---

How to Calculate the True Cost of Painting a Home’s Exterior

A fresh exterior gives a home new life, shields the structure from Edmonton’s freeze-thaw cycles, and speaks well of its upkeep. Yet many homeowners guess at the cost, then get blindsided by add-ons, delays, or poor prep that shortens the paint’s lifespan. A clear, grounded approach removes the guesswork. This article explains how to price an exterior paint job in Edmonton, AB, step by step, with practical ranges, local conditions, and trade-offs. It also shows where professional exterior painting services in Edmonton can prevent costly mistakes.

Start with the home’s size and shape

Paint pricing starts with surface area. Most contractors price by square footage of paintable surface, not floor area. A 1,800-square-foot bungalow does not equal 1,800 square feet of wall space. Tall walls, dormers, attached garages, and architectural details all change the number.

For typical two-storey homes in Edmonton, exterior wall area often lands between 1.6 and 2.2 times the home’s floor square footage, depending on height, rooflines, and attached structures. A 2,000-square-foot two-storey may have 3,200 to 4,400 square feet of paintable siding and trim. Bungalows usually run lower due to shorter wall height but can stretch if they have large gables or long garage faces.

Shapes matter. A simple rectangular house with vinyl lap siding is faster and cheaper to paint than a home with multiple gables, board-and-batten sections, stucco bands, and thick trim profiles. Complexity translates into labour hours, ladder moves, and detail work that adds cost even when square footage is similar.

Factor in height and access

Edmonton homes vary widely in roof pitch and height. Height drives setup time, ladder safety, and the need for scaffolding. A one-storey home with steady ground access costs less per square foot than a three-storey infill with narrow side yards and sloped grades.

Any elevation above 20 feet often slows production and may require pump jacks or sectional scaffolding, adding rental charges and setup time. Tight lot lines in neighborhoods like Strathcona or Garneau can make access tough. Corner lots may speed one side and slow another due to wind exposure. These details may add 5 to 15% to labour.

Choose the right coating for Edmonton’s climate

Paint is not just colour. It is a protective film that fights UV, wind-driven rain, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Edmonton’s climate punishes coatings: long winters, big temperature swings in spring and fall, and intense sun in July. The wrong product fails early, chalks, or peels. The right product saves money over the life of the coating.

Most exterior projects use 100% acrylic latex. Key differences sit in resin quality, solids content, and manufacturer lines. Premium lines build a thicker, more durable film, resist fading, and stretch better over hairline cracks. Builders’ grade paint is cheaper upfront but often requires extra coats and earlier repaints.

On smooth, previously painted siding, one coat primer and one coat finish might work if colour stays similar and the existing coating is sound. On weathered wood, stained surfaces, or colour shifts from dark to light, the project may need spot-priming and two finish coats. Stucco often benefits from elastomeric coatings on crack-prone faces, though elastomerics add material cost and require specific prep.

Typical material cost in Edmonton for quality paint and sundries ranges from $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot of painted area for two-coat systems, including primers, caulking, patching compounds, plastic, tape, rollers, and brushes. Premium self-priming finishes or elastomerics can push higher. Skimping here usually shows within two winters.

Prep drives longevity and cost

Prep is where exterior painting lives or dies, especially in a dry prairie climate where sun and wind expose weak adhesion. It also drives a large portion of labour cost. Real prep is more than a quick wash.

A thorough process includes washing to remove dust and chalk, scraping to remove loose paint, sanding edges, repairing minor wood rot, resetting popped nails, filling checks and gouges, and caulking joints and trim seams. Bare wood spots need primer. Tannin-rich woods require stain-blocking primers to prevent bleed-through. On stucco, hairline cracks need elastomeric patch or masonry caulk, while larger breaks may need polymer-modified repair before paint.

Homes that have not been painted in 10 to 15 years often require two to three times more prep than homes on a 6 to 8-year cycle. Prep can consume 30 to 60% of total labour hours on older substrates. If a quote seems low compared to others, the prep line is where to look. Skipped steps will not show on day one, but Edmonton’s spring melt will find them.

Siding type: how it changes time, materials, and method

Different materials have different needs:

• Wood siding and trim: Highest prep potential due to peeling, checking, and end-grain exposure. Oil-based or bonding primers may be needed on bare wood; high-build acrylics help fill hairline checks. Expect higher labour per square foot.
• Hardie or fibre-cement: Stable and paint-friendly with proper cleaning. Edges and butt joints need attention to prevent wicking. Usually mid-range labour with reliable results.
• Stucco: Requires washing and crack repair. Porous, so it can drink paint; plan for higher material usage. Smooth re-stucco sections flash differently and may need a sealing primer.
• Vinyl: Requires cleaning and a paint compatible with vinyl expansion. Colour depth is limited; very dark colours can cause warping. Materials are modest; labour is efficient unless access is tight.
• Metal (aluminum siding, steel doors): Needs clean, dull, and dry surfaces. Adhesion primers are critical on glossy or chalky metal. Spray application often yields clean results but requires solid masking time.

The substrate often sets the production rate: vinyl and fibre-cement move quickly, stucco and detailed woodwork slow the pace.

Colour shifts and sheen choices

Going from light beige to deep charcoal on a south face demands more pigment and often an extra coat for coverage and uniformity. Deep base colours cost more per gallon and can telegraph roller marks if applied thin. Highly saturated colours on sunny elevations may fade sooner; premium UV-resistant lines mitigate that.

Sheen affects appearance and durability. Satin or low-sheen finishes shed dust and moisture better than flat on trim and doors. On rough stucco, flat can hide waves while elastomeric options bridge microcracks. Mixed sheens across elements is common: flat on stucco, satin on siding, semi-gloss on trim and doors.

Labour: the largest slice of the pie

In Edmonton, professional exterior painting labour often ranges between $2.50 and $5.50 per square foot of paintable area, depending on prep, height, access, complexity, and coat count. Wood-heavy homes at 22 feet or higher trend to the upper end. Simple vinyl bungalows with sound existing paint run lower.

Production rates vary. A skilled two-person crew might complete 250 to 500 square feet of finished two-coat work per day on straightforward siding after prep. Detailed trim, high gables, and masked windows slow production. If the numbers seem out of line, ask about the crew size, number of coats, and what exact prep steps are included.

Site protection and setup

Masking, tarping beds, removing light fixtures, and protecting shingles and stonework take time and materials. So does setting up ladders, pump jacks, or small scaffolds for each elevation. This is invisible work in photos yet central to a clean job. Expect 5 to 10% of budget to land here, more on homes with heavy landscaping or complex hardscape near the siding.

Seasonal timing in Edmonton

Outdoor painting is a weather business. Edmonton’s prime exterior window runs roughly May through September, with flexible days in April and early October depending on temperature and humidity. Coatings need dry surfaces, surface temperatures above the manufacturer’s minimum (often 10°C for standard acrylics, some allow lower), and a stable forecast. Early morning dew and late-day cooling affect dry times and second-coat scheduling.

Shoulder-season work may require slower-curing paints or low-temperature formulas, which can change cost. Scheduling ahead can lock better dates and avoid rush premiums when the first warm week hits. Homeowners who plan by late winter often get preferred timelines in spring.

Permits and HOA rules

Most exterior painting does not require a permit in Edmonton, but some heritage areas, condo boards, or HOAs control colour schemes. Colour approvals can take a week or two. Denied colours cause delays and re-selections that stretch timelines. Where scaffolding encroaches on public sidewalks, a temporary permit may be needed. These small items rarely dominate cost but can add fees and time if not handled early.

Warranty, insurance, and peace of mind that actually holds up

Reliable exterior painting services in Edmonton carry liability insurance and WCB coverage. They also offer clear warranties backed by real service. A typical workmanship warranty on exteriors ranges from 2 to 5 years, with material warranties defined by the manufacturer. Cheap quotes may exclude warranty or limit it to materials only. That shifts risk onto the homeowner. On a climate-exposed face, a two-year callback for peeling can erase any savings from the initial discount.

Putting it together: realistic price ranges in Edmonton

Every home is unique, but some ranges help with budgeting:

• Small bungalow with vinyl or fibre-cement siding, modest prep, single colour: $3,500 to $6,500.
• Mid-size two-storey, mixed siding, average prep, two finish coats, trim and doors included: $7,500 to $12,000.
• Large two-storey with extensive wood trim, high gables, detailed masking, significant prep: $12,000 to $20,000+.
• Stucco recoat with crack repair and elastomeric finish on a typical two-storey: $10,000 to $18,000, depending on repair scope and colour change.
• Full wood restoration on heritage-style homes with peeling and carpentry repairs: highly variable; $18,000 to $35,000+ is common due to labour.

Material share typically lands around 15 to 30% of the total on standard acrylic systems. Labour and overhead make up the rest. If multiple colours, accent doors, or specialty finishes are included, costs rise accordingly.

A quick way to estimate your own home

Homeowners can sketch a rough estimate using simple steps without climbing a ladder. Measure the length and height of each wall, subtract large windows and doors, and multiply to find square footage. For a two-storey with varying heights, use average wall height for a ballpark number. Add 15 to 25% for trim, soffits, and fascia if those are getting painted, depending on how much trim exists.

Apply a per-square-foot figure that matches your home’s complexity. For a straightforward vinyl-sided bungalow with modest prep, a total of $3.50 to $4.50 per square foot of wall area can be realistic. For a wood-heavy two-storey with notable prep, $5.50 to $8.00 per square foot may be more accurate. This method generates a range that a site visit can refine.

Spray vs. brush-and-roll

Spray application is efficient on large, smooth areas and yields an even finish. It requires careful masking and wind management, plus back-rolling in many cases to work paint into textures. Brush-and-roll is slower but can be safer in windy conditions and useful for detailed elements. Many quality jobs use a hybrid: spray large faces on calm days, brush-and-roll trim and tighter sections. Technique affects labour hours and finish quality; the right approach depends on substrate, weather, and site layout.

Common budget traps that shorten paint life

Skipping washing or priming bare spots is a false economy. So is ignoring failed caulking around windows and trim. These shortcuts show up as early peeling and water staining. Painting over hairline stucco cracks without flexible patch lets water enter and freeze, leading to spalls. Using interior-grade caulk or bargain paint on sunny south and west faces shortens the cycle. In Edmonton, the west face usually reveals problems first due to UV and prevailing weather; investing there pays off.

Another trap is colour selection that fights the substrate. Very dark colours over vinyl can warp panels. High-gloss finishes on rough stucco highlight flaws. A good estimator will flag these risks before a dollar is spent.

How a professional quote should read

Clear proposals from exterior painting services in Edmonton share a few traits. They specify surface prep steps, including washing method, scraping and sanding standards, and primer types for bare wood or stains. They list paint products and sheen for each surface. They lay out the number of coats and what counts as a coat. They include protection steps for plants, windows, and hardscape. They note exclusions, such as structural carpentry, major stucco repairs, or lead abatement on pre-1978 homes. They cover timing, weather delays, and warranty terms.

If two quotes differ widely, compare the scope. One may include full fascia and soffits, while the Check over here other lists siding only. One may budget for two finish coats everywhere; the other may promise “as needed,” which invites conflict later. These details explain price gaps far better than assumptions about margin.

Why Edmonton homes benefit from a local crew

Local crews understand the paint window, sun patterns, and how chinooks can change a week’s schedule. They know which products hold up on south-facing Hardie in Summerside and which primers stick on older cedar in Westmount. They also know when to stop for the day to avoid dew blushing that ruins a fresh coat. This judgment is built on seasons, not spec sheets.

Depend Exteriors brings that local experience to each job. The team plans prep that survives winter, chooses paints that resist chalking, and stages the work to protect landscaping short growing seasons value. Clear communication, predictable scheduling, and a clean site at day’s end matter as much as the final colour.

A worked example from an Edmonton two-storey

Consider a 1,900-square-foot two-storey in Terwillegar with fibre-cement siding and wood trim, last painted eight years ago. The home has average wall height at 18 feet, a double garage, and moderate landscaping.

• Estimated wall area: about 3,200 to 3,600 square feet, plus trim and doors.
• Prep: washing, minor scraping at window trim, spot-priming bare wood, recaulking failed joints on south and west faces.
• Coating system: two finish coats of premium 100% acrylic on siding, satin sheen; semi-gloss on trim and doors.
• Access: ladders and a small scaffold for the rear gable; no special permits.

Material costs might land around $1.25 to $1.75 per square foot of siding and trim surface. Labour could range from $3.00 to $4.50 per square foot, depending on crew size and weather. A realistic total might fall between $9,000 and $13,000, with timeline of 4 to 6 working days under cooperative weather. A darker colour change could add a coat and push both materials and labour higher.

How to reduce cost without sacrificing durability

Homeowners can save by making simple choices that do not weaken the finish. Selecting a colour close to the current tone can avoid an extra coat. Trimming shrubs away from walls before the crew arrives reduces site time. Replacing rotten boards ahead of painting avoids day-of carpentry, which tends to cost more. Keeping a regular repaint cycle, before peeling becomes widespread, cuts prep hours. Where budget is tight, painting the sun-beaten faces and trim one season and the shaded faces the next can spread costs while protecting the most vulnerable areas first.

What a fair schedule looks like

A well-run exterior project follows a clear rhythm: site protection and wash, dry time, prep and spot-priming, first coat, full cure window, second coat, detail pass, and final walk-through. Weather can stretch or shrink gaps between steps. Good crews communicate daily, reset timelines after rain, and never rush a second coat onto a semi-dry first. Edmonton’s evening temperatures can drop quickly; timing second coats earlier in the day keeps the cure consistent.

Budget for the small stuff that matters

There are modest extras that improve the finish and should be part of the plan. Fresh paint on exterior doors and thresholds, touch-ups on meter boxes and vents, and colour-matched caulk at key joints lift the whole façade. Repainting faded house numbers or swapping them for new ones costs little compared to the whole project yet completes the look. Asking these to be included in the quote sets clear expectations and avoids nickel-and-dime add-ons.

Red flags during quoting

Prices that are far below the pack usually hide lack of prep, a single thin coat, or no insurance. Vague product descriptions, such as “premium paint,” with no brand or line name, leave room for substitutions. Refusal to discuss moisture issues, wood rot, or stucco cracks suggests a paint-over approach. Edmonton’s climate punishes shortcuts; a low number can become an expensive repaint within two winters.

Getting a precise number for your home

Phone or email estimates help with ballparks, but a site visit captures the truth: elevation, siding condition, access, details, and colour goals. Depend Exteriors offers on-site assessments across Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and nearby communities. The estimator walks with the homeowner, notes concerns, measures accurately, and explains the plan in plain language. The written quote spells out surfaces, products, coats, prep steps, schedule, and warranty.

When the math is clear, the choice is simple. A durable exterior paint job protects equity, keeps maintenance predictable, and looks sharp on the block.

If it is time to repaint, or if a quick curb appeal refresh is on the list, reach out to Depend Exteriors. The team provides transparent pricing, local insight, and reliable exterior painting services in Edmonton. Request a consultation today to get a firm, site-verified number and a finish that holds up to Edmonton’s seasons.

Depend Exteriors provides stucco repair and exterior masonry services in Edmonton, AB. Homeowners and businesses trust our team for stucco installation, repair, and replacement across a range of property types. As experienced Edmonton stucco contractors, we focus on durable finishes, reliable timelines, and clear communication with every client. Whether you need minor stucco patching, complete exterior resurfacing, or full stucco replacement, we deliver results that add value and protection to your property. Licensed and bonded, we stand behind our work and complete projects on schedule with attention to detail. If you are searching for stucco contractors near me in Edmonton, Depend Exteriors is ready to help.

Depend Exteriors

8615 176 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5T 0M7, Canada

Phone: (780) 710-3972

Website: https://dependexteriors.com

Social Media: Facebook | Yelp | Instagram

Map: Google Maps

---