Skip to content
ContractorsRanked

How much does exterior house painting cost in Ames, IA?

US national rangeUpdated Prices checked October 20261 source

Exterior house painting costs $1,819 to $4,551 nationally, typical $3,178. We have no documented price index for Ames for this job, so this is the US national range from HomeAdvisor, checked October 2026.

US national range, not adjusted for this city

Low
$1,819
Typical
$3,178
High
$4,551

Get exterior painting quotes in Ames

Exterior painting cost in Ames, IA

We have no documented price index for Ames for this job, so the table shows the US national range.

Exterior painting cost in Ames, IA
EstimateLowTypicalHighBasisChecked
US national range$1,819$3,178$4,551Per house: typical range of customer-reported jobs (HomeAdvisor)October 2026

What drives the cost of exterior house painting

  1. Paintable area

    Square footage of siding after windows and doors are subtracted.

  2. Stories and access

    Two-story homes can cost up to 50% more than one-story homes.

  3. Siding material

    Brick, stone and stucco usually cost more to paint.

  4. Prep work

    Patching, power washing, stripping and caulking add labor.

  5. Paint quality and climate

    Better paint and harsher climates raise material cost.

Permits and what's included in Ames

Permit note

Standard exterior painting typically doesn't need a permit. Where one is required, it generally costs about $200 to $300; siding repairs found during prep likely will need one.

Rules are set locally; confirm with Ames’s building department.

What’s usually included

  • Power washing and surface prep
  • Primer and paint
  • Trim painting (confirm on the quote)

Scopes vary. Get the scope in writing on every quote.

Get exterior painting quotes in Ames

Tell us about the job and we will pass it to local pros. Asking for quotes never changes how we rank anyone.

Two short steps: your name, then how to reach you. Free, and it never changes anyone’s rank.

Top-ranked painters in Ames

The top 3 of 26 painters we rank for Ames, IA, by CR Score. Paid placement never changes rank.

  1. #1
    Sure Can
    CR Score 614.7from 12 Google reviews
  2. #2
    Zook's Look, Inc.
    CR Score 615.0from 69 Google reviews
  3. #3
    College Works Painting
    CR Score 594.9from 43 Google reviews

See all ranked painters in Ames

Exterior painting cost in Ames: questions

How much does exterior house painting cost in Ames, IA?

Exterior house painting costs $1,819 to $4,551 nationally, typical $3,178. We have no documented price index for Ames for this job, so this is the US national range from HomeAdvisor, checked October 2026.

Do I need a permit for exterior house painting in Ames?

Standard exterior painting typically doesn't need a permit. Where one is required, it generally costs about $200 to $300; siding repairs found during prep likely will need one. Rules are set locally, so confirm with Ames’s building department.

What affects the cost of exterior house painting?

Paintable area: square footage of siding after windows and doors are subtracted. Stories and access: two-story homes can cost up to 50% more than one-story homes. Siding material: brick, stone and stucco usually cost more to paint. Prep work: patching, power washing, stripping and caulking add labor.

How many painters serve Ames?

We rank 26 painters for Ames, IA by CR Score. Get at least three written quotes for the same scope.

What is usually included in the price?

Power washing and surface prep; Primer and paint; Trim painting (confirm on the quote). Always get the scope in writing on the quote.

Sources

Checked October 2026. Figures are estimates, not quotes.

  1. HomeAdvisor: Exterior painting cost · page updated June 17, 2026 · checked October 2026Primary source. Used for: Low, typical and high; drivers; permit.
These are published estimates, checked October 2026. They are not quotes. Typical range shown: $1,819 to $4,551. Editorial policy

Related pages