Understanding your exterior painting house cost: One-stop price guide

A fresh lick of paint can transform your home and get it looking fabulous. While painting the inside might spring to mind first, also remember that the outside needs TLC too – but how much does exterior painting your house cost?

The answer depends on a few things. What material are you painting, which paints will you use, and – of course – how big is your house? Whatever the answer, painting the exterior of your home is a great investment. Not only will the paint job make your house look clean and fresh, but it can also give you a 150 per cent return on investment in house value.

In this guide, we’ll learn all about exterior painting and how to calculate the cost of painting the outside of a house. Later on, we’ll share some of the key factors that may affect this cost and some top tips on how to get started with the project.

how much to paint house exterior in the uk?

As you might be aware, painting prices can vary. In some areas, you can hire a decorator using trade paints at £10 per square metre, while a professional in London using designer paint could set you back as much as £50 per square metre.

Average costs

This means the average cost of painting outside of the house is usually between £1,500 to £3,000. If you want to do it yourself, expect to pay £2-5/ square metre for trade paint or £5-10 per square metre if you plan to use designer paint.

Labour costs

But lots goes into a masonry painting project. The labour costs of hiring tradespeople can add to the total depending on their hourly rate or day rate (often between £20-50 an hour, or £200-400 per day). Doing the job yourself can help keep costs much lower – sometimes meaning all you’ll need to buy is your external paint.

what affects exterior house painting costs?

As you might expect, the overall cost of painting the outside of a house can be variable. So, let’s see what can affect the cost of your repaint.

the size of your house

To find out how much paint you’ll need, think about your house. How big is it? For example, a terraced house might only need two sides painted, while a detached home will need all of them. Make sure to build up an accurate idea of the surfaces you intend to paint.

You can then start to measure up – usually in square feet or square metres. This will tell you how many litres of paint you’ll need, allowing you to budget accordingly.

the surface you’ll paint

Some surfaces are easier to paint than others. Painting brick and render is usually quite simple – although not always. Surfaces like pebbledash can be a bit trickier, needing closer attention and sometimes more coats of paint. If you’re uncertain you can always check in with a painting expert.

the current state of the walls

Is this just a fresh coat of paint, or will you need a number of coats? Painting work can take longer and be more expensive for damaged walls, so check if you’ll need lots of cleaning and prep work. Prep is important for every paint job, but especially if your walls are damaged.

which paint you use

For masonry

Masonry paints need to be durable, stand up to the elements and resist fading. To get the best finish, choose a quality paint for your exterior paint job. Here are just a few of our favourites:

zinsser allcoat

Zinsser Allcoat offers a wonderful variety of finishes, which are all self-priming, so no need to buy an additional can. Lasting for up to 15 years of all-weather protection, it works well with a myriad of surfaces from brick to concrete and beyond.

little greene

Little Greene is one of our favourite independent paint brands thanks to its eco-conscious credentials and roster of beautiful shades. With their Intelligent Masonry paint, you can expect up to 15 years of lasting colour.

sandtex

As one of the most popular masonry paints for tradies, Sandtex is formulated for a professional and protective finish. With up to 15 years of proven durability, it’s an excellent choice that applies seamlessly and boasts a bold, lasting colour.

For exterior wood

For the parts of your home that are made of exterior wood, you’ll need another type of paint. While Zinsser Allcoat will do the job well, there are other options to achieve a beautiful finish.

bradite one can

Another high-performing option is Bradite One Can. This paint is particularly well suited to painting exteriors as it’s both quick-drying and efficient at dealing with knots and stains.

gori

This brand takes to wood exteriors like a duck to water due to its flexible surface film and mould resistance. It lasts up to 15 years and can be colour matched to any shade you’d like!

For metal

Next up are your surfaces made of metal. Zinsser Allcoat is a great option here for the reasons we mentioned above, but – you guessed it – there are many other paints to take your pick from.

farrow & ball

If you want to be a bit boujie, this designer paint brand offers colours galore and a professional look lasting for years to come. For exterior wood, cladding and metal, opt for the Exterior Eggshell finish – it’s gorgeously silky with a 20% sheen.

johnstones

Now for a more budget-friendly option. Johnstones’ Acryllic Satin is used for a whole host of materials from metal to plaster and concrete to brickwork. Ideal for areas vulnerable to the weather, this paint will provide premium weather resistance, keeping your home looking spic and span.  

For plastic

Finally, there’s the parts of your home made from plastics such as fascia, cladding and soffits. These surfaces can be tricky, so make sure to read the label to check whether your chosen paint is compatible. We recommend brands such as Zinsser Allcoat or Bradite One Can as they provide the maximum protection.

Explore our full roster of masonry, exterior wood and metal paints. They’re all minimal VOC, so better for the environment and we’ll colour-match them for you! Speaking of colour…

Selecting the colour

Once the bigger questions are out of the way, think about paints that offer the external house colours you’re looking for. You might want to coordinate your chosen shade with the railings that you’re painting, the front door or even the colour of the fence surrounding your property. With a cohesive look, you can steal the show and mark yourself out as a trendsetter in your neighbourhood.

any additional equipment needed

What supplies do you need for your home improvement? Most jobs will be pretty straightforward, but if you need things like specialist ladders or even scaffolding, these can add to the costs. Simple jobs will require:

• Paint brushes and rollers
• Paint tray and/or kettle
• Clean spirit
• Reusable dust sheets
• Protective equipment

any other jobs needed

Finally, you might want to take the chance to get other DIY jobs done too. When painting the outside of a house, lots of people also paint soffits and fascia, windows, and do small renovations to brickwork and gutters. If you need extra tools or paint, add those to your list.

how can i paint the exterior of a house?

Before you spend any of your hard earnt money, it’s a good idea to check if your house is ready for a new coat of paint. An exterior repaint is a great option for houses that have:

• Brick walls in a good state of repair
• New or previously painted rendering
• Weathered houses in need of a fresh look
• Soon-to-be-sold homes to increase their kerb appeal.

If you’re a homeowner, you won’t normally need permission to paint your house. If your house is a listed building or in a conservation area, you should check to see if you can paint outside – you might have to use specialist paint or certain tradespeople to get the job done.

can anyone paint a house’s exterior?

While some choose a professional painter to paint their house, lots of DIY enthusiasts take on the challenge themselves. Great if you want to boost your home’s property value for a fraction of the price.

Although you may feel a little daunted, it’s not an impossible task for a competent DIYer – it just takes some coordination and a whole lot of effort. In short, you get out what you put in.

steps for diy exterior painters

If you’re painting the exterior of your house yourself, there are some things to remember and some steps to take. Any exterior paint job should include:

1. Prep your safety equipment and decorating supplies.
2. Get the walls ready by removing old paint and cleaning any dirt, mould and stains.
3. Repair any cracks and gaps as needed (heavily damaged walls might need more repairs).
4. Once the walls have dried, you can start priming and apply your first coat.
5. Allow to dry and apply a second coat – you might even need a third coat of paint if it’s the first time being painted, or for a high-quality finish.

Then, enjoy your fresh-looking home. If you’ve got any leftovers, remember to look after the planet – use paint recycling when possible, and only dispose of paint if it’s eco-friendly. The animals will thank you.

looking good

Exterior painting house costs are affected by things like house size, paint type and any repairs needed. The key is in the prep – so take time to get the walls ready and use high-quality paints.

Find more decorating tips and ideas on our blog.