Home Depot exterior paint prices typically range from about $30 to $90 per gallon, depending on brand, finish, and performance tier. A full exterior repaint can cost $2,500-$8,000 or more with professional labor; paint quantity, surface condition, home size, and local labor rates drive the total.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior paint, per gallon | $30 | $55 | $90 | Common retail range; specialty products can cost more |
| Five-gallon pail | $140 | $250 | $400 | Product and promotion affect price |
| DIY paint and basic supplies | $250 | $650 | $1,500 | Typical small-to-medium home, excluding major repairs |
| Professional exterior repaint | $2,500 | $5,000 | $8,000+ | Labor, access, prep, and home size vary |
Exterior paint prices by gallon and finish
At Home Depot, exterior paint commonly costs about $30-$90 per gallon. Entry-level options are generally near $30-$45, mid-tier products often run $45-$65, and premium lines may reach $65-$90. Exact prices vary by color, finish, container size, and current store or online pricing. Dark or custom colors may also affect the product selection or price.
A practical planning average is $45-$65 per gallon for a standard, quality exterior acrylic paint. Flat finishes can suit siding with minor surface flaws, while satin or low-luster finishes are easier to clean and often used on trim. Confirm the label specifies exterior use and is suitable for the home’s siding material.
Assumptions: U.S. retail pricing before tax; standard exterior paint, with no contractor discount.
What a five-gallon pail saves on a siding project
Five-gallon pails commonly cost around $140-$400, or roughly $28-$80 per gallon. A pail can be a better value when a project needs several gallons, but the lowest unit price is not automatically the lowest total cost: leftover paint, color matching, and the product’s coverage all matter.
A typical gallon covers about 250-400 square feet per coat on a smooth, previously painted surface. Rough siding, bare wood, and porous masonry can reduce coverage. Two coats are common for a color change or weathered surface. Measure paintable wall area, subtract large openings, and check the product label rather than relying on a single coverage estimate.
For example, 1,800 square feet of siding at 300 square feet per gallon needs about 12 gallons for two coats, before waste or primer. At $45-$65 per gallon, that is about $540-$780 in paint.
Behr and Glidden grades change the gallon price
Home Depot’s exterior paint selection includes Behr and, in some locations or product categories, Glidden options. Budget-grade paint can be appropriate for a simple repaint on sound surfaces. Midrange and premium lines typically cost more, with product features and recommended uses differing by formula. Store pricing, available colors, and current product labels should be checked before comparing brands.
Compare the cost per usable coat, not just the gallon price. A higher-priced product may cover more area or require fewer coats in a particular application, but coverage and coat recommendations depend on the surface and color. A sample or small test patch can help avoid buying several gallons of an unsuitable color.
Compare the same finish, container size, coverage claim, and surface suitability to make the price comparison meaningful.
Paint, primer, and prep supplies in a typical quote
Paint is only part of a DIY budget. Primer, caulk, masking materials, and rollers can add substantially, especially when siding is bare or damaged. A professional quote may also include scraping, repairs, ladder or lift access, and cleanup.
| Cost item | Typical price | What changes it | Common unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior paint | $30-$90 | Brand, tier, finish, and color | Per gallon |
| Exterior primer | $20-$60 | Stain blocking or specialty surface | Per gallon |
| Caulk and patch materials | $5-$15 | Cracks, joints, and repair scope | Per tube or package |
| Brushes, rollers, masking | $50-$250 | Tool quality and project size | Per project |
| Paint labor | $1.50-$4.50 | Prep, height, and surface condition | Per square foot |
Unusual prep is often a larger budget risk than the paint itself. Peeling paint, mildew, failed caulk, and wood rot may need correction before new paint will adhere. Ask whether a quote includes these tasks or prices them separately.
How siding condition and coverage raise the total
Coverage is a major price variable: smooth, sealed siding may approach 350-400 square feet per gallon per coat, while rough or thirsty surfaces may cover only 200-300 square feet. A home needing two coats can use twice the paint of a one-coat touch-up. For a 2,000-square-foot paintable area, two coats at 250-350 square feet per gallon require about 12-16 gallons.
Primer adds another cost when bare wood, patched areas, stains, or a major color change call for it. Specialty primer can run $30-$60 per gallon. Tall gables, multiple stories, and difficult access may increase labor or require lift rental; a straightforward single-story home is usually less expensive to paint.
Measure paintable surface area and estimate each coat separately before buying.
Professional painting labor can exceed paint costs
For professional work, exterior painting labor commonly falls around $1.50-$4.50 per square foot of paintable surface, with substantial regional and project variation. A 1,800-square-foot paintable exterior could therefore carry roughly $2,700-$8,100 in labor and related work, though contractors may quote by home, wall area, or scope. Paint and supplies may be included or listed separately.
Crews may need several days for washing, scraping, repairs, masking, painting, and cleanup. Labor is higher when the home has extensive peeling, intricate trim, steep access, or more than two stories. As a separate check, crew labor can be estimated from hours multiplied by the contractor’s hourly rate; many rates fall near $40-$80 per worker-hour, but quotes are commonly project-based.
Confirm whether the quote includes primer, paint, surface preparation, and cleanup before comparing totals.
When primer or a specialty coating is worth the extra
Primer is not always needed over sound, compatible paint, but bare wood, stained areas, chalky surfaces, and some masonry may require a product-specific primer. Skipping the required primer can lead to poor adhesion or extra coats, undermining any initial savings. Follow the paint label and address moisture or mildew before coating.
Specialty products for masonry, metal, or heavily weathered surfaces may cost more than standard siding paint, often $45-$90 per gallon. They should be selected for the substrate and exposure rather than purchased as an automatic upgrade. If only a few boards or trim sections are failing, replacing or repairing those areas may cost less than applying a premium coating everywhere.
How to lower the Home Depot paint budget
Measure carefully and buy enough paint from the same product line and color batch for the planned coats. Ask the store to check current promotions and compare gallon versus five-gallon pricing. Do not choose a lower coverage product solely because its sticker price is smaller; calculate the amount needed using realistic coverage for the actual siding.
Reduce labor by handling simple, safe preparation such as moving outdoor furniture, trimming plants away from walls, and identifying damaged areas before the crew arrives. Keep the scope focused, avoid unnecessary color changes, and compare at least three written contractor quotes with matching prep and coat specifications. Avoid painting over failed caulk, rot, or peeling areas just to cut the upfront price.
The most reliable savings come from accurate quantity estimates and clearly defined prep work, not from omitting necessary surface repairs.