How to use (3 steps)
- Pick Metric or US units, choose a cost profile, and decide whether to enter areas or approximate from floor area.
- Enter areas for exterior/roof/trim/fence/deck, or enter floor area, stories, and shape to estimate areas automatically.
- Adjust overhead/discount/tax as needed, then hit Calculate. Copy URL shares the same setup.
A two-story 110 m² sample is preloaded so a result appears immediately.
How to interpret the estimate (and what changes real bids)
- Each line item is area × unit rate (materials + labor) for exterior, roof, trim, fence, and deck.
- Profiles are starting points. Use “Show unit rates” to review assumptions, then override any rate in Custom rates.
- By house size is a ballpark shortcut. For a contractor quote, measure areas or use drawings.
Mini example
If your exterior wall area is 2,000 ft² and your selected exterior unit rate is $2.50/ft², that line item contributes about $5,000 before overhead, discounts, and tax.
Common cost drivers
- Prep: washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, patching, and priming bare spots.
- Access: height, steep roofs, landscaping, and masking complexity.
- Condition: rotten wood, rust, chalking coatings, or heavy peeling can add labor.
- Region and season: labor rates and scheduling can shift pricing substantially.
For paint quantity (gallons/liters), you can cross-check with the Exterior Paint Area & Quantity Calculator and Roof Paint Area & Quantity Calculator.
Settings
Currency is for display only; no FX conversion is applied.
Calculation mode
Exterior and roof areas are estimated from floor area, perimeter factor, window allowance, and roof slope.
Leave unused parts at 0. You can paste areas from the exterior/roof/fence/deck calculators.
Use the area inputs above, then override any unit rate below.
Overhead, adjustments, tax
Estimated paint cost
This is a planning estimate. Site conditions, substrate prep, coatings, access, weather, and regional labor rates may change actual bids.
Related calculators
How to use this calculator effectively
Use one baseline case first, then change one assumption at a time so you can see which input actually moves the estimate.
How it works
Each line item is area multiplied by the selected unit cost for materials and labor. Overhead, adjustment, and tax are then applied to the subtotal.
When to use it
This page is useful for early budgeting, comparing contractor assumptions, and checking how much a scope change might move the total.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Changing profile, areas, and tax at the same time, which makes differences harder to explain.
- Comparing this result to another quote without aligning unit rates, included prep, and tax handling.
- Treating a rough house-size estimate as a measured quantity when detailed drawings or site measurements are available.
See also
FAQ
Is this quote exact?
No. It is a browser-only planning estimate based on the unit costs you pick. Actual bids depend on on-site inspection, prep, coatings, access, and region.
How are unit costs set?
Standard, economy, and premium profiles bundle material and labor rates per area for exterior, roof, trim, fence, and deck. Switch profiles or override any unit cost in the Custom rates tab.
Can I enter only one area?
Yes. Leave unused parts at 0. You can also use the house-size mode to approximate exterior and roof areas from floor area and stories.
What should I do first on this page?
Start with the minimum required inputs or the first action shown near the primary button. Keep optional settings at defaults for a baseline run, then change one setting at a time so you can explain what caused each output change.
Why does this page differ from another tool?
Different pages often use different defaults, units, rounding rules, or assumptions. Align those settings before comparing outputs. If differences remain, compare each intermediate step rather than only the final number.