Exterior Painting Cost & Work Guide

For UK homeowners, timing is everything. A professional exterior paint job not only breathes new life into a tired facade but also preserves the structural integrity of your windows, doors, and walls for years to come.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Inspection & Preparation: Assessing the condition of masonry, render, and woodwork to identify cracks or rot.
• Cleaning: Removing dirt, moss, and algae using a pressure washer or fungicidal wash.
• Surface Repair: Scraping away flaking paint, filling masonry cracks, and sanding timber surfaces.
• Masking: Protecting windows, doors, downpipes, and plants with plastic sheeting and professional-grade tape.
• Priming: Applying a stabilising primer to porous masonry or a wood primer to bare timber.
• Top Coats: Applying at least two coats of weather-resistant masonry paint or exterior gloss/satinwood.

Typical Costs

Exterior painting costs vary significantly based on the size of your property and the amount of scaffolding required. Prices below include labour, materials, and VAT at 20%.

The main cost drivers are the condition of the existing surfaces and accessibility. If your render is "blown" (detached from the wall) or your woodwork is rotten, repair costs will be added to the painting quote.

How Long Does It Take?

• Small Terraced: 2–4 dry days depending on the level of preparation needed.
• Average Semi-Detached: 5–7 days, allowing for drying time between coats.
• Large Detached: 10–14 days, especially if there is significant timber detailing or decorative masonry.
• Weather Factor: In the UK, projects can be delayed by rain or high humidity, as paint cannot be applied to damp surfaces.

DIY or Professional?

While painting a ground-floor wall is a manageable DIY task, painting a whole house involves significant safety risks. Working at height requires stable scaffolding or towers, which are expensive to hire and difficult to erect safely without training.

Expert Tip: Professional painters have access to trade-grade paints that offer superior UV protection and breathability compared to standard DIY store brands.

Hiring a pro ensures the "prep work"—which accounts for 70% of a long-lasting finish—is done correctly. Professionals will also be aware of Part L of the Building Regulations if you are replacing more than 50% of a surface's finish on a thermal element.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Credentials: Look for membership in the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or TrustMark.
• Insurance: Ensure they have Public Liability Insurance (minimum £2 million) to cover any accidental damage or injury.
• Red Flags: Be wary of tradespeople who want to paint in the rain or those who don't mention surface preparation in their quote.

Questions to ask:

• Do you include scaffolding costs in your quote, or is that separate?
• What brand of paint do you use, and how many coats are included?
• How do you handle "blown" render or rotten wood discovered during the job?
• Can you provide references from local exterior projects completed over two years ago?

UK Regulations

• Working at Height: Contractors must comply with the Working at Height Regulations 2005. Ladders are generally only for short-duration work.
• Conservation Areas: If you live in a Conservation Area or a Listed Building, you may need Planning Permission to change the colour of your exterior.
• Scaffolding Permits: If scaffolding needs to be placed on a public pavement or road, your contractor must obtain a permit from the local council.

Common Problems

• Painting Damp Masonry: Applying paint to wet walls traps moisture, leading to bubbling, peeling, and eventually damp inside the home.
• Poor Preparation: Skipping the cleaning or sanding stage means the new paint will fail to bond, often peeling within 12 months.
• Using the Wrong Paint: Using non-breathable paint on lime-rendered traditional buildings can cause serious structural damp issues.
• Inadequate Weather Windows: Painting too late in the autumn when temperatures drop below 5°C prevents the paint from curing properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to paint my house exterior?

In the UK, the ideal window is between late April and September. You need dry days with temperatures consistently above 10°C and low humidity for the paint to bond and dry correctly.

How long should an exterior paint job last?

A high-quality professional job using premium masonry paint should last between 10 and 15 years. Woodwork usually requires maintenance every 4–6 years to prevent rot.

Do I really need scaffolding?

For most two-storey homes, yes. It is significantly safer and allows the painter to reach every corner for a consistent finish. It also provides a platform for necessary repairs that can't be done safely from a ladder.

Can I change the colour of my house without permission?

Usually, yes, under Permitted Development rights. However, if your home is Listed or in a Conservation Area, you must check with your local planning office first, as colour restrictions often apply.

What is 'breathable' paint and do I need it?

Breathable paint allows moisture vapour to escape from the walls. It is essential for older properties (pre-1920s) built with solid walls and lime mortar to prevent internal damp and "spalling" masonry.