Did you do the math wrong and now you are short two gallons of paint? You called Home Depot and they are sold out? Skip the headache – get your house painted professionally, for the right price.
Your husband wants to paint the house himself but you have seen his “craftsmanship”... he’s not the most artistic person. Nor do you want him two stories high on a ladder trying to juggle a paint tray. Learning more about what goes into the cost of an exterior paint job prior to getting a professional painter's opinion can be a great way to get the project going.
Table of Contents
- Paint is More than Just a Pretty Color
- Type of Paint
- Preparation
- Labor
- Conclusion
Paint is More than Just a Pretty Color
Prior to getting your home painted, there are a few important things to know ahead of time. An exterior paint job is much more than a fresh new color. An exterior paint job serves many purposes:
- Exterior paint is the insurance policy for your house, protecting all wooden elements, joints, and seams, from water intrusion.
- Exterior paint prolongs the lifespan of your substrates, protecting the surfaces of your home from UV damage, water damage, mold, and surface contaminants like bird droppings and pollen. Afterall, exterior paint is much cheaper to replace than your home’s siding.
- Exterior paint is the dermis of your home. It serves as the indicator of bigger issues. For example, a water leak will stain your paint, notifying you of the issue.
- And of course, exterior paint gives your house its personality and character.
These factors are important to consider. The differences between a DIY paint job and a professional coating application can be the difference between a protected house and a leaky window.
Type of Paint
The type of paint you select can affect the cost significantly. When deciding between a high end paint and a mid-level paint, calculate how many gallons of paint you will need, then, using the manufacturers website, compare the price per gallon. Using these resources will help you determine how much paint you will need and what it will cost.
Don’t forget to budget for primer too, as primer is essential for strong adhesion. At Rogall + Co. we always recommend budgeting for a few extra gallons of paint as a precaution in case more is required.
Preparation
The amount of surface preparation done prior to painting will greatly affect the cost. If your home is already showing symptoms of siding damage, more sanding, stripping, and stronger primers will be required to achieve the best paint job. Consult with a substrate expert to understand what preparation is required.
Always error on the side of more preparation. The more surface preparation the better. Pro-tip! Be ready to pay for additional surface preparation because a more in depth preparation job is much cheaper than a brand new paint job because the precious paint job did not adhere properly.
Labor
The cost of labor consists of many components – material acquisition, masking windows, doors, frames, etc., preparing the home, the primer coat(s), the paint coat(s), any time mobilizing and demobilizing during dry-time, and more.
Ask your contractor how they calculate their labor costs and read your contractor to understand what costs you are responsible for.
Conclusion
Navigating the cost of an exterior paint job can be difficult and intimidating, but getting the job done right the first time is priceless. Contact Rogall + Co. today for an estimate.
