Why a same-color repaint is its own job
Keeping a house the color it already is sounds like the simplest painting job there is, and in some ways it is. There's no need to cover a dark color with a light one, so two coats usually do it, and touch-ups blend. But the cost still depends on the condition of the wood and the old paint, and on clapboard that can vary a great deal from wall to wall.
What Sandusky's guidelines say
Under Sandusky's preservation guidelines, repairing existing wood siding or repainting it the same color needs no approval, while new wood, fiber cement, composite, vinyl or aluminum siding goes to Landmark Commission review.
That's the guidelines' own wording, quoted from the source on the fact card. For this guide, the point is that a same-color repaint with repairs to the existing wood is the route the guidelines describe without approval, so the budget for this job goes mainly into preparation and repair. If your plans go beyond repair and same-color paint, the source document is the place to read more.
Line items you'll see on the proposal
A thorough proposal for this job breaks into parts. Here's what each one covers and why it moves the price.
Washing. Clapboard collects dirt, chalk and mildew on its underside lips. Washing, with a mildew cleaner where needed, then drying time before paint, is a day of work on most houses.
Scraping and sanding. Loose paint has to come off every board edge. On clapboard, the bottom lip of each board is where peeling starts, and getting at it means working each course. A house with sound paint and a few failures is far quicker than one with widespread peeling.
Wood repair. Split boards, rotted ends and soft sills turn up once scraping starts. Repairing existing wood siding is the route the guidelines describe for wood, and good repairs, epoxy fills, dutchman patches or matching replacement boards, take carpentry time. Ask how repairs will be priced: a set allowance, a per-board rate or a change order.
Priming. Every bare spot needs primer, and so does any repaired or replaced wood. On a house with a lot of scraping, spot priming can approach a full prime coat.
Caulking. Corner boards, window casings and door trim need sound sealant. The horizontal laps between clapboards should generally stay open so the siding can shed water and dry.
Topcoats. Two coats of exterior acrylic in the existing color is the common specification. A same-color job doesn't need an extra coat for hiding, which helps the total.
Trim and accents. Window sashes, shutters, porch railings, brackets and spindles take far longer per foot than flat clapboard. If trim is a separate color, cutting in adds time too.
Lead-safe work on an older house
Under EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, anyone paid to do work that disturbs paint in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978 must hold RRP certification, firms included, even sole proprietorships, and their workers must be trained in lead-safe work practices.
Scraping and sanding clapboard disturbs paint. For a pre-1978 house, the price includes containment: ground sheeting, closed windows near the work, wet methods where possible, and daily cleanup of chips. Ask whether the firm holds RRP certification and how much of the setup is in the bid.
Height, porches and access
Two-storey walls, gable ends and porch roofs need taller ladders, staging or a lift. Wraparound porches add ceilings, columns and railings. Each changes setup time and, sometimes, equipment rental.
Timing and scheduling
Exterior work needs dry wood and temperatures within the label's range while the paint cures, including overnight. A painter booking in the warm season may price differently from one with a gap in the shoulder season. Ask for a start window rather than a single date, and agree on what happens if rain interrupts.
Making the comparison
Line up proposals by the items above. Our exterior painting page explains each step in more detail, and the pricing guide covers how painters build a total.