Calculator Use
The exterior paint cost calculator is a professional-grade tool designed to help homeowners and contractors estimate the financial requirements of an outdoor painting project. By accounting for surface area, paint quality, and professional labor rates, this tool provides a realistic budget before you purchase your first gallon.
To get an accurate result, you should first measure the perimeter of your home and the height of the walls. Subtract the area of windows and doors to find your "net" square footage. This ensures you do not over-purchase materials or overpay for labor.
- Total Wall Area
- The total square footage of the exterior surfaces you plan to paint. A standard 2,000 sq ft home often has roughly 1,500 to 2,500 sq ft of paintable wall surface.
- Number of Coats
- Most professional exterior jobs require two coats for durability and color depth, especially when changing colors or painting over porous surfaces like wood or stucco.
- Paint Coverage
- The amount of square feet a single gallon can cover. Standard paints cover about 350-400 sq ft on smooth surfaces, but rough surfaces like cedar shingles or brick may only cover 200-250 sq ft.
How It Works
Our exterior paint cost calculator uses a multi-step logic to determine the final price. It first calculates the "total paintable area" by multiplying the wall surface by the number of coats. It then calculates the material requirements by dividing that total area by the coverage rate of the specific paint brand chosen.
Total Cost = ((Area × Coats / Coverage) × Price per Gallon) + (Area × Labor Rate)
- Area: Measured in square feet (Length × Height).
- Gallons: Always rounded up to the nearest whole number (you cannot buy half a gallon in most cases).
- Labor: Professional exterior labor typically ranges from $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot depending on the region and prep work required.
Calculation Example
Example: A standard two-story home with 2,000 square feet of siding that needs two coats of premium paint.
Step-by-step solution:
- Wall Area: 2,000 sq ft
- Total Surface to Cover: 2,000 × 2 coats = 4,000 sq ft
- Gallons Needed: 4,000 / 350 sq ft coverage = 11.42 (Round up to 12 gallons)
- Material Cost: 12 gallons × $60/gallon = $720
- Labor Cost: 2,000 sq ft × $2.50/sq ft = $5,000
- Final Estimate: $720 + $5,000 = $5,720
Common Questions
How much does it cost to paint a 2,000 sq ft house exterior?
On average, painting the exterior of a 2,000 sq ft house costs between $3,500 and $7,500. The wide range is due to regional labor variations, the amount of prep work (scraping, sanding, caulking) needed, and the quality of paint selected.
How do I calculate square footage for exterior painting?
Measure the width of each wall of your house and multiply it by the height. Add these numbers together for all sides. To be more precise, measure the area of all windows and doors (usually 15-20 sq ft per window/door) and subtract that from your total.
Is it cheaper to paint the exterior yourself?
Yes, doing it yourself saves the labor portion of the estimate, which is usually 70-80% of the total cost. However, you must factor in the cost of equipment like tall ladders, power washers, and sprayers, as well as the significant time investment required for proper surface preparation.