Compare Costs of Hiring an Exterior House Painter vs DIY

Painting the exterior of your home is no easy task. It involves hard labor and a significant time commitment, which is why many homeowners choose to hire a professional painting service.

Hiring an Exterior House Painter Cost

The price of an exterior paint job is difficult to estimate because it depends on factors such as the size of your home, how long it has been since the last paint job and the quality of the paint you select.

For a small- to average-sized home, budget about $1,500 to $3,000 for labor. Large homes can cost $5,000 or more. Labor usually accounts for at least 75 percent of the project cost.

Hiring an Exterior House Painter Pros

• Saves time - A professional painting service can usually paint the exterior of your home in just a day or two. As a DIY project, exterior painting can take many days, or even weeks.
• Safer - Exterior painting can be dangerous because you’ll spend a significant amount of time on a ladder. Hiring a professional eliminates your risk.
• Professional look - With a professional painting service, you’ll end up with a professional look. The paint job should be neat and even with clean lines and edges.

Hiring an Exterior House Painter Cons

• More expensive - Hiring a professional painter can be pricey. It’s far more expensive than tackling the project yourself.

Everyone wants a home with curb appeal. We’d much rather own the home on the block that everyone admires than the eyesore with overgrown grass and peeling paint.

Painting the exterior of your home is a great way to quickly improve curb appeal. The work can be difficult, but some people take pleasure in tackling exterior painting as a do-it-yourself project.

DIY Cost

DIY painting is fairly inexpensive compared to hiring a professional. Exterior paint usually costs $30 to $50 per gallon, although high-quality paint can run up to $100. A gallon of paint will cover about 200 square feet with two coats.

If you don’t already have tools such as a ladder and a pressure washer, you’ll have to rent or purchase them. And don’t forget to budget for the cost of supplies such as brushes, rollers, tarps, paint trays and gloves.

DIY Pros

• Less expensive - You’ll save a significant amount of money by tackling exterior painting as a DIY project. You’re likely to spend several hundred dollars, not several thousand.
• More control - With DIY painting, you have precise control of how the job is done and when.

DIY Cons

• Difficult work - Painting the exterior of your home is difficult and time consuming. The manual labor can be backbreaking, and the process usually takes several days.
• Safety hazards - You’ll spend a good portion of your time standing on a ladder, which comes with some inherent safety risks. Make sure you’re comfortable on a ladder and in good physical condition.
• Not a professional look - Unless you’re an expert DIY painter, it will be hard to match the look of a professional painting service.

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