“Painting a home isn’t just about the color—it’s about the prep, the quality, and how long that investment will last. We’re not the cheapest, but we’re the most thoughtful.”
— Brandon Miller, Owner of Inspired By Design Painting
When you’re thinking about painting the exterior of your home, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: How much will it cost?
And the honest answer is—it depends.
As a local, family-owned business serving Brighton and Livingston County, we’ve painted hundreds of homes and seen all the variables that affect cost. In this blog, we’ll break down what really impacts the price of an exterior paint job—and how you can budget smart without sacrificing quality.
1. The Size and Style of Your Home
Let’s start with the obvious: bigger homes cost more to paint. But it’s not just square footage—complex architecture, multiple stories, dormers, gables, porches, and trim details all add time and materials.
A straightforward one-story ranch will cost less than a multi-level colonial with tons of trim and decorative features.
Smart Budget Tip: If your home has detailed trim, consider whether you want contrasting colors. These add beauty—but also more labor and cost.
2. The Condition of Your Home’s Exterior
Preparation is everything in painting. If your current paint is peeling, your wood is damaged, or the siding hasn’t been cleaned in a decade, that prep time adds up fast.
Our team at Inspired By Design Painting never skips prep work—we sand, scrape, fill gaps, and prime so the new paint lasts. But that prep adds labor, especially if your home hasn’t been painted in 10–15 years.
Smart Budget Tip: Power wash your home a season before you plan to paint. It helps prevent buildup and can save prep hours down the road.
3. The Type of Siding or Material
Different surfaces require different products and approaches:
- Wood siding often needs more primer and detailed prep.
- Stucco requires special coatings and has a textured surface that uses more paint.
- Vinyl siding requires products that flex with temperature shifts.
Smart Budget Tip: Ask about low-maintenance or color-retaining paints that might cost more upfront but reduce repainting needs later.
4. Your Choice of Paint Quality and Finish
Paint is not just paint. Lower-grade products may save money in the short term—but you’ll likely be repainting in half the time.
At Inspired By Design, we use professional-grade, weather-tested paints that are designed to handle Michigan’s four seasons. We also walk you through options that match your budget and your home’s unique needs.
Smart Budget Tip: Use top-tier paint on the sunniest or most weather-exposed sides of the house and a mid-tier option elsewhere.
5. Color Complexity and Design Choices
Want that ultra-modern dark gray with white trim and a pop of color on the door? We love it—but multiple colors mean multiple coats and careful masking.
If you’re changing from a dark color to a light one (or vice versa), it may require extra coats or primer to achieve an even finish.
Smart Budget Tip: Choose two colors instead of three to save on both labor and material cost.
6. Accessibility and Safety Factors
Do we need tall ladders, scaffolding, or special equipment to reach parts of your home? Are there bushes, fences, or terrain challenges that require extra setup time?
These details may seem small, but they add hours to the project—and impact the estimate.
Smart Budget Tip: Trim back bushes or remove obstacles before the crew arrives if possible.
7. Time of Year and Scheduling
In Michigan, exterior painting season runs from mid-April through mid-October. Spring and early summer tend to book up fast, and contractors may offer winter booking discounts for early commitments.
Smart Budget Tip: If possible, schedule your estimate in early spring or even late winter to secure pricing and priority on the calendar.
So, What’s the Typical Range?
In Brighton and the surrounding areas, most exterior painting projects fall between $4,000 and $9,000.
- Smaller homes with minimal prep may be closer to the low end.
- Larger homes, detailed trim, or poor condition can push to the higher range.
We provide same-day, itemized estimates so you can make confident decisions with zero surprises.
Budget Smart, But Don’t Cut Corners
It’s tempting to go with the lowest quote—but be careful. The cost savings may come from cutting prep, using lower-grade paint, or rushing through application. That usually leads to faster fading, peeling, or even water damage.
When you choose Inspired By Design Painting, you get:
- Local, family-first service
- Professional project managers and foremen
- Transparent pricing
- A beautiful finish that lasts
“We give you the full picture upfront—same-day estimates, honest pricing, and no shortcuts. That’s how we protect your home and your wallet.”
— Brandon Miller, Founder
