House Painting Cost in New York City (2026)
Average cost in New York City
US$2,800 — US$16,500
US$4 — US$8 per sq ft
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedSkilled NYC painters ($45-$80/hr)
72%
Premium paint and supplies
14%
Sanding, patching, and priming
7%
NYC parking fees and elevator access
4%
COI for Co-ops and DOB compliance
3%
Sales Tax at 4%
📋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 Cost
InteractiveEstimated Cost
US$4,500 — US$6,750
Based on 8 sources and market data for New York City. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
US$7,478
Today
US$7,964
House Painting in New York City is ↑ 6.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$486 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 New York City
Verified providersJB Painters Manhattan
20 W 33rd St 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA
216 reviews
Paint Works New York
135 E 57th St 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
105 reviews
Sandoukas Painting Company NYC
350 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
41 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
For buildings built before 1960 (or 1978 with known lead), NYC Local Law 1 requires EPA RRP-certified contractors. Lead-safe preparation and HEPA-vacuuming typically add $500 to $1,500 to the total project cost depending on the surface condition.
Most NYC Co-op and Condo boards require contractors to carry a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with $1 million to $2 million in general liability coverage. Hiring a fully insured contractor in NYC typically costs 15-20% more than an uninsured 'handyman' but is mandatory for most buildings.
In 2026, painting a 1,000 sq ft apartment (walls, ceilings, and trim) typically ranges from $3,500 to $7,500. This includes roughly $600 to $1,000 specifically for detailed trim and door work, which is common in pre-war units.
Yes, Manhattan projects are often 15-25% more expensive than those in Queens or the Bronx due to stricter building rules, limited service elevator hours, and higher parking costs, which can reach $65-$100 per day for a contractor's van.
📊Our Methodology
How we collect dataAggregated from 5+ 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: 4 days 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.