Did you know that about 55% of US homeowners upgrade their house exterior every year? However, considering how much maintenance work a house generally requires (especially if you want to raise its value), this percentage may not come as a surprise.
Painting is an incredibly significant part of that work. No matter how attractive the interior is, your house won’t look welcoming if the outside doesn’t match “the inner beauty.”
Let’s see how much money a homeowner needs to put aside to keep the exterior polished.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House in the US?
An average American homeowner can spend as much as $7,500 on home improvement projects. If you live in a house, a great portion of that sum may easily be put toward exterior painting expenses—approximately between $1,700 and $4,300.
Recent estimates reveal the national average cost to paint a house is $3,048. The price range per square foot is $0.50–$3.50. However, the exact price will largely depend on your area, the material the house is made of, and the difficulty of the project.
This means that a two-story 2,500 sq ft house may drain $4,000 or even more from your family budget.
What Determines the Cost to Paint the Exterior of a House?
When jotting down your list of expenses, you’ll have to take into account the following:
- Labor costs (if you’re not planning a DIY project)
- The size of the house and the area that needs covering
- The age and condition of the property
- The number of stories
- The amount and quality of paint
- The tools and materials for prep work, as well as for possible repairs
- The time necessary to finish the job
Labor
No doubt, the most financially demanding item on the list is hiring professionals, which can constitute as much as 80% of the total cost. Their hourly rates typically range from $25 to $75, depending on the zip code.
Cost of Paint
A gallon of paint will cost you anywhere from $20 to $80. Bear in mind it’s likely to fall lower within the range if you get it from the pros you’re hiring instead of buying it directly.
Thanks to their contractor discounts, painters can get the necessary paint for as much as 50% less than you’d have to pay.
What About Brick Houses?
Painting a brick house is a wise move because it keeps dirt off the material and helps it endure the elements. Unfortunately, it’s also more expensive—the average price range per square foot is $1.50 to $4.50.
The main reason is the material‘s porousness. Because bricks have a coarser, more porous surface, more time and more paint are needed to get the job properly done (with a gallon of paint, you’ll be able to paint approximately 250 sq ft).
How Often Should You Repaint the Exterior?
The exterior should be repainted every 5–10 years, although this isn’t a rule. The frequency will depend on the climate, the quality of the previous paint job, and the paint itself.
This is why it’s recommended to invest in the best and most durable paint you can afford. Although it’ll initially cost you a bit more, it’ll pay off in the long run. The better the paint, the longer it’ll hold.
Lighter vs. Darker Colors
The choice of color also affects the cost of painting a house exterior. If you want longer-lasting paint that doesn’t fade easily, lighter colors are the right choice. They reflect much more light and don’t absorb as much heat from light sources as dark colors.
What Can You Do to Lower the Expenses?
There are several ways to cut the expenses:
- Establish how much work you can do yourself without compromising the quality of the work or putting your safety at risk.
- Make sure you get multiple bids before you finally settle on one that seems most reasonable.
- Repaint before there’s any visible damage (before the paint starts peeling and flaking). This will drastically decrease the number of hours a professional will take to do the job since preparing the surface won’t take nearly as long.
- Opt for lighter nuances to make the paint job last longer.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen here, the exact amount of money you’ll need to paint the exterior of your home depends on several factors.
Although it’ll certainly be a noticeable expense, there are ways you can lower it without risking the quality of the work. All it takes is meticulous planning.
