Where trim fails first
Window sills, fascia boards behind gutters, porch railings and the bottoms of door casings hold water longer than flat siding. On Tudor houses, exposed timbers and window surrounds take direct weather too. These are usually the first places to peel, crack or rot, and repainting them on time protects the wood underneath.
What a trim job includes
Trim painting is slow, detailed brush work. The painter scrapes and sands narrow surfaces, fills cracks, cuts out and replaces rotted sections, recaulks joints, primes and applies finish coats. Fascia and soffits often need tall ladders or staging.
- Window sills, sashes and casings
- Fascia, soffits and rake boards
- Corner boards and door surrounds
- Half-timbering and decorative trim
- Single elevations of siding
Repainting part of the siding
When one side of the house takes most of the weather, it can make sense to repaint just that elevation. New paint may look a little different from older paint nearby, so plan the edges at natural breaks such as corner boards.
Repairs
Small areas of rot can be patched with epoxy filler, while larger damage calls for replacement boards. Ask how repairs will be priced, either per piece, per hour or as an allowance, so the final bill matches the estimate.
Old paint on trim
Trim on pre-1978 houses usually carries the oldest layers of paint. Federal rules require paid contractors who disturb it to be EPA Lead-Safe Certified firms and to contain dust and chips. Ask about this before the work starts.
Gutters, fascia and water
Fascia boards sit right behind the gutters, so clogged or sagging gutters often cause peeling and rot along the roofline. Before trim is repainted, it is worth cleaning the gutters and checking that they drain away from the house. Some painters will also paint gutters and downspouts to match the trim. Ask whether that is included or priced separately in the estimate, and whether gutter repairs are part of the job.
Trim and siding cost ranges
Published ranges from This Old House.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Trim, per linear ft | $4.25 to $8.25 |
| Gutters, per linear ft | $3.00 to $5.75 |
| Soffits, per sq ft | $5.00 to $9.75 |
| Exterior door, each | $165 to $330 |
| Vinyl siding, per sq ft | $2.80 to $5.20 |
These are published national figures, not quotes. Expect Harrison and southern Westchester prices to sit toward the upper end or above.
Questions homeowners ask
How do I know if trim is rotted?
Press a screwdriver gently into the wood. If it sinks in easily, the wood is soft. Painters check sills, fascia and the bottoms of casings first.
Can vinyl siding be painted?
Yes, with paints made for vinyl and colors that will not absorb too much heat. Ask the painter about color limits.
Is trim painting worth doing alone?
Often, yes. It protects the most exposed wood and refreshes the look of the house at a lower cost than a full repaint.
Can the painter replace a few siding boards?
Many painters handle small siding and trim replacements as part of the prep. For larger sections, they may bring in a carpenter. Ask how replacements are priced in the estimate.
Other services
House painting
Full repaints for colonials, Tudors and two-family homes.
Exterior painting
Siding, stucco, trim and doors, with proper prep.
Interior painting
Rooms, ceilings, trim and doors, start to finish.
Cabinet painting
Kitchen and bath cabinets painted instead of replaced.
Deck and fence staining
Clean, stain and seal decks, rails and fences.
Wallpaper removal
Remove old wallpaper and get walls ready for paint.