The Average Cost of an Exterior House Painting Project

Changing the color and curb appeal of your home’s exterior can be done by applying a new coat of paint. New paint for your home can be applied by a professional or as a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. The cost to paint the exterior of your home is based on factors that include the cost of labor and the tools that are required. In this post we will more closely take a look at the average cost of doing this project on your own.

The Average Cost of Hiring Professionals

Professional house painters are a good option for homeowners who lack the skill or the time that is necessary to paint the exterior of their home. The average cost of hiring a professional exterior house painter is in the range of $3,000 to $8,000 or more based on the size of the home and other factors. That average price typically includes the coverage of tools, supplies etc. no fuss, no worries and typically an excellent finished project, if you hire professional painting contractors, obviously. If you skimp on this, your home may end up looking quite a bit worse than what you had hoped for, because the quality of the finished product is usually in the preparation.

Do-It-Yourself Project – The Average Cost

Painting the exterior of your home by yourself “can” save you money on the cost of labor. However, you will need to have the time available to complete the project and a handful of tools and other helpful items (see scaffolding below, that’s the tough one).

If done on your own, paint will typically cost between $25 and $50 per gallon. Primer will be needed for the project and will cost between $10 and $15 or more per gallon. The average size home in the USA requires between 6-12 gallons of each. If you decide that hiring a painter to paint your home is too expensive, then the project can be done by yourself. Paints with primer already included in them can be purchased, but are on the higher side of that cost per gallon previously mentioned. On average, a homeowner can do the exterior paint project on their own for around $1,000, after all supplies are purchased / rented.

Matching paint colors can be an issue for homeowners. There are products out there available to assist with matching current colors up with new colors (see here).

Renting / Borrowing Tools

Many tools that you need to paint the exterior of your home can be found or rented from a home improvement store in your area.  Look to see if the tools you need are available from friends, family members, or neighbors. Lets review some of the necessities:

Pressure Washer

One special tool you will need is a pressure washer. This tool can typically be rented at a cost of $50 to $70 for each day of use. You can also purchase a decent pressure washer for under $300. The pressure washer will easily remove dirt and grime from existing siding. This step is essential for a professional finish. Keep in mind that a pressure washer can be used in the future for things like deck, patio, siding, brick resurfacing and more. If you are DIY buff, a pressure washer is a healthy investment.

Paint Sprayer

The use of a paint sprayer will make the painting process go much faster. You will also keep your arms and hands from aching by not using a paint brush or roller. A decent paint sprayer costs about $70 each day. If you are renting the paint sprayer, be sure to have already pressure washed the exterior prior to renting and you either want to complete the trim work painting (or taping / coverage of non-painted areas) prior to or after the paint sprayer is rented.

Scaffolding

The use of scaffolding is a great way to ensure you can easily reach high areas. You may want to rent a scaffolding system if your home is more than one story, as a ladder may not meet your needs. The rental of a scaffolding unit is typically based on its size and can be between $15 to $50 per day. For most homes, a base scaffolding set will do the trick.

Heat Gun

A heat gun will run between $40 and $75 or more depending on the model being purchased and it is not needed in most cases. On most homes, old layers of paint can be removed cleanly with a pressure washer and scraper. A heat gun is needed in situations where multiple layers of older paint exists on the surface. As paint is layered, varying heights on the paint surface (from older, lasting paint) can cause an uneven look, which can define a homes age too much. As sun hits uneven paint, it will show slight shadows which really show the blemishes of the exterior. A heat gun may be necessary if you are truly looking to add a pure, even professional and new looking paint job to you house.

Paint Scraper

A paint scraper can be used in combination with a heat gun to remove old paint. This tool can be found for a price range of $8 to $25 at a home improvement store. In almost all scenarios, this will be a necessary tool and it is likely that you will use a paint scraper multiple times in the future. So it is never really a bad investment.

Putty Knife

Old caulk and paint that cannot be easily removed with a scraper will require a putty knife. This tool is inexpensive and can be found starting at about $5. You can also use this tool in combination with a heat gun.

Sander

Sanding the exterior of your home is needed to remove old paint and allow new paint to stick properly. There are a variety of types of sanders available pretty much anywhere. The best choice for exterior sanding is a pole sander. This tool will require sheets of sandpaper that cost between $3 and $10 per package. Areas that are hard to reach as well as corner / edge spots of the house will require sanding by hand. The purchase of a pole sander will cost about $15.

Metal Brush

Areas you cannot thoroughly cover with a sander or sandpaper will require a metal brush. The bristles of the brush are wire and used to loosen paint that is thick or hard to remove. A metal brush can be purchased at a hardware store for around $10.

Painting Tape

Areas that do not require paint typically need to be covered with either tape, or a combination of tape and plastic (for larger areas of course). The average house exterior may require as much as a $25 worth of tape and usually varying sizes should be purchased. 3/4 of an inch to 1 and 1/2 inch tape varieties should be on hand. In fact, if you spend a healthy amount of time properly applying tape and plastic covering to non-painted areas, you can usually save a substantial amount of time on the overall project, because it will allow you more liberal use of the paint sprayer (hint – this makes for an easier job).