How Much Does Exterior Commercial Painting Cost?

Estimating Commercial Exterior Painting Cost

Estimates for exterior commercial painting range from $0.50 to $3 per square foot of paintable area or $50 to $100 per hour. A commercial painter finds the square footage by multiplying the length of the area by the height then subtracting the area of windows and doors.

Material

Materials cost $25 to $125 per gallon for paint. A gallon of paint covers anywhere from 150 to 400 square feet depending on the type of surface and paint. Other materials, like masking tape, rollers, and cleaning supplies add another $50 to $150 per job.

Labor Costs 

The cost to hire a painter runs from $60 to $80 per hour, on average. A professional covers about 150 to 200 square feet of space each hour.

Additional or Unexpected Costs

• Cracks and prep work: These are typically included in the project cost. 

• Large holes and repairs: These are usually included in the project cost as an additional fee. Fees vary depending on the amount of damage and type of repair needed. 

How Much Does Exterior Commercial Painting Cost per Square Foot?

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Commercial Exterior Yourself?

Expect to spend $50 to $120 per 150 square feet for two coats of paint. Rollers and supplies cost another $50 to $100. In total, for a 1,000 square feet of exterior space, you’ll spend $400 to $850 on materials. 

But figure in what your time is worth since it will take you 8 to 12 hours to complete the job. Professional painters can do the job in about half the time as a DIYer with no experience. 

Cost to Paint It Yourself vs. Hiring a Contractor 

You’ll save 45% to 65% of the total price, or around $3,000 to $10,000 on most commercial painting jobs by doing it yourself. More than half the price of commercial painting comes from labor. For smaller, single-story buildings, it’s an easy DIY job. The only drawback is finding the time to do it. For taller buildings or complex projects, it’s best to find a local commercial painter who has the tools and knowledge to get it done quickly and safely. 

How Much Does Commercial Painting Cost by Type?

Painting varies by the type of material and type of painting project you have. Commercial properties often have metal, stucco, or brick exteriors. They’ll also have signs, fences, parking lots, and logos that require different paints and equipment. 

• Stucco painting costs $1–$5 per sq. ft.

• Brick painting costs $1–$5 per sq. ft.

• Painting siding costs $1–$4 per sq. ft.

• Stripe a parking lot costs $300–$750 total

• Painting Signs $200–$2,000 total

• Murals and logo painting cost $750–$1,800total

• Painting fencing costs $750–$4,250 total

• Electrostatic painting costs $350–$1,000 total

What Factors Influence the Cost for Commercial Painting?

There are a few factors to consider when comparing estimates from professionals for your commercial painting project, including:

• Size and height of the building: Larger spaces require more time and materials. Anything past 15 feet generally needs scaffolding, which increases both overhead and time spent on the job

• Choosing exterior paint colors: Different colors and brands vary in price

• Custom work: Such as logos, murals, and signs

• Quality of the paint: $25–$100 per gallon

• Type of materials being painted: Rough textured surfaces require more paint, so they have a higher cost per square foot than a smooth surface

FAQs About Commercial Exterior Painting

How do you estimate commercial painting?

Commercial painting estimates are based on the square footage of paintable area. It generally includes repairing small cracks and holes, preparing the surface, and cleaning up the project afterward. 

How much should I charge to paint?

Estimate commercial painting by square footage of the paintable area, subtracting any window or door openings. Then, multiply that number by your square footage rate. Or, estimate based on hour time plus materials.  

What is the average labor cost to paint?

The average labor cost of commercial painting is $0.50 to $2 per square foot.