Upgrade Your Space: Pro Tips for a Better Home


September 10, 2025

Exterior House Painting in Edmonton: What It Costs on Average and for a 1,000 Sq Ft Home

Homeowners in Edmonton often ask one practical question before anything else: how much does exterior painting cost here? The answer depends on square footage, the number of storeys, surface type, paint quality, prep work, and access. Edmonton’s freeze-thaw cycles, chinook-like swings, and strong UV exposure on south-facing walls also affect which products last and how much prep a crew needs to do. This article shares clear numbers, realistic ranges, and local considerations based on what contractors see across Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, and nearby communities.

Depend Exteriors paints homes across Edmonton with a focus on durable, clean finishes that look good through our winters. The details below reflect that practical lens: what a homeowner can expect to pay, where the money goes, and how to get a result that holds up.

The short answer: average costs in Edmonton

Across Edmonton, most full exterior repaints land between $3,000 and $9,500 for typical single-family homes. Bungalows on the smaller side often sit in the $3,000 to $5,500 range. Two-storey houses with more trim, peaks, and harder access usually run $5,500 to $9,500, and sometimes more if there is heavy scraping, carpentry, or tricky stucco repairs.

Paint and materials usually account for 15 to 25 percent of the total. Labour, prep, and access make up the rest. Homes with complex trim, exposed soffits, and detailed fascia push costs up, while smooth stucco with minimal wood often sits on the lower end.

What a 1,000 sq ft home typically costs

For a 1,000 square foot bungalow in Edmonton with basic siding and trim, a realistic range is $2,800 to $4,500. That assumes sound surfaces with minor prep, no major wood rot, moderate colour change, and single-storey access. If the house has many colour breaks, sun-baked peeling areas, or a shift from a dark colour to a light one, add $500 to $1,500 for extra prep and additional coats.

A concrete example helps. Consider a 1,000 sq ft Highlands bungalow with painted stucco and wood fascia:

  • Light scraping of the south wall, caulking around windows, one minor stucco patch, prime spot repairs, and two finish coats on walls and trim.
  • Two colours for walls and trim, no door spraying, no garage.
  • Timeline of three to four days with a two-person crew.

That job would usually come in near $3,300 to $3,900 in Edmonton, depending on the paint system and access. If the homeowner adds a front door refinish, new house numbers, and tight colour lines on beams and posts, the final could approach $4,200 to $4,600.

Why exterior house painting in Edmonton costs what it does

Local climate and construction styles drive much of the price. Edmonton’s climate is harsh on coatings. UV breaks down resins. Winter cold and dry air stress caulk lines. Snowmelt wicks into end grain and behind trim. Crews spend more time on prep and use higher-grade elastomeric caulks and primers in key spots. That careful prep is why a paint job lasts six to ten years instead of peeling in two.

Siding type matters. Stucco often paints faster than old lap siding since there are fewer linear feet of edges. Wood clapboard or cedar can take more time, especially if it was last painted more than eight years ago. Vinyl has rules of its own; many colours work, but dark shades that exceed the manufacturer’s light reflectance threshold should be avoided to prevent heat distortion. Fibre cement falls between stucco and wood for prep and speed. Aluminum siding usually sprays well after a thorough clean and prime.

Roofline and height play roles too. A split-level in Mill Woods with long gable peaks and steep grade takes more ladder work, more staging, and more time to mask soffits, which adds cost. A straightforward Laurier Heights bungalow with tidy shrubs and a wide driveway is faster and safer to paint.

Price drivers that change your quote

Several factors can swing costs by 20 to 40 percent:

  • Surface condition and prep time: Flaking paint, failing caulk, hairline stucco cracks, and wood rot add steps. Spot priming with bonding primers, scraping, sanding feather edges, and replacing trim runs the clock. A house that needs basic wash and caulk can be a full day faster than one needing heavy scraping.
  • Access and safety: Two-storey walkouts backing onto ravines need more staging. Narrow side yards, decks tight to walls, and skylights complicate setup. Time spent moving ladders safely is time not spent laying paint.
  • Paint system and sheen: Higher solids paints cover better and last longer, but cost more. Many Edmonton homeowners choose premium acrylics for walls and urethane-modified enamel for doors and trim. Two coats are the norm on colour changes and sun-exposed surfaces. Satin or low-sheen on stucco hides flaws; semi-gloss on trim pops but shows brush marks if rushed.
  • Colour count and breaks: Each colour adds masking and cleanup. A house with a single wall colour and one trim colour moves fast; features like board-and-batten accents, railings, posts, shutters, and window grids extend the timeline.
  • Season and scheduling: Edmonton’s paint window runs late April to late September most years. Spring fills quickly, and fall shoulder-season work can be weather dependent. Tight schedules or rush work may carry a premium.

What homeowners can expect on site

Most exterior house painting in Edmonton follows a predictable sequence. Crews start with cleaning, either a light pressure wash or a hose-and-brush scrub depending on the surface. They mask windows, lights, and hardscapes. They scrape loose paint to a sound edge, sand rough transitions, and prime bare spots. Cracks in stucco get elastomeric filler; gaps around trim get paintable caulk. The crew then applies two coats to walls and trim, spray or brush-roll depending on the surface and neighbourhood overspray risk. Doors and railings receive dedicated attention for smooth finishes.

On a typical bungalow, this takes two to four days with a two- or three-person crew. Two-storey homes often need four to six days. Wind, rain, or cold nights can stretch schedules. A reputable crew will communicate daily with the homeowner and plan around weather windows.

Edmonton-specific paint choices that hold up

Product choice matters more here than in milder climates. Acrylic latex remains the standard for stucco, fibre cement, and wood siding because it breathes, flexes with temperature swings, and resists UV. For south and west exposures, higher-grade acrylic systems retain colour longer and chalk less. On stucco, many crews use a high-build elastomeric finish if the house has visible cracking and the texture calls for it. On trim, a urethane-alkyd waterborne enamel gives a tougher shell on fascia, doors, and handrails without the yellowing of old oil paints.

Sheen is part preference, part practical. Flat hides surface flaws on rough stucco but can chalk sooner. Low-sheen or satin strikes a balance, shedding moisture and dirt while still hiding minor waves. Semi-gloss on trim makes for easier cleaning but shows brush lines if applied too dry. In Edmonton, where dust and pollen can be heavy in late spring, washable surfaces help.

Estimating paint and materials for a 1,000 sq ft bungalow

A 1,000 sq ft bungalow typically has 1,800 to 2,500 square feet of paintable wall area once gables and overhangs are included. A common estimate uses 1.8 to 2.2 times the floor area for exterior wall coverage on single-storey homes. Two finish coats on stucco at roughly 250 to 300 square feet per gallon per coat would require 12 to 18 gallons for walls, plus 1 to 3 gallons for trim, and a quart or two of metal primer for railings or nail heads. Add tubes of paintable caulk, patch materials, masking film, and sundries. Materials will usually run $450 to $900 for a small bungalow with quality products. That is why a labour-driven quote still makes sense.

Typical line items in an Edmonton exterior painting quote

Many homeowners like to see how a quote breaks down. While every company formats it differently, a clear estimate will show surface prep, number of coats, product families, areas included or excluded, and any optional items such as doors, garage doors, or decks. It should also list whether the crew will scrape and spot-prime or fully sand problem walls, and whether carpentry repairs are included or billed time and materials.

Depend Exteriors often breaks pricing into walls, trim and fascia, doors, and extras. A garage can be separate. If the home needs wood replacement or stucco patching beyond hairline cracks, the team flags it early. Homeowners appreciate that clarity, and it reduces surprises on day three of the job.

Cost ranges by exterior material

Stucco: In neighbourhoods like Glenora and Ottewell, stucco makes up a large share of exteriors. Painting stucco is efficient because crews can spray and back-roll wide sections. Expect $1.80 to $3.50 per square foot of wall area depending on cracks, build, and colour shift. A smaller bungalow often falls near the lower end; a two-storey with many peaks and cut-ins lands higher.

Wood siding: Old growth cedar or softwood clapboards need more prep. Flaking paint and tannin bleed add steps. Pricing often ranges from $2.50 to $5.00 per square foot of wall area. Homes with several previous paint layers may need stripping in localized areas to stop recurring failure.

Vinyl siding: Painting vinyl is less labour heavy, but colour choice matters. Many crews use vinyl-safe colours with high light reflectance values. Expect $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot of wall area. If the goal is a deep, heat-absorbing colour, replacement may be safer than painting.

Fibre cement and composite: These materials take paint well, usually landing between stucco and wood for cost. $2.00 to $3.75 per square foot of wall area is common, with costs shifting based on the amount of trim and ledges.

Aluminum siding: After a thorough clean and a bonding primer where needed, aluminum sprays well and yields a neat finish. Costs often mirror vinyl or sit slightly higher if oxidation is heavy.

How Edmonton weather impacts scheduling and lifespan

Painting exterior walls in Edmonton means working within temperature and moisture windows. Most acrylics need surface and air temperatures above 10°C during application and for several hours after. Cold nights below 5°C slow cure and can dull sheen. Spring and early fall provide stable daytime highs but chilly evenings. Crews plan start and stop times so fresh coats set before nightfall.

Rain is less frequent than coastal cities, but wind creates overspray risk, especially in open areas like Windermere and parts of Terwillegar. A careful crew judges whether to spray or to roll and brush on windy days. This avoids speckling nearby vehicles or windows.

A well-prepped, well-coated exterior in Edmonton lasts six to ten years before it needs a full repaint. South and west faces may need touch-ups sooner. Stucco often goes the distance, while horizontal wood trim and bottom board courses weather faster. Homeowners who rinse dust and pollen off walls once a year and trim shrubs away from siding extend that lifespan.

Budgeting tips and smart places to spend

It pays to spend where failure often starts: caulk lines, horizontal ledges, lower courses, and sun-washed walls. A few extra hours on sanding feather edges, priming raw wood with a bonding primer, and running a high-quality elastomeric caulk along window casings can add years. Saving money by skipping primer on chalky stucco or using bargain caulk usually shows within the first winter.

For a 1,000 sq ft home, the smart https://dependexteriors.com/our-services/exterior-painting budget split is a solid wall system with two coats, a reliable trim paint with good blocking resistance for doors, and enough time allowed for prep. If the budget is tight, simplify colour breaks rather than cutting prep steps. One field colour and a crisp trim colour look fresh without adding hours of masking.

A quick comparison of DIY vs hiring a pro

Some homeowners enjoy DIY painting. On a small bungalow with simple lines and safe access, a two-weekend DIY effort can work. The trade-offs are real: tool costs, learning curve for spraying and back-rolling stucco, ladder safety, and weather windows. Pros bring staging, sprayers, and a process that prevents holidays, lap marks, and flashing. They also know how to handle problem areas like chalky stucco or tannin bleed on cedar.

For many Edmonton homeowners, the math favours a professional team for exterior house painting. The finished look is cleaner, the coatings last longer, and the project finishes in days, not weeks. The cost is higher than DIY materials alone, but the lifespan and curb appeal often justify it, especially ahead of a sale or refinance.

How quotes vary between neighbourhoods in Edmonton

Access and house style shift slightly across the city. Mature areas like Strathearn, Bonnie Doon, and Westmount have tighter lots, more rear alleys, and taller trees, which slow staging and masking. Newer suburbs like Secord or Ellerslie often have simpler rooflines and clear driveway access, which help crews move quickly. If a house sits on a slope or has a raised walkout in the back, plan for extra time and a modest cost increase due to height and ladder moves.

South-facing walls in open areas such as Summerside or Rutherford can fade faster due to UV exposure. Choosing a higher-grade acrylic for those walls reduces chalking and helps the colour hold.

What to ask before hiring an exterior painter in Edmonton

A short checklist helps sort quotes that look similar on paper. Ask for:

  • The exact paint lines and sheens for walls, trim, and doors, and how many coats are included.
  • Prep steps in writing: washing method, scraping, sanding, spot priming, caulking, and crack repair.
  • How the crew manages weather delays and cold evenings, and whether they back-roll sprayed stucco.
  • Proof of WCB coverage and liability insurance, plus references for recent exterior jobs in Edmonton.
  • A timeline with start and finish windows that allow for weather without rushing coats.

Those five points expose the difference between a price and a plan. A clear plan gets better results on Edmonton homes and avoids surprise add-ons.

The Depend Exteriors approach

Depend Exteriors focuses on long-wearing results that suit local conditions. The team quotes exterior house painting in Edmonton with a straight breakdown of prep, products, coats, and exclusions. On stucco, they back-roll to seat paint into the texture. On wood, they spend time on edges and end grain where moisture intrudes. They use vinyl-safe colours on vinyl and steer clients away from heat-trap shades that can warp panels. They schedule work within the safe temperature window and pause when wind or cold would compromise the finish.

A recent Parkview project shows the approach. A 1960s stucco bungalow had heavy chalking on the south wall and hairline cracks around the garage. The crew washed, then applied a bonding primer on chalky areas, filled cracks with a flexible patch, and used a high-grade acrylic in low-sheen. Trim and fascia got a waterborne enamel for durability. The result still looks fresh three seasons later, and the homeowner reports snow melt no longer stains the base of the wall.

Handling extras: doors, railings, and garage doors

Exterior doors take a beating in Edmonton. Direct sun and cold metal surfaces make cheaper paints stick and then block on weatherstripping. A waterborne urethane enamel addresses this, giving a smooth, hard film that resists sticking. It costs more and takes more prep, but it keeps front doors looking crisp. Railings and wrought iron need a rust-inhibitive primer where bare metal shows. Garage doors can be brushed or sprayed; smooth rolling panels benefit from a light spray for an even look.

These items add $150 to $450 each depending on prep. On a small bungalow, including a front door and garage door often adds $300 to $700 to the total. Many homeowners bundle these with the main repaint for a clean curb appeal refresh.

Permits, HOA rules, and colour choices

Most exterior painting in Edmonton does not require a permit. Some homeowner associations in developments like Terwillegar or Summerside may have colour guidelines or require approval for major changes. It pays to check if the house falls under those rules. Brick and partial masonry homes often look best when paint choices respect fixed elements like brick tone and roof colour. Creams, warm greys, and desaturated greens often play well with red or brown brick found in older Edmonton neighbourhoods.

Colour tests on sunny and shaded sides of the house are wise. The same shade reads different on the north elevation at 8 p.m. than it does on the south wall at noon. A sample board moved around the property avoids surprises.

Warranty realities in our climate

A good exterior paint job in Edmonton typically carries a workmanship warranty of one to three years. Product warranties from paint manufacturers can be longer, but they cover defects in the product rather than premature wear due to application, prep, or severe exposure. Homeowners should know that wind-driven ice, sprinklers hitting the same board daily, or gutters that overflow onto fascia can void portions of a warranty. Depend Exteriors walks clients through these practical limits up front and recommends simple fixes such as downspout extensions and drip edge repairs that protect the finish.

How to get a firm number for your home

Phone estimates and online calculators give ballpark figures, but a site visit nails the details. A Depend Exteriors estimator walks the property, measures wall area, checks access, tests chalk, looks for peeling, probes suspect wood, and notes grade or landscaping obstacles. They discuss colours, sheen, and timeline, then provide a written quote with line items and options. For a 1,000 sq ft home, this visit takes 20 to 30 minutes and often leads to a same-day written estimate.

Homeowners who plan to sell within two years often choose a clean, neutral palette and concentrate spend on the street-facing elevations. Owners planning to stay five to ten years tend to opt for the higher-grade paint on sunny sides and a more careful prep standard across the board. Both strategies are valid; the estimator can speak to the trade-offs.

Ready to price your exterior house painting in Edmonton?

A tidy exterior protects the structure and improves curb appeal through long winters and bright summers. If you want a clear, local number for your home, Depend Exteriors can help. The team provides detailed quotes for exterior house painting Edmonton homeowners can trust, from bungalows in Ottewell to two-storeys in The Hamptons. Share a few photos or book a quick site visit, and expect a straightforward plan with solid products, a realistic timeline, and a finish that holds up here.

Call or request your estimate online. A short visit today can lock in a weather window and a price that fits the scope before the busy season hits.

Depend Exteriors provides stucco repair and exterior masonry services in Edmonton, AB. Homeowners and businesses trust our team for stucco installation, repair, and replacement across a range of property types. As experienced Edmonton stucco contractors, we focus on durable finishes, reliable timelines, and clear communication with every client. Whether you need minor stucco patching, complete exterior resurfacing, or full stucco replacement, we deliver results that add value and protection to your property. Licensed and bonded, we stand behind our work and complete projects on schedule with attention to detail. If you are searching for stucco contractors near me in Edmonton, Depend Exteriors is ready to help.

Depend Exteriors

8615 176 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5T 0M7, Canada

Phone: (780) 710-3972

Website: https://dependexteriors.com

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