For anyone who’s thinking of painting their house, the very first question that comes to their mind is “how much does it cost to paint a house”. And to calculate that we need to look into various other factors and evaluate the total cost of paint.
Things might get west in that process and that’s exactly why we are getting into that.
When you think about painting your house, it’s important to calculate how much money you are going to spend. The cost of house painting is different for every house and building.
It depends on how big your house is, where you live, what kind of paint you are using and if you are doing it yourself or getting it done by a professional.
This guide will help you understand how much does it cost to paint a house inside to outside from start to finish.
This will include key factors that affect final prices, how exterior and interior painting costs differ.
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How Much Does it Cost to Paint a House?
As we discussed above, it is always important to know what the average cost of painting for your house looks like to get an idea of how much money you will need before you ask contractors to give you a quotation.
Painting cost also differs based on interior and exterior, how big and small it is, and how much are painters or labourers charging in your area. All of this helps you plan better and gives an idea of expected budget cost.
How Much To Paint House Exterior
The cost of interior painting usually ranges between $1,500 and $5,000 to paint a house. For a house the cost is around $3000.
Smaller rooms like bathrooms and bedrooms can cost less to paint whereas bigger rooms with ceilings and trim work cost more.
The labour paying cost usually covers 70 to 80% of the total cost, rest is used for paints and other equipment. The type of paint you are using also makes a difference in the cost.
High-quality paints can cost between $40 to $70 per gallon whereas regular paint costs between $20 and $35 per gallon.
Hence, it is important for you to always ask for a list of all the costs including cost of labour and materials.
How Much To Paint House Interior
The cost of exterior painting can range from $2,500 to $8,000 for a whole-house, whereas the average cost for a single family home is around $4,500.
This cost depends on the size of the house, the condition of the surface and how complex the architecture is.
Premium exterior paints which are made to withstand the weather and UV rays cost between $45 to $75 per gallon and standard exterior paints cost between $25 and $40 per gallon.
Preparing the surface for painting like washing, scraping, caulking and priming can add up to 10 to 20% to the base budget estimate.
Understanding Factors That Affect House Painting Cost
To understand how much does it cost to paint a house, you need to first understand that every house has different needs hence costs.
As we have already discussed above, the size of the house is the first and foremost factor but where you reside, the quality of paint and labour cost also affect the final budget.
Labour Rates
The labour rate usually is 70 to 80% of the final cost decided between homeowners and professionals. The rate also depends on the expertise and reputation of the company or agency you are giving the contract.
Beginner-level painters charge up to $20 to $35 per hour. Experienced painters usually charge up to $40 to $80 per hour or higher, but again it depends on the market they are established in.
The technicality of the project also hampers labour rates like intricate trim work or decorative finishes.
The size of the labour crew also affects the cost meaning, a large number of people can complete work faster than a smaller number of people.
Paint Quality
Apart from labour cost, quality of paint is an important factor when getting your house painted as it decides how well it covers the surface, how long-lasting it is, how it looks, and cost of taking care of the painted surface over time. Paints are mainly divided into three categories- builder-grade, mid-range, and premium.
Builder-grade paints cost $20 to $35 per gallon, and require more recoats. Mid range paints range $35 to $55 per gallon, suitable for low budget homes.
Premium paints from companies like sherwin williams, Benjamin Moore and Dulux. The price range $55 to $80 per gallon, lasts long and gives luxury looks.
Number of Recoats
The material and surface you are painting on decides the number of coats you are required to do.
In cases where a wall is already painted it can require more recoats especially when you have to change it from dark to light tone so that colour isn’t visible through. Every extra recoat adds around 15 to 25% to the final cost hence it is suggested to prepare the surface and prime it correctly.
Accessibility
The cost of painting is also affected depending on the accessibility of the part that needs to be painted. For example, if there’s extra one story outside the wall that needs to be painted, then painters can use a regular ladder as it is cheap as well, however, if any part of the house is hard to reach then it takes longer and costs higher.
A hilly or sloped house is even harder to paint because of the angles and the equipment. So, depending on how hard it is to access the parts, the cost depends.
Geographic Location
Your place of residence also has an effect on the cost of painting. Two main reasons are- labour market and cost of materials in your city or area. The labour market means the cost they charge is based on how expensive it is to live in the city you reside.
The second reason means that if you live in a big city, the possibility of materials being expensive is higher whereas the price is comparatively lower in small cities.
The weather of your area also affects the cost, like homes near the ocean need paint that can withstand salty air and moisture whereas hot or very cold areas need paint that can hold changes in temperature.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint A House Per Square Foot
House painting prices for both interior and exterior, provided by the contractors usually are based on per square foot.
This method gives an idea of materials and how much labor is needed. Knowing how per-foot pricing works can help one understand quotations better given by contractors and check if it fits one’s own budget.
Cost per Square Foot
This is one of the most used pricing methods by contractors to figure out how much to charge as different materials for different sized homes and projects are needed and accordingly the pricing is estimated.
The cost per foot also depends on the quality and how high the ceiling is and the complicated structure.
Homeowners are always suggested to ask if the cost per foot includes preparing the surface and applying primer. This can help in making informed decisions about the project.
Small vs Large Homes
The size of the home can directly affect how much it will cost to paint. Homes that are bigger in size can have an increase in price when they have complicated interiors and exteriors. Homes measuring 1,000 square feet generally cost between $2,000 to $6,000 whereas homes measuring more than 3,000 square feet usually range from $6,000 to $17,000.
The most common size of homes that is 1,500 to 2,500 square feet cost between $2,500 to $7,000. Hence, home size plays a crucial role in estimating the budget.
One Story vs Multi Story House
The number of stories in a home affects painting cost at large as they need to follow safety measures, need equipment and more labour.
One story homes require less equipment and labour which usually cost $150 to $500 per week to lend.
When we speak about a two story home it generally costs $3 to more than $6 per square foot.
However, the number of stories generally doesn’t affect the interior cost as much as it does the exterior cost.
Surface Area Considerations
Calculation of the surface area for a home is more than understanding the floor plan of a home.
To calculate the surface area consideration, you have to measure the distance around the walls and multiply that with the length of the ceiling and subtract the areas where the doors and windows are placed.
Surfaces which are rough, like brick, wood and stucco have not been smooth out. This means that the price can be higher for surfaces like these, unlike smooth surfaces. Hence, understanding the surface area is important to identify how much cost and time it will take.
| Project type | Home size | Estimated cost range |
| Interior Painting | Under 1,000sq ft | $900 to $2,500 |
| Exterior Painting | Under 1,000sq ft | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Interior Painting | 1,500 – 2,500 sq ft | $2,500 to $5,000 |
| Exterior Painting | 1,500 – 2,500 sq ft | $3,000 to $6,500 |
| Interior Painting | 2,500 – 3,500 sq ft | $4,000 to $7,000 |
| Exterior Painting | 2,500 – 3,500 sq ft | $4,500 to $8,500 |
| Cost Per Sq Ft (Interior) | All sizes | $2 – $6 per sq ft |
| Cost Per Sq Ft (Exterior – Single Story) | All sizes | $1.50 – $4 per sq ft |
| Cost Per Sq Ft (Exterior – Multi Story) | All sizes | $3 – $6 per sq ft |
So, in the above table we discussed some of the square foot cost like- 1000sq ft house paint cost, 1500sq ft house paint cost, 2000sq ft house paint cost and 3000sq ft house paint cost and many more.
DIY vs. Hiring Professionals: Which Option to Consider?
As we discussed above, 70 to 80% of the total cost is used at the painter’s rate. So, you can always decide if you want to do it yourself or hire professionals. Also, depending on the timeline you have decided for the work completion, it is preferred to choose if you would like to paint and how good you are at it.
When to Choose DIY
DIY can save a lot of your money from the final budget you have for painting your house. For example if you wish to paint the interior of your house, it might cost you from $500 to $1,500 on all the painting and materials required whereas if you hire a professional to do, then it might cost between $3,000 to $6,000 just for the labor cost.
However, DIY painting result and outcome depend on how good you are at it and how much time you contribute to it.
Before you start painting, you need to know how to prepare the wall surface, keep the paint wet so that it does not leave marks and maintain the surface correctly.
When to Hire Professionals
Painting done by hiring professionals is guaranteed work where if the paint starts peeling, cracking or doesn’t stick properly the professionals ensure to fix it again.
Safety is one of the most important factors, as while professionals are experienced, you can probably harm yourself while painting stories through a ladder.
Hence, always hiring professional painters is suggested to keep yourself safe and get the work done more evenly and correctly as they hold years of experience in the work.
Conclusion
As we discussed everything about how much does it cost to paint a house? We have got a clear answer that it varies and depends on different aspects like size, condition of the surface, quality of paint, labour rate, and the area your home is situated in.
To stay within a budget, homeowners should always speak to multiple contractors to get the best of quotations and rate.
Making decisions on either painting your house on your own or hiring a professional gives a clear direction of timelines and the budget.
The above information provides you with all the common pricing based on per square foot, one story and multi story and many more.
How much does it cost to paint a house also depends on proper planning as it will help in costing less than fixing a situation in the moment or later because your home deserves a solid finish same as the foundation it stands on.
FAQ’S on How Much Does It Cost To Paint A House
According to professionals, September to November is usually perfect as weather is stable and not extreme at any ends making it suitable for painting homes.
For both interior and exterior it is different. For interiors it typically lasts 7 to 10 years whereas for exterior it lasts mostly 5 to 10 years. But again it depends on the climate, exposure and surface preparation.
Bad paints smell sour and rancid, ingredients separate from each other, and looks rusted and corroded.
Classic warm whites or dark dramatic tones provide a modern touch to the exterior of house whereas navy blue, olive green or chocolate brown with beige add depth and dimension to the interior of the house.
