How Much Does it Cost to Paint a House in Sarasota?

Everyone tells you to get three quotes. Here's the problem: if you're just comparing bottom-line numbers, you're comparing apples to oranges to something that might not even be fruit.

The cost to paint a house in Sarasota ranges from $4,500 to $18,000 for the same size home. That's not because some contractors are greedy - it's because "exterior painting" can mean vastly different things. One quote might include thorough crack repair, premium elastomeric coatings, and a decade of warranty coverage. Another might be a quick spray-and-go that looks great for eight months before the Florida sun destroys it.

This guide explains what's actually behind those numbers so you can compare quotes intelligently.

What Exterior Painting Actually Costs in Sarasota

For a single-story home under 2,000 square feet with stucco in decent condition, expect to pay $4,500 to $7,500 for professional exterior painting. That's the realistic range for proper prep work, quality paint, and a crew that knows what they're doing.

Larger homes in the 2,000 to 3,000 square foot range typically run $6,500 to $10,000. Once you're above 3,000 square feet or dealing with multi-story homes, you're looking at $9,000 to $15,000. Add significant stucco repairs, coastal exposure, or premium coating systems and you can reach $15,000 to $18,000 for comprehensive work.

The per-square-foot math breaks down like this: basic exterior painting with standard prep runs $2.00 to $3.00 per square foot of paintable surface. Comprehensive work with crack repairs and premium coatings pushes that to $3.00 to $4.50 per square foot. Waterfront homes with extensive prep needs and luxury coatings can hit $4.00 to $6.00 per square foot.

Those numbers assume you're painting stucco - which covers about 85 percent of Sarasota homes. Vinyl siding, wood siding, or combination exteriors have different pricing structures.

Prep Work: Where Quotes Really Differ

Here's something most homeowners don't realize: the quality of your paint job is 80 percent preparation. The actual painting part? That's straightforward. The work that happens before the first coat determines whether your paint lasts three years or ten.

A thorough prep process starts with pressure washing - but not just blasting water at your walls. We're talking about proper soft washing that removes dirt, mildew, oxidation, and chalking without damaging the stucco. This takes 2 to 4 hours depending on home size and condition.

Crack repair comes next, and this is where budget quotes cut corners aggressively. Proper crack repair means routing out the crack to create a channel, filling with elastomeric patching compound that can flex with temperature changes, and feathering the edges for invisible repair. That takes time. Cheap alternatives - slapping some caulk in the crack - fail within a year because caulk doesn't bond properly to stucco and doesn't flex the same way.

Peeling paint needs more than a quick scrape. We remove all loose and flaking material, feather-sand the edges so there's no step between old paint and bare stucco, and apply bonding primer to ensure the new coat adheres properly. Skip any of these steps and you'll see peeling again within two years.

Caulking around windows, doors, and penetrations is maintenance that often gets lumped into painting projects. Old caulk fails, water gets behind your stucco, and the damage compounds. During exterior painting, we remove failing caulk completely - not just go over it - and reseal with quality exterior caulk that will last another decade.

Masking and protection covers all your windows, doors, landscaping, concrete, and anything else paint shouldn't touch. This takes 4 to 8 hours depending on home complexity. It's tedious work that doesn't look impressive but makes the difference between a professional result and paint overspray on your pavers.

Paint Quality: The 3-Year vs. 10-Year Decision

All exterior paint is not created equal, and Florida's climate exposes the differences faster than anywhere else in the country.

Standard professional-grade paint like Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint or equivalent works well for homes with good prep and moderate exposure. These are quality products with solid coverage and reasonable durability. Expect 5 to 7 years of good performance in Sarasota's climate, maybe 4 to 5 years if you're on the water. Cost is about $35 to $45 per gallon, and your typical home uses 15 to 25 gallons.

Premium coastal-grade coatings like Sherwin-Williams Duration or Benjamin Moore Aura step up significantly in durability. These are high-build coatings - meaning they apply thicker and create a more substantial protective film. Better resistance to wind-driven rain, fading, mildew, and the general beating Florida exteriors take. Expect 7 to 10 years of performance. Cost runs $55 to $70 per gallon.

Luxury performance coatings like Sherwin-Williams Emerald Rain Refresh or similar products add self-cleaning properties that help wash away salt, dirt, and mildew between maintenance. Maximum color retention and the longest lifespan available. For waterfront homes on Siesta Key, Longboat Key, or Bird Key, these often make financial sense despite the premium price. Expect 10 to 12 years of performance. Cost hits $70 to $85 per gallon.

The paint itself represents roughly 15 to 20 percent of your total project cost. Upgrading from standard to premium adds $300 to $600 to your quote. That's not a huge jump for 3 to 5 extra years of life - especially when you factor in the hassle of repainting.

Height and Access: Why Multi-Story Costs More

A single-story ranch in Palmer Ranch is fundamentally different from a three-story stilt home on Lido Key - even if they have the same square footage of paintable surface.

Single-story homes allow efficient ground-level work. Standard ladders handle everything, the crew moves quickly, and safety requirements are minimal. This is your baseline pricing.

Two-story homes add complexity. Extension ladders, more time moving equipment, additional safety considerations. Expect a 15 to 25 percent premium over single-story pricing for the same square footage.

Homes with third-story elements, challenging architecture, or areas requiring scaffolding or boom lifts jump significantly higher. Scaffolding rental runs $200 to $500 per day. Boom lift rental starts around $400 per day. Complex access can add $1,000 to $3,000 to your project depending on scope and duration.

The stilt homes common on the keys present unique challenges. We're often painting from lifts or extensive scaffolding, working around water features, and dealing with structures that require careful maneuvering. These projects command premium pricing because they require more labor hours, specialized equipment, and additional safety measures.

Location Matters More Than You'd Think

A home in Lakewood Ranch and a home on Longboat Key face different environmental challenges - and require different approaches.

Inland homes deal primarily with UV exposure, humidity, and the occasional severe weather. Standard prep and quality coatings handle these conditions well. Pricing tends toward the lower end of ranges for equivalent home sizes.

Coastal homes within a mile of the water face everything inland homes do plus salt air exposure. Salt accelerates paint deterioration, promotes mildew growth, and corrodes any exposed metal. We typically recommend premium or luxury coatings for coastal properties and factor in additional prep for salt removal. Expect 10 to 20 percent higher pricing than equivalent inland homes.

Waterfront homes with direct exposure - the ones where you can see the water from your front door - take the most beating. Annual salt accumulation, wind-driven spray during storms, and relentless humidity create an environment that punishes substandard work. For these properties, premium materials and meticulous prep aren't upgrades - they're necessities. Pricing typically runs 15 to 25 percent above inland equivalents.

The neighborhood HOA situation also affects your project. Some communities require approved color schemes, documentation, and sometimes HOA review before exterior work. We handle this coordination regularly for clients in Palmer Ranch, Lakewood Ranch, and gated communities throughout Sarasota.

What Your Quote Should Include

A professional exterior painting estimate should specify every line item, not just a bottom-line number.

Prep work should be detailed: what cleaning method, what crack repair approach, whether caulking is included, what areas get primer. Vague language like "standard prep" tells you nothing. Specific language like "soft wash exterior surfaces, repair all stucco cracks over 1/16 inch with elastomeric compound, remove and replace caulking at all window and door frames" tells you what you're paying for.

Paint specifications should list the exact products - brand and product line. "Premium exterior paint" is meaningless. "Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior, satin finish" is specific. This matters because you can verify the product quality and hold the contractor accountable.

Coverage should specify two coats as standard. One coat might look acceptable initially but fails faster. Three coats is rarely necessary and often a way to pad the quote.

Warranty terms should be in writing. What's covered, for how long, and what's the process if something fails? We offer a 10-year workmanship warranty because we stand behind our preparation and application. If bubbling, peeling, or premature failure occurs due to our work, we come back and fix it at no charge.

Payment schedule should be reasonable. Zero to 10 percent at signing, 25 to 40 percent when work begins, balance at completion. Heavy front-loading suggests the contractor needs your money to buy materials - a cash flow problem that can indicate other business issues.

Red Flags in Low Quotes

When a quote comes in significantly below others, something's getting cut. Here's what to watch for.

Prep work is the first thing to go. If a quote doesn't mention crack repair, caulking, or primer, assume they're not doing it. Ask directly and get answers in writing.

Paint quality drops when contractors feel price pressure. "We use professional-grade paint" could mean anything. Ask for the specific product and verify it's actually professional quality, not the contractor-grade stuff sold in bulk.

Crew experience varies dramatically. The low bidder might send a crew that's fast but sloppy, or inexperienced but cheap. Quality painting requires skilled application, not just speed.

Coverage gets skimped when time runs tight. Instead of two proper coats, you might get one heavy coat that looks acceptable but doesn't perform long-term.

Warranty coverage weakens or disappears entirely with budget quotes. A contractor offering no warranty or a 1-year warranty isn't betting on their own work.

Getting an Accurate Quote

The only way to get reliable exterior painting pricing is a site visit. Online calculators and phone estimates are worthless for anything beyond rough budgeting. Your stucco condition, home height, access challenges, and specific needs can't be assessed from a photo or description.

When we visit your home, we measure the actual paintable surface - not just square footage from tax records. We assess stucco condition and identify what prep work is needed. We discuss your goals and timeline. We look at access requirements and any special considerations.

You get a detailed, written estimate before we leave - usually same day for straightforward projects. Every line item is explained. There's no pressure and no games.

Request your free estimate to see exactly what your exterior painting project will cost. We'll explain what's driving the number and help you understand your options.

Related Resources:

• How Often to Paint House Exterior in Florida
• Best Time to Paint Your House in Sarasota
• Exterior Paint Longevity in Sarasota