How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?
Surface area is the starting point
Exterior painting cost is based on the total surface area to be painted, in square feet or square metres, which is generally larger than a simple footprint calculation because it includes wall height and accounts for the home's full perimeter. This calculator estimates that surface area from your home's dimensions and multiplies it by a rate per square foot tied to your chosen paint quality and number of coats, and you can enter a custom rate if you already have a painter's quote.
Homes with a lot of trim, dormers, gables or architectural detail have more surface area and more edges to cut in than a simple box-shaped house of the same footprint, which pushes labor cost higher even when the basic square footage looks similar.
Prep work is often the biggest labor cost
Scraping peeling paint, sanding rough spots, pressure washing the siding, and caulking gaps around trim and windows typically take more time than the actual painting on an older home, and skipping this prep is one of the most common reasons an exterior paint job fails early. Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint in old layers, which requires special lead-safe work practices during scraping and sanding, adding cost and time to the prep phase.
Siding material also affects prep and paint needs: wood siding generally needs more prep and may need to be repainted more often than fiber cement or previously painted vinyl, which changes the long-run cost picture even if the one-time price looks similar.
Paint quality and number of coats
A premium exterior paint typically costs more per gallon but covers better and lasts longer than a budget product, which can make it the better value over the years even though the sticker price is higher. Most exterior jobs call for two coats over bare or heavily weathered wood, while a simple color-match recoat over sound existing paint sometimes only needs one, and that distinction meaningfully changes both paint quantity and labor time.
Trim, shutters, and doors are often priced and painted separately from the main field color, sometimes in a contrasting color, and should be accounted for as their own line item in a detailed quote.
Weather windows and scheduling
Exterior paint needs a window of dry weather and a moderate temperature range to cure properly, which limits painting season in many climates to spring through fall, so book well ahead if you want a specific timeframe. Our siding replacement calculator is worth checking too if your siding is deteriorated enough that replacement might make more sense than another repaint.
How it's calculated
We estimate paint needed from exterior wall area times number of coats, divided by typical coverage per gallon or 4L can, then add professional labor per square foot or m² if selected, adjusted for region.
Worked example
A 2,000 sq ft exterior with 2 coats of mid-range paint and professional labor: about 12 gallons at $45 = $540 material, plus 2,000 × $2 = $4,000 labor, around $4,540 total.
Frequently asked questions
+How many coats does exterior paint need?
Two coats are standard for a full repaint, especially over bare wood, a color change, or faded/chalky existing paint; one coat may work for a quick refresh of a similar color.
+How long does exterior paint last?
Quality exterior paint typically lasts 7-10 years, less in harsh sun or coastal climates, longer on well-maintained, shaded surfaces.
+Should I prime before painting?
Yes on bare wood, patched areas, or major color changes; skip it only on sound existing paint in a similar color if using a paint-and-primer product.
+Does siding material affect paint quantity?
Yes, textured surfaces like stucco or wood shakes use notably more paint per square foot than smooth siding due to surface area and absorption.
+Can I enter my own paint price?
Yes. Choose "Custom amount" under paint quality and enter the price you're paying per gallon or 4L can.
