How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Door? [2025 Data]
The labor cost to paint exterior doors is $190 on average and often ranges between $135 and $300, depending on the project's scope and the cost of labor.
The labor cost to paint exterior doors typically ranges from $135 to $300, depending on a number of factors like the size of the entranceway, the type of doors you have, and the paint you choose for the job. Exterior doors all serve the same purpose, but that doesn’t mean they all have to look the same. Painting an exterior door is a great way to get more life out of the fixture and increase your curb appeal.
Exterior Door Painting Cost Factors
The cost to paint a door fluctuates according to a number of distinct cost factors. Here’s what you spend your money on when you hire a local exterior painter.
Labor
Unless you do it yourself, labor is the primary cost factor for painting exterior doors. Hiring an exterior painter costs $25 to $100 per hour, depending on their experience level and overhead. It takes anywhere from one to three hours to paint an exterior door, and your pro should be able to give you a fairly accurate time frame before starting. If you want multiple doors painted at once, some pros charge a flat day rate of $400 to $500.
Most professionals have painted hundreds upon hundreds of doors, so they can knock the work out much quicker than the average DIYer. Tools and materials used to paint an exterior door are fairly budget-friendly, so labor accounts for anywhere from 50% to 70% of the overall cost. Keep in mind that painting a door requires multiple steps, like removing or masking hardware, scraping away muck, sanding, priming, and applying two coats of paint. So, even though it’s not a difficult job, it can take some time to complete.
Door Size
The size of your door impacts how long it takes to paint and, as such, the overall labor cost. Generally speaking, painters charge $1 to $3.50 per square foot, so having the dimensions ready beforehand will be extremely helpful when you start collecting estimates. The average size of a door is around 20 square feet, but that fluctuates according to the design.
Door Type
Not all exterior doors are the same, so different types of doors require specific preparation steps, types of paint, and tools. An average single front door, for instance, costs $100 to $220 to paint, while painting a double-sided basement door costs $160 to $380. Remember, door size determines how much the work costs, so painting a garage door or both sides of a basement door will cost more than painting a single back door or security door. Here’s how that breaks down:
| Door Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Front | $100 — $220 |
| Double front | $160 – $400 |
| Back or side | $80 – $180 |
| Storm or security | $80 – $140 |
| Two-sided basement | $160 – $380 |
| Door frame | $20 – $80 |
Interior vs. Exterior Door Costs
The labor expense for painting an exterior door averages around $190, ranging from $135 to $300.
Updating your interior doors with a fresh coat of paint costs less. Painting an interior door and its frame costs $75 to $150. Various factors can influence the cost of door painting, including its size, current condition, necessary preparation work, intricate trim, and the number of coats required.
Additional Door Painting Costs to Consider
Beyond the cost of labor, which hinges on the door’s overall size and type, there are other costs worth considering here.
Paint and Primer Type
In most cases, your pro will go with the highest-quality paint that matches the rest of the home’s exterior. If you want a specific type of paint, however, it could impact the overall price, as some formulations are more expensive than others. Door paint prices cost $15 to $60 per gallon, depending on the finish and brand. Primer costs $15 to $50 per gallon on average.
You really only have to worry about an increased estimate if you want the most expensive paint and primer types, however, since painting a door requires just a quart of paint and even less primer (unless you’re painting a garage door). Premium paints don’t always require multiple coats, further minimizing the chances of a large impact on the cost. Talk to your pro to discuss paint and primer types, as not all doors take to all paint compounds.
Trim
If you’re going for a look that’s truly unique and requires a contrast between the trim and the door itself, you’ll pay extra for your pro to paint the trim, depending on the pro’s overall rate. Painting trim is a quick job, so count on just an extra half hour to one hour of work at $25 to $100 per hour.
Sealant and Number of Coats
Adding a coat of sealant will weatherproof your door. A coat of quality sealant will cost you anywhere from $50 to $100.
As for the number of coats, default to the pro’s judgment regarding what your door actually needs. There’s no reason to go for multiple coats if you choose premium paint unless your door really needs a bit of extra TLC. The amount of paint and primer your doors need depends on the door type, the current color, and the surface condition. Drastic changes from darker to lighter colors, for instance, require two coats to ensure an even appearance.
Permits and Inspection Fees
In rare cases, a homeowners association (HOA) or local municipality may require inspections and work permits to paint an exterior door. The pro should handle the nitty gritty details here, but you’ll be the one paying any required fees. It costs anywhere from $20 to $100 to acquire these permits and hire an inspector to take a look. Again, painting a door is not a large job, so these fees are extremely rare.
5 Ways You Can Save Money on Painting Your Door
Here are some money-saving tips worth considering when hiring a professional to tackle your exterior door-painting project.
Gather multiple estimates: You won’t know the true cost range in your immediate area unless you gather a few estimates and come up with an average. Use these estimates to ensure local pros are giving you a fair quote.
Don’t automatically choose the lowest estimate: Just because the price is right, it doesn’t mean it's the best choice. Read reviews and reach out to a painter’s previous clients before making a hire.
Do some prep work yourself: Painters charge by the hour, so decrease your final bill by doing some of the prep work before they arrive. This includes clearing the area, removing debris, and giving the door a thorough cleaning.
Ask about multi-door discounts: If you’re thinking about painting every exterior door in your home, inquire about multi-door discounts. These are more common than you might think.
Provide the paint yourself: Knock a few bucks off your tab by providing the paint yourself. Of course, this only saves money if you already have plenty of the appropriate paint and primer.
Cost to Paint an Exterior Door Yourself
Painting is not the most difficult task in the world, but painting an exterior door does require some precision to ensure an even coat that looks great to passers-by. You’ll save money by going the DIY route, but only if you already have the required tools.
Purchasing paint and primer by the quart (since you usually won’t need an entire gallon) will cost around $10 to $30. However, the price of tools can add up. If this is your first time doing this type of work, you’ll spend around $100 on supplies like masks, paint brushes, drop cloths, masking tape, paint trays, roller covers, gloves, and more.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you already have most of the required tools and some experience with painting exterior doors, going the DIY route is a good choice. However, don’t undertake this project unless you’re confident in your painting skills, or you could end up wasting many hours if you miss an important part of the process.
Pros cost more money, but they get the job done quickly and precisely. Plus, you don’t have to lift a finger for the project. These are exterior doors that everyone in the neighborhood can see, so you want to get things right (especially if you live under an HOA).
Lawrence Bonk contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
This truly depends on the door and the weather conditions where you live. At the very least, you need mold-resistant paint, as exterior doors come into contact with plenty of moisture. The most common types of exterior door paints are acrylic resin paint and latex-based paint with a semi-gloss finish. Still, each door is different, so talk to your pro.
This depends on the size and design of your door. If your door is on the smaller side and features some unique design elements, go with a brush to ensure you get in those hard-to-reach crevices without painting outside the lines. If you’re painting a large door, like a double door or garage door, and the panels are flat, go with a roller to get the job done quickly.
While both sides of a front door should get painted for aesthetic reasons, you don’t have to do each side at the same time. As a matter of fact, you’ll probably want a different paint type and color for the interior section of the door than the exterior side. Consider each side of the door your personal canvas and make the paint match any nearby decor.
The life span of exterior door paint depends on factors like climate, exposure, and maintenance. On average, exterior door paint lasts 5 to 10 years or longer. Frequent exposure to direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, moisture, and heavy use can reduce durability. Proper surface preparation, high-quality paint, and regular maintenance, such as cleaning and touch-ups, can extend the paint's life.
