House painting is not only a matter of appearance but also an important maintenance measure that protects the building from weather and moisture damage. But how do you know when it’s the right time to pick up the brush? One of the clearest signs is when the old paint starts to peel, crack, or wear, and when the paint surface no longer properly protects the wood.
In this article, we’ll go through what house painting costs and what factors are involved, so you can make decisions with peace of mind.
When talking about detached house painting, the cost of exterior house painting is approximately 20-40 euros per square meter. The total project cost typically ranges between 5,000-20,000 euros.
Housing association painting costs can vary from 15–50 €/m² depending on the scope of work and the size of the housing association.
House painting becomes necessary when surfaces look untidy, paint is peeling, cracking, or has worn thin. Mold spots on the paint surface or faded colors can also indicate that the paint is no longer providing adequate protection. If it’s been a while since the last painting, the old paint starts to peel and wooden parts become exposed to moisture, which can cause mold spots to appear on their surface. Cracks in exterior walls can also indicate that the paint surface has worn out and needs renewal. An article by Certapro Painters sums it up well:
“Most likely, if it’s been a long time since the last painting, your home’s paint has worn from weather exposure. This can significantly diminish its appearance and curb appeal. Additionally, leaving worn paint unattended can lead to substrate damage and costly repairs.”
Painting protects the house from weather effects and extends its lifespan, so exterior walls should generally be painted every 10–15 years.
Generally speaking, house maintenance painting should be done approximately every 10-15 years depending on the house’s location and conditions. An article by Nationwide describes well the impact of weather conditions on paint surfaces:
“Strong sunlight, harsh winters, sea winds, extreme humidity, storms, and blowing sand, which is rare in Finland, can contribute to damage.”
For example, in coastal areas where salt and wind may wear down paint surfaces, painting may need to be done more frequently. If there are signs of moisture on exterior walls or the paint has started to wear and crack, it’s important to stay alert about updating the paint surface. Renewing the paint protects the wood and prevents rot damage.
The price per square meter for exterior wall painting varies according to several factors, such as the size of the house, the amount of surfaces to be painted, paint quality, painting methods, scope of work, and location. Generally speaking, exterior house painting can cost approximately 20–40 euros per square meter for simple painting without major preparation work. In more extensive maintenance painting that requires removal of old paint, mold washing, or surface leveling, the price can be higher. Below are price examples from projects we’ve painted and a price calculator you can use to estimate yourself.
House painting costs typically range from approximately 5,000 – 20,000 euros. This is affected by the size of the house and wall height, the amount of preparation work, and the quality of selected materials. In addition to these, the price is also affected by factors such as the age of the building. Painting an old house is often more expensive than a new one, as old houses’ exterior cladding usually requires more preparation work.
Housing association painting costs can vary from 15–50 €/m² depending on the scope of work and the size of the housing association. This means that, for example, painting a 1000 m² facade can cost approximately 15,000–50,000 euros.
Maintenance painting is an investment in the housing association’s long-term upkeep, so while the price can be significant, it can prevent larger repairs in the long run and increase the property’s value.
Since prices are easier to understand through concrete examples, we’ll provide a few examples from projects we’ve previously completed.
Location: Turku
Building size and height: 2-story detached house, total paintable area 252 m2
Price: 7339 €
Work includes:
Location: Helsinki
Building size and height: 1.5 stories, total paintable area 198 m2
Price: 5923 €
Work includes:
Location: Vantaa
Building size and height: 1 story, paintable area 1289 m2
Price: 20,546 €
Work includes:
Location: Tampere
Building size and height: 2 stories, paintable area 780 m2
Price: 14,640 €
Work includes:
We’re often asked how long detached house painting takes. On average, painting a detached house takes a professional 2–8 days, depending on the paintable surface area and the extent of preparation work.
Painting a house yourself is possible, but it requires careful planning, the right tools, and time. Before painting, you need to check the condition of the house’s exterior cladding and do the necessary preparation work. An article by Checkatrade describes well the importance of preparation work:
“Preparation is key to a brilliant and long-lasting finish, so it’s important that you invest time at this stage. Cleaning or removing (if necessary) the existing paint surface is a time-consuming and messy job.”
Painting yourself saves on labor costs, but be prepared that the project will take a lot of time and requires care for the result to be durable and even. If you’re not confident in your skills or don’t want to take risks, it may be wiser to hire a professional.
House painting costs are significantly cheaper when you do it yourself, but it also requires time and effort. Paint costs depend on the size of the house and the paint you choose. Generally, quality paints for exterior walls cost approximately 300–1000 euros. Tools such as rollers, brushes, ladders, or scaffolding cost approximately 150–400 euros, depending on the tools needed.
If the house is old or the paint is worn, you may also need to buy primer and other supplies, which can increase costs by hundreds of euros.
However, it’s good to remember that especially when painting old detached houses, surprises can arise, which is why we recommend turning to a professional. We at Väriset restore your house’s original appearance and value with the confidence that comes from years of experience.
Summer cottage painting costs vary according to the cottage’s size, paint quality, selected tools, and access to the cottage and logistics.
Summer cottage painting through us costs on average 4000 –10,000 euros. Request a quote from us, and we’ll estimate an accurate price for your summer cottage painting project! Väriset painted Anni and Ilkka Ihamäki’s cottage last summer. Watch the video of the amazing result.
You can get a household tax deduction for exterior house painting work, but only for labor costs, not materials. The deduction only applies to work done by a professional, and it’s possible when the work is performed by a company registered in the advance tax collection register. The household tax deduction for renovation work is 35% of the labor portion, up to 1600 euros per year per person. Self-performed painting work cannot be deducted.
You cannot apply for a household tax deduction for new construction, as stated on the vero.fi website:
“If you’re building a new detached house or vacation home, work related to the house and its yard is considered new construction until all final inspections of the house and yard area have been completed”
You can calculate the household tax deduction amount with this calculator.
The best painting company depends on your individual needs, but good references, previous customer reviews, work experience, clear pricing, and expert customer service are key factors in choosing the best painting company.
We at Väriset want to invest especially in customer satisfaction and work quality and efficiency. We paint your house skillfully and quickly, with the confidence that comes from years of experience. When you order painting from Väriset, you can be sure that every criterion mentioned above is met.
With the house painting price calculator, you can calculate an approximate price for a painting project.
House painting costs vary according to several factors, such as the size of the house, paint quality, labor costs, and possible preparation work.
When estimating the price, the house’s surface area and the number of paint coats are taken into account. For new projects, we recommend painting the house twice to make the paint surface more durable. The extent of preparation work, such as removing old paint or mold, increases costs.
You can download Väriset’s price guide here.
Vero.fi: What work qualifies for the household tax deduction?
Household Tax Deduction Calculator 2025
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The household deduction in 2026 is 35% of the VAT-inclusive portion of the work performed. The deductible is €150. The benefit is €1,600 per person, meaning the maximum deduction for a couple is €3,200 in total
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