How Much Does It Cost To Paint A House?

Types of paint and cost

As you're determining the total cost to paint a house, the type of paint used will be extremely significant to your bottom line. One of the key parts of choosing paint for your home will be how long it lasts and how it will look. You'll also need to factor in the cost of primer, which is definitely required for the exterior painting to ensure that it adheres and dries properly. The two main types of paint are latex-based and oil-based.

Latex paint is also known as water-based paint, and it's the most commonly used type of paint for homes. This paint rolls onto surfaces smoothly and has a quick drying time. It's also environmentally friendly and has a lot less of a strong odor than oil-based paints do. While these are great qualities, keep in mind that latex is less durable than oil-based paint, which means it can be much more prone to scratches and damage. The cost of latex paint is approximately $20 to $70 per gallon.

If you need to paint areas with high levels of moisture such as your bathroom, kitchens, and baseboards, oil-based paint is recommended. This paint is less expensive than latex paint but it also takes longer to dry and creates an unpleasant odor. Oil-based paint contains more volatile organic compounds than latex paint, which means it's not quite as eco-friendly. You can purchase oil-based paint for around $20 to $70 per gallon, but you may find a quality brand for less money than you would if it were latex.

Paint finishes

Aside from whether your paint is latex or oil-based, you'll also want to take the finish into consideration. The type of finish you choose plays a major role in determining the price of paint per gallon. The five main types of paint finishes are flat/matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss. They all have different properties as well as benefits and drawbacks. You'll find each type of finish available for both latex and oil-based paints.

Think about how you want the surface of your home or your walls to look when you choose a finish. If you like things to appear slightly shiny, you'll choose a high gloss paint finish while if you prefer a more muted aesthetic, you'll choose eggshell or matte. Shinier paints tend to highlight flaws in walls and ceilings, while lower gloss finishes reflect the light and keep those imperfections hidden from the naked eye. Here are some important properties of paint finishes to help you decide:

• High-Gloss: This paint is the most durable of all paint finishes, and it's also the easiest to clean. High-gloss paint is extremely shiny, reflects the light, and has a hard finish. This is a good option for cabinets, trim, and doors since these are areas where your hands and fingers make contact the most. A gallon of high-gloss paint costs $1 to $5 more per gallon than a semi-gloss paint made by the same brand.
• Semi-Gloss: Ideal for kitchen walls, trim, and bathrooms, semi-gloss paint is a little less durable than high-gloss paint. It's still a good choice in areas where things like grease or moisture are common since it makes the surface easier to wipe clean. Semi-gloss paint typically costs $1 to $5 more per gallon than satin paint from the same brand.
• Satin: If you're looking for a gorgeous luster, satin paint is a beautiful choice. This velvety finish is easy to clean and works well in high-traffic areas of your home like the kitchen and bathrooms. Satin paint can reveal flaws like brush strokes, and it costs around $1 to $5 more per gallon than eggshell made by the same brand.
• Eggshell: With a low-shine finish and little luster, eggshell paint falls somewhere between satin and flat in terms of finish. This paint is a good choice to cover up imperfections on the walls, and it's beautiful in bedrooms and living rooms. You can expect to pay around $1 to $5 more per gallon than a flat paint of the same band.
• Flat or Matte: If you want no shine whatsoever, flat or matte finish paint is for you. This paint soaks up the light and has the most amount of pigmentation for the most coverage. Use this paint in areas where you won't need to worry about keeping the walls clean, such as a master bedroom or home office. Flat paint can cost around $20 to $50 depending on the color and the brand.

Factors that affect the cost to paint a house

Now that you're more familiar with the various types of paints and finishes, let's take a closer look at some of the other factors that go into figuring out how much it will cost to paint your house. Some painting companies will charge a flat rate based on the size of your home, while others may charge depending on the cost of labor and materials. Most will charge you an hourly rate which can be anywhere from around $25 to $100 on average.

If your home needs repair before it can be painted, expect to be charged more to paint the home. Drywall repair can cost you around $115 to over $300 to repair per room, and plaster ranges from about $60 to $90 per hour to repair. If you have mold, you'll also need to shell out around $500 to up to $6,000 depending on how large the affected area is and how intense the mold is. Patching a hole should cost about $10 per square foot to complete. Remember that not all painters perform repairs, so you might have to hire a separate home improvement company to prep your home before painting it.

Of course, you'll also need to consider the cost of the primer. Many painting companies charge extra to prime the home first. That's because it will take around twice as long to complete the job, and the primer itself is a separate cost altogether. The quality of paint you choose will also affect the final price. High-grade paints that last longer are thicker and require fewer coats, but they also cost more. The paint color you choose could also impact your bottom line. Trendy paint colors can cost significantly more than a basic acrylic latex color you can get a local home improvement store. Special mold-inhibiting paints for the bathroom or kitchen could also cost quite a bit more due to the treatment added to the paint.

Exterior vs. interior painting

The answer to how much does it cost to paint a house will largely depend on whether you're painting the interior or the exterior of your home. If you're planning to paint both, be prepared to pay quite a bit more money to complete the job. Overall, the average cost to paint a house will depend on the total square footage. This applies to both the interior and the exterior of the home.

Cost to paint interior of house

Per the PDCA, you will likely pay from $1,500 to $3,000 for an interior paint job on a home that is approximately 1,000 square feet in size. A 2,500 square foot home should cost about $3,750 to $7,500. If your home is around 4,000 square feet, be prepared to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000. Remember, much of the cost depends on any necessary repairs, the cost of labor, and the type of paint you choose.

Cost to paint exterior of house

Figuring out the exterior painting costs is a little trickier since it also depends on the type of siding you have. A home with metal siding should cost around $1,500 per square feet to paint. A home with concrete siding will be around $2,000 per 1,000 square feet, and the same cost should apply if you have vinyl or wood siding. If your home has stucco, it may cost around $3,000 per 1,000 square feet to paint. Another important thing to remember is if your home has more than one story. Two to four-story homes will cost significantly more to complete.