Everything for your Exterior Painting in one place: cost by state, DIY vs. hire, the tools and materials, and a local pro if you want one.
NATIONAL AVERAGE · UPDATED JUNE 2026
HIRE A PRO
$3,000–$9,000
DIY COST
$700–$2,500
Typical project: Exterior of a 2,000 sq ft home, prep plus two coats
Source: 3+ benchmark aggregations (RSMeans, Angi, Fixr, HomeGuide) plus Submitted Quotes data
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What you will actually buy. We flag what to rent versus own so you do not overspend on a one-time tool.
Materials
Tools
The mistakes that cost DIYers the most, and how to stay ahead of them.
Skipping the prep and washing
Painting in direct hot sun or right before rain
Using one coat to save paint
Not priming bare or repaired spots
It depends on three things: your skill level, your time, and your tolerance for the riskiest parts of the project.
When DIY makes sense
When to hire
Doable with some project experience and comfort handling permits and inspections.
Not planning to DIY? Find a local Exterior Painting pro →
Materials
The single biggest material variable is your product choice. Full repaint and Trim and accents only sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum, a decision that can shift your materials budget by 40–60%. Key line items include exterior paint, primer, caulk, patch, and sandpaper, each priced per unit and sensitive to regional supply-chain conditions. Bulk purchasing and timing your order outside peak season (spring and early summer) can reduce material costs by 10–15%.
Labor
BLS occupational wage data shows exterior-trade crews earn $28–$52/hour depending on metro area, and most exterior painting jobs require a two- to three-person crew for at least one full day. Labor typically accounts for 40–60% of the total project cost. Project complexity, custom details, tight access, or non-standard configurations, adds crew time and can push labor costs well above the national average.
Site conditions
Slope, soil type, and existing-structure condition are the three site factors contractors price most aggressively. Demolition or removal of old materials adds dumpster and disposal fees that rarely appear in online estimates. Local code requirements, permit fees, required inspections, and jurisdiction-specific material standards, can add $200–$1,500 to any project before a single tool is lifted.
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Exterior Painting cost varies a lot by state. Open your state for locally calibrated hire and DIY numbers.
