Small surfaces, big labor
Trim and windows make up a small share of a house's painted area but a large share of the painting time. Every sash has muntins, glass edges and corners; every sill sits flat and catches water; every run of fascia and corner board has two edges to cut in. That's why a trim-only job can cost more than people expect, and why bids for it vary. This guide goes through the pieces. It gives no prices.
What the Dover station records
NOAA's engineering weather data for Dover Air Force Base list about 51 freeze-thaw cycles in an average year, a 100-year rainfall rate of 3.0 inches per hour, and a 50-year basic wind speed of 100 mph (3-second gust at 33 feet).
On trim, freeze-thaw and wind-driven rain show up first at joints, the bottom rails of sashes, and sills. Water that gets into end grain or a cracked joint can freeze and widen it. Paint there has to keep water out, and the joints under it have to be sound.
Counting the work
Windows
Painters usually price windows by the unit, adjusted for type and size. A double-hung window with divided lites takes far longer than a single pane. Ask whether the price covers the sashes, the frame, the casing and the sill, and whether both upper and lower sashes are painted.
Sills
Sills take the most weather. Weathered or split sills may need filling with epoxy wood filler or a new section before paint. Ask how sill repairs are priced: per sill, by the hour, or by the material.
Trim runs
Fascia, soffits, rakes, corner boards and frieze boards are usually priced by the length. High rakes and gables add ladder or lift time.
Doors
Exterior doors and their frames, plus garage door trim, are often listed separately.
Preparation
- Scraping and sanding loose paint back to a firm, feathered edge.
- Glazing putty on old wood sashes: cracked or missing putty should be replaced and allowed to skin over before painting, which can add days.
- Repairing joints and filling cracks.
- Priming all bare wood and repairs.
- Caulking joints between trim and siding after priming; not the bottom edges of sashes or gaps meant to drain.
- Masking glass, or scraping paint off the glass after painting with a razor.
Our exterior painting page describes these steps in more detail.
Delaware's lead program
Scraping and sanding old sashes and sills disturbs paint. The Delaware Division of Public Health says Delaware runs its own lead Renovation, Repair and Painting program, the first state in EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region III to do so; the division's credential is required for renovations disturbing more than six square feet of painted surface in a room in homes built before 1978, and it is valid for five years. EPA's own list of states with EPA-authorized programs includes Delaware.
Lead-safe work on trim involves containment on the ground, misting and careful scraping, and thorough cleanup, all of which add labor. If your home was built before 1978, ask the painter about the Division of Public Health credential before work starts.
Access and protection
Second-storey windows and high trim mean extension ladders, planks or a lift. Shrubs below windows need covering or tying back. Some windows can be painted from inside if the sashes tilt in, which can make upper sashes cheaper to reach.
Product choice
Exterior trim usually takes a satin or semi-gloss finish, which sheds water and cleans easily. Primers for bare wood, and for knots or stains, are chosen separately. Our sheens guide covers the options.
Comparing quotes
Check each quote for:
- the number of windows, by type, and what's included on each;
- sill repairs, priced clearly;
- glazing work;
- trim runs listed by area;
- the lead-safe setup and cleanup;
- primer, finish product and number of coats;
- access equipment.
Our pricing guide explains other reasons painters price trim differently.