Now that you’ve decided to improve your home’s curb appeal and trade in old, peeling paint for a fresh new coat, it’s time to find out the cost of exterior house painting.
Average Exterior House Painting Cost
On average, exterior house painting costs between $3,000 and $7,000 for a 1,500-2,000 ft.² home.
The actual cost differs on a case-to-case basis based on several factors, including the size of your house, the type of paint to use, whether any repairs are needed prior to painting, and the time of year the project will be done.
How Much Does Exterior Painting Per Square Foot Cost?
The cost of exterior painting in Canada varies from province to province. However, the average is about $2.25 to $4 per square foot.
What Affects the Cost of Exterior House Painting in Toronto?
It’s great to have an idea of how much your painting project will cost you, however, as we mentioned before, the actual cost of painting your home’s exterior in Toronto will be influenced by a number of factors.
Size of your property – How large your house is will determine how much paint and time it’ll take to paint your home’s exterior.
Complexity of the architecture – The architectural style of your home is an important consideration in the cost to paint outside of the house. The intricate detail and characteristics of your home’s architecture influence the painting method, measures, and products you will need.
Condition of the surface – The amount of touch-up work i.e. repairing surface flaws, removing damaged caulking and applying new caulking, etc, adds to the time spent prepping the surface before painting. More time increases the cost.
Accessibility – If there are hard-to-reach areas due to the landscape or house design, the cost will be higher due to the extra time and specialized equipment needed.
Type and colour of paint – Applying a gloss finish will increase your exterior paint cost, and there are some colours that need several coats to achieve the desired look. A lighter color will require a primer. The quality of the paint will also influence the price.
Type of siding – Wood siding is more expensive to paint per square foot than vinyl siding because of the prep work required to get the siding ready. Stucco siding can be more complex to paint and its condition also plays a role.
As mentioned earlier, the type of siding on your home’s exterior will impact exterior paint cost.
Here’s a breakdown of what these costs may look like based on the siding.
Brick siding painting – Brick typically costs $1-$4 per square foot to paint. This cost can go higher if there is additional prep work, extensive repairs, or significant cleaning needed before painting can begin. Some brickwork has intricate detail and design, which can require additional skill and attention.
Stucco siding – While this is a popular type of siding, there are some challenges that can come with painting stucco. The average cost is $1.80 to $3.60 per square foot.
Vinyl siding – One of the most common types of exterior home siding is vinyl. However, there are specific preparations that need to be done before painting vinyl siding. On average, the costs are anywhere from $1-$3 per square foot.
Wood siding – Costing an average of $1.50 to $4 per square foot, wood is another popular siding material. Before painting can begin, the wood needs to be cleaned and sanded, and any holes or cracks must be filled before painting can be done.
Metal siding – Metal and aluminum siding costs $1-$4 per square foot to paint and has its own complexities. Fortunately, metal is well suited for painting compared to vinyl siding and paint does not tend to crack or peel as much as when it is applied to vinyl siding.
Exterior Painting Cost Breakdown
If you’re planning on exterior house painting, it’s helpful to not only know the overall costs, but to see the breakdown of these costs so you can get a more detailed understanding of the project.
Labour – Labour costs are influenced by how complex the paint job is, the demand for painting services, the local economy, and the cost of living in an area. If specialized equipment or additional skills are needed based on challenges with the landscape, the cost will go higher.
Materials – You’ll need to factor in the cost of the paint, primer, and other materials like painter’s tape, roller frames, paint brushes, paint trays, protective coverings, etc. The type of paint you use has a major influence on the overall material costs. Going with oil-based paint will be more expensive than acrylic or latex paint.
Equipment rental – If specialized equipment is needed for hard-to-reach areas to produce the best results, the cost of hiring this equipment will increase expenses.
Colour consultation – A lot goes into determining the best hue for your home. Time set aside with a colour expert to discuss your colour options and ultimately choose the best one for you is an additional cost. In general, colour consultations begin at $300.
Permits – Depending on where you live, your city may require a permit for home improvement projects that cost more than a certain amount. The City of Toronto does not require permits for exterior home painting.
Windows, trims, and doors are prominent features, so painting these can boost appeal. The cost of painting windows typically ranges from $40-$150 per window, with the trim costing anywhere from $1-$6 per linear foot.
How Much Does it Cost to Paint Windows?
Standard windows (2 x 3‘ or 2 x 4‘) typically cost anywhere from $40-$80 per window for interior and exterior painting. Bay windows are larger and more complex to paint than standard windows and range between $100 and $200 per window. Picture windows are large and cost between $80 and $150 per window. Double-hung windows range from $80-$120 per window, and lastly, casement windows typically average between $60 and $100 per window.
How Much Does it Cost to Paint the Main Entrance Door?
Generally, front door paint jobs cost between $300-$900. The material, door size, and complexity of the job affect the cost. Standard single doors cost 300-$400. Double doors are larger and are between $300-$600. Solid wood doors range from $350-$750 with the type of wood and type of paint playing large factors. Doors with glass panels typically range between $300 and $500 to paint.
How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Garage Door?
Garage doors are another impactful and influential spot in your home’s interior. Typically, the cost is between $400-$900. Single garage doors are the most popular and cost between $400 and $500 to paint. Double garage doors commander higher painting cost of $500-$700. Carport garage doors, which require more paint, range from $400-$600.
How Prestige Painting Will Prepare Your House for Exterior Painting
1. Clean walls with high pressure wash – This effectively removes dirt and buildup, giving you a clean surface to begin with. 2. Fix damaged areas – We inspect surfaces to see if any cracks or holes need to be filled and sanded for a smooth surface. 3. Strip away loose paint – We use a paint scraper or medium grit sanding block to remove loose paint.
4. Seal trim with caulk – This is especially beneficial if the siding is made up of different materials. Caulking will blend the sections nicely.
5. Prime over stains – If there are areas on the surface that have stains or other visible imperfections, we’ll apply primer to cover them up.
6. Shield light fixtures and doors – Before applying paint, we use plastic sheets and painter’s tape to protect your light fixtures and other areas.
7. Apply paint to exterior – We’ll evenly distribute the paint over the entire surface area of the house, working from the bottom to the top.
8. Paint trim and doors – Our final step will be removing the plastic sheeting on the doors, windows, and light fixtures and painting these using a paintbrush.
Acrylic paint is a top choice for painting exterior surfaces because it is durable and can withstand extreme temperatures. It is also mould and mildew resistant. The best materials for acrylic paint are wood, aluminum, fiber, cement, and stucco.
Exterior home painting is best when it’s dry and temperatures are within moderate ranges – early summer and early fall. Painting early in the day is also advised when temperatures are ideal.
Acrylic paints are the most common type of paint used outdoors because they have a flexible composition, allowing them to handle changes in temperatures as well.
