How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House Exterior in 2026?
Painting a house exterior costs $1.50–$4.50 per square foot in 2026, with the national average around $3,500–$8,500 for a 2-story home (2,000 sq ft of wall). Paint quality, siding texture, and surface prep are the biggest cost drivers. DIY saves 60–75% — you pay $200–$1,500 in paint vs $3,500–$8,500 for a pro job. Use our paint calculator to estimate gallons.
Key facts at a glance
- •Average 2026 exterior paint cost: $1.50–$4.50 per sq ft (pro)
- •DIY paint-only cost: $400–$1,500 for a typical 2-story home
- •Most homes need 10–15 gallons (2 coats)
- •Premium paint (Duration, Aura) lasts 10–15 years vs 5–7 for builder grade
- •Prep (power wash, scrape, caulk) = 30–50% of pro labor
Exterior paint cost per square foot
Pro painters charge by square foot of paintable wall area (not house footprint). Smooth surfaces are cheaper to paint than textured.
| Siding | Low (DIY) | Average (pro) | High (pro) |
|---|---|---|---|
Smooth vinyl | $0.5 | $1.5 | $3 |
Wood lap siding | $0.8 | $2.25 | $4 |
Fiber cement | $0.7 | $2.5 | $4 |
Stucco | $1 | $3 | $4.5 |
Brick | $1 | $2.75 | $4 |
T1-11 wood panel | $0.7 | $2.5 | $4 |
Total cost by house size
Wall square footage is not house square footage. A 2,000 sq ft (floor area) 2-story home typically has 1,800–2,200 sq ft of paintable exterior wall surface.
| Wall sq ft | Home size | Cost range |
|---|---|---|
800 sq ft wall Small 1-story or condo | Small 1-story or condo | $1.2K – $3.6K |
1,200 sq ft wall Medium 1-story | Medium 1-story | $1.8K – $5.4K |
1,800 sq ft wall Average 2-story | Average 2-story | $2.7K – $8.1K |
2,400 sq ft wall Large 2-story | Large 2-story | $3.6K – $11K |
3,200 sq ft wall Estate / 3-story | Estate / 3-story | $4.8K – $14K |
What drives exterior paint cost up or down
Prep work is the biggest hidden cost. Power washing alone is $0.40 per sq ft. Scraping loose paint and caulking gaps adds 30–50% to the labor estimate.
- •Surface prep: $0.30–$1.00 per sq ft for power wash, scrape, caulk
- •Paint grade: builder ($25–$40/gal) vs premium ($60–$90/gal)
- •Number of coats: 2 standard, 3 for big color shifts (+30% paint)
- •Two-tone (siding + trim): +15–25% labor
- •Height: 3+ stories add 10–25% labor for scaffolding
- •Lead paint testing/abatement (pre-1978 homes): +$1,500–$5,000
DIY vs hiring a pro
Painting a single-story house is doable for one motivated weekend warrior with a helper. 2-story homes require professional ladder work or scaffolding and are typically not safe DIY.
DIY paint cost for a typical 1,800 sq ft wall area: 10–13 gallons premium paint ($400–$900) + supplies ($200–$400) = $600–$1,300 total. The same job pro: $2,700–$8,100. Savings: $1,400–$6,800.
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Try Remodel AI freeFrequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a 2,000 sq ft house exterior?+
A 2,000 sq ft (floor area) 2-story home with about 1,800 sq ft of paintable wall costs $2,700–$8,100 professionally, or $600–$1,500 in materials for DIY.
How many gallons of exterior paint do I need?+
A typical 2,000 sq ft home needs 10–15 gallons of paint for 2 coats. Coverage varies by siding texture — smooth siding gets 350 sq ft per gallon; rough stucco gets 200.
What's the best time of year to paint a house?+
Late spring through early fall when temperatures stay 50°F–85°F for 24 hours after painting. Avoid painting in direct hot sun (paint dries too fast) and within 48 hours of rain.
How long does exterior paint last?+
Premium paint (Sherwin-Williams Duration, Benjamin Moore Aura): 10–15 years. Mid-tier: 7–10 years. Builder-grade: 4–6 years. Wood surfaces require repainting more often than vinyl or fiber cement.
Should I paint or replace my siding?+
Paint if siding is structurally sound. Replace if you see soft spots, mold, gaps, or extensive cracking. Painting costs $1.50–$4.50 per sq ft. New siding costs $5–$13 per sq ft. The break-even on lifetime cost favors paint if siding has 15+ good years left.