Exterior Painting Costs: What to Pay and When
How much does exterior painting cost? Per-wall and whole-house prices, best paint types, preparation tips, and when to repaint your home.
The outside of your home takes a beating from the UK weather - driving rain, UV exposure, frost, and algae all degrade paint finishes over time. Regular exterior painting isn't just cosmetic; it protects the underlying masonry, render, and timber from moisture damage that leads to damp, rot, and costly repairs.
Here's what it costs, when to do it, and how to get the best result.
Costs by Property Type
Full Exterior Repaint
| Property | Walls | Woodwork | Total (inc. scaffolding) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-terrace (front only) | £500–£1,000 | £300–£600 | £800–£1,600 |
| Semi-detached (3 elevations) | £1,000–£2,000 | £500–£1,000 | £1,500–£3,000 |
| Detached (all sides) | £1,500–£3,000 | £700–£1,500 | £2,200–£4,500 |
| Large detached | £2,500–£4,000 | £1,000–£2,000 | £3,500–£6,000 |
Per Element
| Element | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front elevation (masonry paint) | £400–£800 | Including preparation |
| Fascias and soffits (per elevation) | £150–£400 | Or consider uPVC replacement |
| Front door | £80–£200 | Sand, prime, two coats |
| Window frames (per window, timber) | £50–£120 | Including sanding and filling |
| Garage door | £100–£250 | Depends on size and type |
| Garden walls and fences | £10–£20/m² | Fences: stain or preservative |
| Scaffolding (single elevation) | £400–£800 | Essential for upper floors |
| Scaffolding (full house) | £1,000–£2,500 | Coordinate with other work |
Paint Types for UK Exteriors
Masonry Paint
| Type | Cost (5L) | Lifespan | Breathable? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard acrylic | £25–£40 | 5–8 years | Moderate | Budget, newer masonry |
| Silicone-based | £35–£55 | 10–15 years | Yes | All masonry, best all-rounder |
| Mineral silicate | £50–£80 | 15–25 years | Excellent | Period buildings, lime render |
| Lime wash | £20–£40 | 3–5 years | Excellent | Listed buildings, traditional aesthetics |
Key rule for older buildings: Pre-1919 homes with solid walls or lime render need breathable paint (silicone or mineral silicate). Standard acrylic masonry paint can trap moisture behind the film, causing damp and accelerating deterioration. The RICS recommends breathable finishes for all pre-1919 masonry.
Exterior Woodwork Paint
| Type | Cost (2.5L) | Lifespan | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior gloss (oil-based) | £25–£40 | 3–5 years | Traditional high-shine finish |
| Exterior satin (water-based) | £25–£40 | 3–5 years | Modern low-sheen, easier to apply |
| Microporous exterior paint | £30–£50 | 5–8 years | Best for timber - lets wood breathe |
| Wood stain / preservative | £15–£30 | 2–4 years | Fences, sheds, garden structures |
For timber windows and doors: Always use microporous paint - it allows moisture to escape from the wood rather than trapping it under a hard film. Trapped moisture causes paint to blister and timber to rot.
Preparation: Where Quality is Made
80% of a good exterior paint job is preparation. Painting over poorly prepared surfaces wastes your money - the paint will fail within 1–2 years.
Masonry Preparation
- Wash - pressure wash or brush wash with fungicidal solution to remove dirt, algae, and loose paint
- Repair - fill cracks with exterior filler, repoint any failed mortar joints, repair damaged render
- Stabilise - apply stabilising solution to any powdery or chalky surfaces
- Prime - apply masonry primer to bare or repaired areas
- Paint - two full coats, allowing drying time between coats
Timber Preparation
- Scrape - remove all loose and flaking paint with a scraper or heat gun
- Sand - sand back to a smooth, keyed surface (120–180 grit)
- Fill - repair any cracks, holes, or damaged areas with exterior wood filler
- Check for rot - probe with a screwdriver. If soft, the timber needs repair or replacement before painting. See our rot guide.
- Prime - bare wood needs a coat of exterior primer
- Paint - two coats of exterior gloss, satin, or microporous paint
When Preparation Reveals Problems
Exterior painting often uncovers issues that need attention first:
| Problem | Solution | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked or hollow render | Repair or re-render | £40–£80/m² |
| Failed mortar joints | Repoint | £30–£80/m² |
| Rotten window frames or sills | Splice repair or replace | £100–£500 per window |
| Rotten fascia boards | Replace with uPVC or timber | £30–£60/m run |
| Damaged gutters | Repair or replace | £100–£300 per section |
| Algae/moss on walls | Fungicidal wash + prevention | £5–£10/m² |
Fix these before painting - paint over defects simply hides them temporarily.
When to Paint
Best Months
April–September is the ideal window for exterior painting in the UK. You need:
- Dry weather - no rain for 24 hours before and after painting
- Temperature above 5°C - paint doesn't cure properly in cold conditions
- Low humidity - morning dew should have evaporated before starting
- No direct strong sunlight - paint applied in full sun dries too fast and doesn't bond properly
The best conditions are overcast, mild, dry days - typical British spring and autumn weather is actually ideal.
Signs Your House Needs Repainting
| Sign | Urgency |
|---|---|
| Paint chalking (white powder on hands when touched) | Moderate - repaint within 1–2 years |
| Paint cracking or peeling | High - moisture is getting in |
| Algae or green growth on walls | Moderate - wash and repaint |
| Bare patches where paint has weathered away | High - masonry/timber is unprotected |
| Faded or patchy colour | Cosmetic - repaint for appearance |
| Damp patches appearing inside | Urgent - paint failure may be contributing |
DIY vs Professional
DIY Exterior Painting
Feasible for: Ground-floor walls, fences, garden structures, front doors, accessible window frames.
Cost saving: 50–70% on labour (paint and materials are the same)
You'll need:
- Masonry roller + extension pole (£15–£25)
- Brushes for cutting in (£5–£15)
- Exterior paint (£25–£55 per 5L - covers 10–12m² per coat)
- Filler, primer, sugar soap, dust sheets
- Ladder (ground floor only - never use ladders above first-floor eaves)
Professional Painter
Hire for: Anything above ground floor, large wall areas, timber window refurbishment, full-house repaints.
Day rate: £150–£250 per painter per day Find through: TrustMark, Checkatrade, Dulux Select Decorators, personal recommendations
Get 3 quotes. Ask what preparation is included - the cheapest quote often skips the prep, guaranteeing early failure. See our guide to builder quotes.
Alternatives to Repainting
If you're tired of the repaint cycle, consider these one-off solutions:
| Alternative | Cost | Lifespan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone render over existing | £4,500–£9,000 | 25–40 years | No repainting needed, self-cleaning |
| Exterior wall coating (spray-on textured) | £2,000–£5,000 | 15–20 years | Thick weatherproof coating |
| uPVC fascias/soffits (replace timber) | £1,500–£3,500 | 25+ years | Never need painting again |
| uPVC or aluminium windows | £4,000–£10,000 | 25+ years | Eliminates window painting forever |
| Composite front door | £800–£1,800 | 25+ years | No painting, no warping |
The upfront cost is higher, but the lifetime saving on repeated painting is significant.
Next Steps
- Inspect your exterior - check paint condition on each elevation
- Fix defects first - repair render, repoint, fix gutters, treat rot
- Choose the right paint - breathable silicone for older masonry, microporous for timber
- Get 3 quotes - find decorators through TrustMark or Checkatrade
- Coordinate with other external work - share scaffolding with roof, gutter, or window work
- Get a repair estimate - use our repair calculator for costs in your area
- Read about improvements that add value - exterior painting is a high-ROI kerb appeal investment
Frequently Asked Questions
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