House Painting Cost in San Francisco (2026)
Average cost in San Francisco
$4,500 – $25,000
$5 – $10 per sq ft
In San Francisco, the average is $14,057 and most projects cost between $4,500 and $25,000, or about $5 – $10 per sq ft. Prices are before tax and based on 8 sources.
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedApplication and finishing (approx. 120 hours)
48%
Premium paint, primer, and consumables
19%
Net profit and project management
18%
Insurance, transport, and administrative costs
15%
Sales Tax at 7.25%
📋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 San Francisco
Likely range $6,326 – $25,000
- Skilled Labor48%$6,747
- Materials19%$2,671
- Contractor Margin18%$2,530
- Business Overhead15%$2,109
Interior only
$14,057
Exterior only
$19,680
Interior + Exterior
$30,925
Calibrated to 8 researched sources for San Francisco. Before tax. Real quotes vary with site conditions.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
$13,199
Today
$14,057
House Painting in San Francisco is ↑ 6.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about $858 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 San Francisco
Verified providersPrestige Custom Painting
100 Pine St #1250, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA
66 reviews
CertaPro Painters of San Francisco, CA
2398 Jerrold Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124, USA
128 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
San Francisco painting costs are roughly 65% above the national average due to high labor rates ($32–$48/hr for skilled painters), strict environmental regulations, and the complexity of working on steep hills and historic Victorian architecture.
Premium restorations for multi-tone Victorians involve extensive surface preparation and detail work, often pushing costs past $10.00 per sq ft, with total project estimates frequently exceeding $25,000.
Yes. The city's marine fog and salt air require high-durability premium paints like Benjamin Moore Aura, which in 2026 cost between $85 and $95 per gallon, significantly increasing the material budget.
For a standard San Francisco home, interior painting averages $2,635, with a typical range of $1,340 to $3,935 depending on ceiling height and the condition of the walls.
📊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: 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.