Exterior House Painting Cost Calculator
Updated · Written and checked by Monu Kumar Modi · How we check our maths
Quick answer
Exterior painting is usually priced by the area of wall to be painted. A 2,000 sq ft two-storey house with wood siding in average condition commonly costs about $6,900–$8,800 to paint, including prep, two coats and trim.
How this calculator works
Exterior painters estimate the wall area from the home's size and height, then adjust for the siding and how much preparation it needs. Brick and stucco absorb more paint and take longer; flaking wood needs scraping, sanding and priming before any paint goes on.
Preparation is where cheap and good quotes differ. Two coats of quality exterior paint over properly cleaned, scraped and caulked siding lasts 7–10 years; a single coat over poor prep can peel in two.
Painting contractors can hide their rate and give homeowners an instant range on their own website, with the home's details arriving as a lead.
The formula
- Wall area
- floor area × storey factor × 0.9
- Price
- wall area × rate × siding factor × condition factor (+15% for trim)
- Paint
- wall area × 2 coats ÷ 350 sq ft per gallon
Worked example
A 2,000 sq ft two-storey home has about 2,250 sq ft of wall. At $2.40 with wood siding (×1.1) in average condition (×1.15) that's $6,831, or $7,855 with trim, shown as a range of about $6,900–$8,800. It needs about 13 gallons for two coats.
Tips
- 01Paint in dry weather between about 10 °C and 30 °C (50–85 °F).
- 02Ask which paint brand and product line the quote includes.
- 03Pressure wash a few days before painting so siding is fully dry.
- 04Get the colour tested on a section of wall in both morning and evening light before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?
Most US homes cost $3,000–$10,000 depending on size, height, siding and prep.
How often should a house exterior be painted?
Every 7–10 years for wood siding, 10–15 for stucco and fibre cement, depending on climate.
How many gallons of paint does a house need?
Roughly one gallon per 350 sq ft per coat. A typical two-storey home needs 10–15 gallons for two coats.