TLDR:
- Price depends mostly on prep scope, home size/height, and condition of existing paint
- Oil‑priming bare spots and repairing wood add cost but prevent early failure
- Get a quote with a clear prep list and product spec so you can compare apples to apples
Intro
If your exterior is peeling or faded, the big question is cost. This guide breaks down what drives price in Southwest Ohio and where you can make smart decisions without risking premature failure.
What It Is
A practical cost overview for exterior repaint projects on typical Ohio homes: prep, priming, caulking, and topcoats for siding, trim, and doors.
Why It Matters
- Most repaint failures trace back to rushed prep, not the paint label
- Ohio’s humidity, freeze‑thaw cycles, and summer sun punish weak coatings
- Knowing the cost drivers helps you choose the right scope for durable results
How It Works
Key factors that change price:
- Home size and height
- One‑story ranch vs two‑story with gables and dormers
- Ladder and lift access adds labor time
- Existing condition
- Spot peel vs widespread failure
- Bare wood needs oil or bonding primer to lock fibers
- Surfaces and details
- Siding type (wood, fiber cement, aluminum) and trim complexity
- Extra elements: shutters, railings, porch ceilings, doors
- Prep scope
- Wash → scrape → feather‑sand → spot prime → caulk → mask → topcoat
- Lead‑safe practices if your home was built before 1978
- Products and system
- Primer matched to substrate and condition
- Two finish coats on sun‑exposed sides often outlast one heavy coat
- Timing and weather
- Paint between 50–85°F with mindful dew point
- Schedule around Ohio humidity swings to avoid early failure
What To Do (Checklist)
- Walk your home and note peeling, soft wood, and water entry points.
- Ask for a written scope listing each prep step and where primer is required.
- Confirm product line and sheen by surface: siding, trim, doors.
- Plan timing: avoid late‑season rush and damp spells.
- Compare quotes by scope, not just price. Choose durable prep over shortcuts.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping oil/bonding primer on bare wood → Early peeling
- Power‑washing and painting the next day → Trapped moisture
- One heavy coat to "save time" → Poor cure and lap marks
- Painting late afternoon before a high‑dew night → Blush and adhesion issues
Care and Maintenance
- Annual wash to remove dirt and mildew
- Touch up sun‑beaten trim before wood is exposed
- Keep gutters clear to prevent back‑spray and staining
