Exterior Painting Cost Calculator — DIY vs Pro by Stories
Who this is for: For homeowners staring at a $6,000 exterior quote — and DIYers pricing the ladder-and-sprayer reality before committing to it.
Wall area and stories in — get gallons, the DIY cost with equipment, and the pro quote band by story count.
Quick answer: Exterior painting: pros run $1.5–5/sq ft of wall ($2.5 single-story, $3.2 two-story, $4.2 three-story); DIY runs gallons + 15% supplies + equipment (~$0.10/sq ft). An 1,800 sq ft two-story in premium paint: 11 gallons → $780 DIY vs $5,760 pro. The calculator prices your exact walls.
sqft
Perimeter × height − openings
Paint needed
11 gallons
two coats ÷ 350 sqft/gal
DIY all-in
$648.05
paint + supplies + equipment
Professional
$5,760
2 story rate · $1.5–5 band
The DIY line is cash only: a two-story exterior is 40–80 hours plus ladder risk — price your hours in the DIY vs pro calculator before committing. Prep (scrape, prime bare wood) is 70% of a lasting exterior job either way.
Pro band $1.5–5/sqft of wall: $2.5 single-story · $3.2 two-story · $4.2 three-story (access & safety). DIY includes +15% supplies and ~$0.10/sqft equipment. Rough siding drinks 20–30% more paint.
Core facts
Pro band
$1.5–5/sqft; 1-str $2.5 · 2-str $3.2 · 3-str $4.2
Gallons
Area × 2 ÷ 350 (+20–30% rough siding)
DIY adds
+15% supplies + equipment ≈ $0.10/sqft
Example
1,800 sqft 2-str: 11 gal → $780 DIY / $5,760 pro
Prep
Scrape/prime bare wood — 70% of the job
Status
Figures follow 2026 US industry averages: pro interior $2–6/sq ft of wall area, coverage 350–400 sq ft/gal per coat, paint $15–60/gal by tier, exterior $1.5–5/sq ft. Estimates for budgeting — your local market and surface condition move the final number.
How much does exterior painting cost?
Exterior runs $1.5–5 per square foot of wall professionally — higher than interior because of prep (scraping, priming bare wood), height and weather windows. Story count moves the rate: single-story ≈ $2.5/sq ft, two-story ≈ $3.2, three-story ≈ $4.2 (access and safety equipment). DIY costs less in money and more in everything else: gallons × paint price + 15% supplies + equipment (ladder/scaffold rental, sprayer or quality brushes) — the calculator includes a $0.10/sq ft equipment allowance. Example: a 1,800 sq ft two-story exterior in premium paint: 11 gallons, DIY ≈ $780 with gear, pro ≈ $5,760.
Common uses
Sanity-checking an exterior quote before signing
Comparing DIY savings against the ladder reality
Budgeting paint plus equipment for a full DIY exterior
Choosing paint tier with the total in view
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?
2026 US: $1.5–5 per square foot of wall professionally — a typical 1,800 sq ft (wall area) two-story runs $4,000–7,000. DIY materials and equipment: $500–1,200. Siding condition (scraping, priming) is the biggest swing factor.
Why do stories change the price?
Access: two-story walls need taller ladders or scaffolding, more setup time and safety equipment — pros price it at $3.2/sq ft vs $2.5 single-story. Three-story climbs again. The calculator applies the story band automatically.
How many gallons for a house exterior?
Same coverage math — area × 2 coats ÷ 350, but rough siding drinks 20–30% more. An 1,800 sq ft two-coat exterior: 10–13 gallons depending on siding texture. Stucco and brick run highest.
Is DIY exterior painting worth it?
The savings are real ($3,000–5,000 on a two-story) but so are the demands: 40–80 hours, ladder safety, weather windows and prep discipline (the job is 70% prep). The calculator prices both paths — include your hours honestly before deciding.
Does exterior paint need primer?
Bare wood, new siding, stains and paint-to-paint type changes (oil to latex): yes, one primer coat. Sound, previously painted surfaces in good shape: often two topcoats only. Spot-prime repairs to avoid flashing.