How Much Does It Cost to Paint Exterior of House? (Price Guide)

The cost to paint the outside of a house depends on how much surface there is, what it is made of, and how much work it takes to get it ready. A small single-story house with sound siding is a quick job. A three-story house with peeling wood trim is a much bigger one, and the price follows.

This guide covers the exterior only. It uses figures from national cost guides with a check date of Oct 11, 2026. Where sources disagree, the tables show each one so you can see the gap.

Painters price by the area they actually paint, which is the wall surface of the exterior and not the floor plan. This Old House reports the ranges above. Doubling the paintable area roughly doubles the price in these figures, so a measured wall area is a better basis for a quote than the home's listed square footage.

Height changes the job. Taller houses need longer ladders or scaffolding, and work at height is slower and riskier.

The same 2,000 square foot home costs more once it has a second or third story. A tall house puts more of its wall area out of easy reach, and that is where the added labor goes.

Siding material affects both prep and paint. Smooth surfaces take paint quickly, while textured or porous ones soak up more.

Wood is the lowest in the table. Stucco, brick, and vinyl cost more per square foot. Brick and stucco are porous and can need more paint or a special primer. Vinyl needs paint rated for it, since some dark colors can cause the panels to warp from heat. Check the paint manufacturer's guidance for your siding.

Trim, fascia, and gutters are usually priced by the linear foot instead of by area.

Detailed trim takes more brushwork than flat siding and can add a meaningful amount to the total. Ask whether trim and gutters are in the main quote or listed apart.

Labor often makes up the largest part of an exterior painting bill. This Old House reports professional painter rates per painter.

Hourly pricing is less common for whole-house jobs. Most contractors quote a flat price based on a walk-around, which includes crew time, paint, and supplies. A rate per hour is still useful for judging add-on work, such as repairing a section of rotted board.

Prep decides how long a paint job lasts. Paint applied over dirt, mildew, or loose paint tends to fail early.

Power washing is a common first step. Other prep may include scraping, sanding, caulking gaps, replacing rotted boards, and priming bare wood. Each one is a labor cost that does not show in a per-square-foot rate, so confirm what the quote covers.

• Paintable area. Larger walls and more windows and doors to cut around mean more time.
• Stories and roof pitch. Height and steep ground raise the setup and safety costs.
• Siding type. Wood, stucco, brick, and vinyl each need different prep and paint.
• Current condition. Peeling, chalking, mildew, or rot need repair before painting.
• Color change. A bold change from the existing color may need primer and extra coats.
• Paint grade. Premium exterior paint costs more per gallon and may last longer.
• Season and weather. Paint needs dry weather within a temperature range, so busy seasons can affect scheduling and price.
• Home age. A house built before 1978 may have lead paint, so ask a painter about safe work practices. The EPA lead program has details.

The three sources below use different samples and definitions.

This Old House and Networx report higher ranges than NerdWallet. The gap may reflect different home sizes, whether prep and power washing are counted, and the regions each source draws from. Treat each range as a rough guide, then get local quotes.

A single-story house with good siding is within reach for a careful DIYer. The work is long, though, and ladder work carries a real risk of falls, so a two- or three-story house is usually a job for a crew. Pros also bring sprayers, scaffolding, and experience with prep. If you go DIY, expect to spend on paint, primer, caulk, rollers, ladders, and a pressure washer or rental.

• How many coats are included, and is primer part of the price?
• What prep is included, and is power washing listed separately?
• Which paint brand and line is quoted?
• Are trim, gutters, doors, and shutters in the price?
• What warranty is offered on the work, and what does it cover?
• Is the contractor licensed and insured where your state requires it?