edges, you will still need brushes and rollers.
Paint Your Exterior House Yourself Or Hire A Professional?
Although you can paint your home’s exterior yourself, the project is often much more involved than homeowners think. Many homeowners hire experienced, professional painters to avoid a streaky, uneven paint job that can lower the curb appeal of their homes. Consider these factors to help you decide.
The Pros And Cons Of DIY.
Only materials and not labor will be charged.
You have greater control over your home’s appearance since you are the one who holds the brush.
Interior painting can be a bit more disruptive than exterior painting.
It will take you longer to complete your project than it would for a professional.
You are responsible for all cleaning, repair, and prepping.
Pros And Cons Of Professionals.
Professional painters will deliver the best results.
It will take less time to complete the job than if you were to do it yourself.
By leaving the ladders to professionals, you will be able to avoid any accidents or falls.
Costs will be higher compared to DIY options.
To find a reputable contractor, you will need to check reviews online or ask family and friends.
Exterior House Painting Costs: How to Save?
There are ways to reduce exterior painting costs, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional.
- Compare quotes from different companies to get the best price.
- Prepare the surface to be painted by removing shutters, doorknobs, and other items, trimming trees and shrubs nearby, and sanding it.
- To reduce labor, be proactive and schedule repainting well before exterior damage occurs.
- You can reduce the frequency of repainting by choosing a lighter shade to prevent fading.
These tips can help you save money on your painting project.
Conclusion
It’s a good idea, even if you paint the exterior house painters in auckland yourself, to hire a professional. Painters with experience will produce a better-looking final product and finish the job faster. They can also do the preparation and cleaning. Some painters offer a guarantee on their work.
Many local contractors offer free estimates on painting, so make sure you compare several quotes to get the best deal.
