If you’re a homeowner in Madison, Wisconsin, you can expect your exterior painting project for a 2,000 square foot home to be around $4,000-$7,000. The cost can also fall below that range for smaller projects or even above the range for premium projects. The exact cost to hire exterior painters in Madison will depend on several different factors.
Before you rush to get new colors for your home, it’s a great idea to understand local costs and what goes into a quote. That way you can budget smarter, and will know all the terms painters throw at you. There will be no such thing as surprise costs to you after reading this!
Looking for Something In Particular?
- What Does Exterior Painting Cost in Madison?
- Why Does Hiring Exterior Painters in Madison Cost So Much?
- What Drives the Cost Up or Down in Madison
- Exterior Painting Costs by Siding Material
- How Madison Compares to National Averages
- Hidden Costs Homeowners Often Forget
- Best Time of Year to Hire Exterior Painters in Madison
- DIY vs Hiring Exterior Painters in Madison
- How To Start Your Exterior Painting Project
What Does Exterior Painting Cost in Madison?
Based on data from recent projects, here’s what homeowners in the Madison area are actually paying for full exterior painting, based on HomeYou data:
*These estimates include paint, labor, basic prep work (scraping, caulking), and standard access — but severe damage, specialty surfaces or premium materials will push you higher.
Why Does Hiring Exterior Painters in Madison Cost So Much?
If you’ve already thought about shutting down this idea because of the price, we get it. Especially if it’s your first time. But when you call the pros, here’s what you really get:
- Props from the neighbors (we can all admit we love this deep down)
- The opportunity to sell your home for more (buyers love newer looking houses)
- Stronger protection against Madison’s harsh weather (less house damage)
- Your home reimagined with colors that make it look brand new again, and better than ever before
What Drives the Cost Up or Down in Madison
To get an exact quote, painters will inspect your home and assess these factors to give you an accurate estimate:
- Prep Work: This factor tops the list because it’s usually the most amount of work painters will do before the first layer gets rolled on your home. It’s also usually the bulk of what you’re paying for. Painters can’t just come and add new paint – they have to scrape old and cracking paint, caulk, surface cleaning, sometimes even replacing rotted wood. The more prep, the more it costs.
- Siding Material & Condition: Whether your home’s made of wood, brick, stucco, or vinyl, they all require different levels of prep. Brick and stucco are harder/porous so they need more cleaning, possibly sealing or special primers. While wood and vinyl are a quicker and easier job.
- Height, Stories, & Accessibility: Two-story homes, steep roofs, tricky angles, or lots of trim/windows = more labor, more safety equipment, higher costs compared to a ranch-style home.
- Paint Quality & Finish: Higher-end paint, premium finishes, specialty coatings (weather/UV/mildew resistance) cost more but last longer and are more protective to Madison’s weather. You’ll get to choose your paint with your preferred painter.
- Weather Timing & Season: Spring and fall tend to have the best temperatures and humidity in Madison. Summer is peak season for painters since they don’t have to paint in freezing winters, and will likely cost you more. Off-season jobs can sometimes come with discounts, at the cost of slower project completion times due to the weather.
- Labor Rates: Local rates for skilled exterior painters in Madison tend to be mid-to-upper Wisconsin range. And the more complex the job, the more labor hours billed.
Exterior Painting Costs by Siding Material
Your home’s siding material will also determine the cost to hire exterior painters in Madison. Here’s why:
| Siding Material | Average Cost per sq. ft. | Typical Cost for 2,000 sq. ft. Home | Why It Costs This Much |
| Vinyl | $1.25 – $3.00 | ~$2,500 – $5,500 | Easiest to paint. Usually only needs power-washing and light caulking. Prep work is minimal unless panels are warped or cracked. |
| Wood | $1.00 – $3.00 | ~$2,000 – $6,000 | More labor-intensive. Requires scraping, sanding, priming, and sometimes replacing rotted boards. Trim and fascia often add time and cost. |
| Stucco | $1.50 – $4.00 | ~$3,000 – $8,000+ | Textured surface soaks up more paint, needs patching of cracks, and requires special breathable paint. Prep is heavier, raising costs. |
| Brick | $1.50 – $4.50 | ~$3,500 – $9,000+ | Highly absorptive and textured, so it needs primer and multiple coats. Cleaning moss, dirt, and mortar repair adds to labor time. |
How Madison Compares to National Averages
National exterior painting costs generally fall between $1.50 to $4.00 per sq ft depending on region and materials. Madison falls roughly in the middle-to-upper average, mainly because of more intense weather, need for stronger prep, and higher labor rates compared to rural areas.
Hidden Costs Homeowners Often Forget
When hiring exterior painters in Madison, you don’t want to be surprised by costs you aren’t aware of. Fees that homeowners might not think about are repairs to your siding (if your painters take care of those), which can be quite costly depending on who you’re working with and how severe the damage is. Prep work – which will take up a majority of your exterior painting cost, and any permit fees if there’s any siding that needs to be replaced.
Best Time of Year to Hire Exterior Painters in Madison
To get the best bang for your buck, timing matters. Here’s a seasonal breakdown:
- Late Spring through Early Summer (late April to June): mild temps, lower humidity, more daylight makes it ideal for those who want their paint to be finished fast, as painters likely won’t be booked out during this time
- Early Fall (September to early October): cooler temps, less humidity — also great.
- Summer: If you don’t mind waiting in line behind other homeowners, getting a paint job in the summer is a good time. This is peak season for painters, so they’ll likely be booked out for months. But beware, quotes might be more than what you’re expecting due to the high demand for exterior painting.
DIY vs Hiring Exterior Painters in Madison
Thinking about just doing it yourself? Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Aspect | DIY | Hiring Professionals |
| Upfront Cost | Lower (paint, supplies, rentals, caulk, brushes, etc.) but labor and time are all yours | Higher upfront, but you get speed, efficiency, and quality |
| Time & Effort | More work: prepping, painting, cleanup — it can take weeks, especially with bad weather | Pro crews finish faster and know how to work around weather and surfaces |
| Finish & Durability | Risk of uneven coats, mistakes, peeling if prep isn’t perfect | Better adhesion, smoother finish, longer lifespan (often 7-10 years or more) |
| Safety & Tools | Renting/using ladders, scaffolding — more safety risks | Pros have the gear, experience, and insurance to handle risky work safely |
The Verdict
If you don’t mind putting in the work yourself and confident you can paint it right, give the DIY a project a shot. But if you want your home to look like a show-stopper with paint that will last up to a decade due to the expert prep, all while you’re watching football at home, call the pros.
How To Start Your Exterior Painting Project
It’s time to get painting! If it’s your first time getting your home painted, here’s your next steps:
- Estimate Your House Size & Surfaces: Note your siding type, trim, number of stories.
- Plan Your Paint: Determine what color and finish you would like (or create a list of potential color palettes)
- Pick an Ideal Season: Aim for late spring or early fall to get good weather and durability.
- Gather Multiple Quotes from local painters now that you have your goals and specifics written down.
- Choose Your Painter based on the quality of work you expect them to provide, not just who’s cheapest.
And if you’re having trouble hiring exterior painters in Madison who are reliable…
You’ve come to the right place. At Bozwal Painting, we work tooth and nail to prep your home right, so your beautiful new colors will stand the test of time and safeguarded against mother nature. Our team goes the extra mile to ensure the safety of your property throughout the entire process, especially during Madison’s rough weather stretches. Leave your home in our hands, and we’ll paint our next masterpiece.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Completely satisfied. Ashton and crew did a great job on the house. They were courteous, friendly, and timely. They kept us apprised of progress and were very responsive. They’ve now done three houses on our block and they all look great.”
–Brad