Painting trim costs range from $1,000 or more, with exterior trim patining costing more than interior trim.
Touching up your home's interior and exterior trim with a fresh coat of paint is a subtle improvement that can make a huge difference. But, this home improvement project does come with a cost.
For a 1,500-square-foot home, expect to pay between $700 and $2,500, with the higher end for exterior trim. Painting interior and exterior trim per linear foot can range in cost from $1 to $6 per linear foot. Read on to learn all the factors that impact the cost of painting trim on your home and ways to save money during the process.
The exact price you’ll pay to paint trim on your home depends on several factors, including the type of trim, the location of your trim, materials, labor, and more. Here’s the cost breakdown for painting trim on a house.
You can paint the trim of exterior areas of your home, such as eaves, fascia, soffit, doors, windows, dormers, and gables. Painting such areas will require a more expensive type of paint, access to hard-to-reach areas, and more extensive prep. For this reason, it typically costs more to paint exterior trim than interior trim.
You’ll also have to pay higher labor costs for exterior trim since professional painters must work longer and more cautiously. On average, the cost to paint exterior trim will range from $1,000 to $2,500, or $1 to $4 per linear foot.
Interior areas of your home with trim may include baseboards, crown molding, doors, windows, and window frames. Painting the interior trim of an average-sized home will cost between $500 and $2,000 or $1 to $4 per linear foot. This figure can increase significantly based on the size of your home and the quality and type of paint you use.
Another determining cost factor is the size of your home. The bigger your home, the more you’ll have to paint, which also drives up the final price. A bigger home also likely means increased labor costs, more materials used, and a lengthier project. A smaller, 1,500-square-foot home costs between $500 and $2,500 on average. For a larger, 2,500-square-foot home, you can expect to pay $1,500 to $7,500 or even more.
Don’t forget to budget for materials, particularly exterior and interior paint. Exterior paint costs between $20 and $80 per gallon, while interior paint runs anywhere from $15 to $40 per gallon.
Expect to pay the higher end of these ranges for high-quality paint and upscale brands. You’ll also need other materials like primer, painter’s tape, paintbrushes, drop cloths, and more. Also, make sure to budget for the correct amount of paint. You’ll need enough to paint your desired spaces with multiple coats of paint.
If you hire professional painters, they’ll usually charge anywhere between $20 and $50 per hour. When you receive a quote from your painting pro, labor costs will be included in the total project cost.
The cost to paint trim on your house will also depend on the area you’re painting. Painting trim on areas of your home that are difficult to access (and thus take more time and skill to paint) will cost you more.
Below are cost estimates for typical interior and exterior trim paint projects.
| Exterior Trim | Average Cost Per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Eaves, fascia, and soffit | $3–$6 |
| Dormers | $3–$5 |
| Gables | $5–$6 |
| Doors and windows | $1–$4 |
| Interior Trim | Average Cost Per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Baseboards | $1–$5 |
| Crown molding | $1–$5 |
| Doors and windows | $1–$4 |
| Chair rail | $1–$4 |
While the cost factors above are significant, you’ll also want to prepare for additional expenses that can raise the total cost of your painting project.
You may need to power wash the exterior of your home before painting. Power washing costs $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot. For interior painting, you may need to do some light cleaning and sanding to ensure you paint on a clean and smooth surface. Older homes may also require lead paint removal, which costs $8 to $17 per square foot on average.
When budgeting for your trim paint project, account for any necessary repairs. For example, replacing soffit and fascia boards costs an average of $1,300 to $6,000. You may also need a pro to repair your gutters and eaves or caulk your window frames and trim.
If you have painting skills like Picasso, patience, and time, you can save money by DIY-ing a trim paint job. While you can expect to spend $200 to $600 on average for the cost of tools and materials, you’ll save on labor. Just exercise caution when accessing high trim, as it can be dangerous.
If you don’t feel completely confident, though, there are many benefits to hiring a professional painter for the job. Painting pros typically charge between $20 and $50 per hour, but this cost can be worth it. Professional painters often get discounts on high-quality paint, have access to top-notch equipment, and know how to paint with precision and safety in mind.
Once you have a painting pro at your home to paint trim, you should take advantage of other services they offer. Most painters are skilled at a variety of home painting projects. Consider budgeting for the following add-ons:
Cost to paint garage door: $120-$500
Cost to paint a fence: $750-$4,250
Cost to paint baseboards: $500-$2,000
Cost to paint a deck: $500-$2,000
Cost to paint shutters: $125-$600
Whether hiring a pro or doing it DIY, there are many ways to save on the cost of painting trim. Here are some of our best money-saving tips and tricks.
Get multiple quotes for the best price.
Handle prep work and cleanup on your own.
Invest in high-quality paint for quicker and long-lasting results.
Paint easily accessible trim areas as a fun DIY project.
Shop around for deals on tools and supplies.
Borrow a ladder and other painting equipment from family or friends.
The time required to paint trim will ultimately depend on how much trim you’re painting, prep time, access, and the number of coats. For just one room, painting the trim should only take 30 minutes to an hour per coat. Painting the interior and exterior trim on an average-sized home could take 5 to 25 hours or even more.
Whether it’s best to paint trim or walls first depends on your unique needs and preferences. However, most people paint the trim before the walls because it saves time and makes painting easier. If you’re not fully committed to a wall color or prefer to paint conventionally, you may consider painting the walls first for instant gratification.
While painting the trim on the house is often viewed as a lesser detail, it’s a home project that can significantly enhance the look and feel of your home. You’ll have to invest some money and time should you decide to DIY. But, if you do a quality paint job and pick the best paint for trim, this upgrade can bolster your home's financial value and aesthetic quality.
