There is no single fixed rule for how often to repaint a house exterior, since it depends on the surface. As a general guide, render and pebbledash typically need repainting every 7 to 10 years, while painted timber such as windows and fascias needs it more often, usually every 3 to 5 years, because it is more exposed and the wood itself is at risk once the paint fails. A full repaint typically costs around £3,650 for an average house, according to MyJobQuote’s exterior painting cost guide.
Typical repaint intervals by surface
| Surface | Typical interval |
|---|---|
| Render or pebbledash | 7 to 10 years |
| Painted timber (windows, fascias, doors) | 3 to 5 years |
| Previously painted brick or masonry | Similar to render, 7 to 10 years |
These are general guides rather than fixed rules. A south facing wall that takes the brunt of the weather will wear faster than a sheltered one, and the quality of the previous paint job affects how long it lasts more than almost anything else.
Signs it’s overdue, not just the calendar
Age alone is not the best signal, since exposure and paint quality vary so much. Look for:
- Peeling, flaking or blistering paint. Once the paint is physically lifting off the surface, it has stopped protecting it.
- Chalking. If running your hand across the wall leaves a powdery residue on your skin, the paint’s binder is breaking down.
- Damp patches or discolouration, particularly around window frames and where render meets brick, which can mean water is getting behind the paint.
- Cracked or crumbling render, exposing the surface underneath rather than just the paint layer itself.
Any of these mean it is time to repaint regardless of how many years it has actually been.
What it typically costs
For an average two storey, three bedroom house, a full exterior repaint costs around £3,650, or roughly £20 to £40 per square metre. Larger or more complex properties, with more trim, higher walls needing scaffolding, or extensive prep work to fix damaged render first, can run from around £1,200 at the smallest end up to £7,700 or more.
Best time of year to do it
Spring through to early autumn gives the most reliable results in the UK, on a dry, mild day rather than during a heatwave or a damp spell. Avoid painting in direct hot sun, which can cause the paint to dry too fast and crack, high humidity, which slows curing, or when rain is forecast within 24 hours. Most exterior paints need a minimum of around 8 to 10 degrees Celsius to cure properly, so very early spring or late autumn is often too cold even on a dry day.
Hiring a painter and decorator
Prep work matters more than the paint itself. A good painter and decorator will properly wash down, scrape back and treat any damaged render or timber before a single coat goes on, since paint applied over a poorly prepared surface fails far sooner regardless of quality. Look for membership of the Painting & Decorating Association, and we apply the same checks when we build our Top 5 lists, so a page for your town is a quick way to shortlist decorators who already meet that bar.
Frequently asked questions
How often should render or pebbledash be repainted?
As a general guide, render and pebbledash finished with masonry paint typically need repainting every 7 to 10 years, though a sheltered wall can go longer and an exposed or coastal one may need it closer to every 8 years. The paint itself, not the render underneath, is usually what is wearing out.
How often do painted timber windows and fascias need repainting?
Painted timber is more exposed to the weather and typically needs repainting every 3 to 5 years to keep the wood properly protected. Leaving it too long risks the timber itself starting to rot underneath the paint, which is a far more expensive repair than a repaint.
How much does it cost to repaint a house exterior?
According to MyJobQuote's exterior painting cost guide, the average cost to repaint a typical two storey, three bedroom house is around £3,650, or roughly £20 to £40 per square metre. Larger properties can run from £1,200 at the low end up to £7,700 or more.
What's the best time of year to paint a house exterior in the UK?
Spring through to early autumn, on a dry, mild day, gives paint the best chance to cure properly. Avoid painting in direct hot sun, high humidity, or when rain is forecast within 24 hours, and check the specific paint's minimum application temperature, since most exterior paints need at least 8 to 10 degrees Celsius to cure correctly.
About the author
Stu Clark
Stu spent over 15 years in the trades, working as a plumber before running his own plumbing and bathroom renovation company with a team of eight. He founded Top5Trades to give homeowners the kind of shortlist and straight advice you would get from someone who has actually done the work. More about us →