Exterior house painting costs $1,500 to $12,700 per project in 2026
Painting the outside of a house costs $1,500 to $12,700 in 2026. Bob Vila puts the national average at $3,087, with most jobs between $1,811 and $4,435. This Old House says a 2,000 square foot home runs $4,400 to $8,800. Size, the number of stories, and the siding move the price most. NerdWallet adds that inside painting averages about $2,000.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila lists a national average of $3,087 and a typical range of $1,811 to $4,435 for exterior house painting. |
| This Old House | This Old House lists $2.20 to $4.40 per square foot, or $4,400 to $8,800 for a 2,000 square foot home. |
| NerdWallet | NerdWallet lists an exterior average just over $3,100 ($1,800 to $4,500) and an interior average of about $2,000. |
Exterior house painting cost by size and type
| Job | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| One story house | $1,500 to $3,500 | Bob Vila |
| Two story house | $3,000 to $6,200 | Bob Vila |
| Three story house | $4,500 to $10,000 | Bob Vila |
| 2,000 square feet, one story | $4,400 to $8,800 | This Old House |
| 2,000 square feet, two stories | $6,900 to $12,700 | This Old House |
| Exterior average | Just over $3,100 ($1,800 to $4,500) | NerdWallet |
| Inside painting average | About $2,000 (under $1,000 to over $3,000) | NerdWallet |
| Brick siding, per square foot | $2.40 to $4.20 | Bob Vila |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Home size | Bigger walls need more paint and hours. This Old House lists $2,200 to $4,400 for 1,000 square feet and $6,600 to $13,200 for 3,000 square feet. |
| Number of stories | Tall walls need ladders or lifts, which slow the crew. Bob Vila lists $1,500 to $3,500 for one story and $4,500 to $10,000 for three stories. |
| Siding type | Rough or hard walls take more prep and paint. Bob Vila lists vinyl at $1.00 to $3.00 and brick at $2.40 to $4.20 per square foot. |
| Labor | Most of the bill is painter time. This Old House says painters charge $40 to $100 per hour. NerdWallet says labor is 75% to 95% of inside jobs. |
| Prep and paint | Scraping, patching, and primer add time before the first coat. A better paint costs more per gallon, and it can cut how often you need to repaint. |
What the price includes
The price normally covers paint, primer, supplies, labor, and cleanup for the outside walls. Trim, doors, and shutters may cost extra. Heavy repairs such as wood rot, power washing, and lead paint work are often priced on top. Ask for a written quote that lists each part of the job. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
House painting is sold by painting companies, small crews, and single painters. Most give a flat price for the whole job after they look at the house. Some bill by the square foot, and a few bill by the hour. This Old House says painters charge $40 to $100 per hour. A good flat quote lists the prep, the coats, the paint, and the cleanup. Ask when the deposit is due and what the last payment depends on. Get the quote in writing, and ask for proof of license and insurance where your state requires it before work starts.
When you need this
Paint protects the walls from sun, rain, and rot. Look for peeling, cracking, bare wood, or chalky dust on your hand when you rub the wall. Fading alone is not a rush, but gaps and bare spots let water in. Plan a new coat before damage spreads, because repairs to rotted wood cost more than paint.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote list how many coats and what primer?
- Does it include scraping, patching, and washing the walls?
- Is the paint brand and finish named in writing?
- Are trim, doors, and repairs priced as separate lines?
- Compare the total with the range above: $1,500 to $12,700 per project for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Get at least three written quotes. Prices for the same house can differ a lot, so compare the same coats, prep work, and paint brand.
- Book in a mild season. Painters are often less busy in spring and fall, and some will cut the price to fill their calendar.
- Help with the prep. Moving plants, washing walls, and covering items can cut crew hours if the painter agrees to it in writing.
- Paint only what needs it. If just the trim or one side is worn, a partial job costs far less than the whole house.
- Ask which paint the quote uses. A mid priced paint with good prep can last as long as a costly one, so ask about both.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Bob Vila, This Old House and NerdWallet. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to paint the outside of a house?
Bob Vila lists $1,811 to $4,435 for most homes, with an average of $3,087. This Old House lists $4,400 to $8,800 for a 2,000 square foot home. NerdWallet says just over $3,100.
How much does it cost to paint the inside of a house?
NerdWallet says the average is about $2,000, from just under $1,000 to over $3,000. Inside work runs $2 to $6 per square foot.
Does a two story house cost more to paint?
Yes. Bob Vila lists $3,000 to $6,200 for two stories and $1,500 to $3,500 for one story. This Old House lists $6,900 to $12,700 for a 2,000 square foot two story home.
How much do painters charge per hour?
This Old House says painting crews charge $40 to $100 per hour per painter. Many jobs get one flat price, so ask for the full job cost.
How much does exterior paint cost per square foot?
Bob Vila lists $0.50 to $4 per square foot. This Old House lists $2.20 to $4.40. NerdWallet lists $1.50 to $4.