By LEE WALLENDER Updated on 03/10/22

Reviewed by JOHNATHAN BREWER

Fact checked by JESSICA WRUBEL

As with most home projects, there is usually a hard way and an easier way. The easier way doesn't always mean poorer results. This concept applies to exterior house painting, as well.

If you choose to paint your own house instead of hiring professional house painters, you definitely will benefit from time-saving tips. These are hacks, tips, and recommendations that will help you paint your house efficiently, effectively, and with less effort.

WARNING

If your house was built before 1978, be sure to research safe practices and local requirements for potentially dealing with lead paint: Even if you're just painting, you'll want to make sure you're doing so safely.1

Wash Your House Quickly and Painlessly

Most houses will need to be washed down prior to painting. Wipe a white cloth across the side of your house and you will witness years or even decades worth of accumulated gray soot and dust. Even in the most desperate of painting projects, it is still recommended to wash down the house. Washing down your house by hand is the most effective and the most work-intensive way to get your house clean. But what is the least you can get by with? If you own a pressure washer, spray down the house two times. First, clean it with a soapy solution. Second, rinse it with clean water. If you have no pressure washer, your second-best option is to thoroughly hose it down. In any case, your main goals should be to knock off the big, visible junk (spiderwebs, wasp's nests, leaves) and to wash away that thin soot and dust.

Paint Your House the Same Color or Darker

You create more work for yourself when you choose to change your exterior house color. It significantly increases the amount of work when the new coat is lighter than the existing coat. Even with one-coat-painting, the old color often will still show through in some areas. When you paint the same color, though, those areas blend in. If you do not know the present house color, find an area of peeling paint, pull it off, and take it to a paint store. If there is no peeling paint, remove a painted item such as a dryer vent or a strip of molding. The paint store usually can match the existing color. If you want to change your color, then consider making the next color darker than the present color. Using the same color or a darker color makes it easier to lay down just one coat.

Prime Only When Needed

Does your house need a complete coat of primer before applying the paint? Maybe not. When the paint is in good condition and you are re-painting the same color, there should be no need to apply primer. Problem areas, though, will require a primer. Bare wood, wood filler, and rust-stained areas should all be primed. If you just have bare spots, an exterior-grade quart of primer will be enough. Hit unpainted and unprimed areas with primer, not the whole house. One caveat is that primed areas will show through the paint. So, unless your topcoat is pure white, you may need to apply an extra coat of paint just to hide the lighter-colored paint primer.

Minimize Paint Scraping

Scraping paint is a universally unloved subset of painting. After scraping paint for a couple of hours, you will long for the comparatively easier jobs of brushing, rolling, or spraying. One problem with paint scraping is that one section always seems to lead to another. If the edges of the paint will stay down, you can probably leave it alone. The new paint will seal the edges and help keep it in place. Scrape until you reach a relatively solid edge, then stop at that edge. If you find that you need to remove all of the paint from the house, it is time to hire house painters or a crew to mechanically remove the paint.

Paint Roll the Flat Surfaces

Paint rolling lets you cover large expanses fast. The catch is that many types of siding do not lend themselves to rolling. Shiplap siding, for instance, is difficult to paint with a paint roller (wide shiplap, though, can be painted with a roller). If your house has flat siding or even large flat sections, use a paint roller and an extension pole to cover those sections quickly.

Spray Large Areas or Detailed Areas

Paint spraying is both a time saver and a time-waster. On the one hand, spraying allows you to quickly and efficiently cover large areas or areas with lots of details. On the other hand, paint spraying requires much preparation. Every part of the non-paintable surface within 20 feet should be covered. If you have delicate foliage or grass, those areas should be covered, too. If this is late in the summer and you have given up on the lawn for the season, you can probably spray without laying down a cover. If your house is rich in architectural details, the time invested in paint spraying will pay for itself many times over. Details usually mean brushwork, and brushwork is always slow. But if you are able to mask away non-painted areas without undue time or effort, this is highly recommended.

Don't Spend as Much Time Cleaning Brushes or Roller Covers

After a punishing day of painting, the main thing you want to do is sit down and have a cold drink. So, the last thing you want to do is clean up your brushes and roller covers. But cleaning is an essential step in keeping your painting tools around for a long time and in good condition. For paint roller covers, purchase inexpensive quality roller covers and dispose of them at the end of each painting session. Better quality covers are recommended for interior painting, where critical eyes will be viewing the handiwork. Exterior painting is more conducive to economy-quality roller covers. With paintbrushes, it's best to buy high-quality brushes and treat them well. The best way to do this is to clean your good brushes with a paintbrush comb and water. Paintbrush combs cut brush clean-up time at least by half. More importantly, they help you pull out all of the paint remaining between the bristles.

By Maureen Stanley

Updated June 13, 2022

Does the outside of your home need a bit of a refresh? House painting can do wonders for your curb appeal! We’ve got you covered with our essential guide packed with everything you need to know about exterior home painting.

Should I do the exterior painting work myself or hire the pros?

There are quite a few factors to consider before making the final decision on who will paint your home. The questions below will help you weigh both the pros and cons with an open mind — from cost and equipment to safety and size.

7 questions to ask yourself when deciding who should do the painting work:

1. When was my home built?

If your home was built before 1978, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires your exterior paint to be checked for lead. Lead-based paint is toxic and the leading cause of lead poisoning. If your home tests positive for lead, the EPA recommends hiring a lead-safe contractor.

2. What’s the exterior material of my home?

The material of your home’s exterior dictates your overall house painting approach. This includes taking care of repairs and calculating the amount of paint needed. For example, does your aluminum siding have dents or excessive “chalking” (a powdery coating)? Is your vinyl siding buckling? How much paint will you need for porous surfaces such as brick or stucco? Understanding the potential challenges upfront will aid in your decision about who will do the painting work.

3. What’s the overall size of my home?

Painting the exterior of a 600 square-foot tiny home can be a much easier task than taking on a 3,000 square-foot, two-story home. Take your home’s size into account as you assess the home painting project’s time and labor.

The size will also affect how much primer and paint you’ll need to purchase. As a reference, one gallon of any Behr paint will cover approximately 250 to 400 square feet (one coat). Your home will most likely need two coats, especially if you’re choosing a darker color.

4. If my home is a two-story, will I safely reach the second level?

Safety is key in any house painting project. Two- (or more) story homes can pose a safety risk for inexperienced DIY painters with inadequate tools to complete the painting work safely. A DIY paint project is no longer worthwhile if you accidentally topple off a ladder.

5. Do I have the necessary equipment?

Exterior house painting requires quite a few tools, including paint brushes, rollers, paint scrapers, drop cloths, and an extendable ladder. The cost of these items can quickly add up, so take a complete inventory of what you have on hand and what you’ll need to buy or rent.

6. What is the overall cost for DIY exterior home painting versus hiring a professional?

Cost plays a role in any home improvement project, including house painting. To determine what’s most economical, you should get at least three professional exterior home painter quotes that include a detailed explanation of what’s part of the contract.

Then it’s time to research the overall cost to DIY. This includes estimating how much it will cost you to complete exterior repairs, purchase the necessary amount of paint, rollers, brushes, and rent equipment such as power washers and ladders. Once you’ve priced out the total DIY cost, assess which route is most cost-effective.

7. Do I have enough time for exterior home painting?

Your time is valuable, and painting can take a considerable amount of time. Is your work or personal schedule jam-packed? Does your job require you to travel away from home often? If you just bought a new house, painting the exterior could hinder your unpacking efforts and settle in. Fitting such a big project into a schedule that has little downtime can be challenging.

You can consider a DIY house painting project if…

You have the time, ability, resources, and help to get the job done quickly and safely. If you’re looking to save money (and deep dive into a DIY project), you should consider tackling the house painting project yourself. Keep in mind that DIY paint projects are best for homes with little to no prep or repair work.

But make sure you assess the full scope of the project (and get free quotes from painting professionals) before you take the leap.

You should hire a professional to paint your house if …

Sometimes it’s best to leave such a major project to the professionals, especially if you lack the time, skills, or ability to paint your home’s exterior properly. Selling your house? If an exterior paint refresh is part of your presale home improvement agenda, hiring a painting pro eliminates that added stress as you prepare to list your home.

Ready to hire a professional? Your next step is to choose a painter. Avoid selecting a painter based on price alone. Be sure to confirm the project length, the number of workers on the job, if the painter is licensed and insured, and what prep and clean up work will be completed by the paint company.

Pro tip: If your community has a social media page, ask for recommendations, and do a “drive-by” to see the completed job in person.

If you do decide to DIY, follow these 13 house painting steps:

Step 1: Give your home’s exterior a good cleaning.

Clean your home’s exterior by removing any dirt, mold, and mildew. This will ensure even distribution of primer and paint.

For this step, you’ll need: A power washer or hose, cleaning fluid, and a scrub brush.

Step 2: Remove chipped or flaking paint.

Examine your home for areas where paint has lifted, is peeling, or curling up, as you’ll need a smooth surface before you begin the paint application. Gently scrape loose paint with a wide paint scraper and a wire brush.

For this step, you’ll need: A paint scraper and a wire brush.

Step 3: Repair damage to siding and trim.

A fresh coat of paint on your home won’t look its best if there are underlying issues such as buckled siding, rotting wood, or warped trim. Complete all pre-paint repair work, including snapping loose siding into place, fully replacing wood pieces, or repairing small wood blemishes with wood putty.

For this step, you’ll need: A paintable wood putty, wood putty knives (assorted sizes), sandpaper, and an orbital sander.

Step 4: Check, repair, and recaulk seals.

Proper sealing of windows and doors prevents moisture from getting in and under your home’s exterior and causing damage.

For this step, you’ll need: An all-weather exterior sealant and a caulking gun.

Step 5: Choose your paint color and sheen.

Your options are unlimited when choosing your home’s new paint color. Whether you match the color to your home’s style or personality, the correct paint sheen will need to be based on the surface of your home. For example, Sherwin-Williams recommends a satin sheen for trims and a flat, matte finish for siding.

For this step, you’ll need: Paint swatches and paint samples.

Step 6: Purchase primer and paints.

It’s essential to properly calculate the amount of primer and paint you’ll need to complete your home. Avoid under or overestimating by using Benjamin Moore’s online paint calculator.

For this step, you’ll need: Primer and exterior paint.

Step 7: Gather paint supplies.

Ensuring you have all necessary paint supplies at the ready is an important step in the DIY process. After checking what materials you have on hand, purchase or rent any outstanding supplies.

For this step, you’ll need: Brushes, paint rollers and frames, paint sprayer, drop cloths, telescoping ladder, paint bucket, painter’s tape, and paint trays.

Step 8: Protect surrounding areas.

As careful as you may be, there most likely will be a few spills during the painting process. Cover patios, decks, landscaping, and walkways to keep spills at a minimum.

For this step, you’ll need: Drop cloths, plastic sheeting, and twine.

Step 9: Apply primer.

Skip this step if you’ve chosen an exterior paint and primer combination. 

Plan your house painting around clear weather as your home’s surface needs to be completely dry, so the primer and paint adhere properly. Choose a day that has a relative humidity of around 50% with temperatures that remain consistent.

Applying primer ensures the paint properly adheres to your home’s exterior.

For this step, you’ll need: Exterior primer, a paint bucket, a paint sprayer, a brush, and a roller.

Step 10: Apply the first coat of paint.

It’s been a long journey! You’re finally ready to apply the first coat of paint. Start from the highest point of your house, applying the paint in straight, even strokes that follow the layout of your siding (vertical strokes on vertical siding and horizontal strokes on horizontal siding). Remember — less is more during house painting as a thick, heavy hand may cause drips or uneven application.

For this step, you’ll need: Exterior house paint, a sprayer, paintbrushes, and rollers.

Step 11: Apply the second coat of paint.

Allow your first coat of paint to dry completely. According to Behr, you’ll need to wait at least two hours in between coats. Don’t be tempted to reuse paint-covered brushes or rollers. Start fresh to ensure your second coat goes on as smoothly as the first.

For this step, you’ll need: New rollers, a cleaned paint sprayer, and brushes.

Step 12: Tape and paint all trim.

Now that your exterior is looking fantastic, it’s time to refresh door frames, windows, window wells, pillars, and other trim work. Choose a mold and mildew resistant exterior trim paint in a satin sheen.

For this step, you’ll need: Painter’s tape, trim paint, and brushes.

Step 13: Clean up.

Before you stand back and marvel at this huge DIY accomplishment, you’ll need to clean up the worksite. Remove painter’s tape, scrape any paint off of windows, and clean tools and brushes. Seal paint cans by cleaning the inner ring, placing the lid back on the paint can, and gently hammering around the lid’s perimeter with a rubber mallet.

Avoid storing paint in places that experience extreme high or low temperatures. If you need to dispose of leftover primer or paint, contact your local township or county for proper disposal guidelines.

For this step, you’ll need: Contractor-grade trash bags, a utility knife, and paint clean up wipes.

If you decide to hire a professional painter, here’s what you can expect to pay:

According to Fixr.com, the national average for a 1,500 square-foot house is $5,170 (including minor prep work). Pricing fluctuates based on the type of siding on your home. For example, a 1,500 square-foot home with engineered wood would cost between $1,500-$2,000, while a stucco home comes in much higher at $4,800-$6,500.

Keep in mind that pricing will vary based on the cost of materials and labor where your home is located. Get at least three quotes to ensure you’re getting optimal services at a competitive price.

How to maintain exterior house paint:

Ensuring your home’s exterior looks freshly painted is possible with a bit of maintenance work. Keep the exterior clean with an annual power washing, regularly prune landscaping trees or shrubbery that could scratch or scrape the exterior, and touch up any damaged areas immediately. Avoid clogged gutters and downspouts as the overflow of water can damage a home’s exterior.

The bottom line

Armed with these facts on exterior house painting, you’ll be able to make the right decision on the best way to complete the project.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get the outside of your house painted? 

The total cost of exterior house painting is based on several factors. This includes location, square footage, price of paint per gallon, and condition of the exterior.

How do I prepare the exterior of my house for painting? 

For paint to be applied properly and evenly, your home’s exterior will need to be clean and dry. Plan to power wash, remove any flaking paint, repair loose wood or siding, and sand uneven surfaces before painting.

What is the best paint to use on the outside of a house? 

The best exterior paint for your home is one that maintains its color and protects against outdoor elements such as moisture and sun damage.

What is the best time to paint my home exterior? 

The best time to paint your home’s exterior will depend on your location. Choose a month when the temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and do not drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit in the evening. Weather fluctuations can cause dew to form on the exterior and prevent the paint from drying properly.

Maureen Stanley is a New Jersey-based writer and reporter that specializes on all things home. She's always on the search for the latest design trends to make a house a home. When she's not writing, Maureen enjoys tending to her vegetable garden.