What is the labor cost for exterior painting?
Christopher Davis
Updated on March 21, 2026
On average, expect to pay $0.60–$1.60 per square foot for exterior painting. The average for painting labor across the country is $30–$40 per hour before you pay for paint, painting supplies, location costs, and equipment.
How much do you charge per square foot for exterior painting?
The current average cost to paint a house exterior is $2.50-$4 per square foot. To paint the interior, the average cost is $1.50-$3 per square foot.
What is the labor cost for painting per square foot?
Most professional painters charge $1.50-$3.50sq/ft for painting interior spaces. You can expect that price to go higher when you factor in specific add-ons like trim or walls. Painting your home is a very labor-intensive task that requires experience, knowledge, and skill.
How do you quote an exterior paint job?
Some painters keep it simple and just charge by square foot; If you charge $1.25 per square foot, 2500 sq ft. would cost $3,125 for the homeowner etc. (for exterior). For interior you’ll want to charge $2 per square foot minimum.
How much does it cost to paint a 3000 square foot house exterior?
Exterior Home Painting Costs Per Square Foot
| Total Paintable Area* | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|
| 2,200 | $1,100 – $7,700 |
| 2,500 | $1,250 – $8,750 |
| 2,800 | $1,400 – $9,800 |
| 3,000 | $1,500 – $10,500 |
What is the best way to paint a house exterior?
- Step 1: Pressure-Wash Walls. To ensure best coverage, remove dirt and dust buildup from house using a pressure washer.
- Step 2: Repair Damaged Surfaces.
- Step 3: Remove Loose Paint.
- Step 4: Caulk Trim.
- Step 5: Prime Stains.
- Step 6: Protect Doors, Windows and Lights.
- Step 7: Paint Exterior.
- Step 8: Paint Trim and Doors.
How much does it cost to paint a 1500 sq ft house exterior?
Painting an average home between 500 and 1,500 square feet can cost between $1,000 and $3,000. However, factors such as number of stories and ease of access can also affect the overall price. Homeowners report that the average cost to paint a house nationally is $2,578 and most pay between $1,716 and $3,679.
How much does it cost to paint a square foot of house?
Some painters keep it simple and just charge by square foot; If you charge $1.25 per square foot, 2500 sq ft. would cost $3,125 for the homeowner etc. (for exterior). For interior you’ll want to charge $2 per square foot minimum.
What’s the cost of labour for exterior painting?
The cost of labour is for higher exterior painting and textured paints. The most important factor here is to find the right resource with the required skills to do the job. Hence, you must always opt for organised players instead of unskilled contractors as it is a safer bet.
How much does it cost to bid a paint job?
This is by far the hardest cost to estimate when bidding a house, mainly because there are SO many factors. The short answer is this; A good crew of 2-3 painters can finish the exterior of a 2,500 square foot house in 1-2 full days. And a good crew usually costs about $800 per full work day.
How much should I charge for interior paint job?
For interior you’ll want to charge $2 per square foot minimum. Thankfully, almost every paint job will fall within the following pricing: Find a method that works best for you and keep it consistent. Let us know about estimating tips that you like. Thanks for reading!
