Exterior painting costs typically range from $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot of living space. This means a 1,500 square foot house would likely cost between $2,250 and $3,750 to paint. Alternatively, you can estimate **$1.00 to $1.50 per square foot of siding**.  Keep in mind that factors like the amount of prep work needed, the type of siding, and the number of stories can influence the final cost.

Exterior Painting Cost Ranges

• Exterior Painting by Property SF, L+M ($1.50 - $2.50 per square feet)
• Exterior Painting by Siding SF, L+M ($1.00 - $1.50 per square feet)

A painting crew can typically paint a one-story, 1,500 square foot house in 2 to 4 days. The first day usually involves prep work like masking windows, scraping old paint, and caulking. The remaining days are for applying the primer and finish coats.

• Paint:  The type and quality of paint significantly affect the cost.
• Primer:  Primer is essential for proper paint adhesion and coverage.
• Caulk:  Caulk is used to seal gaps and cracks.
• Masking Materials:  Masking tape and paper protect surfaces that shouldn't be painted.

The prices in the table are based on a typical property in an average suburban area. Exterior painting costs can vary by location. If you are located in the East or West Coast, you could expect to pay 15% to 50% more than the recommended price provided. Consult our location multiplier index for more accurate pricing in your market.

Contacting local painting contractors is recommended to get accurate pricing. Explain that you are a real estate investor who needs a rough budget for exterior painting on a typical 1,500 square foot house. Most contractors should be able to provide a general range.

Tips for contacting contractors:

• Be upfront about your needs:  Let them know you are gathering preliminary estimates.
• Don't pressure them for a firm quote:  Explain that you will contact them for a formal quote when you have a specific project ready.
• Get multiple quotes:  Reach out to several contractors in your area to compare pricing.

While exterior painting is generally a straightforward and cost-effective renovation, several factors can influence the final price:

• Type of Siding: The type of siding on your property can affect the cost of painting. Some siding materials, like concrete and masonry, are more porous and absorb more paint than wood siding. This may necessitate additional coats of paint, increasing material and labor costs.
• Siding Preparation:  Preparing the siding for painting is often the most time-consuming part of the job. If your siding requires extensive scraping, sanding, caulking, or repairs, expect higher labor costs.
• Size of the House: Larger homes naturally require more paint and labor, resulting in a higher overall cost. However, larger projects often benefit from economies of scale, meaning the cost per square foot might be slightly lower than for smaller homes.
• Number of Stories: Painting a single-story home is typically more efficient and less expensive than painting a multi-story home.  Taller houses may require ladders, scaffolding, or lifts, which can increase labor costs and project duration.
• Shape of the House: Homes with simple, rectangular shapes are generally easier and less expensive to paint than those with complex designs, gables, or numerous corners.  More intricate architectural details can increase labor time and the amount of paint needed.
• Location: Labor and material costs can vary considerably based on your location.  Urban areas and regions with high demand for painting services often have higher prices compared to rural or less populated areas.
• Seasonality:  Painting contractors are often busiest during peak seasons, like spring and summer. Scheduling your project during these times may lead to higher prices due to increased demand and limited contractor availability.

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There are two primary ways to estimate the exterior painting area:

1. Quick Rule of Thumb:

This method provides a fast and rough estimate. Simply use the overall square footage of the property as a basis for your calculation. For example, a 1,500 square foot house would be estimated to have 1,500 square feet of paintable exterior surface.

2. Detailed Siding Measurement:

This method offers a more accurate estimate by calculating the actual square footage of the exterior walls.

• For simple rectangular walls:
  1. Measure the length of each wall.
  2. Measure the height of the walls from the foundation to the eaves.
  3. Multiply the length and height of each wall to find its area.
  4. Add the areas of all walls together.
• For walls with gables (triangular sections):
  1. Calculate the area of any rectangular wall sections as described above.
  2. For each gable, measure the height (from base to peak) and the width of the base.
  3. Multiply the height and width of the gable, then divide by 2 to find its area.
  4. Add the areas of all walls and gables together.

Important Note:  When calculating the paintable area, do not subtract the space occupied by windows and doors. This extra square footage accounts for material waste and ensures you have enough paint.

While the quick rule of thumb can be helpful for initial estimates, measuring the siding provides a more precise calculation, especially for houses with complex shapes or multiple stories.

Now that you've measured the exterior of your house, you can create a rough budget for your exterior painting project. There are two ways to approach this:

1. Using the Quick Rule of Thumb:

If you used the quick rule of thumb and estimated your paintable area based on the overall square footage of your house, simply multiply that square footage by the average cost per square foot for exterior painting.

2. Using Detailed Siding Measurements:

If you took the time to measure the actual square footage of your exterior siding, you can use this more precise measurement to calculate your budget. Multiply the total siding square footage by your budgeted cost per square foot.

Let's consider a 1,500 square foot house with a simple rectangular shape. We'll estimate the painting costs using both methods:

1. Quick Rule of Thumb:

• Property size: 1,500 square feet
• Estimated cost (using $2.00/sq ft of property size): 1,500 square feet x $2.00/square foot = $3,000

2. Detailed Siding Measurement:

Assuming the house has a perimeter of 160 feet and a wall height of 9 feet:

• Siding area: 160 feet x 9 feet = 1,440 square feet
• Estimated cost (using $1.50/sq ft of siding): 1,440 square feet x $1.50/square foot = $2,160

As you can see, the two methods provide slightly different estimates. The quick rule of thumb gives a higher estimate ($3,000) compared to the more detailed siding measurement ($2,160).

For more accurate budgeting, especially for houses with complex shapes or multiple stories, it's recommended to measure the siding directly.