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Cost to Paint a House Exterior

By Sam

Last updated 16th January 2024 - Reading time: 12 mins

At a glance

Average cost for painting the outside of a house is £850
It will take roughly 5 days to complete.

In this article, you'll find the following:

A breakdown of pricing information for different types and sizes of property
How long the job will take and a general overview of what the job entails
How to find and hire a painter

Would you like to discover how much painting the outside of your house will cost?

You can expect to pay between £500 to £1500 to paint the outside of your house, depending on various factors.

So, what else does this guide help you with?

This guide discusses everything you need to know about painting the exterior of your home. Including outdoor painters fees, exterior paint prices, things to consider and our frequently asked questions.

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Want some more information? Check out the complete guide below!

The average cost of painting the exterior of a house in the UK is:

Depending on the area you need painting, it will usually take: 3-5 days

£850

How Much to Paint a House?
- Exterior House Painting Prices
- Supply Only Costs
Labour Costs and Time Scales
Cost Factors of Painting a House Exterior
What's Involved in Painting a House Exterior?
DIY House Exterior Painting
Different Types of Exterior Paint
Hiring a Professional House Painter Checklist
FAQs
Sources

How Much to Paint a House Exterior?

Looking for the price to paint your house exterior?

On average, the price of painting a two-storey, three-bedroom house in the UK is estimated at around £850.

However...

Always keep in mind that this price is an estimate, and many cost varying factors will affect the actual expense of your project.

These factors include things such as the:

Size of your home.
Design of your home.
Materials used.
Tradesperson's daily or hourly rates.

When hiring a professional painter and decorator to paint the exterior of your house, you will usually be covering the cost of all materials, supplies and their labour.

Some smaller companies will likely charge a lower rate to paint the outside of your home, in comparison to a larger painting organisation.

Will you need scaffolding?

In most cases, it may be necessary for you to erect scaffolding prior to having the exterior of your home painted.

Another overlooked cost-varying factor when hiring a tradesperson is the area in which you live.

For example...

If you live in an expensive city such as London, you will likely pay higher rates for the work. Companies that supply the use of their own tools and equipment may work out more affordable as they do not have to include their hire costs in the quote.

How can a professional painter help?

A professional painter and decorator will likely suggest the best quality paints and materials used for your project; however, consider shopping around if you have to source the paint yourself to find the best value for your budget.

Exterior House Painting Prices

As we mentioned previously, the average cost of painting a house exterior in the UK varies on many factors. A significant cost-varying factor would be the size and style of your home.

How much per square meter labour and materials to paint exterior masonry on red brick and render?

"Painters usually not charging per square meter especially outside, all houses are different and in different condition. Pictures of the house gives more help to quote job."

Peter The Painter

Below is a table in which we have demonstrated an example of how much the cost may vary when hiring a tradesperson to carry out the work on your property.

*Please keep in mind that these costs are estimates and should only be used as a rough guide when budgeting for your project.

House Type	Size	Estimated Time	Cost
Terraced House	2-3 Bedrooms	3-5 Days	£550-£750
Semi Detached	3 Bedrooms	4-5 Days	£700-£1,000
Detached	3-4 Bedrooms	4-5 Days	£900-£1,500

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Supply Only Costs

If you want to combat painting exterior walls yourself, you may need to know the supply-only costs.

This means without any labour cost, and included only the cost for materials needed to complete the job:

Type of exterior paint	Average cost per litre
Gloss	£15-£20
Semi-gloss	£10-£15
Satin	£15-£26
Masonry	£2-£8
Wood stain	£16-£20
Metal	£15-£20
Decking stain	£5-£10
Decking oil	£5-£20
Shed and fence treatment	£1-£6

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To paint an average-sized house, it will take approximately 30-50 litres of paint to fully cover the exterior of a house.

Labour Costs and Time Scales

Labour costs can vary depending on location, experience and how long the job takes. On average, most exterior painters will charge £100 to £200 per day for labour alone.

Check out the table below to find out the time scales of different-sized houses:

Type of house	Exterior condition	Duration
Terraced	Smooth	2-3 days
Semi-detached	Smooth	3-4 days
Detached	Smooth	4-5 days
Terraced	Textured	4-5 days
Semi-detached	Textured	6-7 days
Detached	Textured	7-8 days

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Cost Factors of Painting a House Exterior

There are a number of factors that can influence the price of painting a house exterior.

Firstly, size, depending on the type and style of house, it can drastically increase the cost of getting an exterior of a house professionally painted. A terraced house costs can start from £550 where as a large detached house can cost as much as £1,500

The state of the exterior of the house will also play a big part in the cost, as if the exterior needs fixing, such as filling cracks and replacing render, this will bump up the cost even more.

If you have to hire scaffolding, this can add another £400-£600 on to the painting price. If you live in a bungalow, you won’t be expected to pay for this fee, as scaffolding won’t be needed.

If you have any garden maintenance that you want to complete to finish off the exterior, that will also be a cost factor.

What's Involved in Painting a House Exterior?

You may be wondering what is involved in the process of painting a house exterior. Generally, the process is relatively straightforward if carried out by a professional painting and decorating company.

Here are the steps you can expect:

When you hire a professional to paint the exterior of your home, they will initially pay you a visit to assess the scale and complexity of the job. They should discuss with you what results you are aiming to achieve, such as the colour and finish of your exterior. They will determine a timeframe of how long they anticipate the job to take. Your tradesperson will discuss the options and recommend whether your property requires the use of scaffolding.
The exterior needs to be prepped by removing any existing flaking paint and washing down all of the walls to remove dirt and debris. Consider making any necessary repairs to the walls during the preparation stages, as they will be much more difficult to repair once they have been painted. If the mortar between your bricks has started to deteriorate you may need to repair or renew it, re-pointing your brickwork may be included in your quote if you ask your tradesman.
After all the preparation and repair work is done your walls should then be primed with a specially formulated exterior undercoat, which will prepare the surface for painting.
The painters will then seal and mask any doors and windows, along with vents, outdoor lights and other openings with the appropriate materials for protection. Once the walls are prepped and ready, the painting can begin. Trims, doors and sills should be painted last if you have chosen to do so.

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DIY House Exterior Painting

While painting the outside of your home may seem like a relatively simple job, there are a few things you should consider before attempting to do it yourself. As with any home improvement project, for best results, you should always seek the assistance of a professional.

Attempting to paint the exterior of your home yourself can not only be dangerous but may leave you with a patchy, uneven finish. We always recommend contacting a qualified professional decorator or wall coating specialist to assess the scale and complexity of your home.

Painting and decorating are skilled qualifications, and painting the outside of your house can be much more challenging than merely painting the inside.

Not only should you have experience with working at heights, with ladders or scaffolding, but you will also need to understand the handling of chemicals and specialised exterior paints. Achieving a professional result is a lot harder than it may seem, and, if you are unsuccessful, you may end up with a terrible looking finish.

The most significant step in any painting project is preparation. This plays an essential role in determining the end result, and if done incorrectly, could result in a poor-quality finish. A professional decorator knows exactly how to prepare the exterior of your home correctly, resolving any issues along the way.

Attempting to carry out the painting of your house exterior yourself may cost you more money than it would to hire a professional in the first place. Think about it; if you make a mistake or the final result looks terrible, you could end up having to re-purchase more paint to correct your mistakes. Our advice will always be to contact a qualified expert to complete the work for you effectively.

Different Types of Exterior Paint

Choosing the style and finish of your exterior paint can seem somewhat overwhelming. With so many colours, textures and finishes to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start.

Exterior paint can come in a range of different finishes, such as Flat, Gloss, Semi-Gloss and Satin. Flat exterior paint or Matt as it is commonly referred to, has a non-reflective finish which makes it appear slightly chalky when dry. Thanks to its non-reflective surface; Matt paint tends to disguise uneven surfaces and bumps in walls.

Gloss and Semi-Gloss exterior paints are typically used only for trims, sills and doors, and other areas which may be susceptible to high levels of wear and tear. The glossier the paint, the more durable they tend to be and is a perfect option for areas that may need to be washed or scrubbed frequently.

Satin or Eggshell exterior paints are somewhat in-between Matt and Semi-Gloss. They have a slightly higher reflective finish than Matt paints. However, they are nowhere near as glossy as a Semi-Gloss or Gloss paint.

Satin exterior colours are also a great washable option, with their shiny finish lasting longer than Matt paints. However, if the paint is mixed incorrectly, the finish tends to appear patchy and uneven.

Flat or Matt exterior paints are expected to last between 5-7 years before they start to deteriorate. Satin exterior paint offers more durability than Flat paint and is estimated to last between 7-10 years before declining.

Gloss exterior paint is the most durable when compared to alternative finishes and is anticipated to continue upwards of 10 years, if applied correctly, before needing re-touching.

Hiring a Professional House Painter Checklist

Before hiring a professional painter for your exterior painting there are some things you should consider. Below is a checklist for you to follow before committing to a painter.

Conduct a search of local tradespeople in your area.
Compare prices between multiple contractors to achieve the best price.
Never pay the quoted price in full upfront.
Always ask for a written copy of your quote with a breakdown of costs.
Ensure that the tradesperson has insurance in the event of any damages.

FAQs

How Much Will It Cost To Paint A 2-Storey House?

The UK national average cost of painting an average-sized, two-storey home is estimated at around £850, depending on the scale and complexity of your property.

What Is The Best House Exterior Paint?

In 2019, the UK voted Sandtex Ultra Smooth finish as the best quality outdoor paint for renovations of all sizes. Dulux Weathershield is also one of the UK's leading brands in masonry paint ranges.

How Long Does It Take To Paint The Exterior Of A House?

You should allow up to 6 days for the exterior of your home to be painted. This timeframe can vary depending on the size of your home and the complexity of your project.

Is It Better To Spray On Exterior Paint?

Not necessarily. In fact, one advantage of using a roller and brush when applying exterior paint is precision. Spraying the paint will result in thinner layers being applied, often needing more coats to achieve even coverage. An experienced decorator will be able to advise you on which method they suggest for your project.