If you're looking for ways to enhance your home and its look, painting the garage is a smart choice. When it comes to updating your garage's paint, the cost can vary depending on a variety of factors. From a single to a triple car garage, it's important to know how much it costs to paint your garage before you start this project. Our handy guide explores the average cost to paint a garage, labor costs, materials needed, and a whole lot more, so read on to learn which option is best for you.
Standard Services | Quantity | Low | High | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
What you can expect | |||||
Range per sq ft finished: | $1.19 | $2.49 | |||
Range for this type of project: | $356 | $748 | |||
Estimate: $552 | |||||
Garage Painting Cost | 320 square feet | $85 | $117 | ||
Cost of residential-grade, latex-based dual paint/primer for exterior walls and trim, including wood, vinyl, masonry, stucco, and brick. Mildew-resistent finish options include flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect coverage and occasional touch-ups. 15-year warranty guarantees excellence. | |||||
Garage Painting Labor, Basic | 8 hours | $249 | $606 | ||
Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete project. Surface will be prepared by removing loose or peeling finish with light scraping (up to 2 hours per 1000 SF). Two coats of stain or coating will be uniformly applied. Fee is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup. | |||||
Garage Painting Job Supplies | 320 square feet | $22 | $25 | ||
Requisite supplies for the job, including masking tape and paper, materials for surface repair, solvents, and cleanup supplies. | |||||
Optional Services | |||||
Option: Power Wash Surface | 2 hours | $50 | $122 | ||
Surface will be swept clear of solid dirt and debris, and cleaner applied with light brushing. Surface will be thoroughly power-washed and rinsed. |
cost to paint a garage | |
National Avg. Materials Cost per sq ft finished | $0.31 |
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 300 sq ft finished | $543.23 |
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 300 sq ft finished | $350.29 - $736.18 |
The cost to paint a garage is $0.31 per square foot, with a range between $0.26 to $0.36 per square foot for paint cost only. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $1.81 per square foot, coming in between $1.17 to $2.45. A typical 300 square foot finished project costs $543. Your actual price will depend on your location, job size, conditions and finish options you choose.
The following table shows the average cost per square foot:
Square Feet | Average Cost | Lowest Cost | Highest Cost |
100 | $7,000 | $4,000 | $10,000 |
200 | $14,000 | $8,000 | $20,000 |
250 | $17,500 | $10,000 | $25,000 |
300 | $21,000 | $12,000 | $30,000 |
400 | $28,000 | $16,000 | $40,000 |
500 | $35,000 | $20,000 | $50,000 |
600 | $42,000 | $24,000 | $60,000 |
Before you determine the average cost to paint a garage, you should consider whether or not you need to power wash first. If your garage is currently coated with grime and mildew, pressure or power washing is recommended. Dirt that sticks to the surface will make it more difficult for paint to adhere properly. When your garage is covered in dirt, the paint won't adhere and will end up flaking or peeling. Power washing can add another $200 to $350 to your total costs, on average.
The average cost to paint your garage will depend on how large it is and what you want to paint. For example, if you just want to paint the garage door, it can cost between $380 and $800. If you're looking to paint the floor of your garage, average prices range between $550 and $1,000 or more. If you're planning to have your entire house re-painted, most professional painters include the garage as part of the total estimate. Ask about the price of painting the garage and if it's included if you want to paint your whole home. Make sure you choose a high-quality paint that's made for use outdoors. This paint is more resilient than interior paint and can withstand weather conditions and excess wear and tear.
If you're hiring a professional painter, most charge between $2 and $6 per square foot, or between $20 and $50 per hour, depending on how they estimate the total cost. If you're in an area with a high cost of living or if exterior painting jobs are currently in high demand, you could pay closer to $100 per labor hour. Make sure your painter breaks out the costs so you can determine how much you're paying for labor versus materials. In most cases, labor accounts for around 85% of your total costs and materials account for the remaining 15%.
For a complete day of painting, be prepared to pay anywhere between $200 and $500 for your project. However, most painters won't charge you a flat daily rate, as they prefer to pay either by the square foot or the hour. If your home is new construction, the painting cost ranges between $2 and $4 per square foot, on average. The price of painting your home and garage is typically factored into the total cost of the home, however. Painting the exterior of your home will cost around 25% more than it would if you need to paint the interior. If you want additional work done, such as staining a deck or fence, sealing wooden surfaces, or installing new garage doors, you'll need a separate estimate for these additional projects.
In some cases, your painter may need to prep the surface before they can paint your garage. If you have aluminum garage doors, all dirt and grime should be removed using a quality solvent cleaning solution. Any brick surfaces should also be thoroughly cleaned. Concrete should be free of grease and oil, while Hardie board should be cleaned of any waxy residue using a solvent cleaner. For steel garage doors, make sure any oil, grease, and salt are all thoroughly removed before painting. Wood should be checked for any signs of rot and holes should be patched with caulk before painting the garage. If you have vinyl siding around your garage or a vinyl garage door, scrub it with a soap and water solution, rinse it thoroughly, and allow everything to dry before you paint.
Your painter will use a variety of materials and equipment to paint your garage. Here are some of the most commonly used items when performing an exterior painting job:
You may wonder if painting your garage is something you can do on your own. If you have experience painting, this could be something you can do DIY. However, if you're not sure about painting a garage door or exterior, you may want to leave this job in the hands of experienced professionals. If you want to paint your garage floors, consider a floor coating kit. You can find these kits at most home improvement stores, and the job should take no longer than a day to complete. If you're concerned about the time it takes to paint your garage, a professional painter can typically do it in half the time. Additionally, these pros have all of the tools required including compressors and sprayers, while you may have to either rent or buy this equipment to get the project done.
If you are planning to sell your home, it's recommended that you hire a pro to paint your garage. Not only will they make sure that everything looks great, but many painters also include a warranty on the labor in case something goes wrong. A freshly painted garage can increase your resale value, but only if it's done right. Even if you aren't planning to sell your home anytime soon, a beautiful paint job can make your home look beautiful and appealing. Doing it yourself can save you money, but it's also a lot more time-consuming and there's no guarantee that you'll be happy with the outcome. Decide what color you want to paint your garage first, then contact several painters in your area and get at least three estimates before you decide to hire someone.
Before painting your garage, applying a primer is recommended. This protective layer will keep your garage looking new for longer. If you don't want to apply a coat of primer, look for paints that already have primer included in the formula. If you're planning to change the finish of your garage, a primer is highly advised. Primer is either oil-based, latex-based, or shellac-based, and each type can be used under latex paint.
Paint combines pigments, solvents, resins, and additives in a specific formulation depending on your needs. The solvent in your paint keeps everything liquid and easily spreadable until it's completely dry. If you want something that dries quickly, look for a latex-based exterior paint. Oil-based paint uses mineral spirits as the solvent, which can take more time to dry. The resin in the paint is what helps it adhere to the surface of your garage. Look for a brand that features resins and other additives that will help your paint resist fading from the sun and chipping. Exterior paint tends to cost more than interior paint, coming in at about $25 to $60 per gallon. Interior paint ranges between $15 and $70 per gallon. Always use outdoor-rated paint for your garage project since it's designed to handle excess wear and tear.
Whether you're hiring a pro or doing things DIY, consider some of these tips to help you make the right decision for your home:
🏠 I want to paint the entire exterior of my home, including the garage. How much would that cost?
📏 How much surface area does one gallon of paint cover?
🎨 Can I paint my garage myself to save money?
❌ What is usually NOT included in a painting estimate?