PaintJune 12, 2026·7 min read
Cost to Paint a House Exterior in 2026
Square-foot pricing, real quotes by home size, and what siding type does to the bill.
Exterior paint jobs run $3,000–$15,000 in 2026. The biggest variables: home size, number of stories, siding material, and how much prep work is needed.
Cost by home size (pro labor + materials)
- 1,000 sq ft single-story: $2,500–$4,500
- 1,500 sq ft single-story: $3,500–$6,500
- 2,000 sq ft two-story: $5,000–$9,000
- 2,500 sq ft two-story: $6,500–$11,000
- 3,500 sq ft+: $9,000–$15,000
Cost by siding type
- Wood siding: baseline pricing
- Vinyl: 10% less (smooth, fast coverage)
- Stucco: 30% more (porous, needs more paint)
- Brick: 40% more (extensive prep, masonry-grade paint)
- Fiber cement: baseline (cement-friendly paint required)
DIY savings
A confident DIYer with a sprayer can do a 1,500 sq ft single-story for $700–$1,200 in materials, saving $3,000+. Two-story exterior should usually be left to pros — fall hazard isn't worth the savings.
Switch the calculator to exterior mode to get accurate gallons + cost for your home's siding.
Open the Paint CalculatorHow often to repaint
- Wood siding: every 5–10 years
- Stucco: every 10–15 years
- Fiber cement: every 15–20 years
- Vinyl: it doesn't need paint — repaint only for color change
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