Exterior Painting Cost Calculator: what to expect
Exterior painting cost is driven by surface area, siding material, prep, and access. Two-story homes and heavy prep (scraping, repairs, priming) can double the labor compared with a clean single-story repaint.
Across the United States, a exterior painting cost averages $11,992 once mid-range materials, licensed labor, and standard permits are included. The figures below are a national baseline; pick your state or city to apply local labor rates, material delivery costs, and permit fees.
Cost summary
| Low estimate | $4,775 |
|---|---|
| Average estimate | $11,992 |
| High estimate | $26,146 |
| Cost per sqft | $2 - $12 |
| Timeline | 1-4 weeks |
Where the money goes
For a typical exterior painting cost, the average $11,992 estimate splits into roughly $4,925 of materials, $4,711 of labor, and no permit cost when none is required.
| Material cost | $4,925 |
|---|---|
| Labor cost | $4,711 |
| Permit cost | $0 |
What a exterior painting cost includes
- Pressure washing and surface prep
- Scraping, sanding, and caulking
- Priming bare or repaired areas
- Two finish coats on siding and trim
What drives the cost the most
- Square footage and number of stories (access/staging).
- Siding material — wood and stucco need more prep than vinyl.
- Prep severity: peeling, rot, and repairs.
- Number of trim, door, and accent colors.
Budget, standard, and high-end scopes
The $4,775–$26,146 range maps to three common levels of finish:
| Scope | Roughly | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | $4,775 | Sound siding, light prep, body and trim one color each. |
| Standard | $11,992 | Moderate prep, body plus trim and accents. |
| Restoration | $26,146 | Heavy scraping, repairs, priming on aged siding. |
How to save on a exterior painting cost
- Address rot and failing caulk before painting — paint won't fix it.
- Quality exterior paint lasts years longer, lowering lifetime cost.
- Combine with trim or door work to share setup and staging.
How this estimate is calculated
We start from a base cost-per-sqft for exterior painting cost and adjust it for finish quality, labor complexity, waste, and equipment, then apply national baseline indices. The figures update with the cost data and reflect mid-range, licensed-contractor pricing, not a binding quote.