Exterior House Painting Cost Central Arkansas

Why Exterior Painting Quotes Vary So Much

When you get two exterior painting estimates that are $4,000 apart, it’s usually because one company is pricing:

• Less prep
• Fewer coats
• Cheaper paint
• Less masking protection
• No trim restoration
• Rushed timeline

The 7 Biggest Factors That Change Exterior Painting Cost

1) Surface Prep (This is the whole game)

Prep is what makes paint stick and last. This includes...

• Pressure washing
• Scraping peeling paint
• Caulking seams and joints
• Priming bare wood
• Sealing stains or tannins

2) The Material: Wood vs Hardie vs Brick vs Vinyl

The surface you’re painting affects labor and coatings.

Wood Siding

• Often needs scraping + priming
• Prone to rot and failure
• More repair risk

Hardie board

• Paints nicely
• Usually moderate prep
• Great for durability

Brick

• More paint coverage required
• Heavy masking
• Coating selection matters a lot

Vinyl

• Usually less prep
• Often needs specialty products
• Color choice matters (warping risk on dark colors)

3) The Height / Access Difficulty

Central Arkansas has plenty of homes with:

• Steep roof pitches
• High peaks
• Stair-step architectures
• dormers

More height = more:

• Ladder work
• Setup time
• Slower labor
• Safety requirements

Two-story pricing climbs fast, even for moderate size houses.

4) Trim Volume (Trim is expensive)

This is one homeowners don’t expect. Trim costs more because it takes time:

• Cutting straight lines
• Brushing detail
• Sanding old trim edges
• Caulking gaps

If you have tons of:

• Windows
• Fascia runs
• Sofits
• Columns
• Decorative woodwork

…your quote will reflect it.

5) Repairs (Wood Rot + Damage)

Exterior repairs are common in Central Arkansas, especially around fascia, corner boards, and trim.

If your home has:

• Rotted wood
• Cracked boards
• Failing caulk
• Water damage around gutters

…the quote will increase because restoration has to happen before paint can be applied.

6) Color Change + Number of Colors

The more colors you choose, the more labor is required.

More colors = more:

• Masking
• Cut-in detail
• Changeovers

The most cost-efficient setup is usually:

• Body
• Trim
• Front door

7) Paint Quality / Paint System

Paint quality is a major cost lever — and in Arkansas climate, it impacts durability.

Typical ranges:

• Budget exterior paint: $30–$45 per gallon
• Premium exterior paint: $55–$95+ per gallon

Higher quality paint usually:

• Cover better
• Holds color longer in the sun
• Resists mildew and moisture
• Lasts longer before repainting is needed

What’s Included in a Professional Exterior Paint Quote?

Most professional exterior quotes include:

• Pressure washing
• Scraping/sanding where needed
• Caulking gaps
• Priming bare wood or exposed areas
• 2-coat exterior paint system
• Masking to protect landscaping, windows, and hard surfaces
• Jobsite cleanup + walk-through