1 Answer

Overview
Painting your house can increase home value and make your home more visually appealing to visitors, potential buyers and, of course, you and your family. Although a large-scale paint job can be pricey, a paint job is relatively inexpensive when compared with more extensive remodeling projects. Before you look for an estimate, set aside plenty of time to work out a budget, as well as a prioritized list of projects that need to be done. This will tell you exactly what materials you need and how much you can spend on the paint job.
Step 1
Make a comprehensive list of all the tools and materials you will need for the paint job. These might include paintbrushes, rollers, ladders, a pressure washer to remove current paint, sanding supplies and primer.
Step 2
Pick out your paint colors for each room and price paint at home improvement stores and on the Internet. Record prices in a spreadsheet so you can keep track of the best deals.
Step 3
Add up the total price of your supplies and paint. If you are painting your home yourself, this will probably be close to your final estimate.
Step 4
Use an online calculator to double-check your estimate. House Painting Estimates provides free estimates from contractors in your area.
Step 5
Meet with painting contractors for large-scale paint jobs. Get at least three bids before you decide which one to use. Your contractor's bid is probably the closest estimate you will get, since it includes the cost of labor. According to Cost Helper, "When hiring a painting contractor, paint and supplies make up about 15 to 25 percent of the cost, while 75 to 85 percent goes for labor" for an exterior paint job. In California, check your contractor's license status at the California Contractors State License Board website.