How much does it cost to paint a brick house?

Brick house painting method 

The painting technique is one of the biggest factors that dictate how much to paint a brick house. Choose the best paint color that will showcase the beautiful masonry of your brick house. 

Whitewashing

Whitewashing is a technique that involves applying diluted paint to create a semitransparent white layer that allows some brick texture and color to show through. The paint-to-water ratio can be adjusted to change the coverage level. How much it costs to whitewash a brick house lies anywhere between $2,225 to $4,000.

Limewashing

Your painter will need to apply a thin coating of chalky, bright white, or colored paint mixed with water, hydrated masonry lime, and salt on the brick facade to get that limewashed look. This leaves some of the original brick exposed, giving it an antique appearance while preserving the texture and breathability of the brick. Limewash is white but can be colored to your liking. The cost to limewash a brick house is $2,000 on average.

German smear

German smear imitates the appearance of irregular stones and heavy mortar joints, which may be found on centuries-old homes and castles all over northern Germany. The method is similar to whitewashing bricks, but instead of using diluted latex paint, it involves a layer of wet mortar on the brick. 

The rough texture of the mortar adds to the rustic and faded look. It also partially covers the bricks, softening the sharp straight lines of traditional brick cladding and creating an uneven pattern. Although the classic German smear uses white mortar over red brick, you can play around with different brick colors and mortar tints. This method costs somewhere between $1,500 to $3,500.

Factors affecting the average cost to paint a brick house

Other factors can influence the average cost to paint a brick house exterior. Here are a few examples:

Location

You need to consider the average labor rate in various places when you hire a local painter. Contractors in large cities such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston demand greater charges, but labor costs are lower in Memphis, Oklahoma, San Antonio, and Kansas.

Prep work

Applying a fresh layer of paint on your brick exterior requires careful preparation, which may include cleaning, power washing, patching, scraping, sanding, and priming the surface. Your brick exterior’s condition should help you determine how much work it will require to fix and refresh. You may need to look for a paint removal service to remove old brick paint and start fresh.  

Labor 

Painters for brick houses charge $200 to $500 per day per worker or $1,500 to $7,500 for labor. Site preparation, removal of loose paint, caulking, painting, and cleanup are all included in the labor.

Brick paint type

For an average home, brick paint costs between $600 and $1,100. Masonry primer ranges in price from $20 to $50 per gallon and is recommended for all brick painting projects. Acrylic paint costs between $25 and $70 per gallon on average, while mineral-based paint costs between $100 and $150 per gallon. 

The colors you choose can also affect the pricing because some shades may require more coats. And if you need multiple colors, you will definitely use more products.

House size

The larger your home is, the longer it will take to finish, which can affect labor costs and materials. Scaffolding may also be required for multi-story homes – another extra cost to weigh when setting your budget.

House structure

If your house has more stories and difficult-to-reach gutters or crevices, the painters may need to bring specialized equipment to paint your home’s brick exterior. These will be factored in as additional costs. 

Post a brick house painting listing

There’s someone out there that can do this arduous task for you. To find one, just post a task on our platform and accomplish the request form. Make sure to indicate your budget, location, house size, and preferred painting technique when posting a task for brick house painting.