If you’re planning a painting project, one of the first questions you’ll ask is simple: how long does it take to paint a house?

The answer depends on whether you’re painting the interior or exterior, the size of the home, and how much preparation is needed. Some projects can be completed in a single day. Others take a full week or more. Weather, repairs, and the number of coats can all affect the schedule.

At Premier Arkansas Painting, we serve Little Rock and Central Arkansas, including North Little Rock, Maumelle, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Cabot, Conway, Benton, and Bryant. This guide explains realistic house painting timelines so you can plan your project without surprises.

How Long Does It Take to Paint the Exterior of a House?:
Most exterior house painting projects take between two and six days. Small one-story homes with minimal prep can sometimes be finished in two to three days. Larger homes, two-story homes, or homes with heavy trim detail often take closer to five or six days.

Exterior projects are affected by more variables than interior projects because crews have to work around weather, temperature, humidity, and drying conditions. Even if the work itself is straightforward, rain can pause a job and stretch the timeline.

If your home has peeling paint, failing caulk, wood rot, or exposed bare wood that needs priming, prep work becomes the most time-consuming part of the project. Many homeowners assume painting is mostly “applying the paint,” but on an exterior repaint, a quality job is often more prep than paint.

Exterior Painting Timeline by Home Size:
For a small home around 1,000 to 1,500 square feet, exterior painting often takes two to four days, assuming weather cooperates and prep work is light.

For an average home around 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, most exterior repaints take three to five days.

For larger homes, multi-story homes, or homes with high peaks and complex rooflines, exterior painting commonly takes five to seven days. High-detail exteriors can take longer, especially when the trim package is extensive and the home needs careful masking.

What Slows Down Exterior Painting Projects?:
The number one timeline killer on exterior projects is weather. In Little Rock and Central Arkansas, storms and humidity can shift schedules quickly, especially in spring and summer. Even when rain isn’t heavy, consistent moisture can slow down drying and curing.

Another major factor is repairs. If rotted fascia boards, corner boards, or trim sections need replacing, that work must be completed before paint goes on. The same applies to peeling paint that requires scraping and sanding. Prep has to be done correctly for the paint to last.

Finally, color changes can slow down the timeline. If the new color is significantly different than the old one, extra primer or additional coats may be needed. More colors also create more masking and more detail work, which adds time.

How Long Does it Take to Paint the Interior of a House?:
Interior house painting is often faster than exterior painting because weather plays less of a role. Most interior painting projects take between one and five days depending on how many rooms you’re painting and how much detail work is involved.

A single room can often be painted in a day. A multi-room interior project might take several days. Full interior repaints are usually completed in three to seven days depending on the size of the home, ceiling height, the amount of trim and doors, and the number of coats required.

Interior projects also depend on how much furniture needs to be moved, how much wall repair is needed, and whether the home is occupied during the project.

Interior Painting Timeline by Project Type:
A bedroom or office typically takes one day, especially if the walls are in good condition and the color change is simple.

A living room, kitchen, or open layout space often takes one to two days because there is more cutting-in, more surface area, and more time spent protecting floors and furniture. A full interior repaint for an average home commonly takes three to five days. Larger homes, homes with tall ceilings, or projects that include walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and cabinets can take a week or more.

If drywall repair is needed, the timeline can increase. Patching, sanding, and priming are necessary steps, and they take time to do correctly.

How Many Coats of Paint Are Needed?:
Most professional paint jobs include two coats of finish paint on the walls. This produces even coverage and helps paint hold up better over time.

If you are painting over a darker color, switching sheens, or dealing with stained areas, extra primer or an additional coat may be needed. This can add a day depending on how large the space is and how much dry time is required between coats.

Can a House Painting Project Be Done While Living in the Home?:
Yes, and this is very common. Most homeowners in Little Rock and Central Arkansas stay in the home during interior painting. A professional crew can work room-by-room and keep the house clean and organized throughout the project.

If you want the fastest completion time, the project moves much quicker when rooms are cleared and painters have easy access to walls, trim, and doors. If the home is full of furniture, fragile items, or heavy décor that needs moving, the schedule can stretch.

Exterior projects are generally easy to complete with homeowners living in the home, since most of the work is outside.

How Far Ahead Should You Schedule a House Painting Project?:
Spring and fall are the busiest seasons for exterior painting in Little Rock, so scheduling early is smart if you want the most ideal weather window. Interior painting is more flexible year-round, but availability still depends on the month and the size of the project.

If you have a hard deadline, such as guests coming to town, selling your home, or finishing renovations, it’s best to contact a painting company early so you can secure your dates.

Get a Painting Timeline and Quote (Little Rock + Central Arkansas)If you want to know exactly how long your house painting project will take, the best option is to get a professional estimate. A good quote doesn’t just give you a price. It also gives you the scope, the process, and the expected timeline.

Premier Arkansas Painting is based in Little Rock and serves homeowners across Central Arkansas, including North Little Rock, Maumelle, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Cabot, Conway, Benton, and Bryant. Reach out today for a free estimate and we’ll provide clear pricing and a realistic schedule for your project.