Painting your house is a great way to freshen up its curb appeal, and with a new paint shade, you can even give your property a brand-new appearance! However, before jumping into an exterior painting project, you might have a few questions—namely, how much this project will cost.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how much it costs to paint a house because the grand total depends on a combination of variables. Let’s explore these factors to better understand how much to budget for an exterior painting project.
Which Factors Impact the Price of Painting a House?
Square Footage
Exterior paint projects are often charged by square footage. Smaller homes generally cost less to paint, while larger homes are more expensive. Large homes with fewer windows, doors, and other features will typically be the most pricey to paint because they have more exterior surface area to cover.
Exterior Material
Your home’s exterior material will impact the price of a painting project. For example, wood or vinyl siding in excellent condition is easier to paint and generally cheaper. Materials like brick and stucco, which require much more “prep work” before painting, are more expensive.
Home Stories
How many stories is your home?
A one-story house is usually the easiest (and cheapest) to paint since all the surfaces are easily accessible from the ground. On the other hand, painting a multi-story home often requires specialized equipment, like ladders and lifts, and extra hands on deck, which can add to the overall project price.
Professional Labor
The cost of a painting project will vary depending on the painting contractor selected to complete the job. While it’s tempting to choose the cheapest bid, it’s important to remember that “too-good-to-be-true” prices often reflect low-quality work.
The best bid generally falls between the lowest and highest quote, offering good value while also providing excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Project Scope
Many homeowners think about painting just the siding when freshening up their home’s exterior. However, when the siding has a new and improved look, it often draws attention to other spots of the house that need some TLC, like the porch, garage, front door, gutters, or trim.
While it’s wise to consider painting these exterior elements as well, each additional area will increase the project’s overall scope and, therefore, its price. These small projects can add up and are important to add to the budget when calculating the overall cost.
Current Condition
If your home is brand-new or already in excellent shape (like a new build), you won’t need to worry about repairs before painting the exterior. However, if your home is older, you’ll probably need to consider other services that will add to the overall cost, like power washing the exterior to create a clean, dirt-free canvas for the paint or caulking around doors and windows.
Additionally, rotten, damaged, or deteriorating siding should be replaced before a fresh coat of paint is applied. A painting contractor who doubles as a siding contractor, like JD Hostetter & Associates, can help determine if your exterior is in good enough condition to paint or if siding replacement might be a better investment.
Climate Considerations
Paint is an attractive way to add an extra layer of protection between your home’s exterior and the elements. However, choosing a paint that is up for the task can often add to the overall budget. Homes in continental climates, like Indianapolis, need paint that can withstand cold, wet winters and warm, humid summers without peeling, flaking, or fading.
Paint Type
There are three main types of exterior paint: latex, acrylic, and oil-based paints. Here is an overview of each and how it can impact the painting cost:
- Latex — Latex paint is an easy-to-clean, eco-friendly, water-based paint that dries quickly. It is the most widely available and most affordable type of paint.
- Acrylic — Acrylic paint is similar to latex paint, but it also includes a chemical blend that makes it even more flexible and ideal for climates with rapid temperature changes. Acrylic paint is, however, less spreadable and slower-drying than latex paint.
- Oil — Oil-based paints create a harder, more durable shell than water-based paints, making them ideal for trim, doors, windows, and other small details. They usually aren’t suitable for the whole exterior because they are challenging to clean, prone to fading, and can release toxic fumes when wet.
Paint Finish
Outdoor paint comes in an array of finishes that range in appearance, durability, and, of course, cost. Flat (or matte) paint is the most affordable but also the least durable and chips easily, while semi-gloss and high-gloss paint are the most expensive but are easy to clean and highly resistant to stains, mud, and dust.
The best finish option for exterior paint is eggshell or satin, which are similar in price and quality. Eggshell paint creates a smooth surface that is resistant to chipping, while satin paint is a bit glossier but is just as easy to maintain.
Paint Brand
In addition to the type of paint and paint finish, the brand of paint you choose can impact the project’s overall price (though the variability in price will be pretty minimal). Some brands available at home improvement stores for DIY projects tend to be a little cheaper, whereas higher-quality paints that contractors use are generally more expensive.
JD Hostetter & Associates offers several reputable exterior paint brands, including PPG Porter, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin-Williams, to provide gorgeous results for every budget.
Freshen Up Your House with Professional Painting from JD Hostetter & Associates
All that to say, the only way to really know how much it will cost to paint your exterior is to reach out to an experienced local painting contractor for a quote, like our team at JD Hostetter & Associates!
Learn more about our painting services to discover why Indianapolis homeowners love revitalizing their exteriors with vibrant, long-lasting paint from our professional team.
