The Cost to Paint a House and Information Before Getting Started Q&A

Painting the house is one of the most entertaining parts of the renovation process. However, like other aspects of house renovation, this process also requires a significant amount of knowledge and research. And one of the most crucial things to know before starting renovation is how much it will cost to paint a house. Another important part to consider is getting a highly experienced team of experts who will execute everything professionally. Finally, it is time to think about what goes into painting and how much it costs to paint a house.

1. What Does the Price Include?

On average, painting a house costs around a couple of thousand dollars (2-8 USD per square foot). However, it can start anywhere from around 600 USD up to ten times more. Everything depends on the type of paint, the tools, and the work amount the contractor needs to complete.

First, the biggest part of the cost to paint a house is based on the type/quality of the material. There are cheap paints out there, however, that might not be the best solution. Cheap paint can cause issues like cracks, bumpy spots, fadedness, and other problems. On the other hand, the price of the paint can also depend on the color. This is because the price can vary per shade because of the pigmentation and the demand.

Material and tool cost constitutes the part where it can get very expensive or maybe less. Another segment comes from the tools and materials needed to complete the job. Having some of the instruments will deduct from the overall cost to paint a house. There is a list of objects:

Paint buckets: Most of the time, it is possible to get these when buying the paint. However, sometimes there is a need for extra buckets.

Paintbrushes and rollers: It is the most important category for painting the house. The regular and the rolling brushes are supposed to be high-quality to apply the product best.

Sprayers: Depending on the type and style, there may be a need for sprayers. Nonetheless, this step is okay to skip. 

Scrapers: It is vital to have this, to distribute the paint evenly. Sometimes scrapers aren’t only for applying the paint smoothly, but for removing the old one.

Clothing: This one is the cheapest out of all the materials; however, it is crucial to have this. Clothing pieces aren’t only for avoiding messes. They also help to protect other furniture.

Ladder: And of course, stairs are vital, to reach all the spots when painting the walls and the ceiling.

Finally, depending on whether the work is going to be done by the owner of the home or a hired professional, the cost to paint a house may vary. It is vital to know that even though painting sounds fun, it isn’t the easiest process. There goes a lot of experience and technique into making the paint sit smoothly, evenly, and nicely. Thus, the cost to paint a house also includes the job of the specialists. 

painting house

2. How much does it cost to paint the interior/exterior? 

The cost to paint a house is also based on the interior or the exterior. To paint the interior of the house is more affordable. The average prices are from 900 USD to a little less than 3000. Meanwhile, the exterior cost to paint a house is around 2000 USD up to 6 or sometimes even 7 thousand USD (1500-2000 square ft house). Thus, there are ways to find affordable solutions. However, the cost to paint a house from the outside is more expensive than the inside.

3. When to DIY or Hire a Professional?

As mentioned above, it will save money if the painting process doesn’t involve other workers. However, it is only common in the case of changing the interior of a room. It is much more complicated when it comes to the exterior of the house. The exterior walls are rougher and have a specific texture, which requires special techniques. In any case, it is great to have a consultation with specialists even if one chooses to paint by themselves.

There is a list of questions that can help understand whether the painter is reliable or not. Here are the main ones:

Can you provide a license? 

One of the most vital proofs to trust a specialist is their license. If the professional has a document; therefore, others trust him/her with some work. It also means that the person is experienced and can do the job correctly. 

How many painting jobs have you completed lately?

It may be even a better reason to trust a specialist than having a license. This method reveals the working experience naturally. Besides, it is an advantage; if the worker shows some of the projects he/she has completed. Thus, it will be possible to see for oneself whether the painter can achieve great results or not. 

Do you offer a warranty?  

Another advantage is when the painter provides years of guarantee. Therefore, if anything happens (cracks, damage, bumps, fadedness) they are obligated to fix the issues for free. It is a vital question to ask.

When to DIY or Hire a Professional?

4. What will painting the house change?

Painting the house is a great way to make it look fresh, new, and brighter. It seems like changing the color can change the way the furniture and the house structure look also. 

Since painting can change much in how the house looks, it can also increase the house price. That is a huge step even for the future. If the owner is planning to sell the house, the painting will raise the cost significantly. 

One of the best benefits of painting a house has is changing the design. There are endless possibilities. One is to have a bright color and make the house look abstract. Another option is to paint it in a vintage style (blue, yellow). Or decorate the home minimalistic with the help of minimal colors.    

Painting a house can also be a great trick into making the property look big in size. Light colors tend to make the walls wide and broad. Therefore, it allows us to see all the space in the house. 

5. What are the tips to save on the cost to paint a house?

Since this process may end up being expensive, there are tips to spend less. One of the first steps is to calculate the price before starting. This way, it is possible to avoid getting expensive materials.

A great tip is to borrow some of the tools and materials from friends or relatives. That way, the price will be deducted. Another fantastic way to save the cost to paint a house is to pick a neutral color. As mentioned above, those are the most affordable. And last but not least, it can save some money to do some of the jobs without the painters. For example, painting some of the interior walls/ceilings, the rooms, or the places that seem easy to paint will help a little.  There are plenty of details and information about painting the house and crucial elements to be aware of before the process. First and foremost, it is important to know the cost to paint a house: it is helpful to have an idea of how the price ranges. Depending on the interior/exterior, the paint type, material, and professionals’ work, the cost changes. Second, it is significant to know whom to trust and how to find experienced specialists.