Painting your living space is one of the easiest ways to enhance its appeal. It also elevates home interiors and protects the structural integrity. Here is the catch! Whenever homeowners consider painting a house, a question often haunts them. How much does it cost to paint a house?
Indeed, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for all homeowners. Several key factors are responsible for influencing the costs associated with painting a house. The size of the home, the material selection, labor rates, interior and exterior costs, and the type of paint can influence the cost to paint a house.
Estimating the costs is not an easy task. It demands accuracy, professionalism, and background knowledge about the costs. The blog will explore the cost details and help homeowners make a decision.
Average Cost Range for Painting a House
According to Home Advisor and Angi, the average cost to paint a house interior is around $2,021, ranging from $300 to $5800. The average cost also depends on home size, square footage, paint type, and location.
Even the average cost also varies according to the exterior of the home. In the case of the average cost range for painting a house exterior, the price is $3170 with a range of $1900 to $4550, depending on exterior type and home size.
| Factor | Details | Average Cost Range |
| By Home Size (Interior Painting) | 1,000 sq. ft. | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| 1500 sq. ft. | $2,300 – $4,600 | |
| 2000 sq. ft. | $3,000 – $6,500 | |
| 2500 sq. ft. | $3,800 – $7,800 | |
| 3000+ sq. ft. | $4,500 – $10,000+ | |
| By Home Size (Exterior Painting) | 1000 sq. ft. | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| 1500 sq. ft. | $1,800 – $4,200 | |
| 2000 sq. ft. | $2,500 – $5,500 | |
| 2500 sq. ft. | $3,000 – $6,800 | |
| 3000+ sq. ft. | $4,000 – $9,500+ | |
| Cost Per Sq. Ft. (Interior) | Low End | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| Average | $2.50 – $4.00 | |
| High End | $4.00 – $6.00+ | |
| Cost Per Sq. Ft. (Exterior) | Low End | $1.00 – $2.00 |
| Average | $1.50 – $3.50 | |
| High End | $3.50 – $5.50+ |
Factors That Influence House Painting Costs
The house painting cost is also influenced by different factors, including project size, material types, selection, labor rates, accessibility, and complexity.
Size of the House
The most important factor is the square footage of the house. As compared to smaller homes, larger homes require more paint, labor, and preparation work.
| Size of House | Painting Costs |
| 800 square feet | $1,200–$3,200 |
| 1,000 square feet | $1,500–$4,000 |
| 1,200 square feet | $1,800–$4,800 |
| 1,500 square feet | $2,250–$6,000 |
| 1,800 square feet | $2,700–$7,200 |
| 2,000 square feet | $3,000–$8,000 |
| 2,500 square feet | $3,750–$10,000 |
| 3,000 square feet | $4,500–$12,000 |
Type of Paint and Quality
The painting costs also vary according to the type and quality of paint. For instance, high-quality paints are expensive, but they offer fewer coats and are long-lasting. Moreover, paint types such as oil-based, latex, and weather-resistant paints also influence the cost of painting a house’s interior or exterior.
Latex-based paints cost between $20 and $50 per gallon, and Acrylic paints also cost between $20 and $50 per gallon. Oil-based paints usually cost around $30-$60 per gallon.
Labor Costs
When it comes to professional painting of a house, 70%–80% of the total cost goes toward labor. Painting a house also includes gathering materials, preparing and repairing the walls, bridging any gaps, sanding the old paint, and painting two coats.
The labor costs also depend on location and pricing models. Some painters charge by per hour with pricing as low as $25 an hour. On the contrary, professional painters charge $25–$100 per hour. When it comes to residential painting, no additional licensing fees are required.
Preparation Work
Preparing the site for painting is one of the most laborious tasks. The wall preparation includes sanding, scraping old paint, filling cracks, caulking, priming, coating, pressure washing, and repairing drywall. If the preparation of the site demands more work, it is expected that the cost will be higher based on the amount of work.
Number of Coats Required
The number of coats of paint also influences the number of coats required. Here is the detail of pricing
| Number of coats | Cost range per laborer |
| 1 Coat | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| 2 Coats | $3.00 – $5.00 |
| 3 Coats | $4.50 – $7.50 |
| Primer and 3 Coats | $4.00 – $6.50 |
Accessibility and Complexity
Accessibility and complexity of the project also matter while calculating the costs. For instance, the areas that are difficult to reach, such as narrow staircases, tall exteriors and attics, demand special equipment to complete the task of painting. On the other hand, easily accessible places and rooms are quicker to paint, thereby requiring no special equipment.
Interior vs. Exterior Painting Costs
The painting costs also differ according to the interior and exterior portions of the house.
Interior Painting Costs
The interior painting generally costs $2 to $7 per square foot, depending on the quality of coating, finishes, and paint.
Certain cost drivers are responsible for influencing costs.
Surface and Size: Painting an entire house interior may range from $3000-$11000. But a single bedroom can cost between $300-$800.
Ceilings, trim, and doors: Ceilings often add $1-$3 per square foot. On the other hand, doors are priced separately, around $60-$250.
Paint and Finishes Type: high-end paints for interiors are the most costly, as Matte and eggshell finishes are more cost-effective.
Exterior Painting Costs
Exterior painting is more costly, ranging $3 to $8 per square foot, with total projects averaging $6,000 – $17,000.
Cost Drivers
Surface Material: Wood siding often requires more preparation and paint than vinyl or stucco.
Preparation & Repairs: Washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, priming, and repairing damaged siding can also increase expenses.
Paint Durability: It is also important to check paint durability because exterior paints must withstand weather and moisture. Therefore, the effort to maintain paint durability also costs a lot of money.
Equipment charges: Multi-story homes and tall exterior buildings demand special equipment, adding more expenses to the budget.
Interior and exterior Cost Comparison
| Factors | Interior costs | Exterior costs |
| Total project range | $3000-$11000 | $6,000 – $17,000 |
| Cost per square foot | $2 to $7 | $3 to $8 |
| Prep work | patching, covering, and sanding | Washing, scalding, and priming |
| Paint Quality Requirement | Aesthetic appeal | Withstand weather conditions |
| Extra costs | Trim, ceiling, and doors | Siding repairs |
| Lifespan | 5 to 10 years | 8-16 years |
Additional Costs to Consider
Besides interior and exterior costs, additional costs also influence homeowners’ budgets. While calculating costs, they often ignore additional costs to paint a house. The only question they encounter is how much it should cost to paint a house. In reality, they must take into account additional costs. Here is the detail of additional costs.
Surface Preparation
Before starting to paint a house, surface preparation is important. Surface preparation includes fixing cracks and damaged siding. Removing the old and flaked paint from the walls is also necessary. Applying the primer before the final coat also costs money.
In a nutshell, surface preparation adds $2-$4 per square foot, depending on damage level.
Cleaning
Pressure washing is essential for exterior walls to remove dirt and flaky paint. If the house is grappling with mold growth, chemical washing can solve issues, along with costs a lot of money. It costs $200-$500, depending on house size and cleaning work.
Additional Supplies
If you are going to do DIY painting, you must consider the additional costs of materials and supplies, including brushes, rollers, caulks, primers, and sprayers. It costs around $50-$200.
Brushes: $3–$20
Drop cloth: $5–$30
Ladder: $80–$300
Paint trays: $3–$5
Painter’s tape: $3–$10
Primer: $20–$40 per gallon
Rollers: $10–$20
Sandpaper: $5–$30
Scraper: $5–$20
Ceiling and Walls
Ceiling often requires special paint, and ascent walls may also require premium paints and multiple coats. The cost is $100-$300 per ceiling and feature wall.
Finishes & Textures
It includes murals, faux finishes, textured paints, and high-gloss coatings, adding 25-50 percent additional costs in house painting.
Disposal Fee
If the old paints and chips are lead-based and contain harmful materials, they will be disposed of at a fee of $50-$300, depending on the volume.
Read More: How to estimate construction costs
Tips to Save Money on House Painting
If you are worried about the cost of painting a house, fret not! Some tips will help homeowners save money on house painting.
- You should plan a budget. Therefore, it is important to get multiple quotes from different painters to compare rates. You must also decide early on the scope of the project, so you can buy the things according to the requirements.
- To save money on house painting, you must handle prep work like cleaning walls, garages, and fences. The more prep work you do, the fewer labor hours you will pay.
- Always choose high-quality paints. These paints could be expensive, but you get more durability and life span out of these premium paints. So you can use less paint, finish the job faster, and save money on the project overall.
- You can also save money by limiting the number of costs due to edging, separate preparation, and waste. By sticking to a few colors, you can save money.
- Before hiring a painter, you must get multiple bidding deals that can help you find the best deal. Always look for the credentials of painters and the company to get satisfactory and cost-effective results.
- Painting costs are lower in the off-season. Therefore, always choose off-season painting to get more discounts.
Hiring a Professional vs. DIY
DIY interior painting usually costs between $200 and $400. But it is not wise to paint by yourself, unless you are a professional painter. Painting the exterior and interior is not everyone’s cup of tea. It demands a skilful approach, professionalism, and hands-on experience. You can get these things by hiring a professional painter. If you choose professional painting, you only have to buy materials for the project, such as paint, primer, rollers, and drop clothes, and you can save a considerable amount of money on your house-painting costs.
Cost Examples and Case Studies
Small Single Story Home
House size: 1200 square feet, located in the Midwest USA. If you are looking for the paint cost breakdown for such of residential project, it includes
- Labor cost: $2500
- Paint and supplies: $300
- Minor repairs: $250
- Total $3050
Medium Two-Story Home
The house size is 2500 square feet, located in California. The project scope includes full exterior repaint, trimming, and siding repairs. To protect from unpredictable weather, premium paint should be used. Here is the cost breakdown!
- Labor cost: $6500
- Paint and supplies: $1000
- Minor repairs: $500
- Washing and prep: $400
- Total $8400
Are You Looking for a Professional Company for Top-notch Exterior & Interior Painting Services?
Are you looking for a professional company that can help you with exterior and interior painting services? Look no further than Cost Bidding. We are among the most reputable companies in the town. At Cost Bidding, we take pride in delivering top-class and professional painting services by using advanced techniques. Our estimators have been equipped with years of expertise in the construction industry and possess in-depth knowledge of painting. They carefully assess the construction market trends and offer the best possible solutions according to your project requirements. They also help in managing the budget and estimating accurate construction costs.
They also possess the knowledge about the software and tools used in lead generation and qualification. If you are looking to build a new home and are clueless about how much it costs to paint a house, contact us now for a precise estimation.
Conclusion
No one denies the importance of professional and appealing exterior and interior painting services for your new home. By utilizing our top-notch construction services under the aegis of highly qualified estimators, you can win competitive bid proposals, avoid high costs, reduce financial surprises, and improve budget management during painting services. If you are looking for a reputable estimating firm to help you with painting, Cost Bidding is the right platform. To explore further services, contact us or visit our website.
Faqs
- What factors are responsible for affecting the painting costs?
The factors include
- Size of the house
- Number of stories
- Surface type
- Amount of prep work
- Paint quality and selection
- Labor rates
- Location
- Is it cheaper to opt for a DIY painting approach?
A DIY painting approach costs you additional expenses. It may save 50 to 70 percent of labor costs, but it adds the costs of additional supplies and materials.
- How often should a house be repainted?
When it comes to the exterior, you must repaint it after 5 to 10 years, depending on the condition and climate. Internally, you must paint it after 4 to 5 years.
- What hidden costs should a homeowner expect during painting a home?
The hidden costs involve
- Repairs
- Primer charges
- Extra costs of color change
- Extra coating
- Pressure washing
- Permits
- Scaffolding fees
- Waste disposal fee