Exterior house painting cost: 2026 price guide
HomeGuide puts professional exterior painting at $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot, or $3,000 to $10,000 for an average 2,000-square-foot house. Size, stories, siding type and prep work drive the price.
Typical price ranges
HomeGuide puts professional exterior painting at $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot, or $3,000 to $10,000 for an average 2,000-square-foot house. Size, stories, siding type and prep work drive the price.
- Per square foot, labor and paint: $1.50–$5.00
- Average 2,000 sq ft house: $3,000–$10,000
- Painter labor per hour: $25–$75
- 1,500 sq ft house (about 1,200 sq ft paintable): $1,800–$6,000
- 2,500 sq ft house (about 2,100 sq ft paintable): $3,200–$10,500
- Wood siding: $1.50–$5.00 per sq ft
- Vinyl siding: $1.50–$4.50 per sq ft
- Stucco: $2.00–$5.00 per sq ft
- Brick: $2.50–$5.00 per sq ft
Source: HomeGuide, Cost to Paint the Exterior of a House, updated July 9, 2025, accessed October 29, 2026. National averages, not a quote; your price depends on your project. HomeGuide, Cost to Paint the Exterior of a House. HomeAdvisor's range is $1.50 to $4 per square foot of paintable area. HomeAdvisor, Cost to Paint a Home Exterior
What changes the price
- Paintable wall area, which is smaller than the floor area once windows and doors are subtracted.
- Number of stories and access: second stories need ladders or lifts.
- Siding: stucco and brick are porous and take more paint.
- Prep: pressure washing, scraping, caulking, wood repair and primer.
- Trim, doors, shutters and accent colors.
- Lead-safe work on homes built before 1978.
How to choose a provider
- Get at least three written quotes that list the same scope, materials and cleanup.
- Check the license (where your state requires one) and ask for proof of liability insurance.
- Ask who pulls the permit and whether the permit fee is in the price.
- Agree on a payment schedule tied to finished work; avoid paying most of the price up front.
- Get the warranty for labor and materials in writing.
Red flags
- Cash-only deals or pressure to sign the same day.
- No written contract, no address and no proof of insurance.
- A price far below every other quote with a vague scope.
- Door-to-door offers right after a storm from crews you cannot verify.
Exterior house painting cost guides
What exterior painting usually costs, with sourced price ranges and local rules.
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FAQ
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?
HomeGuide reports $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot, or $3,000 to $10,000 for an average 2,000-square-foot house, including labor and materials.
My house was built before 1978. What should I ask?
Federal EPA rules require firms that disturb paint in pre-1978 homes to be EPA Lead-Safe certified and follow lead-safe work practices. Ask for the firm's certification before work starts.
How do I compare painting quotes?
Make sure each quote lists the same surfaces, number of coats, paint brand and product line, prep steps, repairs, and who supplies the paint.