Painting a Townhouse – Price and Work Stages

Exterior painting of a townhouse is an important part of building maintenance that affects both the facade’s appearance and the longevity of the structures.

When it comes to a housing cooperative, a painting project requires planning, joint decisions, and careful execution. In this article, we’ll go through what townhouse painting costs, how the work progresses step by step, and why a well-done paint job is an investment that pays for itself. We’ve also included practical pricing examples and tips on how to make the project run as smoothly as possible.

Key takeaways from the article

• Exterior painting is an important maintenance measure that protects the building from damage caused by weather conditions, such as moisture, UV radiation from the sun, and temperature fluctuations.

• A well-done exterior paint job typically lasts about 10–15 years.

• Before painting, the facades must be thoroughly washed to remove dirt, dust, algae, and mold.

• At Väriset, even larger projects are usually completed in 2–3 weeks.

• The price of townhouse exterior painting varies, but when done by a professional, it costs on average about 15–40 euros per square meter of wall.

Why is exterior painting of a townhouse important?

Exterior painting of a townhouse is an important maintenance measure that protects the building from damage caused by weather conditions, such as moisture, UV radiation from the sun, and temperature fluctuations. As we stated in a previous article:

“Paint prevents moisture from penetrating the wood and thus prevents rot and mold from reaching the wood’s surface. A well-painted house lasts longer, requires less maintenance, and looks fresher, which can increase its value.”

Regular painting is an essential part of a housing cooperative’s long-term maintenance and can prevent costly repairs in the future.

How often should a townhouse be painted?

The need for a new paint surface depends on several factors, such as weather conditions, building material, the quality of the paint used, and the regularity of maintenance. A well-done exterior paint job typically lasts about 10–15 years.

For example, in coastal areas or in strong sunlight, facades wear out faster, and wood cladding requires maintenance more often than brick or rendered surfaces. Quality paints and regular maintenance, such as washing and touch-up painting, can extend the maintenance interval. However, the condition of the exterior cladding should be checked annually; cracks, peeling, or fading usually indicate that painting is becoming necessary.

How is a townhouse painted? – 5 steps to a lasting result

Exterior painting of a townhouse may sound like a big project, but with proper planning and careful execution, it goes surprisingly smoothly. Painting isn’t just about beautifying surfaces – it’s an important part of building maintenance and provides the house with long-lasting protection for years to come. When the work is done step by step correctly, the result is neat, durable, and improves residents’ daily lives. Here are five important steps to ensure successful townhouse painting.

1. Condition assessment and planning

Before the brushes come out, it’s important to determine the condition of the house’s facade. The condition assessment checks the paint surface condition, possible rot damage, mold, or other problems that require repair before painting. At the same time, the necessary tools, paints, and possible scaffolding or lifts are identified.

Careful planning saves time and money and ensures that painting is done at the right time with the right methods.

2. Cleaning and preparatory work

A good result starts with a clean surface. Before painting, the facade must be thoroughly washed to remove dirt, dust, algae, and mold. If necessary, mold cleaning agents are used.

After washing, the wall surfaces are checked again: peeling paint is removed by scraping, and rot damage or cracks are properly repaired. Window and door frames and other details should also be protected as needed with tape and covers to achieve a neat result.

3. Primer coat

Primer evens out the surface, improves adhesion, and ensures that the final paint adheres well and lasts for years. Especially bare sanded or renewed wood parts need primer for protection before the actual finish painting. Primer prevents moisture from entering the structures and helps the finish paint adhere evenly.

Paint is applied to a dry and clean surface when the weather is favorable – not too cold, hot, or humid. Once the primer has dried properly, you can move on to the actual painting work.

4. Actual painting

When the preparatory work and primer have been done carefully, it’s time to move on to the actual painting. Paint is applied evenly with a brush, roller, or spray gun, usually in two coats, to achieve sufficient coverage and durability. A wide brush and extension pole are usually the best tools.

Special attention should be paid to corners, seams, and other details where paint often wears out faster. Carefully done finish painting completes the appearance and gives the house new, long-lasting protection that will still look good years from now.

5. Finishing and inspection

When the painting is complete, it’s time to do the finishing work and carefully check the result. Protective coverings are carefully removed, any paint stains are cleaned up, and minor corrections are made if necessary, for example, on trim or corners.

At the same time, it’s ensured that the paint has covered evenly and that all surfaces have been properly treated. Finally, the work done can be documented and observations affecting the timing of the next maintenance painting can be recorded. Finishing crowns the entire project and ensures that the facade looks neat and withstands weather and time.

Does painting a townhouse require a permit?

Painting a townhouse often requires a permit or at least approval from the housing cooperative. Since exterior painting usually falls under the housing cooperative’s responsibility, a resident cannot undertake the work independently. If the painting involves changing the house’s color, a decision from the general meeting is usually required, as well as possibly a permit or notification to the municipal building control, especially in zoned areas and protected sites. As we mentioned in a previous article:

“If the painting does not significantly change the building’s appearance, a permit is usually not required.”

In any case, it’s worth confirming with the housing cooperative and, if necessary, with the authorities.

What is the easiest way to paint a townhouse?

The easiest and most effortless way to paint a townhouse is to have the work done by professionals. When the painting project is handled by an experienced contractor, the housing cooperative can trust that the work is done correctly – from preparatory work to finishing. Professionals know how to choose the right work methods, tools, and weather conditions, so the result is both neat and durable. In addition, the work schedule stays under control and residents’ responsibility remains minimal.

At Väriset, we handle house exterior painting smoothly and professionally in different parts of Finland. We have over 10 years of experience in maintaining exterior surfaces of housing cooperatives, and we carefully plan each project according to the housing cooperative’s needs. We bring enough skilled workers to the job, so even larger projects are usually completed in 2–3 weeks.

How much does painting a townhouse cost?

The price of townhouse exterior painting varies, but when done by a professional, it costs on average about 15–40 euros per square meter of wall. The total price is affected by factors such as the size of the building, the condition of the wall surfaces, necessary preparatory work, the paints used, the need for scaffolding or lifts, and regional pricing levels.

In a previous article, we explained in more detail what a housing cooperative’s exterior painting can cost when done by Väriset. For example, painting a single-story townhouse in Vantaa with a paintable surface area of 1,289 m² cost 20,546 euros. The price included the use of scaffolding and materials, mold washing and minor paint scraping, primer on bare wood surfaces, one coat of finish painting with a brush, final cleaning, and work documentation.

What factors affect the price of townhouse painting?

Many factors affect the price of townhouse exterior painting. Key factors are the size and shape of the building – the more and more complex surfaces to be painted, the more work and costs accumulate. The condition of the surfaces also matters: if a lot of preparatory work is needed, such as removing peeling paint, mold washing, or rot repairs, the price is often higher.

The paint and color used also matter, as some shades require more coats. Equipment needs, such as lifts or scaffolding, add extra costs, and location affects the price level – for example, in the capital region, work may be more expensive than elsewhere in Finland.