Sherwin-Williams A-100 exterior paint typically costs about $45-$75 per gallon before tax, though store pricing, promotions, and account discounts can change the amount. Painting a typical 1,500-2,000-square-foot home’s exterior may cost $3,500-$8,500 with professional labor; siding condition, paintable area, coats, and regional labor rates drive the largest differences.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-100 paint, per gallon | $45 | $60 | $75 | Before tax; store and discount pricing varies |
| Five-gallon pail | $210 | $285 | $350 | May cost less per gallon than single cans |
| Professional exterior painting | $3,500 | $5,800 | $8,500 | Typical 1,500-2,000-square-foot home |
| Paint application labor | $1.50 | $3.00 | $5.00 | Per paintable square foot, excluding some prep |
What A-100 costs for a gallon or exterior project
A-100 is a Sherwin-Williams exterior paint line sold in different finishes and product formulations. A practical retail estimate is $45-$75 per gallon, with about $60 as a planning midpoint. Prices can vary by store, color, promotions, and whether the buyer qualifies for contractor or account pricing, so a current local quote is more reliable than a national list price.
A five-gallon pail commonly works out to roughly $42-$70 per gallon, or about $210-$350 before tax. The lower end is more likely with a sale or discount; a premium color or higher-priced product variation may push the pail toward the upper end. Confirm the exact A-100 product and finish on the quote rather than comparing pail prices alone.
For a professional job, a modest one-story home may cost $3,500-$5,500, while a larger or two-story home can reach $6,000-$8,500 or more. These estimates assume ordinary access, standard surface preparation, and two finish coats where needed. Extensive peeling, trim detail, lead-safe work, or major repairs are typically additional.
For initial budgeting, use about $60 per gallon for paint and $3-$5 per paintable square foot for a complete professional exterior job.
Assumptions: U.S. retail paint pricing before tax; typical home with sound siding, normal access, and no extensive repair work.
How paint, prep, and labor appear on an A-100 quote
A contractor’s total includes more than the A-100 cans. Preparation and application labor often exceed the paint material charge, especially on older siding or a multi-story house. Ask whether the quote separates paint, primer, surface preparation, and application so the scope can be compared consistently.
| Quote item | Typical price range | Unit or scope | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-100 paint | $45-$75 | Per gallon | Finish, color, discount, product variation |
| Primer | $25-$60 | Per gallon | Surface type and stain-blocking needs |
| Washing and scraping | $0.25-$1.00 | Per paintable sq ft | Dirt, loose coating, and access |
| Application labor | $1.50-$5.00 | Per paintable sq ft | Height, detail, coats, and local wages |
| Equipment and protection | $150-$600 | Per project | Lift or scaffold needs and masking |
| Minor repairs and disposal | $100-$800 | Per project | Caulking, damaged trim, and waste volume |
Paint quantity should be based on paintable surface area, not simply the home’s floor area. A gallon commonly covers about 250-400 square feet per coat, depending on surface texture, porosity, and application method. Two coats on 1,800 square feet may therefore require roughly 9-15 gallons, plus extra for touch-ups and absorption.
Contractors may price labor as a project total rather than an hourly charge. For comparison, exterior painting labor often equates to approximately $45-$85 per worker-hour, with crew size and production rate affecting the final amount.
Check that the written quote identifies the number of coats, paint product, prep tasks, and which surfaces are included.
Why siding area, coats, and finish change the paint budget
Paintable area is a stronger cost predictor than home size alone. A 1,500-square-foot one-story home with simple siding may have less exterior surface than a 1,500-square-foot two-story house with gables, dormers, and a large trim package. Garages, porches, shutters, fascia, and doors may be excluded unless specifically listed.
Coverage also changes with surface condition. Smooth, previously painted siding may take about 300-400 square feet per gallon per coat, while rough or porous wood can consume paint closer to 200-300 square feet. If the existing color is dramatically different, or the surface is bare in spots, a primer or additional coat can increase material and labor needs.
Finish selection affects the per-gallon price and appearance. A flat or low-sheen option may be priced differently from satin or gloss, and different A-100 formulations can have different store prices. For a 1,800-square-foot paintable exterior needing two coats, a shift from 10 gallons to 15 gallons can add roughly $225-$375 at typical A-100 prices, before any labor to apply it.
Access is another measurable variable. A single-story home with clear ground access may avoid special equipment, while elevations above about 20 feet, steep ground, or complicated rooflines can add $300-$1,500 for scaffolding, lift rental, or slower setup. Extensive scraping or damaged siding can add $500-$2,000 or more, depending on how much repair is required.
Measure siding and trim separately, and ask whether the estimate assumes one or two finish coats.
Assumptions: Coverage is approximate and varies by substrate, color change, application method, and product label specifications.
Where exterior painting labor costs more across the U.S.
Labor rates and contractor overhead differ by region. As a broad budgeting comparison, a similar project may run 10%-25% below the national midpoint in lower-cost rural markets, while dense coastal cities or high-wage metro areas may be 15%-35% above it. These are planning ranges, not guaranteed local price adjustments.
For example, a straightforward job that prices around $5,800 in a typical mid-cost market might land near $4,350-$5,200 in a lower-cost area or $6,700-$7,800 in a high-cost metro. Differences reflect wages, insurance, travel, local demand, and access requirements—not necessarily a change in the A-100 can price.
Climate and season can affect scheduling and the work plan. Exterior coatings need suitable surface and weather conditions, so contractors may avoid rain, high humidity, or temperatures outside the product label’s application guidance. In regions with a short painting season, limited crew availability can make scheduling tighter and quotes higher during peak months.
Compare local bids using the same paintable area and prep scope because regional labor variation can outweigh small differences in gallon pricing.
How long A-100 exterior painting takes and what crews charge
A typical crew of two or three painters may spend 3-7 working days on a standard house exterior, not counting long weather delays. Washing and drying, scraping, masking, caulking, primer, two coats, and cleanup all take time. A simple one-story house may be completed sooner; a large two-story home with detailed trim can take a week or longer.
At an effective labor rate of $45-$85 per worker-hour, 50-100 combined crew hours represent about $2,250-$8,500 in labor value. This is not necessarily the contractor’s invoiced labor line: fixed bids also account for supervision, insurance, equipment, travel, and business overhead. Ask whether the quote includes a separate mobilization or minimum charge.
Weather interruptions can extend the calendar schedule without adding full labor days. A rushed timeline may cost more if it requires additional crew members, evening work, or rescheduling other jobs. Work involving lead-safe practices on older homes may also take longer and should be priced as a specific scope rather than treated as ordinary scraping.
For a fair labor comparison, have each contractor list crew size, prep work, number of coats, and expected workdays.
Three A-100 painting quotes for different home sizes
The following examples show how material quantity and labor scope can affect a total. They are illustrative estimates, not fixed prices. Each assumes a standard color, ordinary access, and sound siding; extensive repairs, taxes, and unusual trim work can increase the final quote.
| Project example | Paint quantity | Labor scope | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small one-story, 1,200 sq ft paintable area | 8-10 gal at $45-$75 | 40-55 hours; wash, light scraping, two coats | $3,200-$4,800 |
| Typical two-story, 1,800 sq ft paintable area | 12-15 gal at $45-$75 | 65-85 hours; standard prep and trim | $5,000-$7,200 |
| Large detailed home, 2,600 sq ft paintable area | 18-24 gal at $45-$75 | 95-130 hours; more masking and access work | $7,800-$11,500 |
In the small-home example, paint may cost roughly $360-$750, with primer, supplies, and labor making up much of the remainder. For the typical two-story estimate, paint may total about $540-$1,125. The large home’s paint alone could be $810-$1,800, but its access and trim requirements often matter more to the total than the difference between two paint prices.
The per-square-foot totals in the table work out to approximately $2.70-$4.00, $2.80-$4.00, and $3.00-$4.40, respectively, based on paintable area. A contractor may instead calculate using siding area, linear footage of trim, or a whole-house rate, so the unit should be stated before comparing bids.
Use project examples as a reasonableness check, then replace their area and prep assumptions with the home’s actual measurements.
When A-100 makes sense compared with cheaper paint
A-100 pricing should be compared with other exterior coatings by product specification, intended surface, coverage, and warranty terms—not just the label price. A product that costs $10 less per gallon may not save money if it needs more gallons, more coats, or earlier repainting. Confirm that the alternative is rated for the siding material and exposure conditions.
For a small exterior project, a lower-priced suitable paint may save $100-$300 in materials. On a larger 20-gallon job, a $10-$20 per-gallon difference equals $200-$400 before tax. Those savings can be modest beside a $5,000-$8,000 labor bill, particularly if switching products does not change the application scope.
Repairing a localized failure can cost less than repainting every elevation. A small patch or trim repair may run $250-$900, depending on access and color matching, while a full exterior repaint commonly starts in the thousands. However, spot painting may show color differences, and widespread peeling or chalking can make a full repaint the more practical scope.
Compare the full system and expected coverage, rather than choosing solely by the lowest price per gallon.
How to lower an A-100 quote without cutting necessary prep
Control the surface area included in the job. If the siding is the priority, request separate prices for siding, trim, doors, shutters, and porch ceilings. This makes it possible to defer sound, lower-priority surfaces without accidentally removing essential preparation from the siding work.
Ask the contractor to identify which surfaces need primer and why. Bare wood, stains, repairs, and certain color changes may need it, but priming every previously painted surface is not always necessary. The correct approach depends on the substrate and product directions. Avoid savings that come from skipping required cleaning, scraping, or drying time.
Get at least three written quotes and compare product name, finish, gallon allowance, coat count, prep, repairs, and warranty coverage. Ask whether the contractor can use a current store promotion or account discount and whether the savings will be reflected in the estimate. A discount on paint does not automatically reduce labor charges.
Schedule before the busiest local painting period when contractors have availability, but do not press for application in unsuitable weather. Combining separate exterior surfaces in one visit may reduce repeated setup charges; conversely, a carefully scoped partial job may be cheaper when only one elevation needs work. Have any change in scope documented before work begins.
The safest savings usually come from accurate measurement, clear exclusions, and avoiding upgrades or extra surfaces that the project does not need.
Assumptions: Prices are broad U.S. estimates and exclude sales tax unless stated; local contractor quotes and current Sherwin-Williams store prices may differ.