Build your ballpark
Tap the house that sounds like yours and the range appears. Tick anything below that applies and we will tell you how it changes the job.
The walkthrough sets the exact number. Free, in writing, within 48 hours.
See that page →Typical exterior painting prices in Bellingham
Ranges from our own estimates on Whatcom County homes. Your house will land inside one of these lines, and the walkthrough tells us which.
| PROJECT | TYPICAL RANGE | WHAT IS IN IT |
|---|---|---|
| Single story, paint in good shape, fiber cement or smooth siding | $5,000 to $8,000 | Wash, light scrape and sand, spot prime, two coats of body and trim. |
| Two story, wood siding, moderate prep | $9,000 to $13,000 | Ladders and planks, more scraping, cedar that drinks paint. |
| Two story with peeling cedar, moss, and repairs | $13,000 to $15,000+ | Heavy prep plus carpentry, priced as its own line. |
| Trim, fascia and doors only | $1,800 to $4,000 | When the siding is fine and the trim is not, the most common partial job. |
| Stucco recoat | custom bid | Crack repair, elastomeric or acrylic coating. See the stucco page. |
Prices are for Bellingham and Whatcom County homes and include paint, prep, two coats and cleanup. Every estimate is itemized and fixed: the number we quote is the number you pay.
The eight things that set your number
Stories and access
Everything above the first floor takes ladders, planks and time. Steep lots, decks under the eaves and tight side yards add setup hours the same way.
Siding material
Cedar and rough-sawn wood soak up paint and need careful priming. Fiber cement and smooth trim go faster. Stucco is its own trade and its own estimate.
Stucco painting and recoats →Condition and prep
Prep is most of an exterior job: wash, dry, scrape, sand, prime bare wood, caulk. Peeling paint and moss on the north side mean more hours, and no coating fixes what is not prepped.
Why exterior paint peels here →Carpentry repairs
Rotten fascia, soft trim, failed window sills. We find it during the walkthrough, fix it before paint, and show it as a separate line on the estimate.
Carpentry repairs before paint →Colors and coats
Two coats is standard. A big color change or a dark body color can call for a tinted primer, and a two-tone scheme with accent trim takes more cutting in than one color everywhere.
Pre-1978 homes
Older homes get lead-safe containment and cleanup under the EPA rules we are certified for. It adds a day or two of care, and it is not optional.
Lead-safe painting →Decks, fences and outbuildings
A deck, fence or detached garage goes on the same estimate as its own line, so you can add it now or leave it for another season without changing the price of the house.
Time of year
Exterior season here runs late spring through early fall. Booking a spring slot over the winter locks the date and earns a discount before the calendar fills.
The best time to paint a house here →What happens at the free walkthrough
- We measure the house and count the stories, doors, windows and gables
- We check the siding side by side: what is peeling, chalking or holding up
- We look for rot in fascia, trim and sills, and price any repair as its own line
- We talk colors and pick the Sherwin-Williams line that suits your siding
- We plan the crew size, the working days and the drying time the weather allows
- The written estimate lists every surface, coat and product, so nothing is vague
No line items hiding in the fine print
- ✓Pressure wash and the drying time the wood needs
- ✓Scrape, sand and spot-prime bare wood
- ✓Caulk gaps, cracks and trim joints
- ✓Windows, decks, roofs and plants covered
- ✓Two coats of Sherwin-Williams exterior acrylic matched to your siding
- ✓Daily cleanup and a final walkthrough with you
- ✓A 36-month workmanship warranty, in writing
Straight answers on price
How much does it cost to hire a painter to paint your house?
Most full exterior repaints in Bellingham and Whatcom County run $5,000 to $15,000. Two-story homes, heavy cedar prep, and carpentry repairs push toward the top of that range; a single-story house with paint still in good shape sits near the bottom. Every estimate is free, itemized, and in your inbox within 48 hours of the walkthrough.
Does the price include repairs?
Caulking and filling small gaps is part of prep. Carpentry such as rotten fascia or a soft window sill is quoted as its own line on the same estimate, so you can see exactly what the repair costs.
When is the best time of year to paint in Whatcom County?
Late spring through early fall. We need dry surfaces and temperatures above 50°F for proper curing, and we schedule around the Pacific Northwest rain.
How long does a full exterior take?
Most single-family homes take three to seven working days depending on size, surface condition, and weather. The wash and drying time come before that, and the written proposal gives you the schedule.
Can I spread the cost out?
Yes. Through Wisetack you can split a project into monthly payments, with terms from 3 to 60 months and no prepayment penalty. Ask for it with your estimate.
Questions about a specific house? Call or text (360) 310-8391. A real person answers, usually the one who will walk your project.
