Could your home use an aesthetic upgrade? A new paint job can help increase the curb appeal of your house — and, hence, your property value.

For Further Reading: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

On the subject of value, how can a homeowner determine how much a paint job is going to cost? Whether you prefer to do it yourself or leave it to the pros, here are some questions you need to consider when it comes to painting your home.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House?

The average cost to paint a house is $2,901, with the low end being $650 and the high end reaching $6,200. You may be asking yourself how a few measly cans of paint could cost this much. It has more to do with the materials and equipment needed to do the job right as it has to do with the actual paint required.

Tools and materials needed to paint your house include:

• Brushes
• Rollers and rolling handles
• A sprayer and power rollers
• Buckets
• Drop cloths
• Masking tape
• Scrapers
• A ladder

Of course, it's possible that you already have some of these items, thus making the project cheaper. The price will also largely depend on the size of your home, the exterior construction material, the number of stories and the quality of paint.

What's the Price Range for a Paint Job?

As we mentioned, the question of how much a paint job costs will largely depend on how large your home is and how you plan to go about the project. If, for example, you do choose to go with professional painters, the cost will vary depending on the company you choose to go with.

Here are some of the average costs depending on the square footage of paintable area:

• 1,000 square feet, $500-$3,500
• 1,500 square feet, $750-$5,250
• 2,000 square feet, $1,000-$7,000
• 2,500 square feet, $1,250-$8,750
• 3,000 square feet, $1,500-$10,500

Again, keep in mind that the price will vary greatly depending on several different factors. If you are going to employ a professional company, you should aim to get multiple price quotes.

How Far Does a Gallon of Paint Go?

The most important factor is the surface area you intend to paint: The size of the job determines the cost of supplies. When estimating the paint costs for such a job, keep in mind that 1 gallon covers about 400 square feet.

How Much Does a Gallon of Paint Cost?

Whether you choose to paint just a room or the entire house yourself, it can be an ambitious undertaking. We generally recommend seeking professional assistance, as painting can often be a difficult task — but it's also one of the most popular DIY projects. If you do plan on painting your home yourself, you'll need to estimate the price of the paint you'll be using.

On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $15 and $30 per gallon of paint. For an average-size bedroom, you'll need 2-3 gallons of paint with some left over for contingencies and touch-ups. It should be noted that when it comes to paint, you get what you pay for: The higher the quality the more money you can expect to pay for a gallon of paint.

How Much Does Exterior Paint Cost?

A fresh exterior paint job can help your home stand out for all the right reasons. It's a huge chore that can be daunting for those without training on the different methods and knowledge of the materials those methods require. You can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $300 on exterior paint and the materials needed to paint the outside of your home.

How Much do Painters Charge Per Hour?

Typically, a painter will charge per square foot rather than per hour. You'll spend between $2 and $6 per square foot on average to hire a painter. Keep in mind, you'll still have to pay for paint if you go with a professional company.

If the company that you choose does charge by the hour, expect to pay $20 to $50 on average. Again, most companies choose to charge by the square footage of the area they're painting. Painting charges can vary by as much as 150% depending on your state or region and the cost of living index.

What Goes into the Cost of a Professional Paint Job?

Whenever you're scouting out prospective painting companies, having a solid understanding of the related expenses contractors consider when determining how to bid a paint job will help ensure that you pay a fair amount for the work. Here are three expenses you need to consider when estimating a paint job:

Paint

A gallon of paint can cost anywhere from $15-$80. It really depends on the brand, the quality and any contractor discount you're getting.

Materials

The volume of materials needed will depend on the amount of prep work needed, the number of windows, how much brick and how much roofline.

Labor

This is arguably the most difficult part to assess, as there are several different factors that play into the price of labor.

So, for example, taking these factors into account, how much does it cost to paint a 12x12 room? That'll run you $400-$900 on average. Find the equation that best works for you and keep it consistent to ensure you're paying a fair price.

How Long Does Paint Last?

If you're wondering how long paint can last in an unopened can, it may be good for a decade or more if it is stored correctly. Latex and water-based acrylic paints last up to 10 years, while the shelf life of alkyd (polyester resin) and oil-based paint can last as long as 15 years. To make sure the paint is OK to use, pry open the can and blend the contents with a paint stirrer. Then, dip a brush in the paint and brush it onto a piece of cardboard to ensure everything looks good.

If you're wondering how long an actual paint job can last, the answer, again, is around 10 years. This, of course, is assuming that the paint job is of high-quality and using high-quality paints. Otherwise, you may need a new paint job sooner rather than later. If there's heavy traffic in your home, pets, kids or frequent parties, your paint job may age faster.

Signs you Need to Paint Your Siding

Repainting the outside of your home is not a light (or cheap) commitment, so it's important to know that you're deciding to repaint it at the right time. As you may expect, there are several different factors that play a role in when you will need to repaint your siding.

Here are some signs to look out for:

• Fading paint. This should go without saying.
• Peeling paint. Another tell-tale sign.
• Bubbling paint. This is often a sign of wet and dry rot, often caused by harsh weather.
• Chalky residue. This is a sign that the paint is breaking down, weakening your house's facade.
• Outdated colors. What may have been in vogue when you repainted your home all those years ago may be long out of style by now.
• Personal choice. Sometimes, when you know you know.

Every home has different materials that need to be painted, so you'll encounter different suggestions when it comes to the exterior of your home. In any case, it's wise to talk to, and strongly consider hiring, professional exterior painters for the job.

Should You Hire a Pro?

Now you have come to the ultimate decision: Should you hire a professional company to handle your painting needs for you, or should you take the DIY approach and paint your home yourself. Whatever you decide, we can't stress enough how important the paint job is for your home — it's going to be one of the first things people notice when they see your home, and you want to make a good first impression.

If you're confident you can handle the job yourself, you can save hundreds of dollars on labor costs. Sure, it'll take far more time for you to do it compared to a professional company, but if you have time on your hands, it may be worth it. A professional company, on the other hand, will help lift the burden off your shoulders, providing a high-quality job in a timely manner.

Since we're all home now more than ever, being prepared for unexpected home repairs with a plan from HomeServe is important. Having a plan in place gives you the peace of mind knowing that you can simply call our 24/7 repair hotline for covered breakdowns. See what plans are available in your neighborhood.