Quick Answer

House Painting Cost in Chicago (2026)

Average cost in Chicago

US$10,750avg

US$4,500 — US$18,500

US$3 — US$6 per sq ft

+3.8% YoY
12 sources
Updated 2 weeks ago
Chicagoland

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Professional painting crew wages

US$2,925 — US$12,025

65%

Materials

Premium paint, primer, and supplies

US$675 — US$2,775

15%

Prep Work

Scraping, sanding, and caulking

US$540 — US$2,220

12%

Equipment

Scaffolding and ladder rentals

US$225 — US$925

5%

Disposal & Cleanup

Waste removal and site cleaning

US$135 — US$555

3%

🧾Sales Tax (6.25%) — Illinois
Base cost + $672 tax$11,422

Sales Tax at 6.25%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically Includes

  • Interior or exterior paint (2 coats)
  • Primer
  • Surface preparation (sanding, patching)
  • Trim painting
  • Masking & protection
  • Cleanup

Typically Excludes

  • Wallpaper removal
  • Extensive repairs (drywall, siding)
  • Lead paint abatement
  • Specialty finishes (faux, texture)
  • Deck or fence staining

Based on painting a standard 1,500 sq ft home exterior or 3-4 rooms interior.

🧮Estimate Your Cost

Interactive

Estimated Cost

US$4,725

US$3,780 — US$5,670

Based on 12 sources and market data for Chicago. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$10,356

Today

US$10,750

House Painting in Chicago is 3.8% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$394 more on the average project.

Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.

🏢Top Painting Contractors in Chicago

Verified providers
🔨

Windy City Painters

2101 W Rice St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA

5.0
★★★★★

136 reviews

🔨

North Shore Painting & Restoration

3432 W Diversey Ave Ste 210, Chicago, IL 60647, USA

5.0
★★★★★

134 reviews

🔨

Artisons Painting And Remodeling Hinsdale Painters IL

4143 Eberly Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA

5.0
★★★★★

147 reviews

🔨

Improovy Painters Chicago

1255 N Greenview Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, USA

4.9
★★★★½

371 reviews

🔨

CertaPro Painters of Oak Park/Chicago Central, IL

1939 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA

4.8
★★★★½

291 reviews

Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.

💬What People Actually Paid

Community

Common Questions

Generally, no. Chicago building codes exempt cosmetic work like painting from permit requirements, resulting in a $0 permit fee for standard residential projects.

Chicago's short painting season (late May to early October) creates high demand, often increasing labor rates by 10-15% during peak months compared to off-season interior work.

In 2026, painting a standard 12x12 room in Chicago typically ranges from $800 to $2,500, depending on ceiling height and the amount of trim work required.

Yes. Homes built before 1978 (common in Chicago) often require lead paint testing and specialized prep, which can add $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot to the total estimate.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 5+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 2 weeks ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.

About this data

Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.

Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.