Exterior House Painting Cost Breakdown: Save Money & Get Professional Results!

The paint on your house’s exterior not only refreshes its appearance but also plays a crucial role in protecting the structure from weather damage. For first-time renovators, questions like “How much does it cost to paint the outside of a house?” “How do I budget for it?” and “What pitfalls should I avoid?” often come up. This article breaks down everything you need to know to become savvy at budgeting your exterior painting project!

Exterior House Painting Cost Overview — What’s a Reasonable Budget?

The cost of painting a house exterior varies greatly depending on the size of the house and the method of painting. Generally speaking, for a small house between 100 to 150 square meters, hiring a professional painting team typically costs around 6,000 to 12,000 RMB. If you choose the DIY route, material and tool costs are lower, usually between 3,000 and 6,000 RMB.

For medium-sized houses, usually 150 to 250 square meters, professional painting costs run between 9,000 and 18,000 RMB, while DIY budgets are around 4,500 to 9,000 RMB. For large houses over 250 square meters, professional services generally cost over 15,000 RMB, and DIY costs start around 7,500 RMB.

Note that these prices include both paint materials and labor costs. Because labor wages differ by region and paint brands and quality vary, actual costs may fluctuate somewhat.

Four Key Dimensions to Budget Your Painting Project

Knowing these will help you quickly judge if a quote or budget is reasonable.

1. How to Measure Wall Area Most Practically?

A simple method is to measure the length and width of the house, multiply by the wall height to get the total wall area, and then subtract the area of doors and windows. For example:

A single-story house measuring 10 meters long, 8 meters wide, and 3 meters high would have:

Wall area = (10 + 8) × 3 × 2 = 108 square meters

(Multiply by 2 because there are two long walls and two wide walls.)

After subtracting doors and windows, about 90–95 square meters remain.

2. Which Type of Paint Should You Choose?

Consumer Reports in the U.S. recommends exterior paints with good weather resistance, such as acrylic latex paints, because they offer waterproofing, strong UV resistance, and are environmentally friendly.

Paint categories roughly include:

1. Economy latex paints (good for tight budgets and walls in good condition)
2. Mid-to-high-end acrylic paints (durable and suited to variable climates)
3. Oil-based paints (strong adhesion, ideal for renovating old walls)

3. What Affects Labor Costs?

Higher job complexity, taller buildings, and the need for scaffolding all increase labor costs. Labor rates fluctuate significantly between cities—sometimes by 20% to 50%.

4. How Much Does Wall Condition Affect the Price?

Renovating old walls usually involves cleaning, sanding, crack repairs, and sometimes reapplying primer. These extra steps and environmentally-friendly materials naturally raise costs, often 20% to 50% more than painting new walls.

How Can a Renovation Beginner Estimate Their Painting Budget?

Step 1: Measure Your Wall Area

Accuracy is helpful but not critical—measure at least twice and average your numbers.

Step 2: Choose a Reference Unit Price

According to U.S. industry standards (e.g., HomeAdvisor, Angi), the average combined cost for exterior painting (materials + labor) ranges roughly from 80 to 150 RMB per square meter.

Step 3: Calculate Your Budget

For example:

90㎡ × 120 RMB/㎡ = 10,800 RMB (~ 1,600 USD)

5 Essential Questions to Ask Your Painter to Avoid Pitfalls

1. What brand of paint do you use? Does it contain low VOCs (volatile organic compounds)?
2. What services are included: cleaning, patching, sanding, priming?
3. How long is the warranty? Is there after-sales support?
4. What is the project timeline? Is it specified in the contract?
5. Are there extra fees like scaffolding setup or waste disposal?

Asking these before signing a contract is best—verbal promises aren’t enough.

Is DIY Exterior Painting a Reliable Choice?

DIY can save money but comes with challenges:

1. Uneven application can affect aesthetics and durability
2. Safety risks, especially above ground level
3. Costs of equipment like sprayers, ladders, and tarps add up

Our recommendation:

1. Small, low-risk areas are good for DIY attempts
2. For large or tall buildings, hiring a professional team is safer and more effective

Money-Saving Tips to Manage Your Painting Budget

1. Prepare walls by cleaning and patching in advance to reduce labor time
2. Schedule work in off-peak seasons (spring and autumn usually offer better prices)
3. Choose paint brands with good value rather than blindly expensive ones
4. Control the number of paint coats reasonably—usually 2 to 3 coats suffice
5. Obtain multiple quotes and carefully review details

FAQ

Q: How often should exterior walls be repainted?

A: Exterior paint typically lasts 5 to 7 years, depending on paint quality, climate, and application. If your walls show peeling, bubbling, or significant fading, it’s time to repaint.

Q: How many coats of paint do exterior walls need?

A: Usually 2 to 3 coats are recommended: one primer coat for adhesion, and two topcoats for even color and protection. Fewer coats reduce longevity; too many wastes material and money.