A trim-only repaint
Sometimes the walls are fine but the trim isn't. Fascia boards, window frames, sills and door casings take the brunt of weather and usually fail first. A trim-only repaint can freshen a house and protect the wood without the cost of a full exterior. It's also detailed, slow work, priced very differently from walls. Here's what moves the price. We don't publish figures.
Measuring trim
Trim is usually priced by the linear foot or by the piece. List what you have:
- fascia along every roofline, including gable rakes;
- soffits, if they're being painted, and any vents in them;
- window frames, sills, aprons and any shutters;
- door casings, thresholds and the doors themselves;
- corner boards, band boards and decorative brackets;
- garage door trim and the garage door, if included.
Second-storey fascia and gable peaks need taller ladders or staging, which adds time.
Weather records for the station
NOAA's engineering weather data for Grand Junction lists a 50-year basic wind speed of 90 mph (3-second gust at 33 feet), a 100-year rainfall rate of 1.5 inches per hour and about 95 freeze-thaw cycles in an average year. In an average year at Grand Junction, NOAA counts about 0 hours with the wet-bulb temperature above 73°F and about 12 hours above 67°F.
Two practical points follow for trim. First, joints and end grain are where repeated freezing does its work, so the preparation budget goes there. Second, with few hours of warm, moist air in the station's record, paint on narrow trim can set fast; the painter has to keep a wet edge along each board to avoid lap marks.
Joints, end grain and repairs
Expect a careful trim proposal to include:
- removing cracked caulk at every joint and recaulking with a flexible, paintable sealant;
- sealing the end grain of sills, rake boards and cut ends;
- filling checks and splits, or replacing boards that are soft;
- resetting nails that have backed out;
- replacing damaged sections of fascia, which may involve removing and refitting gutters.
Wood replacement and gutter removal are often priced separately. Ask how unexpected rot will be handled.
Window frames and sash
Older wood windows add detail work: loose or missing glazing putty must be replaced and allowed to skin over before painting, and paint lines on the glass need to be crisp, with a slight overlap to seal the edge. Each sash takes time. Vinyl or metal-clad windows usually aren't painted at all; check before including them.
Primer and finish
Bare and repaired wood needs a good exterior primer. The topcoat is usually an exterior acrylic enamel in satin or semi-gloss, which sheds water and dirt better than a flat. A big color change may need an extra coat. Our paint sheens guide explains the choice.
Masking and protection
Trim work means masking glass, siding edges, roofing and hardware. Crisp cut lines by hand take skill and time; spraying trim is quick but requires extensive masking. Plants, walkways and cars below need covering, especially when scraping.
Working days
Wind blows grit into wet enamel, so painters often avoid spraying trim on windy days. Cold mornings and evenings limit the hours a coat can go on. A proposal should say how the painter works around lost days.
Getting quotes you can compare
- Which trim pieces are included, and which aren't?
- What caulking, filling and wood repair is planned?
- Will windows be reglazed?
- What primer and enamel, how many coats?
- Brushed or sprayed, and what will be masked?
Our exterior painting page and pricing guide explain more.