- The main expense if you choose to paint your two-story home yourself is the paint, which will cost $300 to $400, as of the date of publication. Plan on between 8 to 10 gallons of paint, although this amount varies depending on the condition of the house, the materials and your method of painting. You'll use more paint to cover houses with stucco or shake siding, less paint if you have flat surfaces and many windows or doors. You'll also use more paint if you use a paint sprayer instead of a roller. An average gallon of exterior paint costs between $25 and $40 per gallon. Buying it in 5-gallon buckets can save money. You'll also need between 2 and 4 gallons of paint for trim.
- In addition to paint, you'll need rollers, tape, brown paper to cover windows and doors and tarps to protect plants and hard surfaces. Plan on around $50 for these supplies. If you need to rent a paint sprayer, plan on another $80 to $100. Ladder rentals are an additional $20 to $50, as of the date of publication.
- If you opt to hire a painter, plan on spending $3,000 to $5,000, depending on where you live and how large your house is. Painters in urban areas, where expenses in general are higher, usually charge more than those in rural or suburban areas. Although this cost can seem steep, consider that the paint job will probably last at least five years and adds considerably to the curb appeal of your home. Check references and avoid hiring a painter with a very low bid. You will likely be disappointed in the work. Choose a painter that has a verifiable track record in your area and provides a reasonable estimate -- neither too high or too low.
- If you have some experience painting, and your two-story home is not too large, consider painting the house yourself. Plan on spending at least two to three days on the task, and paint during cool, dry weather. If you've never painted, or your house is large with steep gables, hire a painter. Painting while on a tall ladder is dangerous, difficult work.
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