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| | | Fresh paint not only brightens and updates a home's exterior, it also provides a protective seal against weather damage. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Exterior paint averages $25-$40 a gallon, and a 3,000-square-foot home takes 15 or more gallons of paint, or $375-$600 just for the paint. However, really premium paint can cost $50-$100 a gallon, or $750-$1,500 for that large home. Doing it yourself also requires renting a pressure washer or sprayer for $50-$100 a day; extra-long ladders or scaffolding at $20-$75 daily; and a power sprayer for $50-$100 daily, plus masking tape, drop cloths and other supplies. However, it's possible to paint a large, two-story house for materials-only costs of $400-$600.
- When hiring a painting contractor, paint and supplies make up about 15-25 percent of the cost, while 75-85 percent goes for labor. Costs typically average $1,500-$3,000 for an average single-story, three-bedroom home, but easily run $3,000-$5,500 or more for a multi-story or multi-level larger house.
What should be included: | - Choose the best quality paint you can afford; it lasts longer. Experts estimate that the outside of a house should be painted every 5-7 years, but less-expensive paint may start peeling or fading in 4 years or less while really high-quality paint will hold up a bit longer. Better Homes & Gardens describes and compares the different types of exterior paint while FastFacts.com reviews specific brands.
- Prep work should include removing all loose paint, either with a pressure washer or by scraping; removing any trace of mildew using bleach and water or a commercial solution, and sealing or covering dark stains; caulking all seams, corners and around windows or trim; applying epoxy filler to repair serious woodwork problems; covering dark stains; sanding all rough surfaces, and priming the bare wood with a bonding primer.
- For the actual painting, spraying is faster and easier (and cheaper), but hand brushing (which is time-consuming and more therefore expensive) provides a thicker coat which provides better protection by penetrating deeper into the wood and crevasses.
- Most painters' estimates will automatically include finishing touches such as varnishing, re-finishing or painting the front door to match the new paint color, and re-painting mailboxes, street numbers, drain pipes and other accent items.
- For do-it-yourselfers, HGTV.com gives exterior house painting tips.
- If you live in a historical district, a development covered by a homeowner association or other planning restrictions, check to see if there are any rules covering your exterior painting project. If the house was last painted before the 1980s, the existing paint could be lead-based; the National Lead Information Center provides safety details.
Additional costs: | - Rotted wood or siding should be replaced, and all loose boards or trim fixed; if extensive repairs are needed, that adds to the cost of the project. Prices will vary depending on the type and extent of the damage.
- Changing from a light to a dark color or vice versa means more coats of paint and can add up to 25 percent or more contractors' estimates.
Discounts: | - Contractors' prices are sometimes lower in early spring or late fall--the off-season, when fewer people want their houses painted--than in peak summer months. Or ask about a lower price if the job is done as a fill-in, with the work done in-between other projects.
Shopping for painting a house: | - Major paint manufacturers include Behr and Sherwin-Williams, while OldHouseWeb.com lists some of the more specialized paint companies. Behr also provides a calculator to estimate the number of gallons needed.
- ThisOldHouse.com gives detailed directions for choosing a professional painter. Referrals are available from Painting and Decorating Contractors of America.
- Lowe's sells exterior paint and provides do-it-yourself tips.
- Get estimates from several contractors, request and contact references, search for complaints at the Better Business Bureau and check that the company is properly bonded and insured, as well as licensed in your state. Only pay a small deposit, and don't pay the entire amount until the job is finished to your complete satisfaction (both painting and cleanup).
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Article updated May 2007 |
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Recent Posts |
| Amount: $3,500.00 |
painting
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| Posted by: guy in fremont, CA. | Purchased: February, 2005 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 2500 | Number of Stories: 2 |
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| Posted by: ben in Rocky MOunt, NC. | Purchased: October, 2008 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 36 | Number of Stories: |
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| Amount: $900.00 |
enterial painting
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| Posted by: courtney williams in compton, CA. | Purchased: November, 2008 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 3500 sq ft | Number of Stories: 1 storie |
| Painter: 3 |
| need a price for painting a 1 story 3 bedroom house |
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| Amount: $1,850.00 |
Exterior painting
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| Posted by: Francisc in Stafford, VA. | Purchased: October, 2008 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 2500 | Number of Stories: 2 |
| Painter: Medias Painting |
| It was a very good deal for the our house improvment project. The house looks great! |
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| Amount: $2,100.00 |
PAINTING PRICES
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| Posted by: Ray Spencer in BALTIMORE, MD. | Purchased: February, 2009 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 2200 | Number of Stories: 1 |
| Painter: sprayer |
| need price quote for painting a building for a Church |
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| Amount: $13,000.00 |
EXTERIOR PAINTING
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| Posted by: Savannah Girl in Millen, GA. | Purchased: April, 2009 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 3200 | Number of Stories: 2 |
| this home is a 1910 colonial home and I have been getting prices from 12-15,000 to paint this home--Why are your prices so much less in cost? I mean 5,000 seems low for a 3000 sqft home. Is that based on a one-story at that price and then basically double that for the additional story?? |
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| Amount: $2,795.00 |
Spraying
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| Posted by: Casadecorating.com in Cary, IL. | Purchased: 2009 |
| It is not true that spraying leaves a thinner coat. It depends on the size of tip and also if it is back rolled it actually leaves on more paint plus its a much better job, without lap marks from an old fashioned brush. I have been a Home exterior sprayman for 35 years. |
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| Amount: $3,500.00 |
exterior house paint
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| Posted by: Sarah_Anne in Mount Pleasant, MI. | Purchased: July, 2008 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 2200 | Number of Stories: 2 |
| Painter: College Pro Painters |
| I have an Arts and Crafts house with a lot of trim and detail. I was estimated anywhere from $2500 to $10,000. With a little apprehension, I went with Bill McHenry\'s College Pro Painters in Midland since I was on a budget. I shouldn\'t have been nervous at all - they did a great job, used SW Duration paint and did the expected prep work. It took them 1.5 weeks with 5 guys who worked all day. Painting is expensive, but the finished product is well worth it! |
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| Amount: $2,000.00 |
paint house interior
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| Posted by: duc in arcadia, CA. | Purchased: July, 2009 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 3500 | Number of Stories: 2 |
| Painter: simigost |
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| Amount: $1,200.00 |
EXTERIOR PAINTING
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| Posted by: mtx in Chicago, IL. | Purchased: May, 2009 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 5000 | Number of Stories: 1 |
| Painter: me |
Bear ultra premium, sprayer, tools.
this took about 3 weeks of prep including replacing all the trim, on the weekends and 2 weekend to pain, about 100 man hour of work |
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| Amount: $6,500.00 |
Ext painting
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| Posted by: Eduardo felan in mt Pleasant, MI. | Purchased: 2009 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 2500 | Number of Stories: 1.5 |
Spraying offers a much thicker coat then brushing . You cant get mill built up with a brush . Some paints can be sprayed at .14 to .15 mills. Compare that to a brsuh of .2 or .4 mill.
I do not know hwo writes these articles but maybe they should consider using a real paint contractor and not field test from various painters. There are tons of painters out there but only a few painters.If you dont get this then your one of the tons. |
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| Amount: $2,000.00 |
nice job
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| Posted by: linda_loo in Wexford, PA. | Purchased: July, 2006 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 1800 | Number of Stories: 1.5 |
| Painter: John |
| I received estimates that were anywhere from $1000 to $12,000 (which blew my mind!) and went with a man who painted a house nearby. He was new to the area and working on building his biz. |
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| Amount: $0.00 |
quote for painting and wallpaper removal
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| Posted by: JD in chantilly, VA. | Purchased: May, 2006 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 3,000 | Number of Stories: 3 |
| Painter: Nick |
| Our property manager received a quote from his go to guy of $8,000 to remove wallpaper (in a couple of rooms) and paint (basic flat eggshell). I am willing to pay a fair price, but this seems outrageous!! Please advise. |
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| Amount: $6,500.00 |
Vancouver Exterior
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| Posted by: Niko in Vancouver, Other. | Purchased: September, 2009 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 2000 | Number of Stories: 1.5 |
| Painter: Niko |
| I'm a painter in Vancouver, BC, Canada and just finished a small cedar shake house over the last few weeks. It blows my mind how cheap people expect to have work done. My prices are in the lower-mid range in this city. Two coats sprayed on the body/soffit and two on all the trim. |
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| Amount: $10,000.00 |
exterior paint
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| Posted by: marky in boston, MA. | Purchased: October, 2009 |
| Sq Ft of Home: 1800 | Number of Stories: 2 |
| Painter: rhinoshield |
| Looks like a new house. Took 1 week-mostly prep. Lifetime warranty. Will never have to paint again. Thank goodness I found them...even did minor carpentry for some rotted trim and clapboard. |
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