How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House Exterior? About $3,000 to $9,000
By Sharrk Team · October 31, 2026
Painting the exterior of a typical 2,000 sq ft house costs about $3,000 to $9,000, or roughly $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot of paintable surface, depending on the cost guide. Height, siding material, prep work and lead-safe requirements on pre-1978 homes are what move a job toward the top of that range.
The guides don't agree on one number, so this post shows each source's figures side by side. HomeAdvisor and Angi are sister sites (same company), so treat their matching numbers as one source, not two.
How much does exterior painting cost by house size?
Cost guides price by paintable area, which is usually smaller than a home's living area once you remove windows and doors. HomeGuide, for example, estimates a 2,000 sq ft home has about 1,700 sq ft of paintable siding.
| Paintable area | HomeAdvisor | Angi | This Old House | HomeGuide* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,500–$3,500 | $1,500–$4,000 | $2,200–$4,400 | $1,200–$4,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $2,250–$5,800 | $2,250–$6,000 | $3,300–$6,600 | $1,800–$6,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $3,000–$7,700 | $3,000–$8,000 | $4,400–$8,800 | $2,600–$8,500 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $3,750–$9,750 | $3,750–$10,000 | $5,500–$11,000 | $3,200–$10,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | — | $4,500–$12,000 | $6,600–$13,200 | $3,800–$12,500 |
*HomeGuide's table is keyed to home size (living area), not paintable area.
For a smaller home, HomeAdvisor puts the average at $3,178, with most projects between $1,819 and $4,551.
What does it cost per square foot?
| Source | Per sq ft (labor and materials) |
|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor / Angi (sister sites) | $1.50–$4.00 |
| HomeGuide | $1.50–$5.00 |
| This Old House | $2.20–$4.40 |
Labor is most of the bill. Hourly rates run $25–$75 per painter according to HomeGuide, $25–$100 according to Angi, and $40–$100 according to This Old House. HomeGuide prices paint at $20–$80 a gallon (premium lines $100 or more), with about 350–400 sq ft of coverage per gallon.
How much more does a two- or three-story house cost?
Taller homes need ladders, lifts or scaffolding and take longer to cut in safely.
| Stories | HomeAdvisor / Angi | This Old House (2,000 sq ft home) |
|---|---|---|
| One story | $1,500–$3,500 (1,000–1,500 sq ft) | $4,400–$8,800 |
| Two stories | $3,000–$6,200 (1,500–2,500 sq ft) | $6,900–$12,700 |
| Three stories | $4,500–$10,000+ (2,500–3,000 sq ft) | $8,300–$15,200 |
Angi lists height surcharges of about 30% for work above 8 feet, 60% above 13 feet, 90% above 17 feet and 120% above 19 feet. HomeAdvisor says a two-story home can cost up to 50% more than a single story.
How does siding material change the price?
| Siding | HomeAdvisor | This Old House | HomeGuide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | $1.00–$3.00 | $1.70–$3.60 | $1.50–$5.00 |
| Vinyl | $1.00–$3.00 | $2.80–$5.20 | $1.50–$4.50 |
| Aluminum | $1.50–$2.50 | $2.10–$4.20 | $2.00–$4.50 |
| Stucco | $1.50–$4.00 | $2.50–$4.80 | $2.00–$5.00 |
| Brick | $1.40–$4.20 | $2.60–$5.00 | $2.50–$5.00 |
| Fiber cement | $1.20–$3.20 | — | — |
| Stone | $2.40–$5.00 | — | — |
All figures are per square foot, labor and materials included. Textured and porous surfaces such as stucco and brick soak up more paint and, per This Old House, usually need more prep.
What drives the cost of exterior house painting?
Prep work
Prep is where two quotes on the same house diverge most. This Old House says cleaning and repairing a dirty or damaged exterior can roughly double the time and labor. HomeAdvisor's prep prices:
| Prep task | HomeAdvisor price |
|---|---|
| Power washing | $200–$400 |
| Scraping, sanding, stripping | $0.50–$2.50 per sq ft |
| Patching | $0.50–$1.50 per sq ft |
| Caulking and masking | $0.50–$1.00 per sq ft |
| Repairs | $25–$50 per hour |
Angi adds that siding repairs run $2–$50 per sq ft (around $600 for a typical job) and that some areas require a permit costing $200–$300.
Lead paint in pre-1978 homes
Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint. Under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, any firm paid to disturb paint in a pre-1978 home must be EPA-certified, including sole proprietors. EPA's 2026 small entity guide spells out what that means on an exterior job:
- A certified renovator is assigned to the job and is on site for key steps like setting up containment and cleaning.
- The owner and occupants get EPA's Renovate Right pamphlet before work begins.
- Doors and windows within 20 feet are closed, and plastic covers the ground at least 10 feet beyond the work area.
- Open-flame burning, heat guns above 1,100°F and power sanding or grinding without a shroud and HEPA vacuum are prohibited.
- Records are kept for three years.
Minor exterior repairs that disturb 20 sq ft or less of paint are exempt. A full repaint with scraping almost always goes well past that. Containment and cleanup add labor, and if paint has to be removed outright, HomeGuide prices lead paint removal at $6–$17 per sq ft (HomeAdvisor says $8–$17). Bob Vila lists lead inspections at $220–$420, though that page was last updated in 2023.
Season and weather
HomeGuide recommends early summer or early fall, when weather is warm, dry and stable, and notes late fall, winter or early spring can bring lower rates. This Old House says early spring or late fall may mean more flexible scheduling and better pricing. HomeAdvisor warns that extreme heat or cold can raise labor costs by up to 50%.
Color and extras
A dark-to-light color change usually needs extra coats, per This Old House. Trim, shutters, doors, decks and fences are often quoted separately, so homeowners should check what's included.
What should painters ask on an estimate call?
The cost drivers above are exactly what a painter needs to know before driving out. A short intake on the first call keeps you from bidding blind or visiting jobs that aren't a fit:
- Address and year built. Before 1978 means RRP procedures, pamphlet and pricing.
- Size and stories. Rough square footage, number of stories, steep slopes or hard-to-reach spots.
- Siding material. Wood, vinyl, stucco, brick, fiber cement or a mix.
- Condition. Peeling, chalking, rot, or damaged boards that need repair first.
- Scope. Body only, or trim, doors, shutters, gutters, deck and fence too.
- Color. Same color or a change, and whether an HOA has to approve it.
- Timing. When they want it done and whether they're flexible on season.
- Decision makers. Who needs to be at the walkthrough so you're quoting once.
- Photos. Ask them to text pictures of each side of the house.
For word-for-word phrasing, see our painting call script. If you're weighing what each inquiry costs you, painting leads cost breaks down lead sources. Either way, speed matters: we covered why in painting lead response time.
How Sharrk answers and books painting estimate calls
Sharrk answers your business line 24/7 and replies to new leads from Angi, Thumbtack, Networx, web forms and webhooks in under 30 seconds by call, text or email. You choose the intake questions (year built, stories, siding, scope, timing), and the agent books the estimate onto Sharrk's calendar, Calendly or Cal.com, or live-transfers the caller to you. Strikes send automated follow-up to leads that don't book on the first touch.
You don't have to configure it by hand. Describe your business in plain English to Mako, Sharrk's assistant, for example "ask if the house was built before 1978 and book exterior estimates on weekday mornings," and Mako builds the agent for you to test. See how it works for painters on our AI receptionist for painting page.
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Sources
- HomeAdvisor, "How Much Does It Cost to Paint the Exterior of a House?" (sister site of Angi; titled 2025, no update date shown) (checked October 31, 2026)
- [Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Paint the Exterior of a House? [2026 Data]" (sister site of HomeAdvisor; no update date shown)](https://www.angi.com/articles/cost-paint-house-exterior.htm) (checked October 31, 2026)
- This Old House, "Exterior Painting Cost" (updated March 6, 2026) (checked October 31, 2026)
- HomeGuide, "How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?" (no update date shown) (checked October 31, 2026)
- Bob Vila, "Cost to Paint a House" (last updated April 6, 2023, older source) (checked October 31, 2026)
- U.S. EPA, "Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program" (updated June 17, 2026) (checked October 31, 2026)
- U.S. EPA, "Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors" (updated March 31, 2026) (checked October 31, 2026)
- U.S. EPA, "Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Work Practices" (updated December 9, 2025) (checked October 31, 2026)
- U.S. EPA, "Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right" (EPA-740-K-26-003, March 2026) (checked October 31, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a 2,000 sq ft house?
Most cost guides put it between about $3,000 and $9,000. HomeAdvisor says $3,000 to $7,700, Angi $3,000 to $8,000 and This Old House $4,400 to $8,800 for that size, with height, siding and prep moving the final price.
How much do painters charge per square foot for exterior work?
Usually $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot of paintable surface, labor and materials included. HomeAdvisor and Angi say $1.50 to $4, This Old House $2.20 to $4.40 and HomeGuide $1.50 to $5.
Does a two-story house cost more to paint?
Yes, typically up to 50% more than a single story, according to HomeAdvisor. Angi adds height surcharges of about 30% above 8 feet, rising to 120% above 19 feet.
Does lead paint make an exterior paint job more expensive?
It can, because pre-1978 homes fall under the EPA's RRP Rule. Paid contractors need EPA certification, must give the owner the Renovate Right pamphlet and must use containment and cleanup procedures, all of which add labor; outright removal runs $6 to $17 per sq ft per HomeGuide.
What is the cheapest time of year to paint a house exterior?
Late fall, winter or early spring can bring lower rates or more flexible scheduling, according to HomeGuide and This Old House. The weather has to cooperate, though, and HomeAdvisor notes extreme heat or cold can push labor costs up by as much as 50%.