Exterior Painting right here in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Siding, trim, doors, and full-home exterior repaints — engineered to hold up to Dorchester's freeze-thaw cycles, summer UV, and driving rain.
Exterior repaints for Dorchester homes — engineered for New England winters.
Dorchester is one of Boston's largest and most architecturally diverse neighborhoods — triple-deckers blanket Savin Hill and Fields Corner, restored Victorian two-families dominate Ashmont and Lower Mills, classic three-deckers ring Codman Square, and condo conversions are growing through every commercial corridor. Most exterior repaints we run here are tenant-occupied rentals or owner-occupied multi-families.
What our Dorchester exterior process includes
- Soft-wash or pressure-wash with mildew killer to clear chalking, dirt, and biological growth.
- Scrape and sand any failing paint to sound substrate.
- Spot-prime bare wood with oil-bonding primer; stain-block where needed.
- Caulk every joint — failing caulk is replaced with siliconized acrylic.
- Two finish coats of Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior on wood, Sherwin-Williams Duration on vinyl/composite.
Dorchester-specific exterior considerations
Dorchester's pre-1940 housing stock is overwhelmingly lead-paint era; EPA RRP containment is non-negotiable on every interior or exterior project, and we document compliance on the estimate. We schedule Dorchester exteriors mid-May through mid-October when temperature and humidity support proper paint cure. Pair an exterior with our deck staining in Dorchester for a coordinated outdoor refresh.
Typical Massachusetts market pricing for Dorchester-area exterior painting
Exterior repaints in Dorchester, MA range from $3,500 to $28,000. Home size is the biggest variable; substrate (wood, vinyl, composite, brick) and prep depth are next. The ranges below reflect typical 2025–2026 Massachusetts contractor market pricing for licensed crews doing soft-wash, scrape and sand, spot-prime bare wood, full caulking, two coats of premium paint (Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior, Sherwin-Williams Duration), and a written workmanship warranty. Lead-safe (EPA RRP) work on pre-1978 homes typically adds 10-20%. AJ Painting prices each project individually after a free on-site walk-around — these market ranges are educational, not an AJ quote.
Typical cost ranges
| Project | Dorchester cost range |
|---|---|
| Small home (<1,500 sqft) | $3,500 – $6,500 |
| Medium home (1,500–2,500 sqft) | $6,500 – $12,000 |
| Large home (2,500–3,500 sqft) | $11,000 – $18,000 |
| Extra-large (3,500+ sqft) | $16,000 – $28,000 |
| Trim + doors only refresh | $2,500 – $5,500 |
What pushes the Dorchester price up or down
- Substrate — wood is most prep-heavy; vinyl + composite are fastest
- Prep depth — light wash vs scrape-back-to-substrate is 30%+ difference
- Elevation count — 2-story vs 3-story adds ladder + staging time
- Brick / stucco — paintable but require specific primer + 1.5x labor
- EPA RRP (pre-1978 lead-safe) — adds 10-20%, line-itemed separately
- Color change vs same-color refresh — 1 extra coat if going dramatically different
These ranges reflect typical 2025–2026 Massachusetts contractor market pricing for Dorchester and the surrounding Metro West area — not an AJ Painting quote. Every project is priced individually based on the specific home. Get a free written quote from a free on-site walk-around — see contact or call (508) 258-4325.
Answers from Dorchester homeowners.
Can you paint a Dorchester triple-decker exterior with all three units tenanted?
Yes. Three-unit tenanted triple-decker repaints are routine for us — written notice to each unit one week ahead, scheduled access windows, dust containment between floors, and staged exterior work so no tenant loses access to their entry, mailbox, or porch for more than half a day.
What does an exterior repaint cost in Dorchester?
Cost depends on home size, substrate (wood, vinyl, composite, brick), prep needed, and elevation count. Every project starts with a free on-site walk-around and a written line-itemized quote.
How long does an exterior paint job take in Dorchester?
Typical Dorchester exterior repaints run 5–10 working days depending on size, weather windows, and prep depth. We commit to a written timeline before mobilizing.
Which exterior paint brand do you specify?
Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior on wood for best color retention, Sherwin-Williams Duration on vinyl and composite for substrate flex. Both carry long workmanship guarantees.
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior in Dorchester, MA?
Exterior repaints in Dorchester run $3,500-28,000. Medium 1,500-2,500 sqft homes are $6,500-12,000; large 2,500-3,500 sqft are $11,000-18,000. Wood siding costs more than vinyl (more prep), and 3-story homes add staging time. Pre-1978 homes need EPA RRP lead-safe practices — adds 10-20%.
Why does exterior paint cost more than interior?
Exterior work has 2x the prep (pressure-wash, scrape failing paint, sand, prime bare wood, replace caulk), ladders/staging instead of step stools, and weather-window scheduling (no painting if humidity >70% or rain within 24h). Plus premium exterior paint (Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior, ~$110/gal) costs more than interior paint. Net result is typically 2-3x the per-sqft cost of interior.
How long does an exterior repaint last in Dorchester, MA?
Wood siding with proper prep: 8-12 years before the next full repaint. Vinyl and composite: 10-15+ years. AJ Painting carries a written workmanship warranty — exact terms (coverage, duration, exclusions) are confirmed in writing on every signed estimate before work begins. Beyond that, normal weathering (UV fade, minor caulk maintenance) is expected — that's where touch-ups or spot-repaints make sense, not a full repaint.
Can a painter give a quote over the phone?
Reputable Massachusetts painters can share a ballpark range on the phone after asking about home size, substrate, and year built — useful for budget planning. But a line-itemed written quote requires a 20-minute on-site walk-around to spot rotted boards, failing caulk, lead-paint indicators, and the elevation count. AJ Painting's on-site visit is free with no obligation, and the written quote arrives within 48 hours.
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