The cost to scrape and paint a house typically ranges from $4,000 to $12,000, with an average near $7,000 for a standard two-story home. House size, the amount of failing paint, siding condition, paint quality, and local labor rates drive the final quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrape and paint exterior | $4,000 | $7,000 | $12,000 | Typical 1,500-2,500 sq ft home |
| Scraping and prep | $500 | $1,800 | $4,000 | Depends on peeling paint and siding |
| Paint and primer | $400 | $900 | $1,800 | Materials for a typical exterior |
| Price per exterior wall area | $2 | $4 | $7 | Per sq ft, including prep and painting |
What a typical scrape-and-paint job costs
For a 1,500-2,500 sq ft house with wood, fiber-cement, or previously painted siding, expect roughly $4,000-$12,000. A straightforward job with limited peeling may land near $5,000-$7,000; extensive scraping, repairs, or difficult access can push the bill beyond $10,000. Home floor area is not the same as paintable wall area, so contractors should measure the exterior surfaces.
For budgeting, allow about $2-$7 per sq ft of exterior wall area. That range assumes pressure washing where appropriate, localized scraping, spot priming, and two finish coats in a typical U.S. market. A small single-story home may cost less overall, while a large or complex house can exceed the range.
Assumptions: standard exterior paint, normal site access, sound siding, and no major lead-abatement work.
How scraping, primer, paint, and labor shape the quote
Contractor estimates often combine preparation and painting into a single price. The breakdown below shows common allowances for a 1,500-2,500 sq ft home; amounts vary with surface area and paint failure.
| Quote component | Typical range | Pricing basis | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scraping and sanding | $500-$4,000 | $0.50-$2.50 per wall sq ft | Removing loose paint and feathering edges |
| Primer and finish paint | $400-$1,800 | $25-$75 per gallon | Primer, paint, and standard supplies |
| Painting labor | $2,000-$6,000 | $40-$80 per crew-hour | Application, masking, and detail work |
| Access equipment | $200-$1,200 | Project allowance | Ladders, lift, or scaffolding |
| Minor repairs and disposal | $150-$1,000 | Job allowance | Small caulking, patching, and debris |
Preparation labor is often the largest variable, not the paint itself. Labor estimates can be checked with ; confirm whether the quote includes setup, cleanup, masking, and disposal.
Which siding conditions and house dimensions raise the price
Peeling across more than 20%-30% of the siding can add hundreds or thousands of dollars because crews must scrape, sand, and prime a larger area. Bare wood exposed over broad sections may need dedicated primer, while rotten boards require replacement before painting. Ask the contractor to identify repair work separately from ordinary surface preparation.
Height and shape matter too. A two-story exterior, steep rooflines, dormers, and tight side yards may require extra setup or a lift. A house with 2,500-3,500 sq ft of paintable wall area can cost 25%-50% more than a compact one-story home with 1,500-2,000 sq ft, even when both have similar floor area.
Lead-safe work can change the estimate substantially. For homes built before 1978, testing may be advisable; confirmed lead paint can require containment and certified procedures, adding roughly $1,000-$5,000 or more depending on area and local rules.
How to cut the exterior painting bill without skipping prep
Have the contractor distinguish necessary scraping from optional full-surface sanding or stripping. Scraping only loose paint, feathering edges, and priming exposed spots can be appropriate when the remaining coating is sound. If paint is failing across most of the house, reducing prep too aggressively may cause early peeling and a costly repaint.
Homeowners can reduce labor by moving patio furniture, trimming plants away from siding, and confirming access to exterior walls before the crew arrives. Keep the color plan simple, avoid unnecessary trim changes, and compare the same scope, paint line, coat count, and repair allowances across at least three written quotes.
Choose a lower-cost paint only after checking its stated coverage and warranty. A premium product may be worthwhile on weather-exposed siding, but upgrades should match the surface and local climate rather than be added automatically.
How many crew hours does scraping and painting take
A typical three-person crew may need 4-8 working days for washing, scraping, repairs, priming, and two coats on an average house. Extensive peeling or detailed trim can stretch the schedule to 8-12 days. Labor rates commonly fall around $40-$80 per crew-hour, though contractors usually quote the project rather than bill by the hour.
Weather affects both timing and quality. Rain, high humidity, or temperatures outside the paint maker’s application range can delay work. A quote should explain how the crew handles wet surfaces, daily cleanup, and return visits if weather interrupts the job.
Why exterior scrape-and-paint prices vary by U.S. region
Labor and contractor availability can make quotes differ by about 10%-25% between lower-cost rural markets and expensive metro areas. Northeast and coastal markets may price 10%-20% above a national midrange because of labor costs, older housing, and more demanding weather protection. Some lower-cost Southern and Midwestern markets may come in 5%-15% below the midpoint, but local demand and house condition can outweigh regional averages.
Use regional percentages as a comparison, not a guaranteed adjustment. For example, a $7,000 midrange estimate could become roughly $7,700-$8,400 in a market 10%-20% higher, before unusual repairs or lead controls.
Three sample quotes for different peeling-paint conditions
| House and scope | Labor and unit rate | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| 1,400 sq ft one-story, limited peeling, 1,800 sq ft wall area | 75-95 crew-hours; about $2.80 per wall sq ft | $5,000-$6,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft two-story, moderate scraping, 2,500 sq ft wall area | 110-145 crew-hours; about $3.50 per wall sq ft | $7,500-$10,000 |
| 2,600 sq ft home, heavy peeling and difficult access, 3,200 sq ft wall area | 170-220 crew-hours; about $5 per wall sq ft | $14,000-$19,000 |
These examples assume standard exterior paint and normal repairs; the highest example includes a larger prep allowance and access costs. Compare estimates by measured wall area and listed work, not house floor area alone. A quote should state the scraping method, primer and paint brand or grade, number of coats, repair limits, and any lift or disposal charges.