How Much Does It Cost to Paint Interior and Exterior Trim on a House? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to paint interior and exterior trim is $1,000. Most homeowners spend $700 to $2,500 per linear foot, with costs driven by trim location, accessibility, and whether the project involves exterior areas like eaves and gables. For a 1,500-square-foot home, expect to pay between $700 and $2,500, with the higher end typically reserved for exterior trim.

Painting Trim on a House Cost Factors: What Determines the Price? 

The exact price you'll pay to paint trim on your home depends on several factors, including the type of trim, its location, size, materials, and labor. Here is the cost breakdown for painting trim on a house.

Exterior Trim

Painting exterior trim—including eaves, fascia, soffit, doors, windows, dormers, and gables—costs $1,000 to $2,500 on average, or $1 to $4 per linear foot. These areas require more expensive paint, more extensive prep, and access to hard-to-reach spots, all of which push costs higher than comparable interior work. Professional painters also work more slowly and cautiously on elevated exterior surfaces, which adds to the labor portion of your total.

Interior Trim

Painting interior trim—including baseboards, crown molding, doors, windows, and window frames—costs between $500 and $2,000 for an average-sized home, or $1 to $4 per linear foot. The size of your home and the quality of paint you choose are the two factors most likely to push that figure higher.

Size

Home size is one of the most direct cost drivers for trim painting: a 1,500-square-foot home costs between $500 and $2,500 on average, while a 2,500-square-foot home runs $1,500 to $7,500 or more. A larger home means more linear footage to cover, longer labor hours, and greater material consumption. Get a quote based on your home's actual square footage so you can budget accurately from the start.

Materials

Materials are a meaningful part of your trim painting budget, starting with paint: exterior paint costs $20 to $80 per gallon, while interior paint runs $15 to $40 per gallon. High-quality or upscale brands push costs toward the top of those ranges. Beyond paint, budget for primer, painter's tape, paintbrushes, and drop cloths, and make sure you purchase enough to cover multiple coats across all your trim areas.

Labor

Professional painters typically charge $20 to $50 per hour for trim painting work. Labor costs are folded into the total project quote you receive, so you won't need to calculate them separately.

Location

Where the trim is located on your home directly affects the price, with exterior doors and windows costing $1 to $4 per linear foot and interior baseboards costing $1 to $5 per linear foot. Hard-to-reach areas cost more because they demand more time and skill from your painter. 

Below are cost estimates for typical interior and exterior trim paint projects:

Additional Costs to Consider: What to Budget For

Beyond the core cost factors, several additional expenses can raise the total cost of your trim painting project.

The following table outlines common additional costs for trim painting projects:

Prep Work

Prep work like power washing the home exterior costs $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot, while interior surfaces typically need light cleaning and sanding to ensure a smooth base.

These tasks add to your overall budget before a single brushstroke goes on the trim. Older homes may also require lead paint removal, which costs $8 to $17 per square foot on average.

Repairs

Repairs are a common added expense when painting trim, so assess the condition of your surfaces before finalizing your budget. Replacing soffit and fascia boards costs an average of $1,300 to $6,000. You may also need a pro to repair gutters and eaves or caulk window frames and trim before painting begins.

Why You Should Hire a Trim Painting Pro

Painting the trim on a home is one of those smaller finishing touches that can make all the difference for the house's overall look and curb appeal. And considering painting pros only charge about $25 to $50 per hour , investing in professional help on this project is a worthwhile investment for the finished look of your home. This, plus the assurances offered by an expert, means hiring a local painter is the best move for both interior and exterior trim painting.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a trim painting pro

There are many benefits to working with an expert when having the trim on your home painted, such as:

• Ensuring clean lines and a great-looking end result

• Precision paint that will hold up over time

• Safety while working on elevated parts of the home

• Access to higher-quality brushes, tools, and paint

• Lower material costs

What Are Trim Painting Add-On Costs?

While a painting pro is already at your home for trim work, it's a smart time to bundle additional painting projects (that range from $120 to $4,250) and save on mobilization costs. Most painters handle a wide range of exterior and interior painting tasks. Consider budgeting for the following add-ons:

The following table summarizes common add-on painting costs:

Tips to Save Money While Painting Trim on a House

Whether hiring a pro or doing it DIY, there are many ways to save on the cost of painting trim. Here are some of our best money-saving tips and tricks.

• Get multiple quotes for the best price.

• Handle prep work and cleanup on your own.

• Invest in high-quality paint for quicker and long-lasting results.

• Paint easily accessible trim areas as a fun DIY project.

• Shop around for deals on tools and supplies.

• Borrow a ladder and other painting equipment from family or friends.