Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior paint typically costs about $90-$115 per gallon, while painting a house with Aura often totals $4,000-$12,000, depending on home size, surface condition, and labor. The paint’s premium price matters, but preparation, coat count, trim, and access usually drive the full project estimate.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aura Exterior paint, per gallon | $90 | $102 | $115 | Retail pricing varies by store, color, and location |
| Paint for a typical exterior | $500 | $900 | $1,800 | Approximately 5-16 gallons, depending on area and coats |
| Professional exterior painting | $4,000 | $7,500 | $12,000 | Typical 1,800-2,500 sq ft home; prep and trim affect total |
| Painter labor | $35/hour | $55/hour | $85/hour | Per-worker rates; contractor quotes may be priced by project |
What Aura Exterior Costs for a Typical House
Aura Exterior is a premium 100% acrylic paint, and the gallon price is only one part of a repaint budget. A 1,800-2,500-square-foot house may require roughly 5-16 gallons for two coats, depending on paintable wall area, siding texture, color change, and product coverage. At about 350-400 square feet per gallon per coat on smooth surfaces, rough siding or thirsty bare wood may use more.
For a standard home repaint, budget $4,000-$12,000 installed, with paint itself commonly accounting for $500-$1,800. That range assumes ordinary access and professional application; extensive scraping, repairs, multiple colors, or high-cost metro labor can raise the quote. Assumptions: U.S. retail paint prices, two finish coats, standard siding, and normal access.
How Paint, Labor, and Surface Prep Shape the Quote
Contractors may separate labor and materials or provide one installed price. These ranges show common budget shares for an exterior repaint; actual amounts vary with home design and region.
| Quote component | Typical range | Common pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aura Exterior paint | $90-$115 per gallon | About $500-$1,800 total | Area, coats, color, and siding texture |
| Labor | $2,500-$7,500 | $35-$85 per worker-hour | Prep level, crew size, height, and detail work |
| Preparation and repairs | $300-$2,500 | Often quoted by task or project | Scraping, caulking, sanding, and wood replacement |
| Equipment and access | $100-$1,200 | Per project | Ladders, lift rental, scaffolding, or steep terrain |
| Delivery and disposal | $50-$400 | Per project | Paint delivery and removal of debris or old materials |
Ask whether the written quote includes primer, caulk, masking, and cleanup, not just paint and application. Example: 60-100 worker-hours at $45-$75 per hour equals $2,700-$7,500 in labor before materials and overhead.
Why Siding Area, Coats, and Paint Condition Change Price
Exterior wall area is more useful than interior floor area for estimating paint. A compact one-story home with 1,200-1,600 square feet of paintable siding may need 6-10 gallons for two coats; a two-story home with 2,000-3,000 square feet of siding may need 10-18 gallons. These estimates allow for some waste and assume reasonably smooth, previously painted surfaces.
Adding a full second coat can increase paint use and application labor by roughly 40%-80% compared with one coat. A deep color change, bare wood, or porous masonry may also need primer or extra finish paint. If more than 20%-25% of the surface is peeling or chalking, substantial scraping and priming may be necessary. Three-story walls or elevations above 20 feet can add about 10%-30% for lift or scaffold access.
Which Prep Jobs Add the Most to Aura Painting Labor
Preparation can be a small cleaning and caulking allowance or a major part of the project. Pressure washing may add $150-$500, depending on house size and access. Scraping and sanding commonly add $1-$4 per square foot of affected surface, while exterior caulking may run $1-$3 per linear foot for straightforward joints.
Repair scope is often more consequential than the difference between paint brands. Replacing damaged trim or siding may add $300-$2,000 or more, depending on material and extent. Lead-safe work on older homes can require testing and regulated containment, adding several hundred dollars to several thousand. Ask the contractor to price visible repairs separately so the allowance is clear.
How Aura Exterior Quotes Differ by U.S. Region
Material prices can vary by retailer and market, but local labor is usually the larger regional difference. Compared with a national middle-market estimate, exterior painting labor may be 10%-25% lower in many rural or lower-cost areas and 15%-35% higher in expensive coastal metros. Dense neighborhoods, limited parking, and difficult access can add further charges.
Compare quotes for the same paintable area, coat count, prep tasks, and access plan. A low bid may exclude trim, primer, repairs, or lift rental, making it difficult to compare with a detailed proposal. Confirm whether Aura Exterior is specified for all painted surfaces or only siding, since trim and doors may use different products.
How Long a Professional Aura Exterior Repaint Takes
A straightforward one-story home may take a three-person crew about 2-4 working days, including routine preparation and application. A larger two-story property may take 4-7 days, and extensive scraping, repairs, or rain delays can extend the schedule. The quoted labor hours, rather than calendar days alone, help explain labor charges.
Weather can affect both schedule and finish quality. Painters generally need suitable surface and air temperatures and a dry window, following the product label for application limits. Ask how the contractor handles rain delays and whether a lift rental is charged per day, because a delayed project can increase equipment expense.
Can a Lower-Cost Paint or One Coat Reduce the Bill
A less expensive exterior paint may cost roughly $45-$80 per gallon, compared with Aura Exterior at about $90-$115. On a 10-gallon project, that difference is around $100-$700 before taxes. The savings may be reasonable for a well-maintained surface with a similar color, but the total job price may change little if labor and preparation make up most of the quote.
Do not cut a coat when the surface or color change requires full coverage. Instead, limit the project to necessary surfaces, choose a color that does not require extra coats, and compare Aura with an appropriate lower-priced exterior product on equal coverage and warranty terms. A test patch can reveal whether existing paint is sound enough for a planned application.
How to Trim an Aura Exterior Painting Estimate
Request at least three itemized quotes with the same scope, and verify the product line, number of coats, included primer, and repair allowance. Scheduling during a contractor’s less-busy period may improve availability, though discounts are not guaranteed. Bundling siding and trim can reduce mobilization costs if both areas need painting.
Clean access and a tightly defined scope are the most controllable ways to prevent surprise charges. Move patio furniture, trim vegetation away from walls, and identify areas that do not need painting before work begins. Avoid paying for broad replacement or premium upgrades unless the surface condition, exposure, or product requirements justify them.