How much should I budget for a complete exterior paint job on a bungalow in Fredericton?

A complete exterior paint job on a bungalow in Fredericton typically runs $4,000-$7,000 for a professional job including prep, primer where needed, and two coats of a quality 100% acrylic latex exterior paint.

That range accounts for significant variables: the size of the bungalow (a 900 sq ft footprint bungalow is very different from a 1,400 sq ft one), the condition of the existing paint, the type of siding (smooth wood, clapboard, cedar shingles, or stucco all require different techniques and materials), and the complexity of the trim, soffits, and fascia. A bungalow with decorative trim, multiple gable ends, and a wraparound porch will cost considerably more than a plain box with minimal trim.

Surface condition is the biggest variable. If the existing paint is in good shape -- no peeling, no bare wood, just faded -- prep is relatively quick and the job comes in at the lower end of the range. If there is significant peeling, bare wood, previous bad paint jobs, or wood rot that needs repair, prep labour alone can add $500-$1,500 to the quote. In Fredericton, homes that face south and west along the Saint John River corridor get heavy UV exposure and often show more paint breakdown than the same-age home on a sheltered lot. North-facing walls in shaded yards frequently get mildew and algae growth that adds a cleaning and treatment step.

For a bungalow in Fredericton, budget for quality materials. A 100% acrylic latex exterior paint is non-negotiable for NB's climate -- it needs to handle 100+ freeze-thaw cycles per year, resist the heavy spring rains and fall humidity, and stay flexible enough not to crack. Premium products like Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior or Sherwin-Williams Duration typically run $65-$80 per gallon. A bungalow will use 8-15 gallons of body colour plus primer and trim paint, putting materials alone at $700-$1,500. Labour makes up the majority of the cost.

Timing matters for Fredericton specifically. The reliable exterior painting season is mid-May through mid-October. Fredericton's inland location means it gets hotter summers than coastal NB -- ideal for exterior painting -- but also colder springs and falls. September is often the best month for exterior work in Fredericton: lower humidity, cooler temperatures (paints level beautifully in 15-22 degrees C weather), and fewer insects landing in wet paint.

Get three quotes and compare scope carefully. Ask each painter exactly what prep they are doing: will they scrape all loose paint? Caulk all gaps around windows, doors, and trim? Prime bare wood? Apply one coat or two? A quote that comes in at $2,800 may be one coat with minimal prep. On a Fredericton bungalow, where freeze-thaw cycles will test every weak point in the paint job, proper prep and two coats are worth paying for.

---

Find a Painting Contractor

New Brunswick Painting helps you find local painting professionals through the New Brunswick Construction Network:

• Expressions Painting ✓
• Loves Painting Ltd. ✓
• Worry No More Handyman Service ✓
• Worry No More Handyman Services ✓