Edmonton Painting Prices Explained: What to Expect and How to Select the Right Exterior Painter
Exterior paint does more than freshen a façade. In Edmonton’s freeze-thaw cycle, a good coating system protects siding, trims, and fascia from moisture, UV, and blistering winds. A poor system fails early, peels, and lets water into joints. Homeowners often ask what exterior painting should cost and how to decide between quotes. This article lays out price ranges that reflect the local market, explains what affects cost, and shows how to choose exterior painters Edmonton homeowners can trust for durable, clean work.
What exterior painting costs in Edmonton right now
Prices vary by home size, access, prep needs, and product. For a typical single-family house in Edmonton, professional exterior painting usually falls within these ranges:
Small bungalows with simple trims often land between $3,000 and $5,500 for siding and trims. A two-storey, 1,600 to 2,200 square feet of paintable area commonly ranges from $6,000 to $10,000. Larger two-storey or https://dependexteriors.com/our-services/exterior-painting split-level homes with complex trims, soffits, and multiple elevations can reach $10,000 to $18,000. Full repaints of stucco exteriors often run $7,500 to $15,000 depending on cracks, parging condition, and access. Vinyl or metal siding repaints vary widely based on product suitability, sheen requirements, and color change constraints, often $5,000 to $12,000.
These numbers assume standard prep, two coats in most areas, reachable heights with ladders and typical staging, and reputable paint. The top of each range reflects heavy scraping, caulking, priming, higher elevations, and limited access around decks, sheds, or tight side yards common in mature Edmonton neighborhoods such as Westmount, Strathcona, and Glenora.
Why quotes differ more than you expect
Two quotes can sit thousands of dollars apart and both be honest. The difference usually lies in prep time, safety, and coatings. Prep is the biggest swing. Hand scraping, power washing at the correct pressure, feather sanding, spot priming bare wood, epoxy consolidant in rotted sections, and flexible caulking make paint last. Cutting those corners may trim a day or two from the schedule but costs years of service life.
Safety and access add cost. Homes in Bonnie Doon with steep roofs and tight alleys demand more staging or an extra technician as a spotter. Crews that carry full WCB coverage, liability insurance, and fall protection train for this. It shows up on the invoice, and it protects the homeowner.
The coating system matters. Not all paint is equal in our climate. Some products handle UV and thermal movement better on Hardie board or cedar. Higher-solids acrylics, specialty primers for tannin bleed, and elastomeric coatings for hairline stucco cracks extend life but raise material cost by several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars depending on the home.
How Edmonton’s climate affects product and price
Edmonton sees wide temperature swings, low humidity, and strong sun in summer. Paint needs open time that fits shoulder seasons and flexibility to ride out winter. Good exterior painters Edmonton homeowners rely on choose products that cure within our shorter painting windows.
On wood siding or fascia, a high-adhesion acrylic primer blocks tannins and evens porosity. This step reduces flashing and keeps topcoats even. On stucco, hairline cracks need elastomeric or high-build coatings that bridge movement. These products can add one to three extra hours of application time per elevation, plus drying time between coats.
Color also affects price. Deep color changes often require a specialized primer to hide and prevent surfacing of the old color. Blacks and dark charcoals trend in neighborhoods like Windermere and Ambleside, but they show lap marks and may need a third coat for uniformity. Expect an added 10 to 20 percent for extreme color shifts.
Surface-by-surface cost drivers
Wood siding and trims: Cedar and older pine trim absorb coatings unevenly and may bleed. If boards are cupping or checking, the painter will spend more time scraping and sanding edges to reduce feathering. Oil-based stain residue requires solvent testing and specific primers, which slows the process.
Hardie and fiber cement: Paint adheres well, but edges near soffits and flashing collect dust and need thorough washing. Nail heads sometimes need setting and patching. Material cost is average, but masking time around many windows can extend labor.
Stucco: Hairline cracks require elastomeric patch or mesh with flexible base coat in wider cracks. If the parging at grade is failing, the painter may recommend masonry repair before coating. Stucco absorbs deeply; the first coat often needs a back-roll to fill texture, which affects labor.
Metal soffit and fascia: These need deglossing and a bonding primer. Spraying is efficient but requires careful masking of shingles, walkways, and neighboring properties. Windy days are common in Edmonton; crews often start earlier or later to find calm periods, impacting schedule density.
Vinyl siding: Only paint with vinyl-safe colors that reflect enough heat to prevent warping. This limits hue choices. Light-to-medium tones are safer. The right product and color science matter more than speed on vinyl.
How crews plan around Edmonton’s short painting season
Exterior painting generally runs from May through early October, with variations based on overnight lows and dew. Painters watch for warm starts, dry surfaces, and low wind. Early morning dew on north elevations can delay start times by an hour or two, especially in tree-lined areas of Parkview and Ritchie. Smart scheduling staggers elevations to keep productivity high without forcing paint onto damp surfaces.
This seasonal squeeze affects pricing. Late bookings in August face tighter calendars and fewer weather windows, which can raise costs slightly due to overtime or compressed crew allocation. Booking in late spring secures better timelines and more choice of colors with manufacturer availability.
What a strong proposal should include
A good proposal reads like a work plan. It lists surfaces, prep steps, primers, topcoats, color locations, and coat counts. It specifies whether caulking is paintable and which gaps will be sealed. It notes exclusions like rotten board replacement, foundation walls, or detached sheds unless requested. If a quote is just a lump sum with no material specs or prep detail, the homeowner may struggle to compare it with others.
Ask for a brand and product line, not just “premium exterior paint.” Ask for drying times and recoat windows. Confirm that the painter will back-brush siding where needed to drive paint into grain. On stucco, ask whether they will back-roll after spraying. These small practices determine longevity.
Labor versus materials: a clear split
On a typical Edmonton exterior job, labor makes up roughly 60 to 75 percent of cost. Materials, including paint, primer, caulk, masking, sheeting, and sundries, are about 25 to 40 percent. High-build or elastomeric coatings push materials higher. Extensive prep shifts the balance toward labor. If one quote is much lower, it usually means fewer labor hours for prep, thinner coverage, or shorter warranty.
Warranty and what it really means
A five-year workmanship warranty from a company with a real Edmonton presence holds more weight than a longer term from a pop-up outfit. Warranty covers peeling or blistering due to prep or application, not wood movement, hail, or structural issues. Ask how warranty calls work, average response times, and how many service calls the company handled last season. A painter who can show resolved warranty tickets has systems, not just promises.
Red flags that raise long-term cost
Unitemized quotes that skip surface lists make it easy to miss soffits, foundation exposure, or back elevations behind sheds. Lowball estimates that promise “one thick coat” risk flashing and poor adhesion. Spraying without back-brushing on rough siding leads to early failure. Painting in marginal temperatures, especially shaded north walls below product limits, results in slow cure and wash-off. Cash-only offers with no GST and no WCB or liability coverage expose homeowners to risk if an injury or overspray occurs.
How to compare two close quotes
If two reputable exterior painters Edmonton homeowners recommend submit quotes within 10 percent of each other, compare scope line by line. Look for extra coats on sun-beaten south and west elevations. Check whether fascia and gutters are included or listed as optional. Confirm whether downspouts will be detached and reinstalled for proper coverage. Ask for the number of crew members planned and expected duration. Faster is not always better if it means skipping cure time between coats.
Color consultation and neighborhood fit
Edmonton neighborhoods carry distinct styles. In Highlands and Old Strathcona, heritage palettes with soft neutrals and crisp trims suit the streetscape and hold value. In newer areas like Summerside and Keswick, darker body colors with light trims are common. Painters who work locally will know which hues fade faster in prairie sun and which sheens hide surface imperfections. Semi-gloss trims stay cleaner but highlight waves in wood; satin offers a softer look while still washable.
A short color consult can save repaint dollars. For example, shifting from bright white to a warm off-white can reduce visible dirt near busy arterials like 111 Street. Choosing a body color that aligns with vinyl-safe limits prevents heat warping.
The Depend Exteriors approach to exterior painting
Depend Exteriors focuses on durable outcomes for Edmonton homes. The team builds each project around surface-specific prep and coatings suited to the local climate. They document scope, use products with strong track records here, and plan workdays around dew and wind. That means fewer call-backs and paint that holds up through winter.
A recent project in Laurier Heights shows the difference. The homeowners had peeling on south-facing fascia and fascia seams splitting at scarf joints. Instead of quick fill and paint, the crew removed loose coatings, stabilized bare wood with a penetrating primer, re-caulked joints with a flexible sealant, and applied two coats of high-solids acrylic. The cost was about 15 percent above the lowest quote they received, yet two winters later the seams remain tight and the fascia still looks new.
Budget tips that do not sacrifice durability
Homeowners can control costs without risking failure. Group work logically. If the deck and railings need paint, doing them with the main project reduces mobilization and masking. Keep landscaping trimmed away from walls and clear stacked items that block access; fewer obstacles mean fewer labor hours. Choose colors that cover well over the current shade to avoid a third coat. Plan in spring when schedules are flexible and product stock is strong. Ask whether a light maintenance coat on sun-heavy elevations between full repaints will extend the life cycle.
What to expect during the project
A professional crew starts with a walk-around to confirm scope. They protect shrubs, decks, and windows with breathable covers and masking. Washing comes first, using controlled pressure and appropriate cleaners where mildew shows. Drying time follows. Prep includes scraping, sanding edges, spot priming, and caulking. Application methods vary by substrate; smooth siding may be sprayed and back-brushed, stucco sprayed and back-rolled.
Daily communication matters. A foreman should update which elevations are done, which will be tackled next, and how weather might shift plans. Good crews leave walkways clean each evening and store materials neatly. Final walkthroughs include touch-ups and label handoff for leftover paint.
How long a quality exterior paint job lasts in Edmonton
With proper prep and the right products, homeowners can expect 7 to 12 years on most substrates. South and west faces may need attention sooner due to UV exposure, often an intermediate maintenance coat at year six to eight. Stucco coated with elastomerics can push past 12 years if cracks are monitored. Vinyl requires careful color choice but typically holds similar timelines. Wood surfaces, especially horizontal trims and window sills, face more water exposure and may need targeted touch-ups earlier.
Clear signals you’re ready for repaint
Peeling at edges of trims or end grains, chalking that leaves a powdery residue on the hand, hairline stucco cracks that print through topcoats, and caulking that has pulled from joints are common triggers. Sun-faded color is cosmetic but often signals binder breakdown. A quick site visit can separate maintenance from full repaint needs, which can save meaningful money.
Simple, high-impact add-ons worth considering
Soffit and fascia refreshes lift curb appeal with modest cost. Front doors painted in a durable urethane-fortified enamel resist scuffs and weather, especially on unprotected entries in Terwillegar and Rutherford. Exposed beams or knee braces benefit from a penetrating stain or a flexible solid-color stain formulated for wood movement. If the home has stucco with dated bands or pop-outs, a contrasting trim color modernizes the façade without structural changes.
A practical comparison checklist for quotes
- Scope details: surfaces, prep, primers, topcoats, and coat counts clearly listed
- Product names: manufacturer, line, sheen, and warranty language
- Access plan: ladders, planks, or scaffolding; handling of tight side yards and decks
- Schedule: estimated start window, days on site, and weather contingency
- Protection: WCB, liability insurance, and written workmanship warranty
Using this checklist during a quick call with each contractor exposes weak proposals and confirms confident ones.
Ready to price your exterior in Edmonton?
Depend Exteriors provides clear, itemized quotes, product choices matched to Edmonton weather, and clean, careful crews. Whether the home is a stucco bungalow in Capilano or a two-storey Hardie exterior in Secord, the team will explain the prep plan, suggest durable color systems, and deliver a finish built to last. Homeowners looking for reliable exterior painters Edmonton can count on can request a site visit, usually within a few days during the season.
Request a consultation today to secure a spot in the painting calendar and get a detailed price with options that fit the home and budget.
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 Phone: (780) 710-3972 Website: https://dependexteriors.com Social Media:
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Edmonton,
AB
T5T 0M7,
Canada