Cost to Paint the Outside of a House in the UK
Typical UK prices for exterior house painting, from masonry walls to woodwork, plus what affects the quote, scaffolding costs and the best season to book.
Painting the outside of a house protects the render or brickwork, improves kerb appeal and can extend the life of timber. It is also a job where costs vary considerably, mostly because of access, surface condition and weather windows.
Here is a realistic look at typical costs, what is included, and how to avoid surprises.
Typical price ranges
Exterior prices depend on size, height, region and how much preparation is needed. As a general guide, many UK decorators charge around:
| Property | Typical total |
|---|---|
| Small terrace (front only) | £800 to £1,800 |
| 2-3 bed semi (full masonry) | £1,800 to £3,500 |
| 4-bed detached | £3,000 to £6,000 |
| Woodwork only (windows, doors, fascias) | £500 to £1,500 |
London and the South East usually cost more. Scaffolding or tower hire, if needed, is often extra and can add several hundred pounds for a two-storey house.
What is typically included
- Washing down or treating algae, moss and loose material
- Filling minor cracks and repairing small areas of render
- Masking windows, doors and drainpipes
- Two coats of masonry paint
- Painting or sealing exposed woodwork if specified
Larger repairs, such as re-rendering, replacing rotten timber or fixing guttering, are normally priced separately.
What affects the cost
Access and height
A bungalow can be painted with ladders and platforms. A three-storey house usually requires scaffolding, which adds both cost and a need for planning. Roof lines, bay windows and extensions complicate access.
Surface condition
Peeling paint, powdery render, algae and efflorescence all need treatment before paint will hold. Skipping this is a common reason for early failure. Our guide to painting masonry and exterior walls walks through the right sequence.
Type of surface
Pebbledash and textured render take much more paint than smooth render. Brick is less commonly painted and, once painted, is difficult to return to bare brick.
Weather and season
Exterior paint needs dry conditions and moderate temperatures. Late spring to early autumn is generally the most reliable. Booking early in the season or in shoulder months can sometimes give more flexibility on price.
Planning the job
- Decide on the scope: walls only, or woodwork, fascias and doors too.
- Check for any permissions if you are in a conservation area or a listed building, where colours and materials may be controlled by the local authority.
- Agree who arranges access equipment.
- Ask about weather delays and how they are handled.
- Check parking, plants and neighbours' property are considered.
Warning signs in quotes
Be cautious if a quote is far below others, does not mention preparation, or offers a very short timescale. A decent exterior job takes time for washing, drying, repairs and two coats. You can use the questions to ask a decorator to probe what is covered.
Getting quotes through Compito
When you search by postcode and send a request, include the number of storeys, the surface type, any known problems and photos from different sides of the house. Providers can then give more accurate offers, and you can message them to clarify access, timing or scope before accepting.
A worked example: a 1930s semi-detached house
A typical job might involve washing the rendered front and sides, treating algae, filling hairline cracks, two coats of masonry paint, and repainting the fascias, soffits and windows. For a house like this, a decorator might allow three to five days with two people, plus one to two days of drying and weather breaks. If the roofline is high enough to need a scaffold tower, costs can rise noticeably, as access equipment often adds a few hundred pounds. The quoted total for a combined walls-and-woodwork job commonly falls within the semi-detached range above, but a house in poor condition will push it higher.
Walls versus woodwork: where the money goes
| Element | Cost driver |
|---|---|
| Masonry walls | Surface area, texture and repairs |
| Windows and doors | Number of frames and the prep each needs |
| Fascias and soffits | Height and access, plus rot repair |
| Gutters and downpipes | Often cheap to add while access is in place |
| Garage doors and gates | Material and condition |
Woodwork can cost proportionally more than it appears because each frame needs scraping, sanding, priming and several coats.
Common mistakes that cost money later
- Painting over unsound render. Loose or hollow sounding render needs repair first, otherwise the paint comes away with it.
- Choosing the cheapest quote that omits prep. Washing and treatment are the foundation.
- Ignoring gutters and cracks. Water running down a wall will damage new paint quickly.
- Painting breathable walls with a non-breathable coating. Older solid-wall homes generally need a vapour-permeable paint; ask the decorator to explain their choice.
- Not protecting plants and paths. Agree who covers what.
Flats, rentals and shared walls
In a leasehold flat the exterior is normally the freeholder's responsibility and often has a prescribed colour. Check the lease before commissioning anything. In a terrace or semi, the party wall line matters: agree access with the neighbour, particularly if you need to set up a ladder or tower on their side.
Spreading the cost
Some owners tackle the front elevation one year and the rest later. This is reasonable, but colour matching can be tricky as old paint fades, so ask the decorator about blending at natural breaks such as a corner or downpipe. Keep a record of the product used so repairs match.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I repaint the outside of my house?
It depends on the surface, aspect and quality of the previous job. Many exterior masonry paints are expected to last several years, and woodwork may need attention sooner. Exposed, south or west facing elevations tend to weather faster.
Can I paint exterior walls in winter?
Cold, damp and low light make it difficult. Most exterior paints have minimum temperature and humidity guidelines on the tin, and surfaces must be dry. A decorator will usually advise waiting for suitable weather.
Do I need to tell my neighbours?
It is courteous, especially if scaffolding or access across their land is needed. For work that touches a shared boundary or wall, always check ownership and agree access first.