How much to charge for exterior painting
Updated 26 September 2026
Exterior painting is mostly priced on the size of the house, per square foot of wall or of floor area, with extras for height, prep and trim. Weather and access shape the quote too, since rain stops work and tall walls need scaffold or a lift.
Example exterior painting prices
| Job | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft single-storey house, walls only, light prep | $2,700 – $3,450 | £2,150 – £2,750 | A$4,300 – A$5,500 | CA$3,800 – CA$4,850 |
| 1,800 sq ft single-storey house, some peeling, with trim | $5,100 – $6,550 | £4,100 – £5,250 | A$8,200 – A$10,450 | CA$7,150 – CA$9,150 |
| 2,400 sq ft two-storey house, heavy peeling, with trim | $9,250 – $11,850 | £7,400 – £9,450 | A$14,850 – A$18,950 | CA$12,950 – CA$16,600 |
Priced with the starting rates in our exterior painting template, in each country's currency. They're a starting point, not a survey of local rates, so set your own from what your jobs take and what others charge near you.
How exterior painters set their prices
Per square foot of wall
Measure the surface you'll paint and charge a rate per square foot or square metre. It's the most accurate way to price by size, but it needs a site visit or good plans.
By floor area
A rate on the home's floor area, which the owner can usually tell you. It's quick to quote, and it's how our template works. Adjust it for tall gables, lots of trim or a detached garage.
Crew days plus materials
Estimate the crew days, paint and access gear like scaffold, then add your margin. Use it for big or unusual houses, and to check that your square-foot rates still pay.
Sample exterior painting price list
The prices in our template, as a list you can adapt. Percentages change the price of the job; fixed-price extras are added on top.
| Item | US | UK | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home size, per sq ft | $2.50 | £2 | A$4 | CA$3.50 |
| Storeys: Two storeys | +20% | +20% | +20% | +20% |
| Storeys: Three storeys | +40% | +40% | +40% | +40% |
| Surface condition: Some peeling | +15% | +15% | +15% | +15% |
| Surface condition: Heavy peeling / repairs | +30% | +30% | +30% | +30% |
| Trim, fascia & doors | +10% | +10% | +10% | +10% |
| Minimum job price | $1,500 | £1,200 | A$2,250 | CA$2,050 |
Put this price list on your website
Customers answer a few questions about the job, see the price and send you their details. This is our exterior painting quote form with the prices above. Try it as a customer would, then start from these prices and change any of them.
Weatherguard Painters
Exterior painting estimate
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Pricing a two-storey house like a single-storey one. Working at height means ladders or scaffold, more setting up and slower work. Our template adds 20% for two storeys and 40% for three.
- Judging prep from the kerb. Flaking paint and soft timber only show up close, so walk around the house or ask for close-up photos. Our template adds 15% for some peeling and 30% for heavy peeling or repairs.
- Leaving out the trim. Fascia, eaves, window frames and doors are slow, fiddly work, often in a second colour. Our template adds 10% for trim, fascia and doors.
- Not allowing for weather. Rain can stop work with the crew booked and the scaffold up. Build a few lost days into the price of bigger jobs.
- Quoting small jobs at your square-foot rate. Setting up ladders, drop sheets and a crew costs almost as much for a small house as for a big one. Our template sets a $1,500 minimum in the US.
Not sure what your time is worth? Work out your hourly rate with the pricing calculator, then check your job prices cover it.
Questions
- How do I price exterior painting?
- Start with the size of the house and add for height and prep. Check the total against the crew days and paint the job needs, and raise your rate if they don't fit.
- Should I give a square-foot rate or a fixed price?
- Use a square-foot rate to work out the price, then give the customer one fixed price for the job. Say what it covers, like the surfaces and the number of coats, so there's no argument later.
- How do I price an older house that may have lead paint?
- Check your local rules first, because many places control how old paint is tested and removed. Then build the extra time, gear and clean-up into your prep price.
- Can I quote a house from photos?
- Yes, for a first price. Use the floor area and photos of every side, including close-ups of the worst walls, then give a range and confirm it on site before you book the crew.
- How do I show exterior painting prices on my website?
- Put your square-foot rate and extras into a quote form. Customers enter the home's size, storeys and paint condition and see a price range. You confirm the prep when you visit.