Why trim needs attention first
Sills, sashes, fascia boards, porch brackets and door surrounds catch more rain and sun than flat siding. Decorative trim has many edges and joints where water can sit. On older homes in the village, these pieces often start peeling and rotting well before the siding does.
What the work involves
Trim painting is close, careful brush work. The painter scrapes and sands narrow surfaces, fills cracks, consolidates or replaces rotted wood, reglazes or caulks windows where needed, primes and applies finish coats. Fascia and high brackets need tall ladders or staging.
- Window sills, sashes and casings
- Porch brackets, spindles and columns
- Fascia, soffits and rake boards
- Corner boards and door surrounds
- Individual siding sections
Repair before paint
Small areas of rot can be patched with epoxy wood filler, while badly damaged pieces should be replaced. Matching an old profile may take a custom piece of trim. Ask how repairs are priced, whether per piece, by the hour or as an allowance.
Doing one side at a time
If one elevation takes most of the weather, it can make sense to paint only that side. New paint will look slightly different from older paint, so end at natural breaks such as corner boards.
Old paint on old trim
Trim tends to hold the oldest paint layers. On pre-1978 homes, federal rules require paid contractors who disturb it to be EPA Lead-Safe Certified firms and to contain chips and dust. Ask about this before work starts.
Gutters and the roofline
Fascia and soffits sit right behind the gutters, so clogged or leaking gutters are a common cause of peeling and rot along the roofline. Before the trim is repainted, have the gutters cleaned and check that downspouts carry water away from the house. Some painters will also paint gutters and downspouts to match the trim. Ask whether that is included or priced separately, and whether any gutter repairs are part of the job.
Typical trim and siding costs
Published ranges from This Old House.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Trim, per linear ft | $4.25 to $8.25 |
| Fascia, per linear ft | $4.50 to $8.50 |
| Soffits, per sq ft | $5.00 to $9.75 |
| Garage, per sq ft | $2.00 to $3.75 |
| Wood siding, per sq ft | $1.70 to $3.60 |
National ranges from the published sources below, shown as a guide only. They are not quotes, and older homes in the lower Hudson Valley often cost more to paint.
Questions homeowners ask
Can decorative brackets be repaired?
Often yes. Small damage can be patched with epoxy, and missing pieces can be copied by a carpenter. Ask the painter what they recommend.
Is a trim-only job worth it?
Yes, for many homes. It protects the most vulnerable wood and keeps the house looking cared for between full repaints.
Will my windows still open after painting?
They should. A careful painter cuts the paint lines and works the sashes so they do not stick.
Can a new color be used on the trim alone?
Yes. Changing only the trim color is a simple way to update an older house. Ask the painter to brush a sample on a section of trim so you can see it against the siding in daylight.
Other services
House painting
Full repaints for historic and newer homes alike.
Exterior house painting
Siding, porches, sashes and trim on older homes.
Interior painting
Plaster walls, ceilings, trim and doors.
Kitchen cabinet painting
Paint solid cabinets instead of replacing them.
Deck and fence staining
Clean and stain decks, porches, rails and fences.
Wallpaper removal
Strip old paper and prepare walls for paint.