Quick Answer
External house painting costs £1,500–£3,500 for a 3-bed semi and £2,500–£5,000 for a 4-bed detached in 2026. Labour rates run £2–£5 per m² for masonry painting. Scaffolding adds £600–£1,500 and is usually required for anything above ground floor level.
The exterior of your home takes a battering from the British weather — UV, rain, frost and damp cycle through the paintwork every year. In 2026, a fresh coat of exterior masonry paint does far more than improve kerb appeal: it protects the fabric of your home from water ingress and structural damage. This guide covers realistic costs for external painting, what affects the price, the best paint types to use, and how often you need to repaint.
In this guide
External Painting Costs by House Type (2026)
Costs depend on the size of the property, access requirements, surface condition and paint specification. Here are typical ranges for standard UK house sizes:
- 2-bed terraced house: £800–£2,000
- 3-bed semi-detached: £1,500–£3,500
- 3-bed detached: £2,000–£4,000
- 4-bed detached: £2,500–£5,000
- Large detached / 5+ bed: £4,000–£8,000+
These prices include labour and standard masonry paint (2 coats). Scaffolding is usually required for anything above ground floor level and is either included or quoted separately. London and South East prices are typically 25–40% higher.
External Painting Cost Breakdown
| Cost Element | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Labour (masonry painting) | £2–£5 per m² | 2 coats, prepared surface |
| Standard masonry paint (material) | £0.50–£1.50 per m² | Trade-quality 10–15 year paint |
| Premium masonry paint (material) | £1.50–£3 per m² | Silicone or breathable resin systems |
| Scaffolding (3-bed semi) | £600–£1,200 | Usually needed for first floor+ |
| Scaffolding (4-bed detached) | £900–£1,500 | More complex access |
| Masonry repairs (repointing, crack filling) | £200–£800 | If required before painting |
| UPVC painting (fascias, soffits) | £200–£600 | Additional to masonry painting |
| Render painting | As above per m² | Render must be sound first |
| Total: 3-bed semi (with scaffolding) | £1,500–£3,500 | Labour + materials + scaffolding |
| Total: 4-bed detached (with scaffolding) | £2,500–£5,000 | Labour + materials + scaffolding |
What Affects the Cost of External Painting
Scaffolding Requirements
Scaffolding is the most significant variable in external painting costs. A 3-bed semi typically needs scaffolding on one or two elevations, costing £600–£1,200. A large detached property may need scaffolding on all four sides, adding £1,200–£2,000+ to the project. Always get the scaffolding cost clearly itemised in quotes — some contractors include it, others quote it separately.
Surface Type: Render vs Brick
Rendered walls are straightforward to paint and hold paint well. Bare brick is rarely painted (it's unusual in the UK except in some urban or Victorian terraces). Pebbledash and roughcast finishes require more paint due to their texture and the surface area involved. Tyrolean or smooth render are easiest to work with.
Condition of the Surface
A surface with peeling paint, algae, mould, cracks or failed render needs significant preparation before painting. The painter must pressure wash the surface, treat any biological growth, repair cracks or failed render sections, and apply a stabilising primer. This preparation can double the time — and cost — of the project. Our guide on preparing walls before painting covers what's involved.
Number of Storeys and Complexity
A simple two-storey semi is easier and cheaper to access than a three-storey Victorian terrace or a property with bays, dormers, porches and complex rooflines. Complex geometry means more scaffold time, more time cutting in and more material wastage.
Paint Types for External Walls
Masonry Paint
The standard exterior wall finish. Modern masonry paints are acrylic-based, breathable and flexible — important for rendered walls that expand and contract with temperature. Good quality trade masonry paints (Sandtex, Dulux Weathershield, K-Rend) carry 10–15 year guarantees. Premium silicone masonry paints cost more but have excellent water-repellent properties and longer lifespans.
UPVC Paint
Specialist paints are available for painting UPVC fascias, soffits, gutters, downpipes and window frames. These bond to plastic with proper priming and preparation. UPVC painting can refresh a property's look significantly — particularly upgrading white UPVC to an anthracite grey or heritage colour.
Render Coating Systems
For properties with failing or cracked render, a through-coloured monocouche render system (K-Rend, Weber.pral) offers a longer-lasting alternative to paint — built up in 2–3 coats and coloured throughout, eliminating the need to repaint for 20+ years. Cost: £30–£50 per m² installed.
How Often Should You Repaint Exterior Walls?
Standard exterior masonry paint should be reapplied every 5–10 years depending on:
- Exposure: North and west-facing elevations exposed to prevailing weather need repainting more frequently
- Paint quality: Premium paints with 15-year guarantees last significantly longer than budget alternatives
- Surface condition: Sound, well-prepared surfaces hold paint longer
- Location: Coastal properties exposed to salt air, or urban properties in high-pollution areas, require more frequent maintenance
Signs that repainting is needed: flaking or peeling paint, chalking (paint that comes off on your finger when you rub the wall), visible damp patches on interior walls, or biological growth (moss, algae, lichen) on the exterior.
For interior painting, see our guide on interior painting costs in the UK. If you need pointing or masonry repairs done before painting, our guide covers pointing brickwork costs. For choosing a contractor, see our guide on hiring a decorator vs DIY.
Tips for Getting the Best Quote
- Get at least three quotes: External painting prices vary widely. Three quotes give you a realistic range and help identify outliers.
- Ask what's included: Does the quote include scaffolding? Pressure washing? Masonry repairs? Two coats? Make sure you're comparing like for like.
- Ask about prep work: A good decorator will inspect the walls and quote for the preparation needed — not just the painting. Beware quotes that skip prep — the paint won't last.
- Ask about the paint specification: What brand, product and application method? A premium silicone paint applied correctly will outlast a budget paint by years.
- Book for spring or early summer: External painting requires dry weather above 5°C. Spring and early summer offer the most reliable conditions. Booking in advance gets you a better price and your preferred decorator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need scaffolding to paint the outside of my house?+
For anything above single-storey height, scaffolding is strongly recommended both for safety and quality — working from a ladder makes it very difficult to apply paint evenly and safely to high areas. Some painters use a combination of a long-reach roller and a ladder for simple two-storey elevations, but scaffolding is standard for full exterior painting projects.
Can I paint my house exterior in winter?+
Most exterior masonry paints should not be applied in temperatures below 5°C or on wet surfaces. Painting in cold or damp conditions leads to adhesion failure and paint that peels within months. Autumn (September–October) can work in mild years, but spring (April–June) is the safest time for exterior painting in most of the UK.
How long does exterior painting take?+
A 3-bed semi with scaffolding on two elevations typically takes 3–5 days for the painting itself, plus 1–2 days for scaffold erection and dismantling. Larger properties, or those with significant prep work, take longer. Most exterior painting projects run 4–8 days on site.
Should I paint rendered walls or use a through-coloured render system?+
If the existing render is sound and well-adhered, repainting is the most cost-effective option. If the render is cracking, delaminating or has recurring damp problems, a through-coloured monocouche render system is a better long-term investment — it will last 20+ years without repainting. Get both options quoted and compare the 10-year cost.
Can I paint UPVC fascias and window frames?+
Yes. Specialist UPVC paint (such as Zinsser AllCoat Exterior) bonds to plastic with proper cleaning and preparation. Painting UPVC white to anthracite grey or a heritage colour is popular and can dramatically change a property's appearance. It typically needs repainting every 5–7 years.
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