How long does an exterior paint job last?

5-7 years on bare wood. 10-15 years on Hardie/fiber-cement with quality paint. Stucco and brick can hold 15-20 years if surface prep was done right.

Exterior painting cost in the U.S.

A full exterior repaint typically falls in the range below. Siding material, story count, and how much prep is needed move the number most.

Typical national range

$5,000

typical project

Most projects fall between $2,000 and $12,000.

Industry estimate from public-source pricing data. Local prices vary widely — see your metro area below.

Factors that move the price

Siding material
Wood lap is the most paint-intensive (and the most prep-intensive). Hardie/fiber-cement is cheaper to paint per sq ft. Stucco and brick fall in the middle.
Stories + access
Single-story is the cheapest. Two-story or three-story with limited access requires lifts or scaffolding, which raises labor 30-100%.
Prep work
Power washing, scraping, sanding, caulking gaps, and priming bare wood is half the cost. Cutting corners here means the paint fails fast.
Paint grade
High-quality exterior acrylic (Sherwin-Williams Duration, Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior) is 2-3× the price of contractor-grade and lasts 2-3× longer. Pay once.
Color count
Single-color body + one trim is the standard. Adding shutters, doors, and accent trim as separate colors raises labor but rarely raises material much.

Browse by metro area

Prices in your area can run noticeably above or below the national number depending on labor costs, permitting, and material availability. Pick your metro for a localized range.

Get real quotes for your project

These ranges are useful for ballparking, but the only way to know what your specific project will cost is to get quotes from local contractors. Submit your project once and let them come to you.

Related guides

Common questions

How long does an exterior paint job last?: 5-7 years on bare wood. 10-15 years on Hardie/fiber-cement with quality paint. Stucco and brick can hold 15-20 years if surface prep was done right.