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; the result appears immediately when page scripts run.
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.
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 measure first for a house paint estimate?
Start with paintable area, number of coats, coverage rate, labor or material pricing, and waste allowance. Review exclusions such as windows, doors, trim, and surface condition before using the estimate.
Why can house paint estimates differ from nearby tools?
Differences usually come from paintable area, labor scope, coverage rate, coats, and waste allowance. Match those assumptions before comparing this result with another CalcBE page, spreadsheet, or external tool.