House Painting Cost in Philadelphia (2026)
Average cost in Philadelphia
US$2,850 — US$18,500
US$4 — US$9 per sq ft
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedProfessional painting and application
80%
Premium paint, primer, and supplies
12%
Scraping, sanding, and minor repairs
5%
Historic Commission review and city permits
3%
Sales Tax at 6%
📋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$3,888 — US$5,832
Based on 7 sources and market data for Philadelphia. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
US$6,470
Today
US$6,741
House Painting in Philadelphia is ↑ 4.2% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$272 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 Philadelphia
Verified providersGroovy Hues Painting of Philadelphia
2424 E York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA
930 reviews
Enhanced Property Appearance Painting & Renovation
3362 Edgemont St, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA
201 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 permit is required for standard residential painting. However, if your home is in one of Philadelphia's 25+ historic districts (like Society Hill or Old City), you must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Philadelphia Historical Commission before changing exterior colors, which can add $150-$500 to project costs.
Older rowhomes often require lead paint abatement and extensive masonry prep for brick surfaces. Lead-safe work practices can increase labor costs by 15-25%. Additionally, painting historic brick with specialized breathable masonry paint typically costs $4-$7 per square foot.
The optimal window is April through October. Philadelphia's high humidity in July and August can extend drying times by 10-20%, potentially increasing labor hours, while winter temperatures below 35°F prevent proper paint curing.
For a typical 1,500 sq ft exterior, Philadelphia homeowners can expect to pay between $5,700 and $12,750 in 2026, depending on the siding material and the number of stories.
📊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.