Approximate cost for painting the outside trim on my house...?

Question

I have a one story, 3 bed 2 bath house that I think is approximately 1,400 sq feet. It is stucco with wood trim. The paint on the wood trim is peeling and chipping off, and the wood has small cracks everywhere. The stucco looks fine, so I really only need to repaint/repair the trim (the small porch, around the windows, etc.).

I have no experience with painting or wood working.

Should I do this myself? What are the steps I should take for a thorough, long-lasting, clean and tidy effect on the trim?

Should I hire professionals? What are the benefits of having it done professionally, and what can I expect to pay? I live in the bay area of California.

I am looking for the most reasonable and feasible way to go about handling this. I don't have a lot of extra cash, but would like to take care of this.

Thank you for all your help.

Answer 1

you could do it yourself if you have time and feel competent. otherwise call around to get estimates and talk to friends who might know someone....sometimes the best work and deal comes from a referal.

Answer 2

Do it yourself and save a bunch of $$$.  Take a wire brush and remove the loose paint.  Mask off the trim with the blue painters tape, get you a good external oil based paint and some penetrol, mix together, and paint the trim...shouldn't take you that long, and you be very proud of yourself for a job well done.  Make sure you buy a good 2 1/2" China Bristle angled sash brush and get some paint thinner for cleanup.  The brush will cost $12.00 - $18.00 depending on where you get it.  Wooster is a good brand.

Answer 3

the most important thing is to prepare the wood properly before painting. this can be done by sanding the wood down and applying a good primer in good weather. If the wood is really old and needs lots and lots of sanding, you might be better off removing the old trim and putting brand new wood up.

I suspect if you hired someone in the Bay area to sand and paint the wood, it would cost you anywhere from $1000 to $3000 depending on exactly how much trim there is and how much it needs to be sanded..

The best option I think would be for you to remove the old trim yourself,,its easy and you could have a friend help you for a couple of hours...its pretty easy to hang new trim, but if you do not feel  comfortable doing it or you do not have access to a good mitre/chop saw, you could hire some one to do it for a couple of hundred bucks and you will probably spend $500 - $800 on new trim,,then becasue its new, it can be painted easily,,,good tip to prime the wood before putting it up so thats one less coat you have to put on while standing on a ladder...go to a local lumber yard (not lowes or home depot) and tell them what you have inmind,,those places always recommend good people,,get 2 or 3 names and cal them up,ask for refrences...