Does Painting Your House Add Value?

Does painting your house add value? Yes, when it’s done well. A fresh exterior is one of the quickest ways to boost curb appeal and help a home show better to buyers, but a cheap or sloppy paint job can drag it down instead. Here’s what actually makes the difference, from color and paint quality to prep and timing.

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How Painting Your House Adds Value Through Curb Appeal

• Immediate Curb Appeal: You don’t need the best house in town. You want the house on your street that makes buyers slow down.
• Sometimes it takes a fresh eye to make a color scheme pop, or to keep it quietly elegant. A professional color consultant can help you land on a look that fits your house and your neighborhood. Our color consulting fees start at $675.
• If you’re selling soon, lean toward colors with broad appeal. Soft whites, warm neutrals and classic dark trim or doors tend to be safe bets.

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Choosing the Right Paint and Paint Color

• Quality of Paint: Cheap paint looks cheap, and it doesn’t last. For most homes we use the higher end lines from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams. For a truly high end finish there’s Fine Paints of Europe, and on exterior brick we use Romabio Masonry Flat, a breathable mineral paint.
• There’s nothing wrong with following paint trends. We all do it. If trendy isn’t your style, go timeless. Just don’t stay outdated, because buyers notice.

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Professional vs. DIY Painting

• Cost Comparison: Painting your house yourself will almost always cost less up front. But “professional” means different things to different painters. When you find a high quality painting company, the difference is obvious, and buyers who know quality can tell a DIY job from a pro job right away.
• Time and Effort: DIY saves money on paper. What people forget is the time it takes away from work and family, plus the risk of falling off a ladder or throwing out your back.
• I’ve walked into plenty of jobs that a homeowner started, where it ended up costing more because we had to undo or clean up the work first.

Preparing for an Exterior Paint Job

• Timeline: So you need to take into consideration weather. In Minnesota you aren’t going to be able to get any exterior painting done in January. In Arizona you aren’t going to be able to get much painting done in August. Check the temperature range on the can before you start, and plan around it.
• Preparation Steps: Have a full plan before anyone opens a can. Look on Pinterest and Instagram for houses that are similar to yours. That, plus working with a color consultant or designer, is the best way to get a look you love and the biggest lift in curb appeal.

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So, Does Painting Your House Add Value?

Does painting your house add value? When it’s done right, yes. Good prep, quality paint and the right colors make your home look cared for and help it stand out, and a poor job can do the opposite. It’s easy to find a painter, but it takes some homework to find a great one, so take your time. If you’re in the Memphis or Nashville area, reach out through our website and we’ll set up a time to take a look.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does painting the exterior of your house add value?

It can, when it’s done well. Fresh exterior paint makes a house look cared for, which helps it photograph better, show better and stand out from the listings around it. The value comes from good prep, quality paint and a color scheme buyers like. A rushed job with drips, peeling or a bold color nobody wants can work against you.

Does painting a brick house add value?

It can, but it’s a bigger decision than painting siding. Once brick is painted, going back is hard, so it needs to be done right. On exterior brick we use Romabio Masonry Flat, a breathable mineral paint, so moisture can get out instead of being trapped under a film. Some buyers love original brick, so we’ll talk through your house and street first.

What exterior paint colors help a house sell?

Colors with broad appeal tend to do best. Soft whites, warm neutrals and classic dark accents on doors or shutters are safe choices that most buyers can picture themselves living with. Very bright or very personal colors can narrow your pool of buyers. If you’re unsure, our color consulting can help you pick a scheme that fits your house and your street.

Is it worth painting your house before you sell?

Often, yes, especially if the paint is peeling, faded or dated. Buyers form an opinion from the curb and the listing photos, and worn paint can make them wonder what else has been put off. If your paint is in good shape, a smaller job like the front door, shutters and trim may be all you need.

Can a bad paint job lower your home’s value?

Yes. Drips, uneven coverage, paint on the brick or windows, and peeling from skipped prep all tell buyers corners were cut. Cheap paint that fades or fails quickly does the same. A poor job can cost you more than leaving the old paint alone, because it may need to be fixed or redone before the house sells.

How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?

It depends on the size of the house, the siding or brick, how much prep and repair it needs, and the paint you choose. We cover what moves the price in our exterior painting cost post. The only way to get a real number for your house is an in person look at the job.

Keep reading

• Estimating How Much it Costs to Paint My House Exterior
• Do Painters Include the Cost of Paint in Their Quotes?
• Breathable Brick Paint: A Smart Choice for Memphis Homes