The first thing that catches the eye of a guest/passerby is the exterior of the house. Besides the interiors of the house, one needs to maintain the exteriors too. So, to beautify and protect the home, one should opt for exterior house painting. A fresh coat of paint can be a total makeover for the home. Whether it is a DIY project or one that involves hiring a professional, there is a cost involved.

Let’s understand the whole process of house painting.

The cost involved in exterior painting 
If you have decided to paint your house, the primary question that comes to mind is the exterior painting cost involved in the whole process. Let us provide an estimate for the cost, which includes labor and material costs if a professional service is hired.

500 square feet: $1,000-$1,500
1-story/ 1,000 square feet: $1,000-$3,000
2-story/ 2,500 square feet: $3,000-$5,000
3-4-story/ 4,000 square feet: $4,000-$7,000

Please note that this is just an estimate, and the cost of paint most often changes every year.

Things to consider while painting your home’s exterior
Now that you;ve got acquainted with the approximate cost involved in the exterior house painting,   let us elaborate on a few factors that need to be considered while painting the exterior.

Pick the apt reason
Yes, you read it right! There is always a good season to paint. One cannot risk their hard work and hard-earned money going down the drain if a certain season creates a barrier for the painting process to begin. Therefore, do not choose either rainy or cloudy days, the hottest days of summer, or the windy weather; it is best to wait for temperate weather.

Do the required preparation
Consider scraping and sanding before you start to paint your home’s exterior so that the paint adheres to it well. The paint should be applied on clean surfaces and not on flaky or peeling surfaces. For an effective smooth finish, remove the loose paint and clean the entire surface.

DIY or professional
Consider the size of the house. If it is big or the need arises, hire a professional and opt for exterior house painting services. After all, each wall of the house needs to be painted well, and this can be exhausting and time-consuming if you do it yourself.
Choose the color and the color type
The color and shade you choose should be pleasant, creating a lasting impression. It must also be weather resistant. Be aware of the viscosity of the paint and the number of coats required for exterior house painting.

Choose the method of painting
You can use various applicators to paint including a paintbrush, paint roller, or paint sprayer. Paintbrushes are the best as they can be used to reach every nook and cranny of the house. Paint rollers give a smooth appearance and finish. Last but not least is the paint sprayer which gives better paint coverage while painting the house exteriors.

Consider the materials
Always opt for top-quality paint materials, caulking compound, or primer for that long-lasting finish. Ensure to choose 100 % acrylic paint. If you are unaware or confused, take help from a professional/expert.
Do not apply lead paint
Lead paints can create a speck of lead dust or chips that have been proven to be hazardous to the health of children and grown-ups. Though house paints do not contain lead nowadays, it is still recommended to avoid them for exterior house painting.
Consider more than one coat of paint
It is advisable to paint more than two coats. Try to get the first coat after the primer and apply the top coat.
Cover everything around
To save yourself from the hassles or the after-service cleaning problems, it is suggested to cover everything around the house, such as the garden, patios, and walkaways. Cover them with plastic sheets from the paint spills.
Get bids and references
If you are hiring a professional service, then try to get bids from at least three contractors. Also, get the references of some of their satisfied clientele. You can also check reviews online.

Tips to save costs of   exterior house painting
Maximize your savings by following the below-mentioned tips:

Compare prices
As mentioned earlier, try to get bids from various contractors and ask them about the duration for the completion of the painting process, material or technique used, the number of paint applications, among others.
Use a contract
Try to use a contract and get everything in writing before you complete the payment for the service of exterior house painting.
Get some work done to save costs
Try to get some tasks such as trimming shrubs, moving furniture, and prep work that could involve sanding, scraping, and patching done by yourself. This could help to reduce costs.
Trim the scope of the job
This can also be followed to reduce the expenses.
Do not wait for repainting
Do not wait for visible signs of wear and tear to appear after your first painting process. Repainting done on time will help you save on costs.

We have elaborated on some simple things to keep in mind when choosing to paint your house. You can opt to do some of the chores on your own to cut down the costs and hire a professional for other tasks. Please decide after analyzing all the pros and cons.