Quick Answer

House Painting Cost in Houston (2026)

Average cost in Houston

US$6,126avg

US$3,500 — US$9,500

US$2 — US$5 per sq ft

+3.8% YoY
12 sources
Updated 2 weeks ago
Greater Houston

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Professional application and setup

US$2,100 — US$5,700

60%

Materials

Premium paint and supplies

US$700 — US$1,900

20%

Surface Prep

Power washing, scraping, and caulking

US$525 — US$1,425

15%

Overhead & Permits

Insurance and local fees

US$175 — US$475

5%

🧾Sales Tax (6.25%) — Texas
Base cost + $383 tax$6,509

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$4,050

US$3,240 — US$4,860

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

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$5,901

Today

US$6,126

House Painting in Houston is 3.8% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$224 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 Houston

Verified providers
🔨

Prime House Painting

1105 Studer St, Houston, TX 77007, USA

5.0
★★★★★

215 reviews

🔨

CertaPro Painters of Central & Northeast Houston

8584 Katy Fwy #305, Houston, TX 77024, USA

4.9
★★★★½

533 reviews

🔨

That 1 Painter Houston

7102 W Sam Houston Pkwy N Ste 224, Houston, TX 77040, USA

4.9
★★★★½

220 reviews

🔨

Liberty Painting - Houston, TX

5210 Spruce St, Bellaire, TX 77401, USA

4.8
★★★★½

245 reviews

🔨

Mendoza’s Painting & More LLC

16855 Anna Green St, Houston, TX 77084, USA

4.8
★★★★½

110 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

High humidity requires specialized mildewcide additives and extended drying times between coats. In 2026, this typically adds $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot to the preparation phase to ensure proper adhesion.

A standard 2,000 sq ft two-story home in Houston costs between $5,500 and $9,500. The 30-50% premium over single-story homes accounts for extension ladders, scaffolding, and increased safety labor.

Late fall (October-November) and early spring (March-April) are the most cost-effective times. Painting during these windows avoids the 90%+ summer humidity and extreme heat that can cause paint to bubble or fail prematurely.

Hardie board, common in Houston's newer construction, costs $1.75 to $3.25 per square foot to paint. It is generally more affordable than wood ($2.00-$3.75) because it requires less intensive scraping and sanding.

📊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.