Halifax homeowners often wonder why exterior painting costs so much more than interior work. The cost differences are real and driven by legitimate factors specific to Nova Scotia conditions.
Why Exterior Costs More Per Square Foot
Exterior painting in Halifax involves additional costs that interior work does not: pressure washing, more extensive surface prep (scraping failed paint, treating wood rot, caulking all penetrations), working at height with ladders and scaffolding, weather monitoring and scheduling around Halifax’s unpredictable conditions, and products formulated for exterior exposure. Premium exterior paints — the kind that last 8–12 years on a Halifax home — cost $70–$100 per gallon, compared to $50–$75 for quality interior products.
Interior Painting Cost Ranges in Halifax
Interior painting in Halifax typically runs $1.50–$3.50 per square foot of wall surface, depending on ceiling height, surface condition, number of colours, and complexity of trim work. A 12×12 bedroom with 8-foot ceilings has roughly 400 square feet of wall surface — at $2.00–$3.00 per square foot, you are looking at $800–$1,200 fully painted, including labour and materials.
Exterior Painting Cost Ranges in Halifax
Exterior painting on a Halifax home ranges from $3,500 to $12,000+ for a full repaint. A modest bungalow in Dartmouth or Bedford comes in at the lower end; a large two-storey with complex trim and significant prep requirements in the South End comes in significantly higher. Costs increase for homes with wood siding in poor condition, multiple accent colours, or areas requiring scaffolding.
Projects Where Cost Is Most Often Underestimated
Exterior trim painting — fascia, soffits, window trim, door frames — is frequently underestimated. These surfaces require careful cutting in and often need more prep than main siding areas. Cabinet painting is similarly underestimated: the labour involved in properly stripping, degreasing, priming, and spraying cabinet doors justifies prices that surprise homeowners.
Get a precise estimate for your Halifax interior or exterior project at cpmpainting.com.