How much does exterior house painting cost in Washington, D.C., DC?
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 Washington, D.C. 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
Exterior painting cost in Washington, D.C., DC
We have no documented price index for Washington, D.C. for this job, so the table shows the US national range.
| Estimate | Low | Typical | High | Basis | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US national range | $1,819 | $3,178 | $4,551 | Per house: typical range of customer-reported jobs (HomeAdvisor) | October 2026 |
What drives 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.
Paint quality and climate
Better paint and harsher climates raise material cost.
Permits and what's included in Washington, D.C.
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 Washington, D.C.’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 Washington, D.C.
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Top-ranked painters in Washington, D.C.
The top 3 of 527 painters we rank for Washington, D.C., DC, by CR Score. Paid placement never changes rank.
- #1Sip and Paint DC - Washington DC’s Mobile Paint and Sip PartiesCR Score 665.0from 361 Google reviews
- #2Northern Virginia Painting and DesignCR Score 635.0from 50 Google reviews
- #3HomePro DMV Painters ✅CR Score 635.0from 108 Google reviews
Exterior painting cost in Washington, D.C.: questions
How much does exterior house painting cost in Washington, D.C., DC?
Do I need a permit for exterior house painting in Washington, D.C.?
What affects the cost of exterior house painting?
How many painters serve Washington, D.C.?
What is usually included in the price?
Sources
Checked October 2026. Figures are estimates, not quotes.
- HomeAdvisor: Exterior painting cost · page updated June 17, 2026 · checked October 2026Primary source. Used for: Low, typical and high; drivers; permit.
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