Call Us
Repainting your house exterior is one of the best ways to protect your property while boosting its kerb appeal. However, as with any home improvement project, costs can vary considerably. How do you ensure you’re getting the best value for money without compromising on quality?
In this Sketch Spray blog, we'll explore all aspects of exterior painting to get an idea of the total cost you might expect to pay.
The overall cost will be affected by several factors, so we'll check these out to see what we can discover.
There are no prizes for guessing that the cost to paint the exterior of your home will vary depending on its size! Clearly, a large semi-detached property is going to require more work and a lot more paint, so the exterior painting cost will be higher than that for a small terraced house.
Even so, some professional painters offer a discount for a very large painting project, so don't be afraid to ask!
This one is linked to the point made above but is worth mentioning under its own heading. It could be that you've decided to only have one or two walls painted rather than the entire exterior, and this will reduce the cost.
Terraced houses only have two outside walls, unless they're at the end of the row, so this is sort of decided for you already. However, you might only want the front of the house exterior painted, which would bring the cost down.
You also need to decide whether you only want the walls painted or whether the trim, windows, doors, etc. are to be included.
Again, all of these points are linked in some way, as the size of the house exterior and the number of walls involved will obviously dictate how much paint is required.
Even so, there are other factors to consider as well, such as:
All of this will influence the volume of paint you'll need, which affects the overall cost.
However, to get a basic figure as to how much exterior paint is needed, measure the walls and multiply the length and height to get a rough idea of the surface area. Remember to note the dimensions in square metres and square feet, as companies vary as to which they use.
We'll need to explore some of the above points in more detail as part of our cost breakdown, but they had to be mentioned here first in relation to the amount of paint to be used, so let's crack on!
What state are your walls in? Any cracks, peeling paint or damp issues will have to be fixed before the exterior painting project can go ahead, and these repairs will add to the cost.
Professional painters will generally handle basic stuff, like sanding, priming and minor repairs, but this all adds to the working hours, which pushes up the labour costs.
They will also clean the surface before painting, although this should be included in the price and not added as an extra service. The only exception would be if the walls are excessively dirty or caked in mould or algae and require specialist cleaning equipment.
You could save a bit of cash by handling these yourself, but only take this on if you are confident that you can do it properly! The last thing you need is the hassle and expense of calling in experts to put right any mistakes or disasters. Also, it might be best to leave any major repairs to the professionals.
Are there any obstacles in the way that might hinder the painters or restrict access to the wall surface? Can we fit a cherry picker close to your property, or will we need to erect scaffolding? Does your front door open directly onto the street? Are you situated on a steep hill or nestled back from the street in a jumble of older properties with complex architecture and oddly joined structures?
Also, we need to consider the height of your building; any property with more than one storey will require scaffolding to ensure a safe working platform for the painters. Scaffolding usually costs between £500 and £1,000, depending on how long it's required and the size of the property.
All of these issues need our attention so we can make the necessary access arrangements, and any contingencies may add to the cost of the exterior paint job.
The labour cost is a big chunk of the total bill - up to 50% in some cases - so it's worth looking at.
A professional painter might charge per square metre or they may offer an hourly or daily rate for house painting. Hourly rates in the UK tend to fall between £25 and £50 depending on the company you use as well as your location (London and the south-east will always be more expensive), whereas a day rate will typically be somewhere between £200 and £400.
Exterior house painting contractors use a range of methods and equipment, and this may affect the price you pay.
Each method has its merits, although traditional painting (with a brush or roller) tends to take longer and delivers a less pleasing finish. At Sketch Spray, we use specialist paint-spraying equipment to provide a high-quality finish every time. This method is also much quicker so our experts spend less time on site, resulting in a lower cost for labour.
These two are linked, as different exterior surfaces - such as brick, render, pebble dash, wood, or metal - require varying levels of preparation and may need specific types of paint, which can affect the cost.
While most surfaces will require a second coat, some will need a third coat to ensure even coverage, which will raise the cost.
We'll put in a good word for spray painting here, as it's an excellent way of ensuring smooth, even coverage and a perfect, long-lasting finish on almost every type of surface! Because of this, we are often able to avoid the need for multiple coats of paint, making this the most cost-effective choice.
Masonry paint comes in many guises! You'll have to discuss this with your decorating company, but if they're as helpful as us, they'll make sure you choose the best for your project and budget.
At Sketch Spray, we only use high-quality paints from the best brands in the industry as we're firm believers in the saying, you get what you pay for. Inferior paints are never worth the price and you'll need to have your home painted again pretty soon.
Let's check out some of the options and their benefits, as well as a few example brands:
Smooth paint provides a sleek, flat finish and is easy to apply, ideal for smooth surfaces like render or plaster.
Brands: Dulux Weathershield Smooth, Johnstone’s Stormshield Smooth.
Textured paint has a gritty consistency for added durability and weather resistance, making it suitable for hiding imperfections on rough surfaces like pebble dash or brick.
Brands: Sandtex Textured Masonry Paint, Leyland Trade Textured.
Weatherproof paint is designed to withstand extreme UK weather conditions, offering protection against rain, frost, and UV damage. This is best for areas with harsh climates or exposed properties.
Brands: Dulux Weathershield, Zinsser AllWeather.
Although 'self-cleaning' might be a slightly misleading term, this paint is hydrophobic (water-repellent), allowing dirt and grime to wash off easily during rainfall. It's an excellent low-maintenance solution for properties in urban or polluted areas.
Brands: Sandtex Trade Flexigloss, Emperor Masonry Paint.
Acrylic paint is flexible and crack-resistant due to its unique composition, making it durable and long-lasting. It is ideal for surfaces prone to minor movements or cracks, such as render.
Brands: Johnstone’s Trade Acrylic, Bedec Extra-Flex.
Breathable paint allows moisture to escape from the wall while preventing water ingress, reducing the risk of damp. This makes it suitable for older or listed buildings with traditional lime render or stone.
Brands: Keim Soldalit, Earthborn Silicate Masonry Paint.
This option is thicker than standard masonry paints, providing extra protection and filling minor cracks or imperfections, making it perfect for older or damaged surfaces that require additional coverage and protection.
Brands: Rust-Oleum Mathys Murfill, Sandtex Trade High-Build.
Having explored some of the issues that influence house painting quotes, we can now look at some possible costs:
The cost to paint a small terraced house would come in at between £1,200 and £2,000, while for an average-sized house, we can reasonably suggest a figure of between £1,500 and £3,000.
To paint the outside of a house that's on the larger side, say, a four-bedroom detached (or bigger), you're probably looking at £3,000 to £4,000 or more.
Now, if you've been considering the possibility of adding a fresh coat of paint to your exterior walls, you should see this as an investment. While the rates might seem high to some readers, the prices reflect the amount of work involved as well as the materials used.
You may find local tradespeople willing to work for less, but a professional painter needs to cover all of the costs and make a living. Beware of anyone offering to take on the job for a suspiciously low price, as the results will undoubtedly reflect this!
If you're still unsure, contact the Sketch Spray team - we'll discuss your vision of how you'd like your property to look, including the colours you would like, and provide a free quote.
Our lowest price guarantee means that you get an affordable rate with no hidden charges.
There's absolutely no doubt in our minds that a new coat of paint is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners.
If you need convincing, here are some of the benefits exterior house painting can offer:
The UK’s unpredictable weather, including rain, frost, and UV rays, can take a toll on a property’s exterior. A high-quality paint provides a protective barrier, preventing moisture penetration and reducing the risk of damp, cracks, and structural damage.
A freshly painted house exterior looks stunning. Whether you're thinking of selling up, or you simply want a home to be proud of, a well-maintained exterior creates a positive first impression!
It can even boost the value of your property by as much as 10%.
These organic growths are common, especially in damp or shaded areas, spoiling the appearance of your home. Many modern exterior paints contain anti-mould and anti-fungal properties that keep the building looking fresh and vibrant for much longer.
Reflective or lighter-coloured exterior paints can help keep your home cooler in summer, while protective coatings improve insulation, reducing energy costs in winter.
With a vast range of colour options on offer, as well as several interesting textures, you get to choose exactly how you want your property to look! You could opt for a traditional appearance or go for a fresh, smart contemporary style.
When you examine all the benefits listed here, it becomes clear that painting the outside of a house makes perfect sense! Your initial investment will help to save money in the long term, and some of the advantages can't be measured in simple monetary terms.
However, to make it a worthwhile investment you need to hire a professional team, like Sketch Spray, so feel free to contact us and we'll help you to achieve your dream.
