Last updated: October 27, 2026
Yes, you can give your Waukee home a new exterior color, and late fall is a good time to start on it. The painting has to wait for the right weather, but picking colors, checking HOA rules, deciding what gets painted and getting a written quote can all happen over the winter. Get those done now and you're ready when spring weather opens up. We do exterior walkthroughs and quotes over the winter and book spring exterior jobs ahead, with start dates set by the weather.
What did a real Waukee color change look like?
In early September 2026, we repainted a two-story home in Waukee. The siding went from a pale cream to a soft sage green, and the trim stayed in a tan-brown tone. The stacked stone and the brown shingle roof didn't change, so the new green had to look right next to both of them.
We repainted the body and trim of the house, plus the body of the backyard shed. The homeowner chose to keep the dark gutters and downspouts as they were, so we taped them off and painted around them. You can see them in the photos, still dark against the new green.
Is it too late to paint the outside of my house this year?
It depends on the weather, and the window is closing. In Des Moines, average highs drop from about 57°F on November 1 to about 42°F by the end of the month, and average lows fall below freezing. Some exterior paints are rated for cool weather (Sherwin-Williams lists its Duration Exterior for application down to 35°F), but the siding also has to be dry, and cold nights slow drying.
We cover the weather side in more detail in Is October Too Late to Paint Outside in Iowa? If the season runs out on you, use the winter to plan.
What should I decide before I ask for a quote?
The more you know going in, the clearer your written quote will be. Think through these:
- Colors: the body, the trim, and any accent like the front door or shutters.
- What's in and what's out: gutters and downspouts, garage door, front door, a shed, the deck. At this Waukee home, the gutters stayed dark, and we painted the body of the shed but not its trim. Small calls like that belong in your written quote.
- What isn't changing: the roof, stone or brick, and window frames. Your new colors have to live next to all of them.
- HOA approval: if your neighborhood has covenants or an HOA, find out what it needs from you.
How do I pick an exterior color in the winter?
We're glad to help with colors, but color is personal. You're the one pulling into the driveway every day, so take your time with it.
- Drive around Waukee and take pictures of houses you like. If you see an owner outside, ask what the color is.
- Pick up samples. There's a Sherwin-Williams store in Waukee. Paint large sample boards rather than small patches, so you can move them around.
- Hold the boards against the siding on more than one side of the house, in the morning and late in the day. Winter light is lower and grayer than summer light, so check again on a sunny day before you decide.
- Look at your samples next to the roof and the stone, not just the siding.
Does my Waukee HOA need to approve a new house color?
Many neighborhoods have covenants or an HOA that reviews exterior color changes, and the rules vary. Read your covenants or ask your HOA before you settle on a final color, and leave time for the approval to come back. Winter gives you that time without holding up a spring start.
The City of Waukee's building permit page lists projects like decks, fences and facade improvements. It doesn't mention repainting. If you're also replacing siding or changing the front of the house, call the city's building office first.
Does a color change take more coats of paint?
It can. The number of coats depends on the color: how far the new color is from the old one, and how well it covers. We look at your current color and the new one during the walkthrough.
What happens when you're ready?
- We come out for a free walkthrough and look at the house with you.
- You get a written quote that lists the scope, usually the same day or the next day.
- We use Sherwin-Williams paints, and our work comes with a 1-year workmanship warranty. We're Licensed & Insured.
Mission Painting is a family-owned, mother-and-son company based in Ankeny, and we paint homes across Central Iowa, including Waukee. See more on our exterior painting page, our Waukee painters page, or another color change we did on an Urbandale exterior.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go from a light color to a darker one?
Yes. The Waukee home in this post went from pale cream to sage green. How many coats it takes depends on the colors involved.
Should my gutters be painted to match?
That's your call. On our Waukee job, the homeowner kept the dark gutters and downspouts, and we taped them off. Tell us on the walkthrough so it's in your written quote.
Do I need a permit to repaint my house in Waukee?
The city's building permit page doesn't list repainting, but it does list facade improvements. If you're changing more than paint, check with the city first.
Will you choose the color for me?
We can help you narrow it down, but color is personal, and the final pick is yours.
What paint do you use?
Sherwin-Williams. We talk through the options for your house during the walkthrough.
How do I get started?
Request a free quote at mission-painting.com/quote or call 515-635-1177.
Thinking about a new color for spring? Request your free walkthrough or call 515-635-1177.
Serving Central Iowa.