Exterior Paint Renovation ROI Calculator

Exterior paint is high-impact, moderate-cost upgrade.

Exterior SF

Cost per SF

Rent impact per unit/mo

Units

Lifespan years

Payback months

43.5

Total paint cost

$191,250

Annual rent uplift

$52,800

How the math works

Cost = SF × PSF. Uplift = units × monthly × 12. Payback = cost / uplift × 12.

85k × $2.25 = $191k. 220 × $20 × 12 = $53k uplift. 43 months payback over 7-year life.

How to Use

Enter building SF (exterior).
Enter cost per SF.
Enter rent impact per unit.
Enter units.
Enter lifespan years.
Read ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cost per SF?

Multifamily garden: $1.25-2.75/SF exterior. Urban mid-rise: $2-4/SF. Commercial: $2.50-5/SF. Premium finishes: +50-100%. Prep work (repair, caulking): adds $0.50-1.50/SF. Plan 15-25% for prep in budget.

Impact?

Transformational for tired properties. Marketing photos update dramatically. Rent premium 1-5% common after major paint. Retention boost from prideful residents. Frequently combined with trim/detail work for maximum impact.

Frequency?

Every 5-8 years typical. High-sun climates (AZ, FL, TX): 4-5 years. Northern/shaded: 8-10 years. Budget annually: 12-17% of exterior paint cost per year (amortized life). Skipping saves short-term, costs long-term.

How often should I rerun this?

Rerun this calculator whenever inputs change materially — new rent roll data, rate moves, loan balance updates, or quarterly operating data. For active deals, monthly refresh is typical. For stabilized assets under monitoring, quarterly is fine. Treat the output as a decision tool, not a one-time answer — market conditions evolve and so should your analysis.