How to Accurately Estimate the Cost of Painting Your Home’s Exterior (and How to Choose the Right Pro)
A fresh exterior brings a home in Edmonton back to life. It protects siding from freeze-thaw cycles, seals out moisture, and resets curb appeal before a sale or a long winter. The hard part is predicting the number. Homeowners often hear wildly different quotes for the same house. That happens because exterior painting has more moving parts than it seems. With a clear method and a realistic range for Edmonton, it is possible to forecast a budget that holds up when the brush hits the wall.
This article explains a practical way to price an exterior paint job, shares local cost ranges, flags hidden variables that swing the price, and shows how to compare exterior painting contractors Edmonton homeowners call first. The goal is a clean, simple path to a number you can trust and a contractor you feel good about.
Start with the house size and paintable area
Contractors price exterior work by the square foot of paintable surface. That is the siding and trim, not the lot size or interior floor area. The easy way is to multiply the home’s perimeter by its height, then subtract areas for windows and doors. It will not be perfect, but it gets close enough to set a budget.
For example, take a two-storey in Terwillegar with a 40-foot by 30-foot footprint. The perimeter is 140 feet. If the average wall height is 18 feet, the wall area is about 2,520 square feet. Subtract 15 percent for windows and doors, leaving about 2,140 square feet of siding. Add trim, fascia, soffits, and columns. Trim usually adds 10 to 20 percent. Now the total paintable area is around 2,400 to 2,600 square feet.
Edmonton homes vary by neighbourhood and era. Post-war bungalows in Parkview have big eaves and wide fascia. New builds in Windermere often have mixed substrates: fiber cement with metal and stucco accents. Measure each surface type. Stucco often has less trim, while older wood siding has more interruptions that slow production.
Local cost ranges Edmonton owners actually see
Pricing changes with season, access, and product choices, but typical ranges in Edmonton, AB:
- Siding only: $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot for repaints in fair condition using quality acrylic latex.
- Full exterior with trim, fascia, and doors: $3.00 to $6.00 per square foot, depending on prep and height.
- Premium systems on fiber cement, cedar, or heavily chalked surfaces: $4.50 to $8.00 per square foot with extra prep and primer.
On the example above, 2,500 square feet at $3.50 per square foot lands near $8,750. If the house needs scraping, carpentry repairs, and a bonding primer, a realistic target shifts to $10,000 to $14,000. Three-storey infills with awkward access can climb above $16,000.
These numbers assume a reputable crew using lift equipment as needed, not a student crew in peak season that cuts prep time. If a quote comes in well below these ranges, look for missing steps or product downgrades.
Surface condition is half the price
Prep hours set the schedule and the invoice more than any other factor. Edmonton’s sun, wind, and snow push paint hard. Chalking, peeling, and wood movement show up fast after a few neglected years. A contractor looks for four things.
First, adhesion. Tape pull tests and scraping tell if the old coating holds. Weak adhesion means more scraping, sanding, and a full prime. Second, moisture. Soft cedar or swelling around window heads often points to ice damming or failed caulking. Wet wood needs repair and time to dry. Third, texture. Stucco hairline cracks need elastomeric patching. Vinyl must be cleaned thoroughly to remove static-bound dust. Fourth, contaminants. Old aluminum siding oxidizes. The chalk must be washed off, or the new coat will fail.
Each problem adds time. A light prep might add $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot. A heavy prep with spot repairs and full prime can add $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot. A good estimator explains the prep plan in clear steps, not buzzwords. If an estimate says only “prep as needed,” ask for specifics.
Material choices that make sense for Edmonton
Paint chemistry matters more here than in milder climates. Edmonton’s temperature swings can hit 40 degrees in a week. Flexible, 100 percent acrylic exterior coatings hold up better under those cycles.
For fiber cement and wood, high-solids acrylics with good UV stability work well. On stucco, an elastomeric finish or an acrylic stucco paint bridges small cracks and resists moisture. For aluminum or galvanized metal, use a primer that bonds to metal, then a topcoat rated for metal exteriors. Vinyl must stay within safe color lightness to avoid warping. Many manufacturers now label “vinyl-safe” colors; still, a jump from beige to deep charcoal on vinyl can end poorly in direct south or west sun.
Quality paints run $60 to $110 per gallon at retail. Pro pricing lowers that, but coverage rates still matter. Expect about 250 to 350 square feet per gallon per coat on smooth surfaces, less on rough stucco. Two coats are standard for color change and even finish. One heavy coat is risky on aged surfaces. Calculate gallons honestly. Under-ordering slows the job and invites thinning, which harms durability.
Height, access, and safety drive labour
Two-storey gables, walkout basements, steep grades in communities like The Orchards, and tight infill lots in Strathcona all change how a crew sets up. Ladders suit most bungalows. Tall faces and complex rooflines need pump jacks, scaffolding, or a boom lift. Lift rentals in Edmonton often run $300 to $600 per day. Add delivery and pickup. Crews factor that cost plus the extra time for moving equipment and tie-offs.
Power lines, shrub beds, hot tubs, and decks limit ladder spots. Protecting these areas with poly and drop sheets takes time, which is time not spent applying paint. Expect higher pricing if the job requires multiple set-ups per side or a dedicated ground guard to manage hoses and overspray.
Season and weather windows
Edmonton has a short exterior season. Many exterior painting contractors Edmonton residents call book up from late May through September. Paint cures best above 10°C with low humidity and no rain in the forecast. Spring and fall can work, but nights dip cold. Cold nights slow cure and can dull the finish. Many pro-grade coatings now allow application down to 2 to 5°C, but the window each day is smaller, which stretches the schedule. Jobs quoted in September may carry a weather contingency or a split schedule, with prep in fall and finishing in spring.
If a contractor promises a two-day turnaround on a large house in late October, question the plan. Rushed dry times and evening dew cause surfactant leaching, lap marks, and a patchy sheen.
How colour changes affect cost
Going from a mid-tone to a lighter color often needs a specific primer to block tannins and prevent flashing. A dramatic shift, such as brown to white, may need an extra coat. Darker colors show lap marks more and absorb heat, which can be risky on vinyl and certain composites. Confirm whether the quote includes tintable primer and enough finish coats to hit the color target. The right primer can reduce total coats and save money.
Test panels help. A small section on the sunniest wall shows how the colour reads next to the roof, brick, or stone. Ask your contractor to sample two shades and a sheen. On wood and fiber cement, satin sheds dirt better than flat and is easier to wash. On stucco, a low-sheen finish hides texture differences.
Permits, lead, and environmental considerations
Most exterior repainting in Edmonton does not require a permit, but multi-unit buildings and historical properties may have rules on color, sheen, or washing methods. Homes built before 1980 can have lead on old trim layers. If sanding reveals heavy dust with sweet odor or a test shows lead, safe methods are necessary. That involves containment, HEPA sanding, and proper disposal. It adds cost, but it protects families and neighbours.
For washing, responsible contractors reclaim rinse water when using detergents on driveways or near storm drains. Ask how they handle cleaning on your property. A basic cold-water wash is common; hot-water or detergent degreasing adds time and cost, but it may be needed for soot near busy roads or barbecue staining on decks.
Building a realistic estimate step by step
Here is a simple workflow homeowners in Edmonton can use to forecast a budget before calling contractors:
- Measure the perimeter and average height. Multiply to get wall area, then subtract 15 percent for openings and add 10 to 20 percent for trim. That is the paintable square footage.
- Rate the condition: light, moderate, or heavy prep. Light is sound paint with chalking only. Moderate has some peeling and failed caulking. Heavy shows widespread peeling, bare wood, or repairs.
- Apply a range. Use $2.50 to $3.50 per square foot for light, $3.50 to $5.00 for moderate, and $5.00 to $7.50 for heavy. Adjust up for three-storey faces or tight access.
- Add for special items: doors in accent colors, metal railings, shutters, or stained beams. Each door can add $150 to $350. Railings can add $10 to $18 per linear foot depending on prep.
- Include equipment and seasonal factors. If a lift is likely, add $600 to $1,200. In peak season, expect less flexibility on scheduling but faster dry times.
This gives a working range to compare with quotes. If a contractor’s price is far outside your range, ask what assumptions differ. Often it is prep, coats, or equipment.
How to read an Edmonton exterior painting quote
A strong quote reads like a scope of work, not a lump sum. Look for clear details: wash method, scraping and sanding steps, priming approach, caulking brand, paint brand and line, number of coats, and the surfaces included. If a quote lists “siding and trim,” ask if soffits, fascia, garage door, service door, and front door are included. Ask if downspouts are painted to match, and whether house numbers and lights are removed or masked.
Good contractors list exclusions. For example, they may exclude deck floors, roofs, masonry, or glass railings. Exclusions reduce surprises. Warranties should state years of coverage, what is covered, and what voids coverage, such as sprinkler damage or snow shovels scraping fresh doors.
Payment schedules often follow a deposit, a mid-point, and a completion payment after a walkthrough. In Edmonton, a 10 to 30 percent deposit is common for booking and materials. Be wary of large upfront demands without a schedule or proof of materials purchased.
Comparing exterior painting contractors Edmonton homeowners recommend
Credentials matter. Look for WCB coverage, liability insurance, and a city business license. Ask for local references with similar house types and substrates. A crew that shines on stucco may not love cedar. Walk or drive by a finished project in your area. Inspect the cut lines at soffits, drip edges, and window trim. Straight lines show care. Ask the homeowner how the crew protected landscaping and siding during washing and painting.
Scheduling and communication say a lot. Edmonton’s weather forces changes. How a contractor explains delays speaks to reliability. Ask who will be on site each day and who your contact is. A dedicated site lead prevents drift in scope and keeps paint colors and sheens consistent across all surfaces.
Quotes that are much lower may omit full priming, skip caulking, or use a bargain paint line. Cheap paint might look fine for a year, then chalk and fade. The repaint then costs more because the failed layer must be addressed. Saving $800 today could add $2,000 in prep in two years.
Common pitfalls that increase cost after the start
Hidden rot around window sills and belly boards shows up once scraping starts. Budget a contingency of 5 to 10 percent for patching or minor carpentry. Siding movement that reveals gaps often needs new caulk. Silicone is the wrong product for paint; it repels coatings. If someone used silicone in the past, removal adds time.
Colour changes at the last minute can delay the job. The crew may need different primers or more paint. Confirm colors, sheens, and placements before day one. Agree Depend Exteriors on sheen for doors and entry trim. Many homeowners like a higher sheen on doors for durability and an accent look, but higher sheen magnifies brush strokes. A good crew will spray doors or use high-quality brushes and self-leveling enamel for smoother results.
Why preparation and product outlast a discount
An example from a recent Glenora repaint shows the trade-off. The homeowner had cedar shakes with patchy stain and peeling trim paint. One quote proposed a wash and one coat of solid stain for roughly $6,000. Another proposed wash, dry time, full scrape, oil-based bonding primer on exposed wood, then two coats of solid stain for $9,800. The first job would look fresh for a season, but the old edges would ghost through and peel again. The second plan bonds to the wood and evens the color. The client chose the second. Four winters later, the shakes still look uniform, and the trim has no lifting. The extra $3,800 saved a full redo by year two.
The same logic applies to aluminum siding. Without a deglosser or bonding primer, new paint can flake in sheets. The cost to fix that exceeds the savings on day one.
How Depend Exteriors estimates and executes
Depend Exteriors approaches exterior repaints in Edmonton with a structured process that keeps surprises low. The team measures paintable surfaces, not just floor area, and separates substrates by type. They perform adhesion tests on questionable areas, check moisture around penetrations, and outline prep steps in plain language. The estimate lists the brand and line of paint, the number of coats, and the method for each surface, whether spray, back-roll, or brush, based on texture and wind exposure.
On-site, the crew protects shrubs, decks, and hardscapes with breathable covers. Washing happens with appropriate pressure and tip size to avoid forcing water behind siding. Scraping and sanding happen after proper dry time. Bare wood gets spot primed. Caulking uses paintable, elastomeric sealant at joints and penetrations. Sprayed areas are back-rolled on rough surfaces to push paint into pores. Doors are removed or masked and finished smoothly. A final walkthrough confirms coverage behind downspouts and under eaves where shortcuts often show.
The company works across Edmonton and nearby communities, including St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, and Beaumont. They understand local builder products, from acrylic stucco in Summerside to Hardie in Keswick, and they match systems accordingly.
Budgeting tips for homeowners planning a repaint this season
Plan early. Spring dates fill fast, and prices tend to rise mid-season as demand spikes. Book a site visit before snow melts completely so the schedule locks in. Ask for an “if weather” clause that explains how cold or rain shifts the timeline. Request two options in the quote: a standard paint line and a premium line, with a note on expected longevity. Over five to seven Edmonton winters, the better system pays off.
If the exterior includes both paint and stain, split the scope. Stain behaves differently and may need warmer days. Confirm stain type and color, and do a test on a shaded section.
For financing or spreading cost, consider phasing. South and west faces take the most sun and weather. North faces can often wait another season. Depend Exteriors can phase a project while keeping colors consistent and edges clean.
Red flags to watch for before you sign
Quotes that avoid naming products create room for swaps. If you see “contractor-grade” without a brand and line, push for specifics. If a company refuses to provide WCB and insurance proof, step back. If there is no mention of washing or prep beyond a vague line, the finish will sit on dirt and chalk. If cleanup is not mentioned, ask how they handle overspray, paint chips, and daily tidy. A professional crew leaves the site orderly each evening and removes waste at the end.
Finally, be wary of pressure to pick a color without testing. Sunlight in Edmonton is strong and changes fast by season. A color that looked calm on a winter sample can glare in July. Small, real-world tests save repaints.
Ready to get a firm number? Here is what Depend Exteriors needs
A quick call or form submission with a few details speeds things up: the address in Edmonton or nearby, the siding type (vinyl, stucco, wood, fiber cement, aluminum), the number of storeys or if there is a walkout, any known issues like peeling or soft wood, and your target colors if known. Clear photos of each elevation help the team provide a ballpark before the site visit. During the visit, they measure, check adhesion, and confirm access and safety. You receive a written scope with line items and a schedule window.
A well-estimated exterior paint job is calm from start to finish. It respects the house, the weather, and the budget. With clear steps, Edmonton homeowners can predict costs, compare exterior painting contractors Edmonton trusts, and choose a plan that stands up to snow, sun, and time. If a repaint is on your list for this season, Depend Exteriors is ready to assess your home, explain the plan in plain terms, and deliver a finish that lasts. Book a site visit today and lock in a date before the busy window closes.
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 Phone: (780) 710-3972 Website: https://dependexteriors.com Social Media:
Facebook |
Yelp |
Instagram
Map: Google Maps
Edmonton,
AB
T5T 0M7,
Canada