Homeowners frequently underestimate the impact—and the expense—of a freshly painted exterior door. A crisp, flawless finish boosts curb appeal, protects the substrate, and signals quality. Yet the cost to paint an exterior door can swing from $120 to $600 depending on materials, labor rates, and prep complexity. This article breaks down every variable from a residential construction perspective and shows how CountBricks turns voice notes into pinpoint estimates in minutes.
Your front door endures sun, rain, foot traffic, and the occasional delivery knock. A durable coating prevents warping and water intrusion while showcasing the homeowner’s style. For contractors, door painting is a quick-turn, high-margin task—when priced correctly.
CountBricks’ residential database captures real-time regional pricing. In most East Coast metros the average single entry door project looks like this:
• Labor: 1.5–3.0 crew hours at $55–$85 per hour
• Materials: $25–$60 for premium exterior enamel or hybrid urethane
• Surface prep supplies: $10–$25 for filler, sandpaper, tape
• Hardware removal/reinstall: 0.25–0.5 hours
Total range: $185 on the lean side to $380 when premium paint and two coats are specified.
• Door type: Wood requires more sanding and sealing than fiberglass.
• Existing condition: Peeling layers or lead paint demand extra prep.
• Color change: Switching from dark to light may need an additional primer coat.
• Weather exposure: Coastal homes benefit from marine-grade finishes.
• Height and access: Raised stoops or storm doors increase setup time.
• Region: Labor in Queens, NY commands higher rates than suburban markets.
1. DIY material outlay: $60–$110 and four to six hours of homeowner labor.
2. Professional finish: Less downtime and warranty coverage.
3. Risk comparison: Pros own sprayers, drying tents, and liability insurance.
Homeowners often choose a pro when the door is solid wood, historically significant, or when tight timelines matter.
CountBricks converts spoken site observations into a line-item estimate:
• You say: “Single 3-0 x 6-8 mahogany entry door, peeling paint, needs two coats and satin polyurethane.”
• Our AI assigns a preset assembly for sanding, priming, finish coats, and hardware masking.
• Material prices pull live from regional suppliers.
• Labor adjusts automatically by ZIP code.
• A branded PDF is ready for client approval, complete with terms and optional add-ons.
Explore the workflow at CountBricks.com/services.
Door: Solid-panel oak
Paint: High-build alkyd enamel, two coats
Prep: Strip existing varnish, spot prime
Estimated crew hours: 2.8 at $82/hr = $230
Materials: $48
Overhead & margin: $92
CountBricks total: $370
The estimate arrives in the homeowner’s inbox 90 seconds after your site visit, boosting close rates and professionalism.
• Opt for quick-dry enamels to reduce door off-hinge time.
• Always back-brush recessed panels to avoid lap marks.
• Record color codes in CountBricks so future touch-ups are seamless.
• Bundle weather-strip replacement in the same visit to upsell an extra $40–$60.
Ready to streamline every exterior door paint job? Create a free demo project at CountBricks.com/consultation and let our AI handle takeoffs, scope language, and invoicing while you stay on site winning the next contract.
When the Lopez family purchased a 1901 brownstone in Astoria, the original pine door was flaking lead-based paint. Safety, preservation, and aesthetics were critical. They hired a local GC who relied on CountBricks for estimating and project tracking.
1. Strip lead paint under containment.
2. Repair two hairline splits with epoxy filler.
3. Prime with shellac-based sealer.
4. Apply two coats low-lustre alkyd in Federal Blue.
5. Replace aged brass kick plate.
• Lead-safe labor rate adjusted automatically, adding a 12 % premium.
• Material prices updated in real time, flagging a $14 savings when a supplier promo triggered.
• Blueprint takeoff confirmed door size, eliminating a potential 1.2 SF error.
The GC secured the job within 24 hours thanks to a detailed, professionally branded proposal. Work concluded in one day with zero change orders. Final invoice matched the original $512 estimate to the dollar, reinforcing homeowner confidence.
• Voice notes are faster than thumb typing—capture every nuance on site.
• Real-time material pricing protects margins during volatile paint seasons.
• Built-in blueprint takeoffs verify dimensions before a crew ever rolls out.
• Clients love seeing line items like “Historic Detail Preservation” spelled out—it justifies premium rates.
Want similar results? Visit CountBricks.com/portfolio for more residential success stories and book a live walkthrough of our estimating dashboard.
