How Long Does It Take to Paint the Exterior of a House?

Painting your home’s exterior is a quick and effective way to boost its curb appeal, increase its value, and protect your home from damage due to pests, weather, and wear and tear. But how long does it take to paint a house? The answer depends on factors such as the size of the home, how many stories it has, the number of painters on the project, the weather in the area, and the materials being painted.  

With this in mind, let’s explore how long it takes to paint a house. 

Factors That Affect How Long It Takes to Paint a House

How long it takes to paint a house is largely determined by the following factors:  

Size of Your Home

The size of your home will certainly affect how long it will take to paint its exterior. An average-size house of approximately 2,250 square feet with one to two stories and four or fewer bedrooms will take an average of three to four full days to paint using a professional team of two to three experienced house painters. This estimate assumes efficient workflow and optimal conditions. Homeowners painting their own homes will need additional time due to variations in skill, experience, and equipment.

Size of Your Crew

No matter the size of your home, the number of people painting also affects how long it takes to paint a house. The more helping hands you have, the faster your project will move. Our local Neighborly pros typically assign more than one person for painting an exterior house, especially if it means completing work on a tighter deadline.

Amount of Prep Work

When painting an exterior house, the quality of the prep work determines how well the paint adheres to its various surfaces. Prep work includes cleaning, scraping, and power washing surfaces like stucco, wood fascia, stone, brick, and siding. All flaking paint must be removed, cracks and flaws must be repaired and sealed, and surfaces must be sanded smooth. The success of the paint job greatly depends on this stage, so prep work is an essential step for a quality house exterior paint result. 

Weather

No matter how much time you invest in the prep work, weather conditions can affect how long it takes to paint a house. Rain, humidity, wind, excessive cold, and high heat all interfere with the application of paint and its ability to adhere to your home’s exterior.

When temperatures drop below 50°F, paint thickens and has trouble drying and curing, delaying subsequent coats of paint. Temperatures above 90°F cause paint to dry too quickly, leading to uneven application, brush marks, and poor adhesion. Wind drives dust and pollen onto wet paint, and rain and humidity also impair smooth application, drying, curing, and adherence. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Painting an Exterior House 

Painting an exterior house involves several stages, each critical to ensuring a high-quality result. Each stage contributes to how long it takes to paint the house:

1. Preparation (1-2 Days)

   • Power Washing: Thoroughly clean to remove flaking paint, mildew, and dirt. Allow the house to fully dry for 24 hours.

   • Scraping and Sanding: Once the house is dry, scrape off any remaining paint and sand the surfaces to create a uniform texture for priming.

   • Taping and Covering: Protect windows, doors, and landscaping by taping off edges and covering areas that will not be painted.

2. Priming (1 Day)

   • Apply Primer: A primer coat ensures the top coat of paint adheres well to your home’s exterior and makes the paint last longer. The primer coat must completely dry, typically for at least 24 hours, before applying the first coat of paint.

3. Painting (2-3 Days)

   • Base Coat: Apply the first coat of paint and allow it to dry completely, ideally for 24 hours, before applying the second coat. This helps prevent drips and splatters, ensuring a smoother, more even finish.

   • Top Coat: Once the base coat has dried, apply a second coat to ensure even coverage and vibrant color. This coat, too, will need approximately 24 hours of drying time.

4. Final Touches (1 Day)

   • Trim Work: Paint the fascia boards, trim, shutters, and other exterior details in a contrasting color. This requires steady hands and great attention to detail. Wait for the top coat to fully dry so you don’t risk marring the paint as you work on the trim.

   • Cleanup: Finally, remove all tape and coverings, clean up any spills or spatters, and replace any fixtures removed for the painting. Review the entire house and perform touch-ups as needed.

With so many stages of meticulous work required, it’s no wonder a team of professionals is the preferable method of how to paint an exterior house more quickly and easily than homeowners on their own.

How Long Does It Take to Paint a House?

The size of the home is a critical factor in determining how long it takes to paint a house.

• Small House (Up to 1,500 square feet, 1-2 stories, up to 3 bedrooms): Expect the job to take 2-3 days.
• Medium House (1,500-2,500 square feet, 2-3 stories, 3-4 bedrooms): Painting the house will take approximately 3-4 days.
• Large House (Over 2,500 square feet, 2 or more stories, 4+ bedrooms): Painting larger homes can take 5-10 days.

These estimates assume a professional team of experienced house painters who understand the intricacies of how to paint an exterior house. DIY house painting will take much longer to achieve adequate results. 

What to Consider When Planning a House Exterior Paint Project?

When painting your home, many considerations are far more important than “how long does it take to paint a house?”. Better questions include:

• What quality of paint will be used? 
• How meticulous will the prep work be?  
• How many coats of paint will you use?

Questions like these are better at predicting the answer to the most important questions: 

• How good will the paint job be? 
• How long will it last?

Consider hiring a professional house painting service to ensure trained experts perform all work and provide:

• Quality results
• Time efficiency
• Safety and compliance (OSHA, HOAs, etc.)
• Expert prep work
• Experienced problem-solving
• Insurance, license, and certification
• Satisfaction guarantee

Since you’re researching how long does it take to paint a house, consider these additional resources to help you with your home improvement projects:

• Keys to Home Remodeling
• Home Renovations - How to Develop and Stick to a Plan
• Home Improvement Ideas for Your Project Checklist

Save Time and Effort With Professional House Painting Services from Neighborly

Trust Neighborly® to connect you with professional house painting services you can depend on. Not only can you expect superior results backed by our industry-leading Neighborly Done Right Promise™, you can also count on expert local service professionals who will treat you and your home with courtesy and respect. 

Discover the Neighborly difference and call us or schedule online to set up a consultation.