A fresh coat of paint can make a massive difference in the look and feel of your home. It can also protect your house from the elements, reducing your chances of water damage and other issues.
Knowing what to expect regarding cost is essential if you plan to hire exterior house painters for your next project.
Cost of Materials
The materials you use for your project can significantly impact its cost. You might need more primer if you’re painting over old paint or a higher-quality exterior paint specially formulated for the outside.
You can expect to spend between $20 and $50 a gallon for paint, depending on your chosen brand. Choosing high-quality colors will make your home look better and last longer.
Using water-based paint is also preferable. This type is safer for the environment and releases fewer toxic chemicals when wet.
Oil-based paint is more durable than oil-based paint, but it is still a popular choice for the exterior of your home. It is available in flat, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss finishes.
The number of stories in your home can also affect your painting costs, as you’ll need to hire painters to work at higher heights. The material that covers your home’s exterior will also affect the overall cost, as some types of siding require more prep work or are specialized in their ability to take paint.
Cost of Labor
Painting a home’s exterior adds curb appeal and instantly increases a property’s resale value. But the cost of hiring exterior house painters depends on several factors, including labor costs.
Professional painters usually charge $2 to $6 per square foot of paintable space, depending on the size and complexity of the job. In addition, painting projects on multi-story buildings can cost twice as much due to setup and accessibility issues.
When requesting a bid from a pro, ask for a breakdown of materials and labor. A thorough estimate should also consider the quality of the paint and the type of surface being painted.
Typically, a professional will perform prep work before starting the painting process. This can include patching and sanding to repair previous poorly-layered paint jobs, door trim and baseboard caulking, and more.
Cost of Travel
Hiring professional painters is a hefty sum, particularly when considering the cost of materials and labor. You can enlist a contractor or do the legwork to get the best price for your buck. To do it all right, you’ll need a solid plan for selecting a painter to finish the job and stay on budget. In addition, you’ll want a schedule and a workable contingency plan. The good news is that several high-quality painters in your area will do the trick. The most challenging part of the task is weeding through the good from the rest, as any house painter will tell you.
Cost of Insurance
The cost of hiring exterior house painters depends on several factors. The size of the home, for example, affects how much paint and other materials are needed. The painted material – such as stucco, concrete, brick, and wood – also affects the overall price.
Another factor that affects the cost of hiring a painter is insurance. Almost every state requires painters with employees to carry workers’ compensation coverage, which covers medical costs and lost wages in the event of an accident or illness that results from their work.
Painters generally pay a median premium of $50 per month, or $600 annually, for general liability insurance. It protects painters against third-party property damage, injuries, and advertising claims. Alternatively, some insurers will bundle this policy with commercial property insurance into a business owners’ policy (BOP) for a lower premium. Learn more about how to save on this policy, which coverage limits to choose from, and more on Insureon’s general liability insurance cost analysis page.