Exterior Painting Cost Per Square Foot Calculator

What Does Painting Cost

How To Calculate Price Per Square Foot For Painting (THE EASIEST WAY)

According to HomeAdvisor, in 2021, interior room painting can cost anywhere from $2 to $6 per square foot, where the square footage is the area of the floor. Simple painting jobs will fall at the lower end. Jobs that include ceilings, trim, windows or higher walls will fall at the higher end.

Nelson J. Greer Painting Contractors explains that most professional painters charge between $1.50 and $3.50 per square foot for interior spaces. Adding trim, wall space and ceilings can fall between $3 and $4 per square foot. The complexity of the job can also change the rate youll be charged depending on the room and what youre seeking.

If you arent an experienced painter, finding a professional to do important paint jobs is usually worth the cost, especially when you factor in the time youll lose having to paint it yourself. Just make sure youre comparing bids fairly in order to get the best value.

References

  • Always ask contractors for square foot pricing when getting quotes.

Writer Bio

Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. She owns her own content marketing agency, Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing, and she enjoys writing home and DIY articles and blogs for clients in a variety of related industries. She also runs her own lifestyle blog, Sweet Frivolity.

Exterior Paint Cost Per Gallon

Home Size
$210 $420+ $480 $960+

Better paints are thicker because they have a higher percentage of resin to water. Youll pay more because there are more raw ingredients in the can, but each gallon covers more surface area and hides older colors more thoroughly. All-in-one paint and primer formulas are thicker versions of regular paint, and their coverage is exceptional. In the long run, youll save by using less, and the results will speak for themselves.

Cost To Paint Fiber Cement Siding

The cost to paint fiber cement siding, such as James Hardie or Allura is similar to the cost of painting vinyl siding. You can expect to spend $1.25 3.50 per square foot, which includes materials and professional labor.

For a 1,500 sq.ft. house clad with cement board siding, the exterior paint cost is $1,875 5,250

If you plan on repainting fiber cement siding, its extremely important to avoid oil-based primer. This type of primer will increase the roughness of the board surface of the board, thus preventing the paint from adhering properly.

Moreover, using an oil-based primer on fiber cement siding can even cause cracking and chalking.

Pro Tip: cement board siding manufactures sell a special primer for use on their unprimed siding products. By using the manufacturers primer, you will ensure that your warranty will continue to be in effect.

On the other hand, using a different primer brand may actually VOID your warranty.

If you are installing cement boards that have already been primed, its best to use 100% acrylic exterior paint.

Recommended Reading: Paint Color Ideas For Bedroom

Schedule Your Free And Highly Accurate Estimate

There are many factors that influence the cost of a project. While two projects might seem similar in scope and size, they can actually be quite different one more complex than the other, which will be reflected in the cost. Our thorough inspection will reveal whether the project is complex or standard/easy, providing us with the information we need to provide a highly accurate estimate.

We have years of professional experience painting high-rises, mid-rises, hotels, hospitals, office buildings, warehouses, shopping centers and a variety of industrial buildings throughout Chicagoland. With this experience and our resources, we can handle any project regardless of scale, condition and difficulty.

Schedule an appointment below or call us at .

Painters Inc is an independent painting contractor serving the Chicagoland area.

We provide high-quality and efficient, reliable services and guarantee to work on time, on budget and to your satisfaction.

What Is The Average Interior Painting Cost Per Square Foot

Interior Painting Cost Per Square Foot

It is difficult to price a painting job per square foot as there are several other factors that can influence the price, such as:

  • Painting trim, baseboards, and ceilings.
  • Preparing the space by repairing drywall.
  • How many coats of paint are required.

As a rough house paint estimate, the average cost to paint the interior of a house ranges from $2 6 per square foot, leading to an average cost of $3.30 per square foot.

Recommended Reading: How To Paint Concrete Patio

How Much To Charge For A Professional Paint Job

Determining how much to charge can be a difficult task for professional painters. You have to consider many factors when it comes to painting a house, and its difficult to predict the challenges you might face.

That being said, you must deliver an accurate estimate to your customer. If you estimate too low or too high, you lose your customers trust and put your business at risk of losing revenue.

Of course, you want to account for unexpected costs, but you shouldnt price so high to the point where your customer is paying more than they need to. Likewise, if you participate as part of a bidding process, you should not price low just to outbid the competition.

If larger construction companies are also bidding for the same job, your potential customer will likely recognize that your bid is too low. Even if you do win the bid, youre under extra pressure to make sure the actual cost of the job is similar to your estimate.

There are several ways that you can go about charging for a paint job. Some of the methods include charging based on the:

  • Painting cost estimate per square foot.
  • Amount of time and labor.
  • Price of paint and the amount required.
  • Results from a paint cost estimator.

Professional painters should take all three of these factors into account to create a comprehensive estimate.

There are really only three main components that you have to consider when creating a paint job estimate:

Lets take a closer look at how to calculate house painting estimates.

Cost To Paint Concrete Siding

Painting concrete costs between $1 and $3.50 per square foot, which averages to between $500 and $3,000 for the entire home.

Concrete can be more pricey to paint, though, as it often requires a primer layer under the paint, which ups the square foot price to between $2 and $7 per square foot.

If your concrete siding requires stripping, you can expect to pay between $4 and $14 per square foot.

If your concrete siding is damaged and requires repairs before it can be painted, expect to pay between $100 and $500 per 100 square feet of repairs.

Recommended Reading: Sherwin Williams Masonry Paint Exterior

Estimate The Cost Of Materials

Youll need the following materials for an exterior painting job :

  • Primer: 1 gallon
  • Masking plastic: 2 rolls
  • = $115 approximate cost of materials

That said, material amounts depend heavily on how much prep is requiredmore prep means more primer and caulking.

It also depends on how many windows there are and how much roof line and brick there is if youre doing an exteriormore of any of those things means more masking paper and plastic. The painting cost will go up for all of these factors as well, since you will then need to paint over them.

Ballpark Paint And Primer Costs

How Much Does it Cost to Paint a 2,000 Sq Ft House?

There are many factors that impact the overall price, but its always useful to have a round figure before beginning a project. The average size of new builds is over 2,400 square feet, but in the 80s it was just over 1500, so lets assume that an average house is 2000 square foot.

If your home is smaller, youll simply reduce your budget to compensate. Now, with a good quality primer and paint, here is what you will expect to pay to paint the siding on a 1500, 2000, and 2500 square foot house, assuming the paint and primer cost $40 per gallon each:

1500 square feet: : $4802000 square feet: : $6402500 square feet: : $800

Note: This doesnt include trim which can vary greatly on a home. You can also possibly get good quality paint and primer starting from $25 upwards, and you may find you need a little less or a little more paint or primer. These are just ballpark estimates using generous figures to allow for waste and extra coats on rougher texture or more absorbent siding.

Read Also: Step By Step Painting Acrylic

Investing In Experience Knowledge And Expertise

Anyone can buy the right paint, the right brushes and rollers and masking tape, but applying the paint the right way is not something everyone is capable of doing. Professional painters have the right touch and an eye for perfection, which shows in the finished product.

Professionals also know how to prep a job site, set up tarps to catch paint and other debris associated with a project. They know how to work in sensitive environments where disruption needs to be kept at a minimum. They simply have respect for the businesses they enter and do their work exceptionally well at the same time.

When you pay for labor, youre paying for an expert who has years of built up knowledge, which allows them to complete a job on time and often meet standards that exceed expectations.

Should you decide to partner with a contractor offering bargain basement prices, youre probably getting a painting crew that has none of the qualifications weve amassed at Painters Inc. Its true that you get what you pay for, but when you partner with us, youre getting top-notch services, but youre only paying fees that are highly competitive and completely reasonable.

Valspar Exterior Paint Cost

Valspar is a Lowes-exclusive paint and offers most exterior finishes ranging from $26 to $80 per gallon. All of their paints are easy to apply with a roller as it is much thinner. However, that means you may need to apply more than one coat to protect your home properly. Valspar paints resist mildew due to their high-quality fillers, but it does not resist dirt with the same level of success. Since Valspar paint is thin, it dries very quickly. This can be a good thing, but it also can cause streaks.

Type of Paint
$45 – $78

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Cost To Paint Interior Of House

Per the PDCA, you will likely pay from $1,500 to $3,000 for an interior paint job on a home that is approximately 1,000 square feet in size. A 2,500 square foot home should cost about $3,750 to $7,500. If your home is around 4,000 square feet, be prepared to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000. Remember, much of the cost depends on any necessary repairs, the cost of labor, and the type of paint you choose.

Painting Outdoor Aluminum Or Metal Siding

3 Bedroom House Painting Cost

Metal or aluminum siding is less popular these days but there are still plenty of homes with this exterior cladding. Its no surprise as aluminum or metal siding can last up to 50 years when properly maintained.

Depending on the outdoor square footage of your home, the average cost to paint exterior aluminum siding is $2.22 to $3.52 per square foot. Total painting costs for aluminum exterior paint jobs range from $5,522 to $8,807 for a two-story residence. For proper maintenance, you should get your aluminum siding repainted regularly every 5 years.

Moreover, the best paint to use on aluminum siding is exterior acrylic latex paint. Likewise, you should use a full coat of high-quality exterior acrylic primer if you are painting the aluminum for the first time.

As a paintable surface, metal or aluminum siding takes very well to paint and can last for years. Make sure to keep up with regular repaints. Also, confirm your house painter carries a written warranty for their workmanship just in case.

Price to Paint Metal Railings or Fencing

Outdoor surfaces like wrought iron railings or stairs and metal fencing need a fresh coat of paint every few years to prevent rust. To calculate the price to paint metal railings or fences, you will want to use a cost per linear foot versus square footage. The average cost to paint metal railings is $4.08-$9.46 per linear foot depending on the condition of the surface.

Read Also: How To Paint With Water Color

Diy Exterior Painting Vs Hiring A Pro

You may be tempted by the lower cost of painting your home exterior DIY and consider taking it on as a home improvement project.

Painting a home exterior is a mid-level DIY project, so if you have some existing experience doing projects around the home you may be ready to paint your siding.

One thing to consider when tackling this DIY project is the cost of materials. In addition to purchasing basic supplies, you will also need to get equipment such as a ladder, which can be quite pricey.

You may also want to purchase a sprayer and power rollers to complete this project, which are also expensive. Be sure to factor in the costs of these when calculating whether doing the project DIY will actually save you money.

Another aspect to consider is the time you will spend on the project. Painting your home exterior will likely take you much longer than it would a professional, so be sure to consider the cost of your own time as well.

Professionals have years worth of experience painting homes under their belts, so by hiring a professional you significantly reduce the risk of costly mistakes.

You also dont run the risk of safety related hazards, as professionals have extensive experience using ladders and safety equipment.

All in all, painting your home exterior DIY can be a good project for those with the right experience, but absolute beginner DIY-ers may want to leave it up to the professionals.

Properties Of Paint Cost Calculator

The formula for calculating the amount of paint is quite simple and is based on a few basic rules. To start, estimate the length and height of each wall in the room you need to paint. Multiply the length by the height to get the desired space area. In doing so, the area of windows, doors, and gates should be eliminated. The results will give you a good estimate of how many buckets of paint you will need to cover your walls. Also, make sure you have extra paint on hand to cover minor scratches or to repair walls if needed.

Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Farrow And Ball Paint In Us

How To Save Money On Professional House Painting

While painting a home’s exterior can be a costly project, there are a number of steps you can take to save money when hiring a pro for this job.

Maintain your siding: Keeping your home’s exterior clean and in good repair reduces the amount of remedial work and prep work your chosen pro has to get through before they can start painting.

Choose the best quality products you can afford: While it sounds counter intuitive to spend more, it saves you money in the long run. High-quality paint lasts longer and is better equipped to properly protect your home from the elements. Buying the lowest priced paint is a waste of money that means your siding may suffer water damage or weather damage. Plus, you’ll have to have your home painted more frequently, costing you more in both supplies and labor.

Wait until the off season: Be flexible with your timing and avoid booking the project during peak times. You can save a lot by waiting until winter or watching for special promotions run by local house painters around major holidays.

Do the prep yourself: While you might not be able to tackle the entire project, you can save money by doing as much as possible yourself. Clear the area around your home and give your siding a thorough clean. Sand away any areas of flaking or bubbling paint and look for any obvious minor damage you can repair yourself.

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We were in the planning stages of our exterior remodeling project that included: New siding, windows, fencing, and a deck refacing.

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What Is The Best Interior Paint

Interior paint really varies in price and quality. Cheap paint by brands like Valspar can cost as little as $20-30 per gallon for flat/matte paint.

High-end brands, such as Farrow and Ball, that have very high quality pigments that dont fade overtime as well as unique colors can cost as much as $100-120 per gallon.

However, you can get very beautiful results and lasting quality with middle of road, trusted brands such as Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore . Depending the type of paint, these brands cost $40-55 per gallon.

Diy Interior Painting Cost

Repainting a room or even the entire home is one of the most popular DIY remodeling projects. This is because many budget conscious homeowners would rather spend time and effort to paint their house then spend $2,000+ on a professional paint job.

Did You Know? You can easily save 50-60% off the cost of professional painting if you go the DIY route.

While huge costs savings is the biggest upside to DIY house painting, there are some serious drawbacks to consider before you decide what you want to do:

The paint job will take you much longer compared to the painting speed of the pros.

Set up and clean up are very time consuming and labor intensive. Moving furniture is also a big ordeal.

While its fairly easy to paint a rectangular or square room with 8 ft ceilings, more complex interior design makes the paint job much harder. For example, painting vaulted or cathedral ceilings requires special equipment and skills. Painting trim and crown moldings well is also a task that calls for expert skills and is easy to mess up.

Unless you have already done many paint jobs and are really good at it, its usually very easy to tell when a novice does interior painting compared to a pro. Unfortunately, it just doesnt look that great and there are many visible errors that can really diminish the overall aesthetic appeal of your home.

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