Quick answer: Exterior house painting costs $4,000–$15,000+ in Los Angeles depending on home size, from under 1,500 sq ft up to a large two-story home. APLA Construction (CA Lic #1136359) handles this throughout Greater Los Angeles.
A fresh coat of exterior paint is one of the highest-return upgrades for any Los Angeles home, instantly boosting curb appeal and protecting your siding and stucco from intense LA sun and coastal moisture. Whether you own a stucco home in the Valley, a craftsman in Highland Park, or a beach house in Manhattan Beach, quality exterior painting preserves and elevates your property. APLA Construction is a licensed LA general contractor (CA Lic #1136359) that handles exterior painting as part of home improvement and remodeling projects.
Exterior house painting in Los Angeles typically costs between $4,000 and $15,000 for most single-family homes, or roughly $2.50 to $6 per square foot of surface area. A 2026 guide:
| Item | Typical Cost |
| Small home (under 1,500 sq ft) | $4,000 to $7,000. |
| Mid-size home (1,500-2,500 sq ft) | $6,000 to $11,000. |
| Large or two-story home (2,500+ sq ft) | $10,000 to $15,000+. |
Cost drivers include home size and number of stories, surface type (stucco absorbs more paint than wood), the amount of prep and repair needed, quality of paint, and trim and detail work.
Prep is the difference between a paint job that lasts 3 years and one that lasts 10. Power washing, patching stucco cracks, scraping and priming, and caulking all factor into cost and quality. Premium exterior paints cost more up front but hold up far better against LA sun.
Most LA homes are stucco, which requires elastomeric or masonry-grade paint and crack repair first. Wood-sided homes in areas like Pasadena need scraping and priming. Coastal homes in Santa Monica and Redondo Beach face salt air and need durable, moisture-resistant coatings. We match the system to your home. For stucco damage, see our related stucco repair guide.
Stucco homes typically need repainting every 7 to 10 years, wood every 5 to 7 years, depending on sun exposure and paint quality.
No, standard exterior painting does not require a permit. Historic districts may have color guidelines.
High-quality acrylic or elastomeric paints with UV resistance perform best against intense Southern California sun and last longer.
Most homes take 3 to 6 days including prep, depending on size and condition.
APLA Construction provides exterior painting and home improvement across Los Angeles. Licensed CA Lic #1136359 — verify on CSLB. Call (818) 818-4419 or email info@aplaconstruction.com for a free estimate.