Blog › Aug 20, 2026 · 8 min read
Miami already has a guide for condo / HOA exterior painting. This page is the complementary question: paint house exterior cost South Florida when you own a single-family or townhome fighting humidity, mildew, and salt air — not a tower board package.
Key takeaways
- Exterior planning rates (calculator): $2.25–$3.75/sq ft by coating grade
- House exterior soft-wash: $299 per story (services menu)
- Humidity + salt mean prep often costs as much as the color coat
- Elastomeric is optional — useful for crack-prone stucco, not automatic upsell
- Large qualifying jobs may use the $0.99/sq ft Special (3,000+ sq ft)
Exterior house painting cost — South Florida humidity table
| Item | Gold Hands / published planning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior standard acrylic | ~ $2.25 / sq ft | Calculator planning rate |
| Exterior premium 2-coat | ~ $2.75 / sq ft | Better film build for sun |
| Hurricane elastomeric | ~ $3.75 / sq ft | Thicker membrane; exterior only |
| House soft-wash (per story) | $299 | Pressure-washing menu |
| Typical market band (non-promo) | $1.50–$5.00 / sq ft | Published on Specials as typical range |
Humidity & salt air — what we actually fight
- Mildew film: north and shaded elevations in Coral Gables, Kendall, Plantation
- Chalking: UV breaks binder; new paint won’t stick until chalk is washed off
- Salt spray: Sunny Isles, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne — shorter coating life if you cheap out
- Hairline stucco cracks: common after thermal cycling; may need elastomeric or crack detail
- Short dry windows: afternoon storms force smart scheduling, not rushed wet-on-wet coats
Recommendations
- Budget soft-wash separately if the house is green or chalky — paint alone will peel
- Photograph each elevation in daylight; note second-story access limits
- Ask whether soffits, fascia, shutters, and garage door are in scope
- For towers / associations, use the condo HOA guide instead
- Call (786) 788-8714 or open the calculator for a first pass
Related reading
Painting hub · whole-house estimate · condo / HOA exterior · pressure washing · soft-wash service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does exterior house painting cost in South Florida?
Use planning rates around $2.25/sq ft (standard), $2.75/sq ft (premium 2-coat), or $3.75/sq ft (hurricane elastomeric) on our painting calculator — then add soft-wash and repairs. Soft-wash of a house exterior is $299 per story on our pressure-washing menu. Final price is a free written estimate after we see stucco condition and height.
Why does humidity and salt air raise exterior paint cost?
South Florida humidity feeds mildew; coastal salt air accelerates chalking and adhesion failure on cheap coatings. Honest jobs include soft-wash, scrape of failed film, and coatings rated for Florida sun — not a single dry-day roll over dirt.
Is this the same as condo / HOA exterior painting?
No. Condo/HOA buildings often need association approval, shared elevations, and building schedules. See our separate condo/HOA exterior painting guide. This article focuses on single-family and townhome exteriors (stucco, trim, second stories).
Do I need elastomeric paint after a hurricane season?
Not always. Elastomeric helps bridge hairline stucco cracks and adds a thicker weather membrane — our calculator rates it near $3.75/sq ft painted area. Many homes do fine with premium acrylic after proper prep. We recommend elastomeric when crack patterns and exposure justify it.
Should I pressure wash before exterior paint?
Yes for most Miami exteriors — mildew and chalk must come off first. Our soft-wash for house exterior is $299 per story. Aggressive high-pressure on soft stucco can damage the surface; we use softer methods on painted siding/stucco.
Need a painting estimate in Miami?
Gold Hands Miami — insured & bonded painting crews, free written quotes. Call (786) 788-8714.
Call (786) 788-8714