Dunn-Edwards exterior paint prices generally range from about $45 to $100 per gallon, while a professional repaint can cost roughly $3,500 to $12,000 or more depending on the home. Product grade, paintable surface area, preparation, number of coats, and local labor rates drive the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior paint per gallon | $45 | $70 | $100 | Typical retail estimate; specialty finishes may cost more |
| Paint and sundries for DIY | $500 | $1,100 | $2,400 | Paint, primer, caulk, masking, and basic tools |
| Professional house repaint | $3,500 | $6,500 | $12,000 | Typical one- or two-story home with standard prep |
| Professional price per painted sq ft | $1.50 | $3.50 | $6.00 | Measured against paintable exterior surface, not floor area |
What Dunn-Edwards exterior paint costs per gallon and per house
For a typical home, expect $45-$100 per gallon for paint and about $3,500-$12,000 for professional application. These are planning ranges rather than a fixed brand price list: store pricing, product selection, local availability, and contractor purchasing arrangements vary. A standard mid-grade exterior acrylic is often near the lower or middle part of the range; premium lines and specialty finishes tend toward the upper end.
Gallons are priced by container, but paint quantity depends on the actual exterior surface. A modest home with 1,500-2,000 square feet of paintable siding may need roughly 10-18 gallons for two coats, including reasonable allowance for texture and waste. Trim, doors, shutters, and a separate body color can require additional product. Coverage on the label is a starting point; rough stucco, porous masonry, and weathered wood usually use more paint than smooth, sound siding.
Professional estimates usually include preparation, labor, materials, and cleanup. A 1,800-square-foot single-story house with accessible siding and limited repairs could fall near $4,500-$7,500. A larger two-story home with extensive trim, peeling paint, or difficult access may reach $9,000-$15,000. Home floor area alone does not determine the quote; exterior geometry and condition matter more.
Assumptions: U.S. retail estimates, standard acrylic exterior paint, two finish coats, normal access, and no major carpentry or lead remediation.
What goes into a Dunn-Edwards exterior repaint quote
Labor and surface preparation commonly account for more of the bill than the paint itself. The table shows typical ranges for a contractor repaint of an average-sized home. Costs vary with surface condition, house shape, local wage rates, and whether the quote includes extensive trim or repairs.
| Quote item | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint and primer | $700-$1,800 | $45-$100 per gallon | Product grade, coverage, colors, and coats |
| Labor and preparation | $2,000-$6,500 | $35-$75 per crew hour, or project bid | Scraping, sanding, masking, height, and detail work |
| Equipment and access | $150-$900 | Per job | Ladders, lift rental, scaffolding, and site access |
| Caulk and minor repairs | $200-$1,200 | $2-$8 per linear ft for repair work | Open joints, damaged trim, and number of windows |
| Delivery and disposal | $50-$350 | Per job | Paint delivery, masking waste, and old coating debris |
Some contractors include sundries and small repairs in a single labor-and-materials estimate, so table amounts should not be added mechanically to every quote. Ask whether the price includes primer, caulking, pressure washing, masking, cleanup, and two finish coats. A low bid that excludes prep or materials may not be directly comparable to a more complete estimate.
Labor is often calculated from crew hours or from measured surface area and difficulty. For instance, 48 crew hours at $50 per hour equals $2,400 before materials, equipment, overhead, and profit. Contractors may instead offer a fixed project price that bundles those expenses.
How surface area, siding, and paint grade shift the estimate
Paintable square footage and substrate condition usually move the estimate more than the brand name alone. A smooth 1,600-square-foot exterior can take less labor and paint than a smaller home with deep stucco texture, extensive trim, and multiple colors. Ask bidders to identify the measured surface area or explain how they arrived at the project total.
Changing from sound, smooth siding to textured stucco can raise material use by roughly 10%-25%, depending on texture and the product’s spread rate. Wood siding with peeling or chalking paint may need more scraping, spot priming, and caulking. If the coating is failing across much of the surface, preparation can add several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars rather than merely increasing gallon count.
Home size affects the budget, but stories and roofline matter too. Two-story elevations, steep grades, narrow side yards, and tall gables can require extra ladder moves or rented access equipment. A lift may add $250-$800 or more for a short rental, while difficult access can also extend crew time.
Paint grade affects both purchase price and sometimes the number of coats needed. A difference of $20 per gallon across 15 gallons adds $300 in material cost. By comparison, a second coat on a large or poorly covered surface can add substantial labor. The contractor should state whether the specified product is applied in one or two coats and whether primer is included.
Color changes can also affect coverage. Moving from a light color to a deep shade, or from a dark exterior to a light one, may require a tinted primer or additional coat. Bright, saturated colors can be less forgiving, so confirm the proposed coat count rather than assuming every color change takes the same amount of paint.
Control the repaint bill by narrowing the scope
The most reliable savings come from reducing avoidable labor, repair, and access costs—not cutting necessary preparation. Keep the project scope precise: list which walls, trim, doors, shutters, and detached structures are included, and specify the coat count. This prevents a low initial estimate from growing through unpriced exclusions.
Choosing one body color and one trim color can reduce masking and changeover time compared with several accent colors. Keeping a similar color may also avoid extra primer or finish coats. Ask the contractor to price optional items separately, such as garage doors, fences, patio covers, or a detached shed, so the core house repaint can be compared on its own.
Homeowners can sometimes reduce labor by moving outdoor furniture, trimming plants away from walls, and arranging access to gates and hose bibs before work starts. The contractor should identify any preparation that is safe for the owner to perform; scraping, pressure washing, and lead-safe work may require professional handling. Do not skip cleaning, adhesion checks, or primer where the substrate requires them.
Get at least three written quotes using the same product line, surface scope, repair allowance, and coat count. Compare the total and the exclusions, not just the per-gallon allowance. A quote that is $1,000 lower but omits trim, caulking, or extensive scraping may cost more once those tasks are added. A bundled exterior repaint can be less expensive per area than scheduling a separate small trim job later, but only if the added work is genuinely needed.
How long Dunn-Edwards exterior painting labor takes
A typical two-person crew may need three to six working days for an average house, including ordinary preparation. A compact, one-story home with minimal scraping can take two to four days; a larger two-story house with detailed trim and repairs may require a week or longer. Rain, high winds, intense heat, and damp surfaces can delay exterior work or limit safe application conditions.
Labor rates often land around $35-$75 per crew hour, though many painters quote by project rather than hourly. The hourly figure is not the homeowner’s full installed rate: overhead, insurance, equipment, materials, and business costs may be included in the fixed price. Confirm the crew size and expected duration if comparing bids, but evaluate them alongside the scope and warranty.
Prep can take a large share of the schedule. Washing and drying may require a day or more before painting, while scraping, sanding, caulking, and spot priming vary with the condition of the home. Wood rot or loose stucco is repair work, not simply painting, and can require a separate allowance. Ask the painter to distinguish minor patching included in the quote from larger repairs charged by time or change order.
Scheduling can affect both availability and price. During busy spring and early-summer periods, popular contractors may book several weeks ahead. A tight deadline or request for weekend work can add a rush or off-hours charge, often several hundred dollars, if the crew can accommodate it. Booking after the surface is ready and allowing a flexible start date can avoid those premiums.
Which Dunn-Edwards exterior paint line fits the budget
Product choice should match the surface and exposure; the most expensive gallon is not automatically the lowest-cost project choice. Retail prices are variable estimates, and exact line names, packaging, and current prices can differ by store and market. Ask the dealer or painter for a written product name and grade rather than accepting “Dunn-Edwards paint” as the full specification.
For planning, standard exterior acrylic products may run about $45-$70 per gallon, mid- to upper-grade options about $60-$85, and premium or specialty products about $75-$100 or more. These bands overlap because discounts, colorants, and local pricing differ. A premium coating can be worthwhile on highly exposed walls or where the manufacturer’s specifications fit the substrate, but the quote should explain the specific performance advantage.
Primer is a separate decision. Sound, previously painted surfaces may not require full priming if the selected finish product and surface condition permit it. Bare wood, patched areas, stains, chalky coatings, and some masonry commonly need the appropriate primer. Primer may cost roughly $25-$60 per gallon, with specialized primers often higher. The right primer can reduce adhesion failures and rework, so compare specified systems rather than substituting products solely by price.
Sheen also influences appearance and maintenance, not just price. Flat and low-sheen finishes can help conceal uneven siding, while satin or semi-gloss finishes are often chosen for trim and doors. A contractor may price separate products for body and trim; a small quantity of trim paint can have a higher per-gallon price while adding relatively little to the total job.
Why Dunn-Edwards painting quotes vary across U.S. regions
Labor markets and access to the brand can make an otherwise similar repaint cost 10%-30% more or less between locations. Dunn-Edwards has a stronger retail and contractor presence in the western U.S., particularly in California and neighboring states. There, product access may be convenient, but metropolitan labor, insurance, and operating costs can push a full repaint above estimates for smaller inland markets.
As a broad comparison, a standard project in a lower-cost rural or inland market may price 10%-20% below a national planning midpoint. Large coastal metro areas can run 15%-30% above it, especially where parking, access, and labor costs are high. These percentages are approximate: local painter availability and home condition can outweigh the regional average.
Climate and exposure also affect the specification. Strong sun, coastal salt, frequent rain, or freeze-thaw conditions can influence surface preparation and product selection. A more exposed home may need more frequent maintenance or a coating suited to the substrate and local conditions. Price a comparable paint system and scope in each bid; comparing a basic product in one quote with a premium system in another obscures the regional labor difference.
In areas without nearby Dunn-Edwards stores, confirm product availability and delivery charges before signing. A special order or longer delivery distance may add a modest fee or affect the schedule. If a contractor proposes an alternative product because the requested line is unavailable, get the substitute’s exact name, finish, and price difference in writing.
Three sample Dunn-Edwards exterior repaint estimates
These examples show how size, crew time, paint quantity, and preparation combine in a realistic project total. They are illustrative U.S. estimates, not guaranteed bids, and assume standard exterior acrylic paint, two finish coats, and no major structural repair.
| Home and scope | Paint and materials | Labor and access | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200-sq-ft one-story, smooth siding, one body color | 10-12 gal at $55-$75; $700-$1,050 | 36-44 crew hours at $40-$60; $1,440-$2,640 | $3,000-$4,800 |
| 1,800-sq-ft two-story, stucco body and basic trim | 16-21 gal at $60-$85; $1,100-$1,800 | 60-76 crew hours at $45-$65; $2,700-$4,940 | $5,200-$8,500 |
| 2,600-sq-ft home, peeling wood siding, detailed trim | 23-30 gal at $70-$100; $1,800-$3,000 | 95-125 crew hours at $50-$75; $4,750-$9,375 | $8,000-$15,000 |
Totals include estimated sundries, ordinary masking, equipment, and minor prep allowances, but not extensive wood replacement, lead abatement, major stucco repair, or unusual lift requirements. The largest estimate has a wide range because peeling wood can require very different amounts of scraping and spot priming. Ask for a per-area or line-item explanation if a bid differs substantially from the relevant example.
Paint quantity in these examples assumes two coats and includes a modest waste allowance. A painter may calculate gallons using the manufacturer’s spread-rate guidance and then adjust for texture, porosity, and color change. A large difference from these gallon estimates is not automatically a problem, but the contractor should explain the surface measurement and coverage assumptions.
Check these quote details before approving the price
A complete bid identifies the product, preparation, coverage, exclusions, and terms that support its total. Confirm the exact Dunn-Edwards line, sheen, color count, primer, and whether the price covers one coat or two. The written scope should also state which exterior surfaces are included and how repairs beyond the stated allowance will be priced.
Ask whether pressure washing is included and how long surfaces will dry before painting. Clarify whether scraping and sanding cover loose paint only or include broad removal, and whether caulking applies to all specified joints. Check that masking, cleanup, paint delivery, and disposal are accounted for. If trim, gutters, doors, or shutters are excluded, have those limits listed clearly.
Warranty terms should specify what is covered, for how long, and what conditions void coverage. A longer warranty may be useful, but it does not substitute for a suitable coating and sound preparation. Confirm whether the contractor’s warranty covers labor as well as materials, and whether the manufacturer’s product warranty requires particular application conditions.
Finally, compare payment schedule, insurance, and change-order rules. Unusually large upfront payments or vague language about extra work make cost comparisons harder. A clear estimate links the quoted total to a defined scope, allowing the homeowner to judge whether a lower price reflects real efficiency or simply leaves necessary work outside the contract.