Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior typically costs about $90-$120 per gallon, with a five-gallon purchase often running $450-$600 before tax. Total project expense depends on how much paint the home needs, surface preparation, labor, and local store pricing; a professional exterior repaint can cost several thousand dollars.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aura Exterior paint | $90 per gallon | $105 per gallon | $120 per gallon | Retail prices vary by dealer, color, and region |
| Five-gallon quantity | $450 | $525 | $600 | Before sales tax |
| Paint for a 2,000-sq-ft exterior | $450 | $735 | $1,200 | About 5-10 gallons, depending on coverage and coats |
| Professional exterior repaint | $4,000 | $7,500 | $12,000 | Typical house-scale job with labor and prep |
What Aura Exterior costs by gallon and house size
Most U.S. buyers pay roughly $90-$120 for one gallon of Aura Exterior. A five-gallon bucket is commonly $450-$600, though some dealers price the same volume differently from five individual cans. Deep or specialty colors, local promotions, and tinting policies can affect the final register price.
For a house with about 2,000 square feet of paintable siding, budget around $525-$1,050 for one coat of paint at typical coverage. Two coats can require approximately 10-20 gallons, or $900-$2,400, before primer, supplies, and labor. Assumptions: roughly 250-400 sq ft of coverage per gallon, ordinary siding, and no unusually porous or damaged areas.
Aura Exterior paint alone is not the same as a completed painting quote. Check whether a contractor’s estimate includes paint, primer, repairs, and the number of finish coats.
How paint, prep, and labor shape an exterior quote
Paint is only one part of a professional job. Labor, scraping, caulking, masking, and access equipment can cost more than the coating, especially when siding is deteriorated or the house has multiple stories. The table shows common budget ranges for a modest-to-medium repaint.
| Quote item | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aura Exterior paint | $90-$120 | Per gallon | Color, dealer, and quantity |
| Primer | $25-$60 | Per gallon | Surface type and stain blocking needs |
| Painting labor | $50-$100 | Per crew-hour | Prep, height, detail, and local rates |
| Surface preparation | $300-$1,500 | Per project | Scraping, sanding, caulking, and repairs |
| Lift or access equipment | $200-$800 | Per project | Building height and rental duration |
For example, 60 crew-hours at $75 per hour equals $4,500 in labor, before materials and any separate repair charges. A small, accessible ranch may need less time; a tall home with intricate trim may need substantially more.
Ask for paint quantity and labor to be itemized separately. That makes it easier to compare bids and determine whether Aura is included at its actual quoted price.
Coverage, siding condition, and coats change gallon needs
Benjamin Moore lists Aura Exterior coverage at approximately 250-400 square feet per gallon, but actual coverage depends on texture, porosity, and application. Rough or weathered wood generally uses more paint than smooth, sealed siding. A strong color change can also require an additional coat or a tinted primer.
For example, 2,000 square feet of siding at 300 square feet per gallon takes about seven gallons for one coat. Two coats take about 14 gallons, costing approximately $1,260-$1,680 at $90-$120 per gallon. Add roughly 10% for waste, touch-ups, and complicated trim if the surface area estimate is uncertain.
Confirm the measured paintable area and number of coats before ordering. Window and door openings reduce wall area, while gables, trim, and extra color zones add it back.
How regional paint and contractor rates differ
Retail prices and labor rates are not uniform nationwide. In lower-cost rural markets, paint and labor may fall near the low end of the ranges above. Major coastal cities and high-cost metro areas can run about 10%-25% higher, particularly when contractor demand, travel, or scaffold access increases the bid.
Climate and timing also affect scheduling more than the can price. Exterior painting needs suitable temperatures and dry surfaces; rainy periods or short seasonal windows can make crews harder to book. A quote for the same siding area can differ by $1,000 or more between markets because labor and prep vary, even when both contractors buy Aura at similar retail prices.
Compare local bids using the same scope, coat count, and preparation list. A lower price may exclude scraping, caulking, or trim rather than reflect a cheaper paint purchase.
Three Aura Exterior budgets for common painting scopes
These examples illustrate how quantity and labor combine; actual estimates depend on measurements and site conditions. They assume ordinary access and include paint, basic preparation, and labor, but exclude major siding repairs.
- Small 1,200-sq-ft siding area: About 8 gallons for two coats at 300 sq ft per gallon, or $720-$960 in paint. With 35-45 crew-hours at $60-$85 per hour and $300-$700 in prep, budget about $3,100-$5,500.
- Typical 2,000-sq-ft siding area: About 14 gallons for two coats, or $1,260-$1,680 in paint. With 55-75 crew-hours at $65-$90 per hour and $500-$1,200 in prep, budget about $5,300-$9,600.
- Large 3,000-sq-ft, two-story exterior: About 20 gallons for two coats, or $1,800-$2,400 in paint. With 85-120 crew-hours at $70-$100 per hour, plus $800-$2,000 for prep and access, budget about $8,500-$16,400.
These totals are planning ranges, not fixed national quotes. Rot, peeling coatings, lead-safe work requirements, and extensive trim can push a project above the examples.
Is Aura worth the premium over other exterior paint?
Aura Exterior usually costs more per gallon than many standard exterior acrylic paints. If a less expensive product is $55-$85 per gallon, the difference is about $5-$65 per gallon, or $70-$910 for 14 gallons. The project-total difference can be smaller than labor and repair costs, but it still matters on a large home.
Compare the product specifications, recommended substrates, finish, expected coverage, and warranty terms rather than price alone. A premium paint may be worthwhile when the surface and exposure suit the product, but it does not replace proper washing, scraping, priming, or application. For sound siding with modest exposure, calculate the extra material cost before choosing an upgrade.
Where homeowners can trim an Aura paint budget
Measure siding and trim separately, then ask a dealer or painter to check the gallon estimate. Buying too little can mean another trip and a tint mismatch; buying far too much ties up money in unused paint. Ask whether a five-gallon price or current store promotion lowers the per-gallon rate.
Control scope by distinguishing necessary repairs from optional trim changes, decorative color blocks, or extra coats. Handle simple clearing and landscaping preparation if the contractor agrees, but leave scraping, sanding, and ladder work to qualified workers when safety or coating failure is involved. Get at least three written bids with the same prep, product, coat count, and cleanup terms.
The most reliable savings usually come from accurate quantities and comparable scopes, not skipping essential surface preparation. Confirm whether the estimate includes primer and leftover paint before approving the purchase.