Factors That Influence the Cost of an Exterior Paint Project
Imperial Painting
Does your siding need refreshed? Learn more about which factors influence the final cost of an exterior painting project.
Does your siding need refreshed? Learn more about which factors influence the final cost of an exterior painting project.
“Why would I pay someone when I can handle it myself?” are usually the famous last words of a homeowner taking on new improvement projects. A lot can go wrong with an exterior painting project. For one, you could miss needed repairs, like filling in cracks and holes or replacing rotted wood. You could also apply the paint when it’s too humid, hot, cold, or windy, or use the wrong type of paint entirely. We could go on, but we won’t. All of these mistakes can end up breaking your budget. And at the end of the day, you want a nice-looking exterior without multiple trips to Home Depot and lots of cursing.
If you’re curious about how much it would cost to hire a professional, we’ll break down the factors that influence your invoice’s final number.
Your exterior is exposed to many damaging elements, including wind, water, UV rays, and pests. If your siding is already painted, that paint could have also peeled, cracked, blistered, or chalked over time. If quite a bit of surface preparation work is needed, including removing multiple layers of old paint, fixing rot, or repairing pest damage, the cost will increase.
At Imperial Painting, we use Sherwin Williams painting products because they’re premium quality, weather-resistant, and last longer. They also dry faster and are easier to work with. Higher-quality paints are more expensive, ranging around $80 per gallon, which covers around 350 to 400 square feet. Additionally, primers may be needed, which will increase costs unless the exterior paint you choose is self-priming.
Most homes feature vinyl siding, which is easier and less expensive to paint because minimal prep is needed. However, if you have T1-11 wood siding or stucco, more work will be required (e.g., wood isn’t moisture or pest-resistant, so there will likely be a lot of prep work). Wood and stucco are also more absorbent, so they will need more coats of paint. Textured surfaces will also need more paint to ensure consistency. Likewise, aluminum or steel siding will require specialty cleaners and etching primers, increasing labor costs.
This factor is self-explanatory: the bigger your home, the higher the cost because more labor and materials are required.
While not as big of a factor as size/square footage, certain features in a home can increase costs, including:
If you’re within a painter’s service area, you likely will not get a travel fee. However, if you’re in a remote or hard-to-access location, it’s not unusual for professionals to add a fee to cover fuel costs and any additional challenges.
Taking on home improvement projects is admirable, but contacting a professional when you know you need help is even more admirable. Imperial Painting is here to take the hassle out of projects like exterior painting.
If you’re curious about how much your project would cost, contact us today to request a FREE estimate. When we provide estimates, we’ll also provide a copy of our licensing and insurance and a list of references.
Macomb: (586) 412-9040
Oakland: (248) 275-5657