How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Garage?

Painting a garage is not something you have too often. For the purpose of this article, we are going to focus on the cost of painting the exterior elements of the garage. The interior elements like the flooring and inside walls will be covered at a later date.

We knew that homeowners would be curious about how much it would cost to have their garage painted. We also know that some people prefer to hire professionals and other people prefer to do their own painting. We tried to cover the cost of refurbishing the look of your garage in both manners.

Hire a Pro to Paint a Garage

Hiring professional painters is the easiest way to get this work done. The only hard part of hiring a pro is interviewing the people and deciding on who will be the best candidate for the work. We suggest that you approach the hiring of a pro patiently and in an organized manner.

Write down everything you want to be done, from power washing to cleaning up after the job. Then shop around and get quotes in writing. Compare what the contractors are willing to do for the money they asked for, and then compare the quality of the paint they will use, and their reputations. Do not simply look someone up on FaceBook and take their word that they are reputable.

Labor Cost to Paint a Garage

What to Know Before Hire a Pro

• Get more than one quote
• Get the quote in writing and make sure that everything the painter says they will do is itemized.
• Ask what brand of primer and paint they will use
• Ask friends, relatives, and coworkers for recommendations of people they have used in the past
• Ask if cleanup cost and disposal of debris are included in the quote
• Never sign off on the work without walking around the property and checking the quality of the work, and making sure that everything in the itemized list has been completed
• Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the contractor has not had unsettled complaints in the past

DIY Garage Painting Cost Breakdown

The alternative to hiring a pro is to do the work yourself. Painting is not rocket science so most homeowners can do the work. Of course, experienced painters have developed skills and techniques that inexperienced painters lack. So, the experienced painter can usually create a better-looking finish.

Power Washing the Exterior

Materials Required to Paint a Garage

Primer

This is a must-have substance that is applied in the same manner that you will apply the paint. Primer is often too thick to be applied using a spray painter so check the viscosity levels of the substance against what viscosity your sprayer can accommodate. You also have to buy a primer made for exterior applications. 

Paint

This is your most expensive substance for the job. It is also the color that makes the job look fabulous. Make sure you have purchased an exterior grade paint. Exterior grade paints are oil-based so they do not easily wash off. They cost more than similar water-based paints, but they are worth the investment.

Tarp or Drop Cloths

There will be elements of the garage that you need to cover to keep paint from getting on them. The windows, the doors, and possibly other hardware. You also want to protect the shrubbery around the building, your concrete that comes close to the building, and similar items.

You may need several tarps to do this. You might even want to consider purchasing a roll of plastic sheeting to use. You can find this at most stores that sell lumber and building materials.

Bucket

The empty bucket is for mixing paint in. When you purchase one-gallon size containers of paint the color and hue of the paint can have subtle variations. You probably will not even be able to notice the differences until the paint is applied and dried. This inconsistency in paint color can lead to your finish appearing to be done with more than one painting, or looking like some areas were covered better than others.

To solve the problem, mix all of the paint together in a five-gallon plastic bucket. Stir well and stir each time you are filling your sprayer or paint tray to make the blend stay consistent.

Paint Sprayer

The paint sprayer is the ideal tool to use when doing this type of painting. You may even be able to eliminate the need for a ladder if you get a paint sprayer that has an extension wand. You can rent paint sprayers if you do not own one, but you should look into buying one because they are more affordable than you think, and you can use them for many years.

The big problem with the paint sprayer is they use more paint than a roller and brush do. If you decide to use a sprayer plan on buying about 40% more paint and primer than you think you need. Read can of spray cost.

Another thing people do not like about these devices is the fact that the paint travels in the air and the droplets can be deposited on cars, fences, and other items you do not want paint on. Try not to use these sprayers if it is a windy day.

The best thing about these sprayers is they create a smooth and uniform coverage. They do not leave brush or roller marks and you can get paint into all of the small cracks and hard-to-reach places.

Painter’s Tape

This tape does not have as much adhesion as other types of tape. It is designed to help you cover hardware and other things you do not want to get paint on. When you pull the tape off it does not damage the surface but leaves you with clean and crisp lines.

Brushes and Rollers

If you paint your garage with a roller, you will use less paint. That means you can save money by using the traditional method of painting. You will also find that with a brush and roller the equipment cost less and you save money there too.

Be sure to buy a roller that has the right length of a nap to cover the surface you are painting. Do not buy the foam rollers or the roller covers with less than a ½” nap because they tend to smear the paint on rougher surfaces and do not get paint in all of the nooks and crannies.

Personal Protection Equipment

Personal protection equipment is a must for this kind of work. You want to wear eye protection because the paint and other substances can really damage your eyes. You also want to wear a mask or face covering so you do not breathe in the paint or other substances.

You can even consider a hair covering and maybe some old overalls so you do not ruin your clothing.

Primer and Paint Cost Estimates

How Many Gallons of Paint to Buy

One of the biggest concerns of homeowners who decide to paint their own garages is how much paint they should buy. You want to make certain that you get plenty of paint and do not have to rush back to the store to buy more in the middle of your job. You also do not want to buy too much paint because paint can be rather expensive.

Another good reason for knowing how much paint is needed applies to the people who hire professionals to do their painting. When you get your itemized list and it shows the quantity of paint that was used you want to have the knowledge of how much it should have taken so can make sure the contractor did not pad the material list by charging for more paint than they actually used.

How Many Bucket Primers to Buy

Primer is a mandatory element of the painting. Primer is thicker than paint and it is normally cheaper than paint. Because primer is thicker than paint it does not cover the same square footage. Most gallons of paint can cover 350 to 400 square feet for one application. Most primers can cover about 200 to 350 square feet.

Some people try to skip the primer, especially when they are painting with a similar color. This is NOT a good idea, and it might save you a little money, and a little time, but in the long run it will cost you money, and property, and will diminish the possibility of a fabulous finish.

Primer Benefits when Paint Garage

• Creates a secure coating over the surface material. This coating can stop water penetration and damage. It can also prevent the rotting of wood, mildew, mold, rust, and corrosion of metals.
• It protects the surface materials from the harmful rays of the sun
• It makes the surface area smoother so the finish is smoother
• It makes a uniform color on the surface materials so the color paint you choose will be truer than the color you want.
• It allows you to use less paint
• It makes the paint that you use adhere better to the surface so it helps the finish last longer
• It can cover up or hide small imperfections like cracks, or chips on the surface

How Many Primers You Need for Your Garage

Other than this read our how much does it cost to paint a 2000 sq ft house guide.

Solvent Needed When You Paint Garage

Mineral Spirits

This substance can be used to thin paint or to remove paint from brushes and rollers. They are made from petroleum. They are considered to be the mildest of the paint thinning agents.

Mineral spirits are easily found in local paint supply stores and hardware stores. A gallon of mineral spirits will cost you around $10. A gallon will last you a very long time, but this should be stored out of reach of pets and children and away from open flames.

Naphtha

Naphtha is a liquid hydrocarbon combination that can be used as a paint thinner or solvent. Naphtha is highly flammable and very harsh on your hands and anything you put it on. Using Naphtha should be a last resort when painting.

Turpentine

Turpentine can be used to thin paints that are oil-based and it can be used to clean your paint tools and brushes. Turpentine is made from naturally occurring ingredients like the sap from pine trees. Often beeswax and other things are combined with the sap to create a more pleasant-smelling, substance.

The average cost of a quart of turpentine is around $7. It does not take a lot of the substance to wash brushes and tools, but wear protective equipment, and be sure to not pour the liquid on any plants when you finish.

Pros and Cons of Hiring a Professional for Garage Painting

Pros:

• The quality of the finish is usually higher
• Professionals are experienced and can paint large areas faster than the average homeowner

Cons:

• The labor cost can make the job more expensive

Pros and Cons of DIY

Pros:

• You save money on labor
• Increases the value of your property if you do an excellent job

Cons:

• You have to make enough time in your schedule to do the work
• You may have to rent or purchase equipment to do the work
• It may take longer to get the job finished

Final Thoughts

Painting your garage can protect your property from damages caused by high humidity, moisture from rain, ultra-violet light rays, and some pests like termites. A fresh coat of paint makes the garage look better, and that makes your property value increase if you are considering selling.

You can hire someone to do the work or do it yourself. Just remember to use only licensed or bonded contractors if you hire someone. If you do the job yourself, be sure to use exterior grade primers and paint, and take your time so you can create a flawless finish.