Repainting your house exterior: surfaces, preparation and budget

Check each side of the building. Record the material, previous treatment and visible condition before ordering paint or comparing quotes.

Photograph each side and take close-ups of anything uncertain. The images make an enquiry clearer, but do not replace an assessment of damage on site.

Should the cladding be painted or replaced?

Cladding replacement and painting are different tasks. Mark the boards or areas that need assessment instead of ordering the same treatment for the entire house. If replacement is needed, specify how the new timber will be finished. See NLL's cladding replacement service.

For the decision between treatments, see the guide to replacing or painting timber cladding, which compares scope and costs.

Façade area is the area of exterior walls to be treated. Living floor area measures space inside the house, so it cannot be used directly as the area for façade painting.

Record measurements for each side, including gables. Mark windows, doors and other surfaces that will not be painted with the façade. Agree with the contractor how openings, small areas and details are counted in your quote.

For example, a useful description is: “Timber cladding on every side; bargeboards included; windows and doors quoted separately; measurements are provisional.” This defines the work without turning an estimate into a fixed price.

Preparation must suit the surface and the paint system. List the included tasks rather than describing the job only as “painting the house”.

Beckers' timber façade guidance places cleaning and preparation before finishing. Its instructions apply to timber and the system described. Render, brick and previously treated surfaces need assessment on their own terms.

Ask the quote to distinguish preparation of existing surfaces, repairs or replacement, priming and finish coats. Agree how newly discovered damage will be handled and any additional work approved.

Does the entire façade need primer?

The extent of priming depends on the surface, existing treatment and selected paint system. New cladding, exposed timber and previously painted sections are different starting points. Ask the contractor to identify the areas that need priming and the system to be used.

Plan around both the amount of work and the paint system's requirements for surfaces, weather and drying. A calendar month alone does not establish whether a façade can be painted.

Discuss how weather interruptions will affect the work and access to entrances, outdoor areas and windows. Agree an access and protection plan that works while the house is occupied.

Does a colour change need planning permission?

In Sweden, changing the colour of a one- or two-dwelling house generally does not require building permission, but exceptions can apply. Boverket explains the rules and exceptions for façade changes. Check the requirements for your building with the municipality before finalising the colour.

Compare quotes for the same surfaces and tasks. A lower total may cover less preparation or fewer details, so the scope needs to be clear alongside the price.

• Separate labour from paint, other materials and any additional costs.
• Check whether access arrangements, protection and reinstatement are included.
• Specify how repairs and cladding replacement are priced.
• Compare amounts on the same basis, including VAT and before any possible ROT deduction.

The exterior house painting price guide explains the cost components. NLL's price calculator provides an estimate after you select the work and area; the final scope and price must be established in the quote.

Gather the following information before sending an enquiry. Mark an item as complete once it is documented, even when the answer is that an on-site assessment is needed.

NLL provides façade painting in northwestern Skåne. Once the information is gathered, request a quote for the façade work with your location, façade material and the areas that need assessment.

Keep the agreed scope, product names, colour and care instructions together. Record any parts replaced or treated differently. Review the work at handover and note anything requiring follow-up. These records help you plan future maintenance without guessing which coating is on the façade.