The cost to paint a house in the United States varies, with interior painting costing between $1,000 and $3,000 and exterior painting ranging from $1,500 to $4,500. However, certain factors, such as walls, ceilings, trim, siding types, and the number of stories, determine the overall house painting cost. Let’s explore briefly How Much Does It Cost To Paint A House, what factors impact its cost, key tips to save costs during home painting, and finally, a paint calculator to help you get an overall estimate.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint A House In 2025?
Painting a house is a valuable investment that can enhance curb appeal and increase property value. Professional painting services may cost you more, but give perfect results, as compared to DIY painting. However, it’s crucial to create a budget and understand the estimated costs, especially during already started renovation tasks.
| House Painting Service | Average Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Painting | $1,000 - $3,000 | Price varies by room size & prep work. |
| Exterior Painting | $1,500 - $4,500 | Depends on siding material & square footage. |
| Ceiling Painting | $1 - $2.5/sq.ft | Higher for textured ceilings. |
| Trim/Woodwork | $2 - $6/sq.ft | Includes doors, baseboards, and molding. |
| Wall Repairs (Prep) | $0.50 - $2.5/sq.ft | Patching holes, sanding, priming. |
| High-End Finishes | $3 - $10/sq.ft | Faux finishes, murals, or specialty paint. |
Cost To Paint Interior Of House
The cost to paint interior of house ranges between $1.50 and $7 per square foot, depending on factors like house type, room size and type, surface, moving furniture, and access difficulty.
| Home Painting Service | Average Cost | Per Sq Ft Cost | Details | Key Cost Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walls | $1,000 - $3,000 | $1.50 - $3.50 | Standard paint, single color. |
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| Ceilings | $300 - $800 | $1.00 - $2.50 | Higher for popcorn/textured ceilings. |
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| Trim/Baseboards | $200 - $600 | $2.00 - $6.00 | Includes doors, window frames, molding. |
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| Accent Walls | $150 - $500 | $2.50 - $7.00 | Specialty finishes or darker colors. |
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| Wall Repairs | $0.50 - $3.00/sq.ft | — | Patching, sanding, priming. |
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Cost To Paint Exterior Of House
The cost to paint exterior of house ranges between $1.5 and $8 per square foot, depending on factors like trim, paint quality, prep work, location, and more.
| Home Painting Service | Average Cost | Per Sq Ft Cost | Details | Key Cost Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siding Painting | $1,500 - $4,500 | $1.50 - $4.00 | Standard 2-coat painting |
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| Trim Painting | $500 - $1,500 | $2.00 - $6.00 | Doors, window frames, fascia |
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| Deck/Patio | $800 - $2,500 | $3.00 - $8.00 | Staining or painting |
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| Surface Prep | $0.75 - $3.50/sq.ft | — | Power washing, scraping |
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| Special Finishes | $2,000 - $5,000+ | $5.00 - $15.00 | Historic homes, stucco |
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Paint Calculator
Here is our free paint calculator, offering accurate price per square foot and total number of gallons required for the job. You can calculate paint amount needed for interior and exterior by entering some required data like your area dimensions, number of coats, and paint quality.
Paint Calculator
Factors Impacting Cost To Paint A House
Several factors like paint finish, paint quality, surface, labor, location, accessibility, and more impact the average cost to paint a house.
| Factor | Average Cost | Per Sq Ft Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| House Size | $1,500 - $10,000+ | $1.50 - $5.00 | Larger homes need more paint, labor. |
| Siding Material | $1.50 - $6.00/sq ft | $1.50 - $6.00 | Vinyl, wood: $1.50-$5.00; brick, stucco: $2.50-$6.00. |
| Surface Condition | $0.50 - $3.00/sq ft | $0.50 - $3.00 | Prep like washing, scraping adds costs. |
| Paint Quality | $20 - $100+/gallon | $0.05 - $0.25 | Premium paints cost more, last longer. |
| Labor Rates | $25 - $75/hour | $1.00 - $3.00 | 70%-85% of cost; varies by region. |
| Number of Stories | +50% per story | $0.75 - $2.00 | Multi-story needs scaffolding, lifts. |
| Color Changes | $500 - $2,000+ | $0.50 - $2.00 | Dark to light needs extra primer. |
| Additional Features | $1 - $6/linear ft | — | Trim, windows, doors add costs. |
1. House Size
If you’re considering how much does it cost to paint a house, you should first know the size of your house. For example, a 1000 square foot home may cost you between $1,500 and $4,852, while a large 3000 square foot home may cost you between $4,000 and $9,000 for house painting.
| House Size (Sq Ft) | Per Sq Ft Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 - 1,500 | $1.50 - $3.50 | Small homes, typically single-story, require less paint and labor. |
| 1,501 - 2,000 | $1.75 - $3.75 | Medium homes, often 1-2 stories, need moderate paint and equipment. |
| 2,001 - 2,500 | $2.00 - $4.00 | Larger homes, may need scaffolding for 2 stories. |
| 2,501 - 3,000 | $2.25 - $4.50 | Big homes, often multi-story, increase labor and material needs. |
| 3,001 - 4,000+ | $2.50 - $5.00 | Very large or multi-story homes require extensive equipment, labor. |
2. Siding Material
The siding materials, like vinyl, stucco, aluminum, wood, and brick, impact the house painting costs. For example, brick and stucco are typically the most expensive to paint, compared to aluminum and vinyl, due to the specialized labor and tools required.
| Siding Material | Per Sq Ft Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $1.50 - $3.50 | Smooth surface, requires less prep and paint. |
| Wood | $1.80 - $4.00 | Needs sanding, priming; absorbs more paint. |
| Brick | $2.50 - $5.00 | Porous, requires more paint and primer. |
| Stucco | $2.80 - $5.50 | Textured, needs special primers, more labor. |
| Metal/Aluminum | $1.70 - $4.50 | Requires rust treatment, oil-based primers. |
3. Surface Condition
The cost to paint a house varies by your surface type and complexity. If your existing surface needs repairing, it most cost you more. In case of replacing a concrete surface, consider ordering a 10-yard truck of concrete to pour concrete slab. Moreover, the per square foot cost for painting on trims, moldings, windows, or doors differs from one another.
| Surface Condition | Per Sq Ft Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Good (Minimal Prep) | $0.50 - $1.00 | Clean surfaces needing only light washing (walls, ceilings). |
| Fair (Moderate Prep) | $1.00 - $2.00 | Some peeling or minor cracks; requires scraping, sanding (walls, ceilings). |
| Poor (Extensive Prep) | $2.00 - $3.00 | Significant peeling, mold, or damage; needs heavy scraping, repairs (walls, ceilings). |
| Mold/Mildew Present | $1.50 - $2.50 | Requires specialized cleaning solutions, extra labor (walls, ceilings). |
| Repairs Needed | $2.00 - $3.50 | Cracks, holes, or rotted wood; involves patching, replacement (walls, ceilings). |
| Linear Foot (Trim, Molding) | $1.00 - $4.00/linear ft | Requires detailed sanding, priming; intricate designs increase labor. |
| Per Item (Doors, Windows) | $50 - $200/item | Doors, window frames need careful prep, taping, and painting. |
4. Paint Quality
Consider investing in high-quality paint, like acrylic, which may increase upfront costs but offers long durability for up to 10 years and better resistance. Selecting an economy paint quality may save you money, but it will not give you durability and good results.
| Paint Quality | Per Sq Ft Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $0.05 - $0.10 | Low-cost paints ($20-$30/gallon), less durable, may need more coats. |
| Mid-Range | $0.10 - $0.15 | Standard paints ($30-$50/gallon), decent durability, good coverage. |
| Premium | $0.15 - $0.25 | High-end paints ($50-$100+/gallon), long-lasting, better resistance. |
| Specialty Finishes | $0.20 - $0.35 | Elastomeric or weatherproof paints, ideal for harsh climates. |
| Eco-Friendly/Low-VOC | $0.15 - $0.30 | Environmentally safe paints, often premium-priced, low odor. |
6. Number of Stories
The number of stories in a house also affects the painting cost. A single-story home costs less compared to a double or triple-story home.
| Number of Stories | Per Sq Ft Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Single Story | $1.50 - $3.00 | Easy access, minimal equipment needed. |
| Two Stories | $2.25 - $4.50 | Requires ladders or scaffolding, increased labor. |
| Three Stories | $3.00 - $5.50 | Needs advanced scaffolding or lifts, higher labor costs. |
| Four Stories or More | $4.00 - $7.00 | Specialized equipment like boom lifts, extensive labor. |
7. Color Changes
If you’re existing paint is a dark color and you want to apply a light shade, it may cost you more because you’ll have to arrange extra primer and labor for this.
8. Additional Features
Some other factors, like paint finish, trim painting, your location, and the prep work, also impact the overall cost for painting a house. Also, consider other home fixing tasks like house rewiring, installing laminate flooring, and replacing 25 windows, before starting the painting project.
Key Tips to Save Money on House Painting Project
To maximize savings on a house painting project, consider these important tips.
- Get multiple quotes from different licensed and insured painters and companies to compare prices.
- Schedule painting during the off-season, such as fall or spring.
- Choose generic or store-brand paints that offer comparable quality at a lower price.
- Choose premium paints for better coverage and durability.
- Consider buying paint in bulk for discounts.
- Trim the scope of the job by prioritizing essential areas.
- Consider taking on some or all of the prepping work yourself by sanding, patching small holes, power washing, clearing furniture, repairing siding, and trimming shrubs.
- Choose light colors to preserve the paint job for years to come.
- If you notice fading, don’t delay repainting the same color.
- Focus on touching up highly visible and high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens, and living rooms.
You can save a large amount by following these strategies to make your painting project more affordable.
Bottom Line
Painting your home can no doubt enhance its beauty and appearance, but also increase its value and protect it from the harsh climate. However, painting a house may cost between $1,000 and $6,000 and more depending on key factors like paint quality, paint finish, and existing surface conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Often Should I Repaint?
You should repaint your exterior every 5 to 10 years, depending on climate and paint type, while the interior should be painted typically every 5 to 7 years, or sooner in high-traffic areas.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint The Exterior Of A House?
Exterior painting typically ranges between $1.50 and $8 per square foot. However, a 1,000 square foot home may cost between $1,500 and $5,000, while a 2,000 square foot home may cost between $3,000 and $10,000 for exterior painting.
How Can I Reduce Painting Costs?
Schedule your painting project in off-season, and get multiple quotes from licensed contractors. Buy in bulk to get discounts and choose high-quality paint for longer durability. Do most of the prep work yourself.
When is the Best Time to Paint Your House?
The best times to paint a house are flexible, compared to exterior painting. Just avoid high humidity and harsh temperatures for the interior. However, exterior painting can be done in early fall or early summer.
What Should I Do To Prepare For My Painter’s Arrival?
Consider removing window coverings, wall hangings, clearing any valuables or furniture from the space, and cleaning your surfaces. Also, look for repairs like patching and cracks or sanding rough areas to save money and time.
