Thinking about painting your house? There are a number of costs involved in painting both the interior and exterior of a home. The cost to paint a house can quickly add up if you’re not prepared for them, so it helps to know what factors into this task. Understanding these factors will help you create an accurate budget and stick to it. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re preparing to paint your home.
You May Need Paint and Primer
Most people think of the cost of paint when preparing their budget, but they don’t include the cost of primer paint. Primer is a base coat that is a way of creating a new layer for paint to adhere to. If you paint over another layer of paint, there can be some issues. The new paint may not adhere to the old layer as well. If the older layer of paint was peeling off, you may need to sand it or risk the new paint falling off.
In addition to creating a surface on which to paint, primer also helps cover up any weird stains that may be on the wall. These stains could have been made by something that may interact with the new paint. Paint may not adhere to these stains, or the stains may show through the new paint.
If the wall and the paint on it are in very good condition, you may not necessarily need primer to create a foundation. However, if that coat of paint is glossy or if it’s a dark color and you’re going to a light color, you’ll still need primer. Light colors do not easily cover dark ones, so it could take multiple coats without a primer. If your house paint colors are going to be fairly light, you will definitely want to use a primer first. New paint may also not stick well to glossy paint, but primer will.
Primer paint is applied the same way standard paint is. Once the wall is painted with primer, you wait for the primer to dry. Then the new paint color is applied over the primer.
The Type of Paint Makes a Difference, Too
When looking at your options for house painting, you’ll see that there are a couple of different types of paint: oil-based and latex-based (basically all non-oil-based paints). Both can be used for the interior of your home. For the exterior, latex-based paints are the better option. Specifically, you want to look for water-based exterior paint.
When it comes to cost, you’ll find that latex-based paints are typically a little less expensive. However, these paints do have one drawback: they don’t hold up well to water damage or repeated exposure to moisture. For that reason, you may want to use oil-based paint in the kitchen and in bathrooms while using latex-based paints outside and in other parts of the house.
What About Finishes?
Paint comes in several different finishes. While you can use any of these finishes in your house painting projects, there is a difference in cost. Semi-gloss and high-gloss paint is more expensive, while eggshell, satin, and flat paints are slightly cheaper. Eggshell and satin, in particular, are often the least expensive options. The nice thing is, they still offer significant durability for your walls. Flat paints work well in any space that sees low moisture, while semi-gloss and high-gloss are good for trim and other decorative items. Typically, people mix and match paint types inside. They may use a satin paint on the wall, then do the trim and baseboards in a semi-gloss.
Changing Your Mind Can be Costly
Once you’ve decided on your colors and have purchased the paint, changing your mind can be costly. Custom paint colors can’t be returned. If you change your mind after the house painting has started, you’ll end up paying for the old, unused paint, as well as the new paint. You’ll also have to pay your painters to repaint what they’ve already done. This will quickly increase the cost to paint the interior of a house. While there may not be as much space outside that requires painting, it will still add to the budget if you have to have some or all of it repainted.
Make sure you also take the time to read the HOA painting rules and regulations if you live in an area with a homeowner’s association. They can require you to repaint your home if you do not paint it one of the approved colors.
Taping and Moving Furniture
People often fail to factor in the cost of taping and moving furniture. Before they can paint, professionals will need to put painter’s tape around door and window frames, the sides of tiled sections of wall, and any other area that shouldn’t get paint on it. This tape is designed to be used inside your home and can be removed without causing any damage.
If they’re painting a basic bedroom, this will be fairly easy. Tape will be applied around the door frame, window frames, baseboards, and ceiling. It won’t take a significant amount of time, so it won’t add a lot to the cost. However, painting in the bathroom may take more work because they may have to tape around mirrors, light fixtures, and other objects. It’s a smaller space, too, so it can take longer to paint. It becomes difficult to use large rollers in a bathroom, so much of it must be painted using smaller brushes.
Moving furniture can be another cost. Some painters may ask if you want them to move your furniture out of the space and then put it back when the job is done. If you do, that will be an additional charge. If you don’t have time or are unable to lift heavy furniture, however, you may want to have them do it. If you want to save a little money or are very particular about others handling your possessions, you may want to move them yourself.
Determine the Area to be Painted
When calculating how much it will cost to paint the exterior of a house, you’ll want to remember to look at only the finished area. Measure up the full area of your home’s exterior walls, then subtract the total area of all the doors and windows on each wall. You’ll need to take into account any balconies and other unique features as well as subtract any areas you don’t plan on painting, such as brick chimneys. Once you have this figure, you can look at how much space a gallon of your selected paint will cover.
You’ll typically need to do two coats of paint. However, you may be able to get by with using a brick primer followed by a single coat of exterior paint in some cases.
Materials Also Play a Part in External Costs
Another factor in determining the cost to paint a house is what your exterior is made of. If you’re painting vinyl or wood siding, it’s often quicker and easier because that material isn’t very porous. It will cost more to paint bricks, concrete, or stucco because you may need more layers of paint. This is why applying a brick primer is important. It will make it much easier to paint the material. If you’re considering painting a brick house, you’ll definitely want to add the cost of primer into your budget.
Keep in mind that if you are planning on any custom house painting, you will need to adjust your budget accordingly. Most quotes are for standard homes, so if you have anything unique, such as a large wrap-around balcony or porch, the cost to do any painting there will be extra. Very tall homes or older Victorian style homes may also incur extra charges due to the equipment costs. For example, additional scaffolding will be required for a three-story home.
Long Term Thoughts on Cost
While the information above will help you calculate the cost to paint a house once, you may also want to think about long-term costs. Depending on the environment around your home, you may need to repaint your home more often. High humidity and natural disasters can greatly damage your paint job, especially if the paint used wasn’t designed to hold up against those elements. A good amount of direct sunlight can easily cause the paint to fade, too.
If your home is on the older side and has some damage to the exterior, that damage will need to be repaired before the home can be painted. This also adds to the overall cost.
JLM Painting Can Help with All Your Painting Needs
Whether you’re considering a painted brick house or have plans for some amazing custom house painting project, we’re here to help. JLM Painting has a team of experts who can help with interior and exterior painting. Whether you need a single room primed, want all of your bedrooms painted, or need to refresh the exterior of your home, we can help. In addition to residential properties, we also handle commercial interior and commercial exterior painting jobs.
We’re also very familiar with HOA regulations and can help you meet any rules they have in place. We will help you determine the best paint options for your property so you can create the home you want without going over-budget. Contact JLM Painting today to learn more or to request a quote.
Get Started with Your Painting Project!
So, you’re thinking about giving your house a fresh coat of paint? Great idea! But before you dive in, let’s talk about the costs involved. It’s not just about buying paint; there are several factors to consider to ensure you’re not caught off guard.
First things first, you’ll need to think about primer. This base coat is essential for ensuring your new paint sticks properly, especially if you’re covering up an old layer. Plus, it helps to hide any stains or imperfections on the wall. And don’t forget about the type of paint you choose. Latex-based paints are generally cheaper but may not hold up well in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms. And if you’re considering a color change, keep in mind that custom colors can’t be returned, so choose wisely!
Moving on to the actual painting process, don’t overlook the costs of taping and moving furniture. Professionals will need to tape off areas to avoid accidental paint spills, and if you want them to move furniture, that’ll be an extra charge. Lastly, remember to factor in the size and material of your home’s exterior when estimating costs. Vinyl siding may be easier and cheaper to paint than brick or stucco. And if you have any unique features, like a wrap-around porch or tall Victorian-style walls, be prepared for additional expenses.