Quick Answer

House Painting Cost in Columbus (2026)

Average cost in Columbus

US$5,300avg

US$3,834 — US$6,764

US$2 — US$6 per sq ft

+6.5% YoY
7 sources
Updated today
Ohio

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Professional painting and prep work

US$3,144 — US$5,546

82%

Materials

Premium paint, primer, and caulk

US$460 — US$812

12%

Equipment

Ladders, sprayers, and scaffolding

US$153 — US$271

4%

Permits & Disposal

Local fees and waste removal

US$77 — US$135

2%

🧾Sales Tax (5.75%) — Ohio
Base cost + $305 tax$5,605

Sales Tax at 5.75%

📋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$3,960

US$3,168 — US$4,752

Based on 7 sources and market data for Columbus. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

🏢Top Painting Contractors in Columbus

Verified providers
🔨

Prim Painting

875 Gray St, Columbus, OH 43201, USA

5.0
★★★★★

742 reviews

🔨

JNG Painting & Decorating LLC

1506 Fishinger Rd, Columbus, OH 43221, USA

5.0
★★★★★

123 reviews

🔨

Fresh Touch Custom Painting

1485 Showcase Dr, Columbus, OH 43212, USA

4.9
★★★★½

339 reviews

🔨

Painter1 of Columbus

2000 W Henderson Rd Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43220, USA

4.9
★★★★½

244 reviews

🔨

Paint & Rollers

747 N James Rd, Columbus, OH 43219, USA

4.9
★★★★½

260 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

Homes in historic districts like German Village or Clintonville often require $0.50 to $0.75 extra per sq ft for specialized prep work, including lead paint mitigation and extensive manual sanding of older wood siding.

Late spring (May) and early fall (September) are the most cost-effective times. Avoiding Columbus's peak summer humidity (often above 70%) and winter freezes ensures better paint adhesion and prevents costly re-dos.

A two-story home typically costs 50% more than a single-story property due to increased labor and equipment needs, with exterior projects for multi-story homes in Columbus averaging between $3,000 and $5,000.

Yes, professional interior and exterior painting in Columbus currently offers a return on investment (ROI) of 50% to 75%, which is a key advantage in the city's competitive housing market.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 7+ 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: today. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.