Exterior house painting
Peeling, faded or chalky paint does more than look tired. Once it fails, water can get into your siding and trim. Before any paint goes on, we wash, scrape, repair and caulk every side of your house so the new finish has a sound surface to hold.
Signs it’s time to repaint
- Paint is chalking (it rubs off on your hand), cracking or peeling, especially on the sunny sides.
- Caulk at trim joints, corners and windows has split or pulled away.
- You want a new color scheme, including darker trim or garage doors.
- A section of siding is damaged and you want it replaced before painting.
- Brick looks dated and you’d rather stain it than paint it.
Tudor exterior & brick stain
Beige panels and brown half-timbering became cream and black, and the red brick base was stained a lighter, warmer tone. The house looks completely different, and not one surface material was replaced.
See how this project was done
What’s included
Your written estimate lists exactly what we’ll do, so you know what you’re paying for.
Typically included
- Lap and panel siding
- Trim, fascia, soffits and window surrounds
- Front doors, shutters and garage doors
- Brick staining (as on the Northland Tudor project)
- Replacing small damaged sections of siding found during the estimate
Good to know
- Wood rot repair and siding replacement are assessed and priced in the written estimate. Structural repairs and work to resolve moisture sources are outside the painting scope.
- Decks and fences are quoted separately because they need different products and timing (see deck & fence staining).
- Roofing, gutters and window replacement are outside our scope.
How your project will go
Caulking every vertical seam before paint on a three-story home.
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Walk the house
We inspect each elevation, note peeling, bare wood, failed caulk and damaged siding, and talk through colors and sheen.
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Clean
Surfaces are washed to remove dirt, chalk and mildew so primer and paint can bond.
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Scrape and sand
Loose and peeling paint comes off; edges are feathered so they don’t telegraph through the new coat.
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Repair
Damaged siding listed in the estimate is replaced. On the Northland ranch project that was a 4×8 panel and part of the front horizontal siding.
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Caulk and prime
Open seams and trim joints are caulked; bare wood and repairs are primed.
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Protect
Windows, fixtures and anything not being painted are masked before coating.
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Finish coats
Body color first, then trim, doors and accents cut in by hand.
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Walkthrough
We walk the house with you before the job is closed out.
How Kansas City weather shapes an exterior schedule
Paint has minimum temperature and dryness requirements. We schedule around the weather instead of rushing, because paint put on in the wrong conditions won’t last.
Dry surfaces
Siding has to dry before it’s coated, whether it got wet from washing, rain or heavy morning dew.
Temperature
Cold nights and hot afternoons both affect how paint cures. Work is sequenced so each side gets suitable conditions.
Rain in the forecast
Fresh paint needs time before rain. If the forecast turns, we reschedule that day and tell you rather than risk the finish.
Sun exposure
South- and west-facing walls fade and fail first; they often need more prep than the shaded sides.
What to expect while we work
- You don’t need to be home for most exterior work. We’ll need access to outdoor water and power, and gates unlocked.
- Expect ladders around the house and windows masked on the side being painted.
- Most exterior repaints take roughly 3–7 days on site, depending on the size of the house, the prep it needs and the weather.
- You get photo progress updates as the job moves along.
Products and finishes
- The products, colors and sheens for your house are written on your estimate. ACS has used Sherwin-Williams or equivalent exterior coatings.
- We can help you choose colors. The Northland split-level, for example, was finished in Snowbound with Black Magic trim and garage doors.
- Brick is stained, not painted, when you want the masonry texture to stay visible.
What affects your price
Every house is different, so we price each job after seeing it. This is what we look at when we write your estimate.
- Size and height
- Square footage and the number of stories. Three-story walls need longer ladders and more setup time.
- Surface condition
- How much scraping, sanding, caulking and priming is needed before paint.
- Repairs
- Any siding or trim that must be replaced first.
- Detail and colors
- Trim-heavy houses (like half-timbered Tudors), shutters, and the number of colors.
- Extras
- Garage doors, front doors and brick staining.
- Access
- Landscaping, decks, fences and slopes that limit ladder placement.
Payment: 30% deposit when you accept the estimate; balance due after the final walkthrough.
At the end: Final walkthrough; anything not right is corrected at no extra cost.
More projects
See all projects
Questions homeowners ask
What’s included in an exterior estimate?
We visit, walk every side of the house, and note the prep each surface needs, any repairs, the products and colors, and what’s excluded. The estimate is free and there’s no obligation.
Do you repair wood rot and replace damaged siding before painting?
Yes. We offer wood rot repair and replacement of damaged siding sections, with the repair scope priced in your estimate. On the Northland ranch project we replaced a 4×8 panel and part of the front horizontal siding before painting. Structural damage or unresolved moisture problems may need additional work outside our scope.
Can you stain brick instead of painting it?
Yes. On the Northland Tudor project the orange-red brick was stained to a lighter buff tone while keeping the brick texture. We’ll tell you at the estimate whether your brick is a good candidate.
What happens if it rains?
We don’t coat wet surfaces or start a side when rain is due before the paint can set. Weather days push the schedule, and we let you know when that happens.
How long will my exterior take?
Most exterior repaints take roughly 3–7 days on site. Size, height, prep, repairs and weather all move that number; your estimate includes a timeline for your house.
Do I pay up front?
ACS asks for a 30% deposit when you accept the estimate, and the balance after the final walkthrough.