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myCost to Paint a House (Exterior)
At a Glance
- The average cost of exterior house painting is £850.
- It will take roughly 3 to 5 days to complete.
- NEW! Use our exterior house painting cost calculator for an instant estimate.
- A breakdown of pricing information for different types of exterior painting and sizes of property.
- How long exterior house painting takes, and a general overview of what the job entails.
- How to find and hire an exterior house painter using MyJobQuote.
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Want to discover how much painting the outside of your house will cost?
You can expect to pay exterior painters between £500 to £1,500 to paint the outside of your house, depending on the size of your home, the type of outdoor house paint you choose, and other factors.
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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Check out our complete exterior painting cost guide below!
£850
Table of Contents
- How Much to Paint Outside of House?
- Supply Cost to Paint Exterior of House
- Labour Cost to Paint Exterior of House
- Factors That Impact Exterior Painting Costs
- Additional House Exterior Painting Costs
- What's Involved in Painting a House Exterior?
- Different Types of Exterior Paint
- Checklist: Hiring an Exterior House Painter in the UK
- FAQs
Exterior House Painting Cost Calculator
How Much to Paint Outside of House?
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.
External house painting costs can be impacted by the:
- Size of your home
- Design of your home
- Materials used
- Tradesperson's daily or hourly rates
What's Included In My Quote?
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.
What Can Impact My Quote's Cost?
Need scaffolding? That can make your overall cost rise.
In most cases, you may need to erect scaffolding before having the exterior of your home painted.
What about your location? A sometimes overlooked factor when hiring a tradesperson is the area in which you live.
If you live in London, you will likely pay higher rates for the work. Companies that supply their own tools and equipment may be more cost-effective, as they do not need to include hire costs in the quote.
So, how can a professional painter help?
A professional external painter and decorator will likely suggest the best quality paints and materials used for your project. However, you should consider shopping around if you have to source the paint yourself to find the best value for your budget.
How much per square metre in labour and materials to paint the exterior masonry on red brick and render?
"Painters usually don't charge per square metre, especially outside, as all houses are different and in different conditions. Pictures of the house will help to quote the job."
Exterior House Painting Prices
The average cost of painting a house exterior in the UK varies on many factors. A significant factor is the size and style of your home, as larger or more complex designs can take longer than painting a straightforward, flat wall.
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.
| House Type | Size | Estimated Time | Estimated 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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Please keep in mind that these costs are estimates and should only be used as a rough guide when budgeting for your project, likewise in terms of duration.
Supply Cost to Paint Exterior of House
If you want to paint exterior walls yourself, you may need to know the supply-only costs.
What's a supply-only cost? This simply means the cost without any labour added, including only the cost for materials needed to complete the job:
| Type of Exterior Paint | Average Cost per Litre |
|---|---|
| Flat/Matt | £2 - £8 |
| Gloss | £15 – £20 |
| Semi-gloss | £10 – £15 |
| Satin | £15 – £26 |
| Masonry | £2 – £8 |
| Wood Stain | £16 – £20 |
| Metal | £15 – £20 |
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How Much Paint Will I Need?
To paint an average-sized 3-bedroom semi-detached house, you’ll typically need around 30 to 50 litres of masonry paint to allow for 1 to 2 coats, assuming the exterior is already rendered or brickwork has been properly prepared.
I'm having to continually re-paint the black plinth around the bottom of the exterior north-facing wall on my 1930s house with the render being very crumbly, paint always lifting/flaking off - even if I apply stabilising solution before Sandtex masonry paint. Could this be a symptom of an underlying issue?
"It sounds as if the plinth has no waterproofer added when it was mixed, and as it takes the brunt of the weather, it's done its time, but a proper inspection would determine this."
Labour Cost to Paint Exterior of House
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 timescales for 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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Factors That Impact Exterior Painting Costs
Size and Type of Property
Depending on the type and style of house, the size of the property can drastically increase the cost of getting the exterior of a house professionally painted.
A terraced house costs can start from £550, whereas a large detached house can cost as much as £1,500.
Condition of Property
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 - it will bump up the cost even more.
Typically if you wish to repoint brick walls on a house, as an example a 30m2 wall normally costs between £600 to £1,500.
Scaffolding Costs
The average cost of hiring scaffolding ranges from £400 to £600, depending on how much is required.
For example, a bungalow could potentially not need any at all, whereas a three-storey townhouse will typically require more than the average-sized home.
Additional House Exterior Painting Costs
Once your house exterior has been painted, you may be left looking at the interior of your property and wanting to spruce that up, too.
Let's look at some other costs you can budget for when having this project done:
Painting Exterior Door Cost
With your walls done, your home's exterior doors may look worse for wear if they've not been updated in a few years.
The cost of external door painting is around £200, taking between 2 to 4 hours to complete.
This can be a great way to utilise your external painter while they're at your property.
What is the best paint/spray paint and coating to use on exterior walls and window ledges to avoid scratches?
"I prefer to use a weathershield exterior masonry paint as it tends to keep the colour longer than most. For window sills, I avoid glossing due to cracking and use masonry paint where possible. For windows, again I prefer weathershield undercoat and gloss."
Staining Garden Fences
The cost to stain garden fences is around £400, and while this might primarily look like an aesthetic improvement, re-staining your wooden fence can help to prolong its lifespan by ensuring moisture isn't getting into the timber, preventing untimely deterioration.
Staining Garden Shed Cost
While that's happening, it can be wise to have your garden shed treated too, if it needs it.
Staining your sheds and fences costs around £70 to £100, depending on the size of the property, making it a worthwhile investment in the longevity of your external features.
What's Involved in Painting a House Exterior?
So, what's involved in painting a house exterior?
While the process may seem fairly simple, it's a deceptive job that can easily go wrong, and mistakes can be very obvious.
The best way forward? Get 3 free quotes from local painters and decorators. Using MyJobQuote, you can find painters and decorators near you for free quotes, with no obligations.
Before the Job Starts
- Job Assessment & Planning — The decorator will ask what results you want (e.g., colour and finish). Based on your answers, they'll judge whether scaffolding is needed and the overall duration of the job.
- Preparing the Exterior — Your property's exterior will be prepped by removing any existing flaking paint and washing down all of the walls to remove dirt and debris. If needed, re-pointing will take place.
During the Job
- Priming the Walls — Your walls will be primed with an exterior undercoat, and your doors and windows will be masked to avoid any paint reaching them during the job.
- Painting the Property — The trader will start painting your home, with trims, doors and sills being left for last.
After the Job
- Final Inspection — Once the paint has fully dried, your painter will carry out a final inspection to ensure that the finish is smooth, even, and meets the agreed standards.
- Touch-Ups and Clean-Up — Small imperfections will be corrected, and the area around your home will be tidied, and waste or debris disposed of.
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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, including:
- Flat (Matt)
- Satin (Eggshell)
- Gloss
- Semi-Gloss
Let's break those down:
Flat Matt Exterior Paint Cost
What Is It? Flat, or matt paint, is a non-reflective paint, giving a slightly chalky finish when completely dry. Flat paint will typically last between 5 and 10 years before a touch-up is needed.
What's It Best For? Thanks to its non-reflective surface, matt paint tends to disguise uneven surfaces and bumps in walls.
How Much? Between £2 and £8 per litre.
Satin Exterior Paint Cost
What Is It? Satin or eggshell exterior paints are somewhere in between matt and semi-gloss. They have a slightly higher reflective finish than matt paints, but they're nowhere near as glossy as a semi-gloss or gloss paint.
What's It Best For? As a middle-ground between matt and gloss, it's useful for woodwork, masonry, and trims.
How Much? Between £15 and £26 per litre.
Gloss Exterior Paint Cost
What Is It? A hard-wearing glossy paint with a reflective, shiny finish.
What's It Best For? 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 it tends to be, and it is a perfect option for areas that may need to be washed or scrubbed frequently.
How Much? Between £15 and £20 per litre.
Semi-Gloss Exterior Paint Cost
What Is It? Semi-gloss is more durable than satin and matt paint, is water-resistant, and can be wiped clean.
What's It Best For? Doors, window frames, trims and other wood or metal surfaces that get touched a lot, or are exposed to the elements.
How Much? Between £10 and £15 per litre.
However: These are rough cost estimates under typical conditions - whereas the quality of paint, how well the area has been prepared and painted, along with exposure to the elements, all impact their actual lifespan.
What is the best paint brand for painting the outside of a house, or would it depend on factors like the type of house I have?
"Depends on the age of the house - if it's Regency or Georgian, then oil-based masonry is by far the best choice as its adhesion is second to none. If you're painting modern render, then Sandtex or Dulux weathersheild is very good as well. It all boils down to type of property and condition."
Checklist: Hiring an Exterior House Painter in the UK
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:
- Does the tradesperson need insurance? It’s important they’re insured to cover any accidental damage or injuries during the job.
- How experienced are they? Ask to see their portfolio of examples of work on previous projects that are similar to what you need to be done.
- Do they offer written quotes? Ask for a detailed breakdown of all costs so you know exactly what you’re paying for, and aim to compare prices from at least three contractors to make sure you’re getting a fair deal.
- Do they offer any guarantees? A reputable painter should provide a warranty on their work, which will also provide you with peace of mind.
- Can they provide references or reviews? Ask for client testimonials or check online platforms like MyJobQuote to verify their reputation.
- How can you find reliable tradespeople nearby? Start by searching MyJobQuote for any suitable painters or decorators.
FAQs
What Is The Best House Exterior Paint?
Sandtex Ultra Smooth finish is often considered 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.
What Qualifications Are Needed to Paint a House?
No qualifications are legally required, however, many professional painters and decorators hold NVQs or City & Guilds certifications.
Is It Better To Spray On Exterior Paint?
Not necessarily - an advantage of using a roller and brush when applying exterior paint is precision. Spraying can result in thinner layers, often needing more coats to achieve even coverage.
What Is The Most Popular House Colour?
In the UK, popular choices for exterior paint colours are neutrals - grey, white and off-white, and earthy tones.
When Is The Best Time To Paint A House Exterior?
The best time of year is usually late spring to early autumn, as mild and dry weather is well-suited to allowing the paint to dry naturally rather than in the heat of summer. Avoid painting during cold, wet conditions, as moisture and cold air can affect paint adhesion and delay drying times.
