You may not need any convincing that you should protect one of your life’s biggest investments by painting your house. A HomeLight survey of more than 900 real estate agents determined the average estimated cost of painting an Indianapolis home exterior was $2,803, and the increase in the home’s value was $4,228, resulting in a 51 percent return on investment. That said, there is a lot to consider when you want an answer to the question, “how much does it cost to paint a house”? We’re going to give you some ballpark figures, but first let’s explore some cost variables.
The material on your home exterior
- If your house is clad with wood or vinyl siding, painting your house will cost about the same amount regardless of which type of siding it is.
- Because they are porous and rough and require more paint and labor, expect to pay more per square foot if your house is made of stucco or brick.
The condition of your home exterior
- If your siding is dirty, has cobwebs, grease stains or mildew, it will need to be clean and dry before painting. Many painters offer powerwashing to make sure the painting surface is prepped.
- If there are any rotten areas on your siding, fascia or soffits, they will need to be replaced, potentially caulked and sanded, and primed.
- Any cracked or peeling paint will need to be scraped and sanded, which will add time to the project.
The size of the paintable area on your home exterior
- Calculate the square footage following the steps in our graphic here.
- Regardless of the manufacturer, one gallon of paint generally covers between 250 and 400 square feet.
- Because it takes at least two coats to cover the exterior, be sure to double your calculations.
The quality and finish of the paint used
- As a general rule, the higher the shine, the higher the cost of paint. In other words, gloss costs more than satin which costs more than a flatter finish.
- Higher-grade paints stick to surfaces better, require fewer coats, and last longer, so they cost more. Additionally if the paint has a manufacturer’s warranty for longer than the standard two years, it will usually cost more.
The color of paint you choose
- If you are changing the paint color, you will likely need more coats, which will add to the cost.
- Bright colors such as red and yellow will also need several coats of paint.
- Darker colors fade quicker and will need painted more frequently, so you might want to use them for smaller areas such as trim and shutters.
- Most exterior house painters offer a free color consultation in Indianapolis. Definitely take advantage of that.
Ease of access
- Do you have shrubs or other landscaping that needs trimmed?
- Is there furniture or other encumbrances that will need moved?
- Is your home more than one-story? If so, there will be more harder-to-reach places that will likely involve more equipment and cost more.
Contact ONiT For Home Exterior Painting In Indianapolis
If you are looking to get an even more specific answer to “how much does it cost to paint a house?”, and you value accurate estimates, clear communication and responsive customer service from a local Indianapolis area painting company, contact ONiT Painting for a free estimate.
