Some projects whisper. Others shout. Exterior painting is the latter. It doesn’t just update your home—it redefines it. From the curb, across the street, in the real estate listing photos—it’s the first impression, the bold hello, the silent signal that someone takes pride in this place.
But as with anything worth doing, there’s the unavoidable question: How much does exterior house painting cost?
The short answer? More than you think—unless you’ve done it before. The long answer? Let’s break it down.
No two homes are the same. Stucco, brick, wood siding, fiber cement—each material demands its own preparation, tools, and technique. A smooth stucco wall might take paint beautifully with minimal prep. A peeling, splintering wooden exterior? That’s a different story altogether.
Preparation is half the battle. Power washing. Scraping. Sanding. Caulking gaps. Priming bare spots. These aren't extras—they're essentials. And they add hours, even days, to the timeline. Time that translates directly into cost.
You could have two homes with the same square footage and wildly different painting costs. Why? Shape. Complexity. And most of all—height.
One-story homes are simpler. Ladders are manageable, safety risks are low, and painters can move quickly. Two- or three-story houses introduce scaffolding, harnesses, more labor, and more time. The more vertical your square footage, the more you’ll pay.
Exterior house painting cost usually lands somewhere between $1.50 and $4 per square foot. Seems straightforward, right? It isn’t. Not really.
Take a 2,500-square-foot home. On paper, you’re looking at anywhere from $3,750 to $10,000. But that’s before reality steps in. Before the flaky stucco shows up, before the trim details double the labor, before you factor in high-end paint that actually holds up under a California sun.
Materials matter. So does prep. So does whoever’s holding the brush. In this game, shortcuts don’t age well—and pricing, like paint, can look a lot different once it’s had time to dry.
Exterior paint isn’t just about color—it’s about endurance. Cheaper paints might look great on day one. But six months later? Fading. Chalking. Peeling in the sun. Good paint resists UV damage, clings through the rain, breathes through seasonal shifts, and holds color for years.
Expect to pay $40 to $100 per gallon, depending on the brand and formulation. Most homes need 15 to 30 gallons, depending on the number of coats and surface type. That’s a major chunk of the budget right there.
Here’s the real cost driver: people. Experienced painters don’t just apply color—they manage risk. They scale ladders, navigate rooflines, work in unpredictable weather, and spot problem areas homeowners often miss. Mildew. Dry rot. Cracks that need sealing before they become water damage.
Labor often accounts for 60–70% of the total job. So when comparing estimates, don’t just look at the number. Ask what it includes. A cheap quote that skips prep or uses low-grade paint? That’s not a bargain. It’s a redo waiting to happen.
Got shutters? Fancy trim? A wraparound porch? Those aren’t just charming architectural details—they’re hours of handwork. The more intricate the design, the more time (and care) it requires.
Need your front door painted a different color? Your gutters masked off? These “extras” aren’t always included in a base estimate—but they show up in the final bill.
If you’re in Orange County and want a clear, honest quote—one that accounts for your home’s actual needs, not just a square-foot number—reach out to Fox Painting. No pressure. No fluff. Just answers, craftsmanship, and paint that lasts.
