Planning guide
What affects the cost of painting a house in Pinellas County?
Every house is different, so every painting estimate is different. Knowing what drives the number helps you compare estimates fairly and understand what you are paying for.
This guide does not quote prices, because a fair price depends on your house, and it is best given after someone has looked at it. What it does is explain the factors that move the number up or down, and how to compare estimates line by line. For the work itself, see exterior painting and interior painting.
Size and layout
The area to be painted is the starting point, but layout matters as much as square footage. A simple box with long, plain walls is quicker to paint than a house of the same size with many corners, bump-outs, columns, arches and windows. Every edge and opening means more cutting in and more masking.
Height and access
- Single storey houses are the most straightforward.
- Two storey houses, high gables and raised beach homes need taller ladders, staging or a lift.
- Tight side yards, steep slopes, pools, docks and dense landscaping all slow down setup and access.
- Condos and high rises may need building approval, elevator reservations and set work hours.
Surfaces
Different surfaces take different time and materials.
- Stucco and block are porous and textured, so they take more paint, and sometimes primer or block filler.
- Wood siding and trim often need scraping, sanding, spot priming and caulking.
- Metal railings, gates and fixtures need rust treatment and specialty coatings.
- Doors, shutters and decorative details are slow, careful work for their size.
Condition and repairs
This is the biggest variable, and the one most worth paying attention to.
- Stucco cracks to open, fill and texture match
- Rotten wood on fascia, trim or sills to replace
- Rust to remove and treat
- Peeling paint to scrape back to a sound edge
- Heavy mildew to clean and treat
- Failed caulk to cut out and replace
A house that has been kept up is mostly cleaning and coating. A house where the paint has failed needs repairs first. That is why catching paint early usually means a smaller job (see how often to repaint in salt air).
Prep and coats
Two estimates for the same house can differ mostly because of what they include:
- How thoroughly the house is washed, and whether mildew is treated
- How much scraping, sanding and caulking is included
- Which areas get primer, and which primer
- One coat or two
- Whether trim, doors, soffits, fascia, railings and garage doors are included
Products
Paint and primer quality varies, and so does price. Higher grade coatings usually cost more per gallon, cover better and hold up longer in sun and salt. Specialty coatings such as elastomerics and metal finishes add to material costs where they are needed. See our guide to the best exterior paint for Florida.
Colour changes
Repainting a similar colour is the simplest. A big change, from dark to light or the reverse, may need a tinted primer or an extra coat to cover evenly. Multiple colours (body, trim, accents, doors) also add time for cutting in.
Interior factors
- Number of rooms and ceiling height, including vaulted ceilings and stairwells
- Whether walls, ceilings, trim, doors and closets are all included
- Wall repairs: nail holes, dents, cracks and water stains
- How much furniture needs moving and covering
- Dramatic colour changes and accent walls
How to compare estimates
- Get the scope in writing. Which surfaces, which areas, what is excluded.
- Check the prep. Washing, repairs, caulking and primer should be spelled out.
- Check the products and coats. The product line, the sheen, and how many coats.
- Ask about insurance and ask to see a certificate.
- Ask what happens if something is not right afterward. At Pelican, every job comes with our workmanship guarantee: if something we painted is not right, we come back and make it right.
- Compare like for like. A lower number with less prep and fewer coats is not the same job.
Questions we hear
Why do painting estimates vary so much?
Estimates differ mostly in scope and prep: how much repair, how many coats, which products and what is included. Compare line by line, not just the total.
Is the cheapest estimate a bad sign?
Not always, but check what is missing. Less prep, fewer coats, lower grade products or excluded areas are the usual reasons a number is lower.
Does colour change the cost?
It can. A big colour change, especially from dark to light or the reverse, may need extra coats or a tinted primer.
Is there a discount for bigger jobs?
Yes. Right now we offer 10% off any job over $2,500. Ask about it when you call.
Want a clear, written estimate for your house? See exterior painting, interior painting or commercial painting, or call (727) 490-9640 any time, 24/7.