Tex-Cote paint price typically runs about $3.50-$7.50 per square foot of exterior wall area installed, with many standard projects averaging near $5.25 per square foot. Total cost depends on measured wall area, surface repairs, access, local labor rates, and whether the quote includes the full coating system or only paint application.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed coating per wall sq ft | $3.50 | $5.25 | $7.50 | Prep and application; excludes major repairs |
| Small home exterior project | $5,000 | $9,500 | $15,000 | About 1,400-2,000 sq ft of wall surface |
| Medium home exterior project | $7,000 | $13,000 | $20,000 | About 2,000-2,700 sq ft of wall surface |
| Large or complex home | $12,000 | $19,000 | $30,000 | About 2,800-4,000 sq ft, or difficult access |
Assumptions: U.S. contractor pricing, sound exterior walls, standard color selection, ordinary access, and a coating application that includes routine cleaning and surface preparation. A house’s floor area is not the same as its paintable wall area.
How Much Does Tex-Cote Cost on a House?
For a typical one- or two-story house, a practical starting budget is $7,000-$15,000. Smaller homes with simple, accessible elevations may fall near $5,000-$9,000, while large houses, complex rooflines, and extensive repairs can push the total above $20,000. Contractors generally calculate the estimate from exterior wall area rather than interior floor area.
A common installed rate is $3.50-$7.50 per square foot of coating surface. The average used in this estimate is approximately $5.25 per square foot, including typical labor, standard coating materials, and ordinary preparation. Premium products, additional coats, specialty colors, and difficult access may change the rate. Brand-specific products and approved application systems can vary, so the written proposal should identify the exact coating being priced.
As a rough example, a home with 2,300 square feet of paintable wall area could cost about $8,050-$17,250, with an average near $12,075. That estimate excludes unusual structural repairs, replacement siding, and major trim work. Window and door openings may be deducted differently by contractors, so comparing bids requires checking the measured area and what the square-foot rate includes.
Tex-Cote is commonly used to describe a branded exterior coating system, but homeowners sometimes use the term for textured or elastomeric coatings generally. Confirm the product name, system layers, warranty terms, and surface preparation in the quote. A price for ordinary exterior paint is not a direct comparison if the coating specification or installation scope differs.
What Goes Into a Tex-Cote Exterior Coating Quote?
Most installed quotes combine materials and labor with cleaning, masking, and preparation. The table shows typical cost portions per square foot of wall area; these are estimating ranges, not fixed national rates. A contractor may quote a single installed price rather than itemize every task.
| Quote component | Typical cost | What it may include | Price effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coating materials | $0.80-$2.00 per sq ft | Primer, base coat, finish coating | Product system and coverage rate |
| Labor | $1.50-$3.50 per sq ft | Washing, masking, application, cleanup | Wall condition and access |
| Equipment and access | $0.20-$0.80 per sq ft | Sprayer, ladders, lift, scaffolding | Height and site layout |
| Repairs and preparation | $0.25-$2.00 per sq ft | Caulking, patching, scraping, priming | Existing coating and substrate damage |
| Delivery and disposal | $100-$600 per project | Material delivery and debris removal | Distance and amount of waste |
For labor estimates, crews may charge by the project or estimate hours internally. A basic planning formula is . At roughly $45-$85 per worker-hour, a two-person crew working 40-70 combined hours represents $1,800-$5,950 in labor before overhead, equipment, and materials. Crew size and productivity vary by company and job.
Surface preparation is often the largest source of quote differences. One contractor may include washing and minor caulking, while another may price extensive scraping, stucco patching, or damaged trim separately. Ask whether the total includes primer, the specified number of coats, masking, cleanup, and taxes where applicable.
How Wall Area, Stucco, and Repairs Change the Price
Exterior wall area drives material quantity and application time. A simple home with 1,800 square feet of paintable surface may be much less expensive than a home with 3,000 square feet, even if both have similar interior floor areas. Gables, dormers, tall elevations, porches, and attached garages increase the area or slow access and application.
Substrate condition is another major driver. Sound stucco or masonry that needs washing and modest caulking may stay near the lower or middle range. Cracked stucco, failing paint, exposed wood, or widespread moisture damage may add $1-$4 per square foot for affected sections, depending on repair depth. Replacing siding or correcting water intrusion is typically a separate construction expense.
Height and access can also change the price. A one-story wall reached from the ground usually costs less to coat than a two-story elevation requiring scaffolding or a lift. Difficult slopes, landscaping close to the wall, narrow side yards, and fragile surfaces can raise setup time and equipment charges. Some contractors apply a project minimum, often around $2,500-$5,000, for smaller jobs.
Measure the actual coating surface and separate repairs from coating work. For a two-story home with more than 2,800 square feet of wall area, complex trim, or significant patching, a bid near $18,000-$28,000 may be reasonable. A compact one-story home with sound walls may receive a substantially lower estimate.
Why Prep Work and Crew Hours Can Add to the Bill
Routine washing and masking may take a crew several hours, while a home requiring scraping, crack repair, and detailed protection can add one or more workdays. Typical projects last about 2-5 working days, depending on wall area, drying conditions, crew size, and how many layers the specified system requires. Weather delays can extend calendar time even when labor hours do not change much.
Preparation varies with the existing finish. Loose paint must be removed or stabilized; cracks may require sealant or patching; chalky surfaces may need special treatment or primer. On stucco, the contractor may have to address hairline cracks and uneven texture. On wood siding, damaged boards, peeling edges, or failed caulk can require separate repairs before coating begins.
Ask whether the proposal states the washing method, repair allowance, primer, application method, coat count, and acceptable drying conditions. A low bid that omits preparation may lead to added charges once work starts. A detailed scope makes it easier to compare the labor rate and total quote rather than judging price by the final number alone.
Everyday access and a sound surface keep the crew’s hours predictable. If a lift is required, rental and delivery can add roughly $300-$1,500 or more, depending on height, rental duration, and local rates. Scaffolding, extensive masking, or moving obstacles can add further charges.
Tex-Cote Prices Across U.S. Labor Markets
Geography affects both labor and project logistics. In lower-cost rural or Midwestern markets, an uncomplicated installation may land near $3.50-$5.50 per square foot. Many suburban markets fall around $4.50-$7.00. High-cost coastal metros, areas with higher insurance and labor expenses, and locations with limited qualified contractors may run about 10%-30% above a comparable lower-cost market.
Climate and local building conditions influence the work rather than setting one uniform regional price. Hot, sunny locations may have more demand for reflective exterior coatings, while humid or rainy areas can require tighter scheduling around drying conditions. In cold climates, contractors may have a shorter workable season. These conditions can affect availability and timing, but the wall’s condition and access remain important cost drivers everywhere.
Travel may matter outside a contractor’s normal service area. A remote home can incur a mobilization charge of roughly $150-$700, or higher for a multi-day job with substantial travel. Quotes should state whether delivery, lift transport, and any travel fee are included.
Compare local bids using the same wall area and coating specification. A $5.00-per-square-foot proposal in one city may include more preparation than a $4.25 proposal elsewhere. Request the measured square footage, product details, repair allowances, and exclusions before treating the lower rate as the better value.
Three House Quotes Show How the Total Adds Up
These examples illustrate plausible installed pricing, not guaranteed offers. Each assumes a specified exterior coating system and ordinary contractor access. The actual total depends on product availability, local labor rates, surface condition, and the written scope.
| Home and scope | Wall area | Rate | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-story ranch, sound stucco, routine wash and caulk | 1,650 sq ft | $4.25 per sq ft | $7,013 |
| Two-story home, mixed siding, moderate patching | 2,450 sq ft | $5.50 per sq ft | $13,475 |
| Large home, high gables, lift access and repairs | 3,300 sq ft | $7.25 per sq ft | $23,925 |
In the first example, straightforward access and limited repairs keep the price near the lower end. The second reflects a middle-market job with more wall area and some repair labor. The final quote is higher because the house is larger, has elevated work, and needs more preparation; a separate allowance may be needed if the inspection finds substantial damage.
Use the per-square-foot rate as a comparison tool, not as a substitute for scope review. For example, a bid of $13,500 on 2,450 square feet is about $5.51 per square foot. That calculation is meaningful only if the quoted area, coat system, repairs, and access provisions match the competing estimates.
Is Tex-Cote More Expensive Than Standard Exterior Paint?
Standard professional exterior painting often costs roughly $1.50-$4.50 per square foot of wall area, depending on preparation, surface type, and paint quality. A specialty coating system at $3.50-$7.50 per square foot can therefore cost more initially. The comparison is useful only when both prices include similar washing, repairs, primer, labor, and access.
A lower-priced paint job may be the sensible choice for sound siding that needs a routine color refresh. A coating may be specified for particular exterior performance goals, but results depend on the product, substrate, application, and maintenance. Homeowners should check the manufacturer’s written guidance and warranty conditions rather than assume every coating lasts longer or provides the same benefits.
Compare the full project, not just the material. Ask each contractor to list the number of coats, surface preparation, product line, application method, repair exclusions, and warranty coverage. If one bid costs $8,000 and another $12,000, differences in wall area or scope may explain more than the product label.
Choose between coating and ordinary paint based on the wall condition and specified performance, not the name alone. If the siding is failing or moisture is entering, repair the cause before paying for either finish. Coating over an unresolved defect can leave the underlying problem and its repair cost in place.
How to Lower a Tex-Cote Quote Without Skipping Repairs
Keep the work area clear before the crew arrives. Move patio furniture, remove hanging items, trim plants away from walls where practical, and provide access to water and power if requested. These steps do not replace professional surface preparation, but they can reduce setup delays and avoid billable time spent moving belongings.
Request bids during a contractor’s less-busy period if the schedule is flexible. Exterior work is weather-dependent, and local busy seasons can limit availability. Avoid rushing a job into unsuitable weather; proper drying and application conditions matter. Ask whether a planned start date is firm or weather-contingent, and whether the price changes for an accelerated schedule.
Control scope by identifying the walls, trim, garage, and outbuildings that need treatment. Obtain separate prices for optional areas instead of bundling work that is not needed. If damage is limited to a few sections, ask for a repair-and-coat price on those areas as well as a full exterior quote. Do not omit necessary repairs simply to reach a lower headline number.
Get at least three written estimates based on the same measured area and product system. Compare the included preparation, primer and coats, repair allowance, equipment, cleanup, warranty terms, and exclusions. A quote that is $1,000 lower may be less economical if it excludes repairs that another contractor has included.
Ask whether the contractor can reduce cost through a simpler color choice, standard application method, or combining nearby work without changing required preparation. Confirm whether tax, delivery, disposal, and lift rental are already included. Avoid paying for an upgrade unless the product specification and written warranty explain what the added charge provides.