
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Painter in Edmonton? Plus Smart Tips for Choosing an Exterior Pro
Painting the exterior of a home in Edmonton is one of those projects that looks simple from the curb and quickly reveals its realities up close. The climate is hard on coatings. Prep work takes time. And quality paint is more than colour; it is a protective skin that keeps moisture and UV off your siding. Homeowners usually start with one question: what will this cost in Edmonton, and what separates a fair quote from a risky one? This article breaks down typical price ranges, what drives costs up or down, and how to choose exterior painters Edmonton homeowners can trust for lasting results.
What Edmonton Homeowners Typically Pay
For a standard single-family home in Edmonton, exterior painting commonly runs from $3,200 to $8,500. Bungalows with simple trim and easy access may land closer to $3,200 to $5,000. Two-storey homes with more surface area, gables, and higher ladder work often fall between $5,500 and $9,500. Larger custom homes, multiple colours, or extensive repairs can push beyond $10,000.
Those ranges assume professional prep, mid-to-premium exterior coatings rated for freeze-thaw cycles, and safe site setup. They also assume summer scheduling, which is prime time. Early spring and fall can see some savings if the forecast cooperates.
Why Edmonton Pricing Differs From Other Cities
Edmonton’s freeze-thaw cycle is tough on siding and coatings. The temperature swing from March to November means more attention to substrate condition, moisture content, and dry times. Painters often need extra prep steps such as additional scraping, spot-priming, and elastomeric caulking around vulnerable joints. This adds labour hours. Material costs are also higher for products that hold up in UV exposure and shoulder-season temperatures. A crew that understands local weather windows protects the timeline and the finish.
Cost by Home Type and Surface
Siding material drives both prep and paint choice. So does the size and layout of the home. Below are realistic bands for Edmonton, assuming good access and no major carpentry repairs.
- Vinyl siding with wood trim: $3,000 to $6,500. Many homeowners repaint trim and accents rather than the vinyl itself. If the vinyl is being painted, colour choice matters; darker colours can build heat and stress the panels.
- Fiber cement (Hardie) with wood trim: $4,000 to $8,000. Requires adhesive primer on bare areas and high-build topcoats. Joints and nail heads often need spot filling or caulking.
- Stucco: $4,500 to $9,500. Hairline cracks are common and need elastomeric patching. Stucco absorbs more paint, so material usage is higher. Airless spraying with back-rolling helps push paint into the texture.
- Wood lap siding: $5,000 to $10,000. Expect more scraping, sanding, and priming. Oil-based or alkyd bonding primers are common on bare wood, followed by acrylic topcoats.
- Brick: $3,500 to $8,000 for paint or breathable coatings. If brick is sealed or painted already, repainting is straightforward. New paint on previously unpainted brick needs careful discussion; it changes maintenance forever.
Features that add time include high gables, dormers, complex trim profiles, and multiple colour breaks. Walkout lots and steep grades complicate ladder and scaffold work. Expected add-ons include detached garages ($600 to $1,500) and fences or decks if included in the same project.
How Pros Build a Quote
Quotes reflect hours, materials, and risk. A proper site visit is essential. The estimator should walk the home, touch the surface, and check moisture levels where peeling appears. Expect questions about the last paint job, past repairs, and any leaks or ice dam issues near the roofline. A careful estimator will also look at sun exposure on south and west elevations, where coatings take the most UV.
Paint consumption is calculated by square footage and texture. Stucco can double material usage Depend Exteriors compared to smooth siding. Trim is counted as linear feet or simply estimated by the number of windows, fascia runs, and doors. Safety time is factored in for ladder moves and tie-offs, especially on two-storey sections.
Where the Money Goes: Labour vs Materials
On a typical Edmonton exterior, labour accounts for about 60 to 75 percent of the total. Materials are 25 to 40 percent, depending on surface and paint system. Premium exterior acrylics can cost two to three times more than budget options but can add four to eight years to the repaint cycle. One topcoat on a clean, pre-painted surface may be enough, but most exteriors get one coat of primer on bare or patched areas and two finish coats on body and trim.
Caulking, patch compounds, wood hardeners, and rust converters often show up on the materials list. These small items pay off in adhesion and durability. Skipping them is where cheap jobs fail.
Season, Scheduling, and Weather Windows
Edmonton paint season typically runs May through September. April and October are possible with careful target temperatures and dry time. Daytime highs should hit roughly 10°C or more for most acrylics, and overnight lows should stay above freezing until the film sets. South and west walls warm first and are often painted earlier in the day. North walls can be cooler and may require later starts to avoid dew and slow curing.
Rescheduling due to rain or cold is part of the work. A professional crew buffers weather delays into the timeline. Homeowners should expect some flexibility and daily updates when forecasts shift.
Red Flags That Predict Short-Lived Results
The cheapest quote is usually cheap for a reason. Telltale signs include vague scopes, thin prep descriptions, and single-day timelines for full exteriors that clearly need prep. If the quote lists “one coat over existing” across the board, the painter is likely assuming ideal conditions that rarely exist. Another warning sign is painting over chalky siding without mentioning washing or bonding primer. Chalking is common here and requires a detergent wash or specialized primer to get adhesion.
Watch for crews that ignore safety. Proper ladder footing, stabilizers, and harness points should be part of the conversation on two-storey homes. Lack of insurance or WCB coverage exposes homeowners to risk if someone is injured.
What a Realistic Scope Looks Like
A dependable scope lists surface-specific prep and finish steps. For example, on a wood lap siding home in west Edmonton, a strong scope would read like this: pressure wash with detergent, hand-scrape all failed areas to a firm edge, sand for feathered transitions, spot prime bare wood with alkyd primer, caulk vertical joints and window/door trims, fill nail holes where practical, then spray and back-brush two coats of high-build exterior acrylic on siding. Trim gets a brush-and-roll application for crisp lines. The scope should also note whether doors, downspouts, and vents are included, plus colour changes or accent areas.
Choosing Exterior Painters Edmonton Homeowners Recommend
Local experience matters. Crews that work Edmonton seasons know how to stage surfaces by temperature, where to expect early failures on west-facing walls, and which primers bond to aged coatings. The company should provide references in neighbourhoods like Terwillegar, Windermere, Glenora, Highlands, and Sherwood Park. Seeing similar work in person helps with colour expectations and finish sheen.
Homeowners feel the difference when the estimator talks more about prep than paint brands. Brands matter, but prep decides longevity. A good estimator explains what will be washed, scraped, sanded, primed, and caulked, and why.
How Many Coats Is Enough?
Most exteriors get two finish coats for consistency and durability. Single coats can leave lap marks and thin coverage on peaks and edges where weather hits hardest. If the new colour is much lighter or darker than the existing one, two coats are not optional. Bright whites over darker hues often need a primer-tinted base to reduce flashing. Deep blues, charcoals, and blacks need enough build for colour richness and UV resistance.
Colour Strategy for Edmonton Light and Neighbourhood Styles
Edmonton’s long summer light and snowy winters change how colours read. Light greys and taupes look brighter against snow and can appear washed out in August sunshine if they are too pale. Many homeowners in Ritchie and Strathcona pick mid-tone body colours with clean white trim to keep contrast through the seasons. In newer areas like Secord and Chappelle, deeper body colours with warm off-white trim can avoid the sterile look of builder beige.
South and west elevations fade faster. Dark navy or charcoal on those sides may soften in a few seasons if the paint quality or build is light. Choosing a UV-stable finish and budgeting for a proper two-coat application helps the colour hold.
Permit, HOA, and Heritage Considerations
Most exterior painting does not require a city permit in Edmonton. Heritage homes or homes in conservation areas may have colour or material requirements. Some HOAs in communities around Edmonton restrict bold colours on front elevations. A professional painter should ask about HOA rules and help prepare colour submissions if needed.
How Long Will It Last?
With solid prep and quality coatings, Edmonton exteriors typically look strong for 7 to 12 years. Stucco coated with elastomeric systems can stretch closer to the high end. South and west walls age first and may need a maintenance coat earlier. Trim, especially horizontal surfaces like window sills and fascia near the roofline, shows wear sooner. Keeping gutters clear and caulking intact extends the cycle.
Budgeting Tips That Save Without Cutting Corners
Homeowners can control cost without undercutting the finish. Washing the exterior months ahead with a mild detergent keeps the substrate cleaner and lets chalk release before the estimate. Trimming shrubs and moving deck furniture improves access and speeds up the crew. If budget is tight, painting body and front-elevation trim this year, then finishing secondary elevations and back trim the next, is a workable split. Avoid splitting by prep this year and paint next; exposed primer or raw wood should not sit through winter.
What To Expect During the Project
Day one is usually wash day if the home has chalk or dust buildup. Then come repairs, scraping, sanding, caulking, masking, and priming. Spraying may follow on broad body areas, with back-rolling to push paint into pores on stucco or rough wood. Trim and doors are often brushed and rolled for control. Ladders, planks, or scaffold are set for stability, and workers should walk the homeowner through the plan for vehicle access and pet gates.
Good crews protect shrubs with breathable drop sheets and watch sprinkler schedules. Daily cleanup matters, especially on front entries and driveways. A final walkthrough sets a punch list for touchups before the last payment.
Warranty and What It Really Covers
A typical workmanship warranty spans two to five years. The warranty should cover peeling, blistering, or adhesion failure due to prep or application errors. It usually does not cover wood rot, hail damage, or fading beyond normal expectations. Ask how touchups are handled, whether colour cans will be labelled and left on site, and how to request service if issues appear after a winter.
The Cost of Skipping Prep
Edmonton’s climate punishes shortcuts. Painting over failed caulking lets water creep behind boards, which swells wood and breaks the bond. Spraying a single coat over chalky siding looks fine for a season, then sheds like a snakeskin. The money saved upfront gets burned when repainting arrives years earlier. In contrast, careful scraping, feather sanding, spot-priming, and the right caulk increase labour by a day or two and extend the repaint cycle by several years.
DIY vs Hiring Pros
DIY can work for single-storey bungalows with minimal prep, good access, and a homeowner who respects safety. However, two-storey homes with gables and dormers push DIYers into risky ladder work. Pros bring airless sprayers for even coverage, masking skill for clean lines, and staging that speeds multi-surface work. Homeowners often underestimate set-up and clean-up time. The strongest reason to hire exterior painters Edmonton residents recommend is control over film build and adhesion. Those two factors are easy to get wrong and hard to fix once the weather turns.
Edmonton-Specific Paint and Primer Choices
Success in this region comes down to adhesion and flexibility. On aged wood, an alkyd bonding primer on bare spots followed by 100 percent acrylic topcoats balances grip and breathability. On stucco, elastomeric or high-build masonry coatings can bridge hairline cracks. For galvanized metal like flashings or downspouts, a specialized metal primer prevents peeling. Colour retention products with UV-blocking resins pay off on sun-exposed elevations. A reputable pro will name the products and provide the technical data sheets on request.
Insurance, WCB, and Safety Proof
Legitimate companies carry general liability insurance and up-to-date WCB coverage. Ask to see certificates. This protects the homeowner if a ladder slips or a sprayer hoses a nearby vehicle. Crews should use stabilizers on ladders and secure harness points on steep sections. A culture of safety shows in how tools are staged and how the crew handles windy days.
How to Compare Quotes Fairly
Ask for line-item detail where it matters: prep steps, number of coats, product names, and included surfaces. Compare apples to apples on scope rather than price alone. A quote that lists fascia, soffits, window trim, garage door, front door, and downspouts clearly removes guesswork. Ask for two Edmonton addresses painted within the last 12 months and two painted at least five years ago. The first shows current standards. The second shows staying power.
Small Repairs That Should Be Included
Minor wood repairs are common. Expect a few feet of fascia replacement or epoxy patching on sills. These should be priced either as allowances or unit rates so surprises are limited. Caulking joints at vertical seams, window heads, and around penetrations should be part of the base scope. Rust on nail heads often needs spot treatment with a rust-inhibitive primer before painting, especially on older stucco.
Timeline Expectations
A straightforward bungalow can wrap in three to five days with a three-person crew, weather permitting. Two-storey homes with more trim may take six to ten days. Add a buffer for rain and wind. If a company promises a full two-storey repaint in a single day without a large crew, expect corners to be cut.
Smart Homeowner Checklist Before Signing
- Confirm exact surfaces, colours, sheen, number of coats, and product names in writing.
- Verify WCB and liability insurance certificates, plus business license.
- Ask for two recent local references and one older project to view longevity.
- Clarify prep: washing method, scraping, sanding, priming, caulking, and repairs.
- Get start window, daily work hours, cleanup standards, and payment schedule.
Why Many Edmonton Homeowners Choose Depend Exteriors
Depend Exteriors focuses on durable exterior finishes that suit Edmonton weather. The team explains the “why” behind each step, from adhesion testing on suspect siding to primer selection for mixed substrates. The company uses coatings with proven performance in freeze-thaw cycles and manages projects with clear communication, which is as important as the paint itself.
Homeowners who want a quote can expect a straightforward site visit, a written scope with product details, and honest advice if repair work should come first. For those searching for exterior painters Edmonton can rely on, Depend Exteriors stays focused on prep quality, safety, and predictable schedules.
Ready to talk colours and timelines for your home in Edmonton or nearby communities like St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and Beaumont? Request a site visit with Depend Exteriors to get a clear, itemized quote and a finish that stands up to local weather.
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