Exterior House Painting Cost in New Orleans, LA (2026 Guide)
Exterior painting on a typical New Orleans shotgun house or raised cottage runs about $4,000 to $9,000, with larger or historic homes costing more. Because of the city's year-round humidity, mildew, and heavy summer rain, choosing the right coating system matters as much as the paint color.
By Jason Green · Interior & Exterior Painting · Published August 13, 2026 · 9 min read
What drives exterior painting cost in New Orleans
Home size, siding material, number of stories, and how much surface prep is needed all affect price, and older wood siding common in the city often needs scraping and priming before painting.
Raised homes with elevated foundations and shotgun houses with narrow side yards can add labor time for ladder work and access.
Why humidity and mildew resistance matter
New Orleans' high humidity and frequent rain create ideal conditions for mildew growth on exterior surfaces, especially on north-facing walls and areas shaded by oak trees.
Coatings with mildewcide additives and 100 percent acrylic formulations resist moisture better than basic latex paint and typically hold up longer between repaints.
Surface prep for humid climates
Pressure washing to remove mildew and algae before painting is essential, and any existing mildew should be treated with a cleaning solution rather than painted over directly.
Allowing adequate drying time between rain events and painting is important, since paint applied to damp wood siding will fail early through blistering or peeling.
Choosing paint for New Orleans conditions
A quality exterior acrylic paint rated for high-humidity climates, paired with a mildew-resistant primer on bare wood, gives the best results on older homes.
For historic homes in local historic districts, exterior color changes may need review by the Historic District Landmarks Commission, so confirm before ordering paint.
Getting a fair exterior painting estimate
Get at least two written estimates that specify surface prep steps, number of coats, and the specific paint product and sheen being used.
Ask painters directly about their experience with mildew treatment and humid-climate coatings, since this affects how long the paint job will last.
Finding a painter for your project
Our New Orleans painting page can help match you with local painters experienced in humidity-resistant coatings and historic home exteriors.
A well-prepped, mildew-resistant paint job on a New Orleans home typically lasts 7 to 10 years before it needs to be redone.
Typical cost ranges
| Exterior painting, small shotgun house | $3,500 - $6,000 |
| Exterior painting, larger or two-story home | $6,500 - $9,500 |
| Pressure washing and mildew treatment | $300 - $800 |
| Wood siding scraping and priming (per section) | $500 - $1,500 |
| Trim and shutter painting | $400 - $1,200 |
| Historic color-matched paint job | $5,500 - $10,000 |
Ranges are general estimates gathered from homeowner-reported quotes, not an offer or a quote for your project.
Common questions
How often should I repaint my home's exterior in New Orleans
Because of the humid climate, most New Orleans homes need repainting every 7 to 10 years, though homes with heavy shade and mildew exposure may need it sooner.
What kind of paint resists mildew best in this climate
A 100 percent acrylic exterior paint with a mildewcide additive, applied over a properly cleaned and primed surface, generally performs best in New Orleans humidity.
Do I need approval to repaint my house if I live in a historic district
If your home is in a local historic district and you are changing the exterior color, you may need Historic District Landmarks Commission review, so check before starting.
Can I paint over existing mildew instead of removing it
No, painting over active mildew will cause the new paint to fail quickly; the surface should be cleaned and treated first.
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