Updated 27 September 2026
Paint house exterior (masonry) cost UK 2026
The going rate for paint house exterior (masonry) in 2026 is £20–£40/m² (supply & fit, ex scaffold). Below: a calculator, what the job involves, materials at three price levels, and the prep that changes the price.
Market band£20–£40/m²
Worked example, 90 m²£2,105
Time on site4.5 days
Paint house exterior (masonry) calculator
Price a real job freeUses your rates, your speed and your receipts.
Market band source: Checkatrade.
What the job involves
| Stage | Task | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| prep | Mask windows, doors, paths and plants | 3 h |
| prep | Brush down and fungicidal wash | 0.1 h per m² |
| prep | Rake out and fill cracks | 0.1 h per m² |
| prep | Stabilising primer | 0.1 h per m² |
| paint | Two coats of masonry paint | 0.4 h per m² |
| paint | Unmask and clear site | 2 h |
Materials at three price levels
| Material | Budget | Trade | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masonry paint (10L) 10L | £25 Trade smooth masonry 10L — T2B: £30–£60 a 10 L tin | £38 Sandtex Trade Smooth 10L — About 5 m² a litre for two coats | £60 Dulux Weathershield Max 10L — Longest life, flexible |
| Stabilising solution (5L) 5L | £15 Masonry stabiliser 5L — Checkatrade: sealing coat about £260 a house | £20 Sandtex Stabilising Primer 5L — Binds chalky surfaces | £28 Dulux Weathershield Stabilising Primer 5L — Best on powdery render |
| Fungicidal wash (5L) 5L | £8 Fungicidal wash 5L — Kills algae before painting | £12 Sandtex fungicidal wash 5L — Stops green staining returning | £16 Biocidal wash + primer — North-facing, shaded walls |
Trade prices ex VAT, estimates checked 2026-09-27. Log your receipts in Grafto and your own prices replace these.
What changes the price
- Surface? smooth render · pebbledash or textured · bare brick (first time) big effect
- Condition? sound · some cracks · cracked or flaking
- Storeys? 1 · 2 · 3 big effect
- Access? ladders or tower · scaffold needed
Good practice
- Bare brick soaks up paint: stabilise and allow more paint
Prep to look for
| Condition | Check | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Algae or green staining | green or black streaks on render, especially north walls and under sills | |
| Blown or hollow render | Tap test: any hollow or bulging render? | Blown render needs a plasterer before painting |
| Flaking or peeling paint | paint lifting, peeling or flaking off, bare wood or metal showing |
Questions
How much does paint house exterior (masonry) cost in the UK in 2026?
The researched market band is £20–£40/m² (supply & fit, ex scaffold), from Checkatrade. A worked example of 90 m² comes to about £2,034–£2,215 across budget, trade and premium materials.
How long does paint house exterior (masonry) take?
The worked example of 90 m² takes about 4.5 working days.
What changes the price of paint house exterior (masonry)?
Mainly surface, storeys, plus any prep found on site: algae or green staining, blown or hollow render, flaking or peeling paint.
More decorating prices
Paint a roomPaint walls or ceilings (per m²)Hall, stairs and landingDecorate a whole house (interior)Paint internal doorsPaint skirting and architraveHang wallpaperStrip wallpaperPaint fascias and soffitsPaint or stain a fenceKitchen cabinet resprayPaint radiatorsPaint an exterior doorPaint timber windows (exterior)Stain or oil deckingPaint a garage door