House Painting Cost in San Francisco (2026)
Average cost in San Francisco
US$9,000 — US$25,000
US$5 — US$10 per sq ft
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedLicensed crew and union rates
60%
Scraping, caulking, and priming
20%
Premium coastal-grade paints
15%
Historic district and city permits
5%
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 Cost
InteractiveEstimated Cost
US$4,392 — US$6,588
Based on 8 sources and market data for San Francisco. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
US$14,717
Today
US$15,674
House Painting in San Francisco is ↑ 6.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$957 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
60 reviews
CertaPro Painters of San Francisco, CA
2398 Jerrold Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124, USA
122 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
Since most San Francisco homes were built before 1978, lead abatement is common. Expect to pay an additional $1 to $3 per square foot for EPA-certified containment, HEPA-vacuuming, and clearance testing.
Restoring a multi-tone Victorian involves intricate detail work. Specialized trim restoration using steel mesh and epoxy can cost $85 to $180 per linear foot, often adding $2,000 to $8,000 to the total project cost.
Yes. Contractors recommend high-end 100% acrylic paints like Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior or Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint, which cost $70 to $115 per gallon. These are specifically designed to resist the corrosive salt air and persistent marine layer fog.
Standard painting typically does not require a permit. However, if the project involves structural repairs, scaffolding that blocks a public sidewalk, or work on a designated historic landmark, permit fees can range from $350 to $900.
📊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.