Exterior House Painting Cost Breakdown by Siding Material
Painting a standard 2,500 sq ft exterior costs between $3,800 and $9,200 ($1.75 to $4.00 per sq ft of exterior wall area). Siding material is the primary cost driver: vinyl and aluminum are least expensive ($1.50–$2.50/sq ft), wood and Hardie lap siding are mid-tier ($2.50–$3.50/sq ft), while rough stucco and brick are most expensive ($3.00–$4.50/sq ft) due to high paint absorption and prep requirements.
Published 2026-03-01 · Updated 2026-03-01 · 10 min read
Siding Material Cost Comparison Matrix
Exterior siding prep complexity varies dramatically by substrate condition:
Worked Example: 2,500 Sq Ft Two-Story Wood Siding Home
Turnkey scraping, caulking, priming bare spots, and applying 2 coats of 100% acrylic satin paint.
Average competitive contractor bids for this home will fall between $5,900 and $7,100.
Is power washing included in exterior painting estimates?
Yes, professional bids always include low-pressure detergent washing to remove chalking, mildew, and dirt prior to scraping.
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