Painting cedar siding typically costs $3-$7 per square foot of siding, or about $4,500-$10,500 for 1,500 square feet of wall area. The cost to paint cedar siding depends most on scraping and sanding needs, wood condition, primer and paint quality, access, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed painting price | $3 per sq ft | $5 per sq ft | $7 per sq ft | Measured siding area; routine prep and two finish coats |
| 1,000 sq ft of siding | $3,000 | $5,000 | $7,000 | Excludes major carpentry or extensive stripping |
| 1,500 sq ft of siding | $4,500 | $7,500 | $10,500 | Typical mid-size exterior project |
| 2,000 sq ft of siding | $6,000 | $10,000 | $14,000 | Higher cost for complex layouts or difficult access |
Assumptions: U.S. contractor pricing, sound cedar boards, normal access, standard exterior acrylic paint, and typical cleaning and surface preparation. Prices are estimates, not fixed national rates.
Cedar siding painting prices by measured wall area
Most contractors price the job by the square footage of siding to be painted, not the home’s interior floor area. A 1,500-square-foot house may have roughly 1,200-1,800 square feet of paintable exterior wall, depending on its shape, number of stories, openings, and garage. A bid should state the measured siding area so homeowners can compare rates consistently.
For cedar in serviceable condition, expect approximately $3-$5 per square foot for cleaning, light scraping, spot priming, and two finish coats. More extensive sanding, peeling paint removal, knot or stain blocking, and difficult access can raise the rate to $5-$7 per square foot or more. A basic one-story project may fall near the low end; intricate trim and second-story work generally move it higher.
Material-only costs are usually much lower than a contractor’s installed quote. Exterior paint and primer together can run about $0.50-$1.50 per square foot of siding, depending on product and coverage. Labor, setup, equipment, protection, and overhead account for much of the remaining price. For a quick budget, allow about $5 per square foot of actual siding for a standard, professionally painted job.
How primer, scraping, and labor shape the quote
A detailed estimate separates the coating work from preparation. Cedar’s surface can absorb paint unevenly, and old coatings may peel or expose bare wood. Contractors often wash the siding, allow it to dry, scrape loose paint, sand rough edges, caulk suitable joints, spot-prime bare areas, and apply finish coats. Each task changes the labor hours and the chance of a durable result.
| Quote item | Typical price | What it covers | Cost note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning and masking | $0.25-$0.75 per sq ft | Low-pressure washing, windows and landscaping protection | Heavy mildew or dirt can add time |
| Scraping and sanding | $0.50-$2.00 per sq ft | Loose coating removal and feathering edges | Extensive failure raises the rate |
| Primer and paint | $0.50-$1.50 per sq ft | Primer plus two finish coats, materials only | Coverage varies with wood texture |
| Painting labor | $40-$75 per hour | Preparation, priming, coating, and cleanup | Regional rates and access affect totals |
| Lift or ladder setup | $150-$800 per project | Equipment rental or added access setup | May be higher for steep or obstructed sites |
Line items do not always add up exactly to the contractor’s per-square-foot price. Some companies include equipment, supervision, and overhead in a single installed rate. Ask whether the estimate includes two full finish coats, primer on exposed wood, cleanup, and protection of windows and walkways.
The preparation allowance is often the clearest clue to whether two bids are truly comparable. A low quote that omits scraping or spot priming may cost less now but leave failing areas unaddressed.
What changes the rate on aged cedar boards?
Condition is a major price driver. If less than 10% of the coating is loose and the boards are sound, contractors may need only light scraping and localized primer. When 20%-30% or more of the surface is peeling, chalking, or cracked, expect substantial scraping, sanding, and additional priming; this can add roughly $1-$3 per square foot. Removing all existing coatings is a separate, more labor-intensive scope and may exceed those amounts.
Surface texture and board profile also matter. Rough-sawn cedar can use 20%-40% more paint than smooth siding because the texture increases surface area and absorption. Deeply grooved or overlapping boards take longer to coat completely. A contractor may price rough or heavily weathered cedar at $0.50-$1.50 more per square foot than smooth boards in comparable condition.
Measurements, height, and complexity affect both material use and crew time. A simple one-story wall with clear access costs less than a two-story exterior with gables, dormers, narrow setbacks, or extensive trim. Walls above about 18-20 feet can require additional ladder handling or a lift. A lift can add several hundred dollars, while complicated access may increase labor by 10%-25%.
Wood damage is not included in a standard paint price. Replacing split or rotten cedar, repairing failed flashing, or addressing water intrusion can add $200-$1,500 or more, depending on the number of boards and whether a carpenter is needed. Get damaged-board repairs and coating work priced separately so the paint estimate does not hide necessary carpentry.
How choosing prep and paint controls cedar costs
Start by defining the finish level rather than asking for the lowest possible bid. Request a written scope listing washing, scraping, sanding, priming, number of coats, paint brand or grade, and cleanup. Confirm that bare cedar will be primed with a product suitable for the chosen finish. This helps prevent a low initial price from turning into a change order once work begins.
Choose a sound coating system without paying automatically for every premium upgrade. Quality exterior acrylic products commonly cost more per gallon than basic paint but may provide better adhesion and color retention. Compare product specifications and warranty terms instead of relying on broad claims. A specialty stain-blocking primer may be warranted on exposed or stained cedar, while applying it to every intact painted surface may add cost without clear benefit.
Homeowners can reduce contractor hours by clearing furniture, trimming vegetation away from walls, and making access available before the crew arrives. They should not scrape or pressure-wash cedar without checking the contractor’s plan: aggressive washing can damage wood, and poorly timed painting can trap moisture. Combining siding with nearby trim painting may lower setup costs if both projects need the same access equipment.
Compare at least three local written bids based on the same measured area and preparation standard. Ask about extra charges for rotten boards, extensive peeling, color changes, and additional coats. The most reliable savings come from limiting surprise work and avoiding unnecessary stripping, not from skipping essential preparation.
Where regional labor shifts siding estimates
Local wages, contractor demand, climate, and access to materials make national averages imperfect. In lower-cost rural markets, a routine cedar repaint may land about 10%-20% below the national midpoint. Large metro areas and high-cost coastal markets can run 15%-30% above it, particularly where crews have high demand or parking and access are difficult.
Climate influences the work plan as well as labor availability. In wet or humid areas, contractors may need longer drying windows between washing, priming, and painting. Cold regions have shorter exterior painting seasons, so well-booked crews may charge more during peak warm-weather months. Coastal exposure can mean more frequent maintenance and additional attention to weathering, though the initial quote still depends mainly on the actual preparation and coating scope.
These regional percentages are broad comparisons, not guaranteed adjustments. A rural home requiring a lift and extensive scraping can cost more than a well-maintained city home with simple access. Request quotes from contractors who regularly paint cedar in the local climate, and compare their stated products, prep methods, and measured areas. Local labor and access can shift a bid by thousands of dollars on a large exterior.
How long a cedar exterior repaint takes
A small, straightforward one-story exterior may take a crew of two or three about 2-4 working days. A 1,500-2,000-square-foot siding project with normal preparation often takes 4-7 days. Extensive scraping, repairs, multiple colors, or weather delays can extend the job to 1-2 weeks on the calendar, even when the crew’s actual work time is shorter.
Contractors commonly use two or three workers, with labor totaling roughly 40-100 hours for a mid-size home, depending on preparation and complexity. At $40-$75 per hour, that labor time represents a broad $1,600-$7,500 range before considering materials, equipment, overhead, and profit. It is not a substitute for a project quote, but it can help explain why two bids differ.
Drying time is important. Cedar should be dry before painting, and each coat must be applied within the product’s temperature and moisture guidelines. A schedule that rushes washing, primer, or recoat time can compromise adhesion. When comparing bids, ask for the expected workdays and weather-related scheduling assumptions, not just the start date.
When repairs, stripping, or access add charges
Additional work can make a seemingly standard painting quote much more expensive. Heavy paint failure may require broader removal; full stripping can add about $2-$5 per square foot or more, depending on the coating, method, and containment needs. Chemical stripping, heat tools, and extensive sanding have different labor and cleanup requirements. Ask the contractor to explain the proposed method and whether it is suitable for the siding and existing coating.
Replacing damaged boards is commonly priced by the board or repair area. Small cedar repairs may cost $150-$500, while multiple replacements, difficult matching, or concealed water damage can push carpentry to $500-$2,000 or higher. Caulking may be included in prep, but extensive joint repair or replacement of failed sealant can add $200-$800.
Other possible charges include lift rental, lead-safe work practices for older painted surfaces, disposal, and minimum project fees. Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint; disturbing it can require specialized procedures and raise the estimate. Disposal and cleanup for ordinary scraping may be included, but extensive removal can add $100-$500. Ask which conditions trigger extra charges and require approval before out-of-scope work begins.
Can three cedar home examples help check a quote?
These examples use siding area rather than interior floor area. They assume contractor labor, routine materials, and ordinary cleanup; repairs and unusual access are noted separately. Actual bids vary by market, wood condition, product, and how much of the estimate is devoted to preparation.
| Project | Scope and labor | Rate | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small one-story cottage | 900 sq ft; light scraping; 2 workers for 3 days | $3.75 per sq ft | $3,375 |
| Typical two-story home | 1,500 sq ft; spot priming and two coats; 3 workers for 5 days | $5.00 per sq ft | $7,500 |
| Weathered home with access needs | 1,800 sq ft; heavy scraping, lift, and minor board repair | $7.00 per sq ft | $12,600 |
The cottage example assumes sound boards and uncomplicated access. The typical home includes more setup and second-story work, while the weathered example reflects higher preparation and equipment needs; the listed rate may not include major hidden repairs. If a contractor quotes far below the first example or above the third, compare measured area and scope before judging the number.
For each quote, check whether the stated square footage excludes windows and doors consistently, whether trim is separate, and whether the price includes primer and two finish coats. A quote that lists only a total gives less basis for comparison than one that identifies surface preparation, coating materials, labor, and exclusions. Use the examples as a reasonableness check, then judge the final price against the home’s actual cedar condition and written scope.