House Painting Cost in Houston (2026)
Average cost in Houston
$3,500 – $15,000
$2 – $5 per sq ft
In Houston, the average is $8,005 and most projects cost between $3,500 and $15,000, or about $2 – $5 per sq ft. Prices are before tax and based on 9 sources.
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedProfessional application and surface prep
42%
Premium paint, primer, and supplies
26%
Insurance, licensing, and equipment
15%
Business profit and warranty coverage
17%
Sales Tax at 6.25%
📋What's Included
ScopeTypically 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 project
LiveYour estimate in Houston
Likely range $3,602 – $15,001
- Labor42%$3,362
- Materials26%$2,081
- Overhead15%$1,201
- Contractor Margin17%$1,361
Interior only
$8,005
Exterior only
$11,207
Interior + Exterior
$17,610
Calibrated to 9 researched sources for Houston. Before tax. Real quotes vary with site conditions.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
$7,516
Today
$8,005
House Painting in Houston is ↑ 6.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about $489 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 providersThat 1 Painter Houston
7102 W Sam Houston Pkwy N Ste 224, Houston, TX 77040, USA
221 reviews
CertaPro Painters of Central & Northeast Houston
8584 Katy Fwy #305, Houston, TX 77024, USA
559 reviews
Liberty Painting - Houston, TX
5210 Spruce St, Bellaire, TX 77401, USA
273 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
Houston's high humidity requires specialized moisture-resistant paints and extra surface preparation to prevent mildew. This typically adds $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot to the project cost for additional sanding, cleaning, and priming.
In 2026, professional painters in the Houston metro area charge between $38 and $62 per hour. This rate is slightly below the national average due to a highly competitive local contractor market.
The best discounts, often ranging from 10% to 15%, are typically found during the 'off-season' months of December and January. However, for optimal paint curing, the mild windows of October-November and February-April are preferred by most contractors.
For a standard 2,500 sq ft home, interior painting costs in 2026 typically range from $6,250 to $11,250. The final price depends on whether the scope includes only walls or also covers ceilings, trim, and doors.
📊Our Methodology
How we collect dataAggregated from 9+ verified web sources and cost databases
Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides
Government construction and labor statistics
Community-reported project costs and reviews
Last data collection: 1 months 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.