How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House?

A fresh coat of paint can increase your curb appeal, make your home look newer, and potentially lead to higher offers when you sell. But you’ll need to estimate the cost and make sure it fits into your budget. Several factors, like square footage and the cost of supplies and labor, will impact the final total.

How much does it cost to paint a house?

Homeowners spend $1,901 on average painting a home’s interior and $3,045 on the exterior, according to HomeAdvisor. But several factors — including the quality of the paint, whether you hire professionals, and the home’s square footage — affect that estimate.

Here’s a breakdown of what the painting costs might look like for a 2,300-square-foot home, the median size of a new house sold in 2020:

How to calculate the cost of painting a house

You can always get a quote from a professional, or you can take the following steps to figure out how much it costs to paint a house yourself:

• Find the finished area. For interior jobs, measure the height of each room you want to paint and multiply by the width. Do the same for exterior walls if you’re painting the outside, as they measure differently. You might be able to find the exterior perimeter on your mortgage closing papers.
• Find the paintable area. Measure the total square footage of the windows and doors, and subtract that area from the total finished area. A standard door measures 21 square feet, while a standard window measures 12 square feet.
• Find the coverage area of the paint. A gallon of paint covers about 400 square feet on average, though you may need more for rough exterior siding. Exteriors usually need two coats of paint, and interiors may need two or three coats if you’re making a dramatic color change.
• Choose your paint. The cost of a gallon of paint depends on the brand, color, sheen, regional pricing, and whether you’re using interior or exterior paint.
• Do the math. Divide the paintable area by the coverage of a gallon of paint to find out how many gallons of paint you need. Then, multiply the number of gallons by the price of the gallon to complete your estimate.
• Use this formula. To find the number of gallons you need, use this formula: square feet of paintable area / square feet of paint coverage area = gallons of paint x 2 = total gallons of paint needed (rounded up to the nearest gallon)

Example calculation

Let’s say you’re painting three rooms — two bedrooms and a living room:

1. The main bedroom is 200 square feet
2. The second bedroom is 150 square feet
3. The living room is 300 square feet

This comes out to a total finished area of 650 square feet. There are also three doors and five windows within those three rooms, for a total area of 123 square feet, giving you a paintable area of 527 square feet. You decide to use paint that costs $50 per gallon.

Here’s how the calculations would break down:

• The paintable area: 650 square feet - 123 square feet = 527 square feet
• The number of gallons you need: 527 square feet / 400 square feet (the average area a gallon of paint covers) = 1.31 gallons of paint x 2 = 2.62 total gallons of paint needed
• The cost of the paint: 3 gallons x $50 = $150

If you’re going the DIY route, then you’ll also need to calculate the cost of basic supplies. For an interior paint job, this might include paint rollers, paint trays, painter’s tape, a paint bucket, sandpaper, caulk, drop cloths, and a ladder.

Cost to paint house exteriors

The material of your home’s exterior will affect the type and amount of paint you use. You’ll also need to adjust the estimate if your exterior is made of more than one material, such as vinyl and brick.

On a home that measures 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, here’s how much it might cost to paint the exterior, based on what it’s made of:

Factors that affect the cost to paint a house

Every paint job is different, depending on factors like labor costs, materials and supplies, square footage, and the condition and location of your home.

Labor

When you’re painting a house, labor might represent as much as 75% to 85% of the entire bill, and many charge by area instead of hourly. Professionals that do charge hourly charge about $25 to $75 per hour to paint the exterior and $20 to $50 per hour for the interior.

Painters spend a lot of time preparing the surface, so this might be an area where you can negotiate with the painter to save money. First consider whether you have the time and energy to clean, sand, patch, and caulk the walls.

You also might need to agree to the painter’s terms. For instance, some professionals won’t guarantee the finished product if they’re not doing the prep work. When you’re gathering quotes, make sure the final estimate reflects the arrangement you’ve negotiated.

Paint

Paint is the next-biggest cost, at anywhere from $20 to $80 or more per gallon. Professionals often get a contractor discount that they may pass on to you. The cost of the paint depends on the brand, color, sheen, and regional pricing.

While you might want to cut corners here, it’s a good idea to use the highest-quality paint that your budget allows. Using good paint could save you money by offering long-term durability and better coverage, which translates to fewer coats and fewer work hours.

With the exterior, you’ll also need to consider the texture of the siding. Some rough textures, like stucco and wood, require more paint because there’s more surface to cover compared to smooth siding. So stucco and brick might cost $1 to $2 more per square foot compared to wood and vinyl.

Materials

Professionals will often include supplies in their quotes, but you’ll need to budget for them if you plan to DIY. Final costs will depend on the brand, quality, quantity, and whether you rent or buy the item.

Location and climate

When you’re painting the exterior, the weather and climate affect the materials you can use, how often you’ll need to paint, and when you can paint.

Homes in areas that experience harsh winters will need paint that’s made to withstand the elements. On the flip side, homes in year-round sunny climates may need paint more regularly because direct sunlight causes paint to fade quickly.

Additionally, high humidity and extremely high or low temperatures can affect how the paint dries and may lead to cracking and peeling.

Prep work

You or a professional will need to assess your home’s condition before preparing an estimate:

• For the exterior: You may need to repair the siding materials, fill cracks and holes, and power wash the sides. You might also need to trim the landscaping and remove vines to prepare the space.
• For the interior: Walls will need to be cleaned, patched, and sanded. A professional can guarantee this is done quickly and correctly, but you can save costs by doing some of it yourself.

A cash-out refinance can help you fund your next major home improvement project. 

Frequently asked questions

How much should it cost to paint the exterior of a 2000 sq ft house?

The cost to paint the exterior of a 2,000-square-foot house typically ranges from $2,500 to $7,000, depending on factors like location, paint quality, labor costs, and whether any prep work is required (such as repairing or priming surfaces).

How much should I charge to paint a 2500 sq ft house?

If you’re offering painting services for a 2,500-square-foot house, a reasonable estimate is between $3,000 to $8,500, based on the same variables as mentioned before, including material costs, complexity of the job, and local labor rates.

How much to paint a 1500 sq ft house exterior?

Painting the exterior of a 1,500-square-foot house generally costs between $1,800 and $5,000. Smaller homes usually require less paint and labor, which can reduce the overall cost.

How to calculate the cost of painting the exterior of a house?

To calculate the cost of painting a house, consider:

• Square footage of the house
• Cost of paint (including the number of coats required)
• Labor costs in your area
• Prep work needed (e.g., repairs, pressure washing, scraping old paint)
• Type of siding (wood, stucco, brick, etc.)

Some painters also charge per hour, while others charge based on the job size and complexity.

Is it better to roll or spray exterior house paint?

Spraying is faster and covers large areas more efficiently, but it may not penetrate rough surfaces as well and requires more masking and prep work.
Rolling provides a thicker coat and better penetration on porous surfaces, but it is slower. The best choice often depends on the texture of the surface and the painter's preference.

What is the best time to paint a house exterior?

The best time to paint the exterior of a house is during mild, dry weather. Spring and early fall are ideal in many regions, with temperatures between 50°F and 85°F. Avoid painting in extreme heat, cold, or when rain is expected.