Exterior Painting Cost

How Much to Paint Outside of House?

The most significant factor that impacts exterior painting costs you're quoted is the size of your property.

For instance, the average cost to paint the exterior of a 3-bedroom semi detached home is between £700 and £1,000. The cost to paint the outside of a 4-bedroom detached home is a bit higher than this, at around £800 to £1,000.

However, exterior house painting costs you're quoting will be lower, at around £500, if you're looking to paint a terrace property.

This is because exterior house painting prices you're quoted depend on the area that a tradesman needs to paint. When there's more area to cover, it'll take them more time to complete the job and they'll need more materials.

Exterior house painting costs you're quoted will also jump up if your exterior walls are pebbledashed. It will, roughly, double the prices you're quoted.

The average cost to paint the exterior of a 3-bedroom detached home with a pebbledash finish is around £1,700. You're looking at closer to £2,000 for a 4-bedroom detached property with a pebbledash exterior and around £1,000 for a standard sized terraced property that has been pebbledashed.

Exterior house painting costs are higher for properties with a pebbledash exterior as the uneven textures means that a tradesman can't use a standard roller (so it takes them more time) and more paint is required to get proper coverage of the entire area (so material costs increase).

Keep reading this guide to find out more!

Exterior Painting Prices

Here are some exterior painting cost estimates based on both supply and labour:

Material Cost of Exterior House Painting

If you decide to paint any exterior walls yourself, you may need to consider the price of the following equipment and materials:

Additional Exterior Painting Costs

Extra costs may be incurred if you decide to undertake any of the following tasks at the same time as exterior house painting:

Labour Cost to Paint Exterior of House

Painters and decorators charge around £150 per day for their labour. The exact day rate that a tradesman bases their quotes on will depend on where you are in the UK.

However, how long it takes a painter to finish the job is the main factor that impacts how much it costs to paint the outside of your home.

A terraced house with brick walls will take around 3 to 4 days to paint, while a detached home with a pebbledash exterior will take around 8 to 9 days to complete.

If you're only looking to paint a garden wall, or just one exterior wall on your property, then it'll typically take 1 to 2 days for an experienced tradesman.

What Does Painting Exterior Walls Involve?

There are several important steps to consider when you decide to paint the exterior of a house.

Some of these directly affect the cost of painting exterior walls, while other steps ensure the job is completed professionally and the paint will last.

Choosing Paint

The exterior wall paint you choose should complement the general aesthetic of your property and work well with the underlying materials.

For instance, a traditional terraced house with brick exterior walls will require mineral paint that enables it to breathe.

Masonry paint should be used for pebbledash and rendered exterior walls, although it will require a silicone primer first before it is applied. This will likely increase the costs of painting exterior walls for these types of property.

Preparation and Cleaning

Much of the work involved with exterior painting is spent on preparing the surfaces. This step shouldn't be skipped as the correct preparation will ensure the longevity of the work, reducing further expense in the future.

Any loose paint will need to be scraped or brushed off, along with any dust and cobwebs. The walls will then need to be washed and a mould/algae killer applied if required.

After this, any minor cement repairs to the rendering or pointing of the property will need to be taken care of.

Priming and Painting

Stabilizer must be applied to the bare surfaces before applying the paint.

Two to three coats of masonry paint may be needed, although this depends on the surface of the exterior walls.

If possible, have the painting done in the spring, summer or autumn, during dry and warm weather. Any external painting done in winter will take much longer just for the coats of paint to dry properly. This may increase the labour costs of a house painting job if you need to pay tradesmen to come back for more days.

Decorative Painting

If you are having the exterior walls of your home painted to improve the appearance, don't forget any exterior timber such as windows, doors, fascia, soffit and barge boards. Factor these into the overall cost of painting your exterior walls to help you stay on budget.

Also, check the condition of the exterior render. If it is crumbling or patchy, you may need to have it repaired or even completely replaced.

With the cost of rendering a house averaging £3,000 to £4,000, this could be a significant additional outlay. If the exterior is plain bricks, check the pointing before painting and have it re-pointed as necessary.

What Factors Impact Exterior Painting Costs?

Several key factors affect the cost of painting the exterior walls of a property.

Let's take a look at these now:

Type of Exterior Wall

One of the most important factors that impacts exterior painting costs is the kind of wall you have.

For example, the cost to paint the exterior of a house that's just brick will start at around £500 for a terrace and up to £1,000 for a detached property.

However, the cost of painting the exterior of property that has been rendered will start around £600 for a terrace and up to £1,200 for a detached home.

And if the exterior of your walls have a pebbledash finish, then you should expect prices to start at around £800 for a terrace and up to £2,000 for a detached property.

Exterior house painting costs vary depending on the type of wall you have because:

• Smooth surfaces (e.g., brick) require masonry paint, which is easier to apply. A tradesman can also use a roller on smooth surfaces, which is quicker than alternative methods.
• Rough surfaces (e.g., pebbledash) requires a textured masonry paint, which is more difficult to apply. A tradesman also can't use a standard roller, so will typically use a paint sprayer to effectively paint the wall.

Condition of Exterior Walls

Prices may increase depending on the state of your existing walls.

Any damp issues will need to be dealt with before the exterior paint is applied. This costs around £70 to £90 per metre. You may also want to check whether your gutters need replacing, which can cost around £30 to £80 per metre.

Scaffolding Requirement

To make their prices more competitive, most painters will rely on ladders and extension poles to paint a standard one or two storey property in the UK.

However, scaffolding might be required if you have a taller property or full access to the entire area of the wall is difficult. If you're advised this is the case when getting a quote, then you'll need to budget an extra £350 to £500 for the hire of scaffolding for the length of the job.

Location in the UK

Your home's location will also affect the price of painting your home.

As the cost of living varies around the country, quotations supplied by tradesmen vary depending on where you live and what type of business you choose to undertake the work.

For example, in London, the cost to paint a three-bedroom semi-detached home can start at £1,100 for sole traders, while a large business can charge up to £1,200. In the north, you can expect to pay £600 for small businesses and up to £750 for large companies.

DIY Painting Exterior Walls

If you have a small budget, you could consider painting your exterior walls yourself. While this can cut installation costs, it is a time consuming task which requires a significant amount of concentration and skill.

It can also be quite dangerous if you have to use a ladder to paint walls that are out of your reach. You should only consider painting your exterior walls yourself if you have previous experience of redecorating.

When painting exteriors wall yourself, you will need the following equipment:

If you notice any cracks or your walls feel damp, then you should avoid painting over them.

Instead, call in a professional to fix these problems before priming and painting the area.

Building Regulations and Planning Permission

Planning permission is not normally required when painting exterior walls, as long as the new materials will be similar to the original construction.

The only exception to this rule is if your property is a listed building or located in a designated area, as you must apply for consent before making any changes. This will cost around £206.

As for building regulations, you will not need to apply for consent if you are just painting your exterior walls.

However, you may have to make an application if more than 25 per cent of your exterior wall needs to be re-rendered, re-plastered, or re-clad. This is because you will need to also upgrade your thermal insulation, which must meet the current standards.

What Exterior Wall Paint Do I Need?

The exterior wall paint you want to get will have a significant impact on the overall aesthetic of your home, as well as the house painting prices you're quoted.

There are various types of exterior paint to choose from, including:

Masonry Paint

Masonry paint is an acrylic-based option which can be used to cover a variety of exterior surfaces due to its durability and weatherproofing qualities.

It's ideal for both smooth surfaces such as render and coarse surfaces like pebbledash, which can be quite difficult to paint over. It also comes in a variety of colours, such as white, black, green, brown and grey, so it can be adapted for any home aesthetic.

The average cost of render paint is around £2 to £8 per litre. This may seem expensive; however, it is worth the cost as it creates a professional and sleek finish. It can also protect a property from moisture build-up and damp, especially in poorly insulated homes.

Satinwood Paint

This type of paint is ideal for outdoor use, especially for wood and metal sheds, doors, and other exterior fixtures. This is because it is durable and weatherproof and does not discolour, unlike other varnishes.

The cost of satinwood paint is around £10 to £18 per litre. It can take around 8 hours to dry, while quick-dry satinwood can cost up to £20 per litre. They both come in a variety of colours including white, brown, grey, silver, green and black.

How Much Exterior Wall Paint Do I Need?

Calculating how much paint you need to paint the exterior walls of a property is something that is typically handled by the tradesman that you're hiring.

If you're doing this yourself, here's how you'd calculate how much paint is required:

• Measure the width and height of each wall. The height of a typical 2-storey property in the UK is around 5 to 6 metres to the eaves and 7 to 9 metres to the roof ridge.
• Multiply the width and height of each wall. This will give you the area of each wall in square metres, which can be added together.
• Subtract the area of your windows and doors. You can calculate the area of each of these by measuring the width and height, multiplying them, then adding together.
• Multiple the adjusted total by the number of paint coats you need. This is normally 2 or 3 layers.
• Divide this by the m²/litre ratio printed on the side of your preferred exterior paint. This will give you an approximate number of litres required to complete the job.

You will also need to factor in the type of wall that you have. Some materials, uch as render, may soak up more paint, so you may need to purchase a bit more than you would for a standard brick wall.

For an average sized 3-bedroom semi-detached home, you'll need between 30 to 40 litres of paint. If you're planning to paint your gutters at the same time, you'll need around 4 litres extra.

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Exterior Wall Repair Costs

Before your walls can be painted, you or a professional should check the walls for any damage, which will need to be fixed before painting can begin. There are various types of wall damage that should be repaired, including:

Wall Crack Repair Costs

If your property is fairly old, the wall material may have expanded or contracted over time, which can cause cracks to appear.

Two main types of cracks can be present on exterior walls: vertical cracks caused by the lack of structural support below the property or stepped cracks that are normally found on the corner of buildings and are caused by wall movement.

One way to fix a crack in your wall is through crack stitching. This is an inexpensive option, as crack stitching kits cost around £70 to £80 and usually include equipment such as spiral bars, anchor grout, a mixing paddle, nozzles, mortar gun and a trowel.

To fix the crack, you simply need to embed the stainless steel bars into the horizontal mortar bed joints, which will improve the structure immediately.

Pointing Costs

If your bricks appear damaged, damp or you notice a white salt-like substance, then this could mean that the pointing between the bricks has failed.

To fix this, you may need to hire a professional who will charge around £25 to £50 per square metre.

You could also consider repointing the brickwork yourself. This will involve removing the old mortar with a hammer (£3 to £50) and chisel (£2 to £30). The area will then need to be brushed and cleaned before the new mortar can be added, which normally costs around £0.40 to £2.32 per kg. This is then added to all mortar joints, and a wire brush (£2 to £9) is used to wipe off the excess mortar.

Rising Damp Repair Costs

If you notice any wet patches on your exterior walls or salt deposits start to appear inside and outside your home, then you may have a rising damp problem.

Rising damp can be complicated to fix, as it involves injecting a damp-proof course into the walls and may also involve re-rendering and plastering.

For a professional to damp-proof your walls, it can cost around £70 to £90 per metre. There is also a DIY option with damp-proofing kits available which cost around £100. They include damp-roof cream, a damp-proof gun, and drill bits.

Exterior Paint vs Exterior Coating

Exterior wall paint tends to have a lifespan of around 5 years, although it can last up to 10 years if it is prepped properly. The main function of masonry paint is that there are a variety of options to choose from including smooth and textured finishes along with a multitude of colours which can enhance the aesthetic of your property.

It is also relatively cheap to buy, with exterior paint costs ranging from £2 to £8 per litre. While it is aesthetically pleasing, it is not as durable as exterior coatings and also requires a lot more maintenance.

The main difference between exterior paint and exterior coating is that that the latter has a thickness of 40 times more than normal paint. This results in it having a longer lifespan of around 20 years or more and is normally used to replace regular house paint, which does not last as long.

Exterior wall coating offers the same aesthetic as masonry paint with the added bonus of protection, and are also very low-maintenance although it is a lot more expensive with costs ranging from £25 to £70 per tub.

How Often Do I Need to Paint Exterior Walls?

Once painted, you will need to get the walls repainted every 10 years to keep them looking good whereas the bricks will last centuries with little weathering.

If the painting is not strictly necessary, then you may be better off leaving your brickwork as is. That being said, if your bricks have already been painted or you are rendered/pebbledashed, then they will need painting every 10 years to avoid looking grimy and shabby.

If you paint a brick wall that has not been painted before, it is a permanent finish and you can't easily remove it once it has been applied - once you start there is no going back!

You may instead consider a clear weatherproof wall coating which will stabilise the surface and restore the bricks without changing the appearance. Painted exterior brick tends to polarize opinions too; some love it, others will hate it - this is something to consider when it comes to selling your property in the future.

What Time of the Year is Best for Painting Exterior Walls?

Before painting your walls, you should consider whether the weather is right for painting, as the recommended time of year for painting exterior walls is between April and October, or when the temperature is above 10 degrees.

By painting in warmer temperatures, your walls will dry and cure quicker, although the average time is usually around 4 hours, so you may want to check the weather during this time period, as you want to avoid rainfall during the drying process.

Exterior Wall Maintenance and Cleaning Costs

When painting your walls, it is important that you consider ways to maintain your exterior walls. Here is a breakdown of the different maintenance and cleaning methods for different wall types.

Wood Cleaning and Maintenance Costs

If your garden shed has wooden walls, then you need to try to clean it regularly to avoid rot and debris build-up. To keep on top of it, you should remove surface dirt with a dry cloth, then wet your walls with a sponge, a mild detergent and warm water.

To prolong the lifespan of your wood walls, you should use a wood treatment, which costs around £20 to £35 per bottle. You should try to treat the wood every 3 to 6 months, which will enable it to last longer.

Brick Cleaning and Maintenance Costs

Brick is relatively low maintenance; however, you may want to assess your external walls regularly and check for any mould, mildew, and vegetation as this can produce moisture which leads to damp.

To prevent damp damage, you should clean your brick walls with water and bleach and use a scrub brush to remove any stubborn stains.

To prevent moisture from building up on your brick wall, you should also consider adding a waterproof brick sealant, which cost around £20 to £25 per tub. This will not only protect your brick from water damage but should also make it more durable.

Render Cleaning and Maintenance Costs

If you notice any stains on your render, you can pay for a professional jet wash which can cost around £150 to £200 per day. A tradesman will ensure that they use the right detergent and nozzle to avoid any damage to the render.

To preserve your rendered walls, you may want to add a coat of fungicidal wash, which costs around £16 to £25 per bottle. This should be used on your walls around once a year, as this will prevent algae and moss build up.

Metal Cleaning and Maintenance Costs

If you have metal cladding, then you will not have to clean it or maintain as often as other wall types. For general cleaning, all you need is a soft bristle brush to remove any dirt or debris. For tougher marks, you should add water and avoid any harsh chemicals as this can damage the metal.

To avoid moss build-up and staining, you should consider hiring a gardener to prune your trees regularly, which costs an average of £60 to £80 per hour.

Pebbledash Cleaning and Maintenance Costs

Painted pebble dash walls can be susceptible to staining and dirt-build up when exposed to the elements. Therefore, it is important to clean it regularly with a hose. You should also conduct a thorough clean with hot water and a mild detergent to remove any tough stains.

You can also add a waterproof repellent on top of your pebbledash walls, which will prevent any water seeping in and causing cracks. On average, the cost of protecting pebbledash is around £20 to £45 per bottle of paint.

Cost of Removing Exterior Wall Paint

If you want to change the colour of your property’s exterior, then you may need to strip the paint.

If you plan to do this yourself, you will need a chemical paint stripper which costs around £5 to £20 per bottle. You will also need some protective gloves which are typically priced at £2 to £50.

Before applying the stripper, you should attempt to scrape off any flaking paint, which can easily be removed with a putty knife, which cost around £3 to £12. A cleaning solution of bleach and water should then be used to wash the walls and remove any algae or fungus that has grown on the outside of your property.

Once the wall is clean, you can then apply the chemical solution with an old brush. This should be left on for around 2 days before rinsing it. After this period, you should then use a pressure hose and hot water to rinse the wall and remove the paint. If there is anything left over, you should use peeling strips which can cost up to £40 per roll.

These should be applied to the wall; then you should wait the specified time listed on the manufacturer’s instructions before removing them. You should then rinse the wall to ensure both the strips and paint is completely removed.

If you would prefer to hire a professional for the job, you should expect to pay around £150 per day, so the final cost will depend on the size of your home or how many walls need to be stripped.

FAQs

How to Find & Hire an Exterior Wall Painter

If you need your exterior walls painted, you should consider hiring a professional who will typically charge around £150 per day on top of material costs.

When choosing someone for the job, you should inquire about their experience, as ideally, you should hire someone who has at least 5 years’ experience painting exterior walls.

It is also important to check their insurance credentials, as public liability insurance will protect both you and them in the event of an accident or damage to your property.

Sources

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/external-walls/building-regulations