House Painting Cost in Chicago (2026)
Average cost in Chicago
$4,500 – $18,500
$3 – $7 per sq ft
In Chicago, the average is $11,275 and most projects cost between $4,500 and $18,500, or about $3 – $7 per sq ft. Prices are before tax and based on 9 sources.
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedProfessional application and trim work
52%
Premium paint, primer, and sundries
19%
Scraping, sanding, and drywall patching
10%
Union burden, insurance, and logistics
9%
Business profit and project management
10%
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 Chicago
Likely range $5,074 – $18,500
- Labor (Painting)52%$5,863
- Materials & Supplies19%$2,142
- Surface Prep & Repairs10%$1,128
- Overhead & Insurance9%$1,015
- Contractor Margin10%$1,128
Interior only
$11,275
Exterior only
$15,785
Interior + Exterior
$24,805
Calibrated to 9 researched sources for Chicago. Before tax. Real quotes vary with site conditions.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
$10,820
Today
$11,275
House Painting in Chicago is ↑ 4.2% compared to roughly a year ago — about $454 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 Chicago
Verified providersNorth Shore Painting & Restoration
3432 W Diversey Ave Ste 210, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
143 reviews
LIME Painting of Chicago, IL
4311 N Ravenswood Ave #308, Chicago, IL 60613, USA
109 reviews
⭐️Fine Painting Inc
1212 N Ashland Ave 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
97 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
Chicago is a strong union town with prevailing wage mandates that set a high labor floor. Loaded labor rates for 2026 average $55.68 to $58.00 per hour, which is roughly 15-25% above national averages.
For a full interior project, homeowners typically pay between $5,000 and $15,000. Exterior projects for the same size range from $4,000 to $9,000, depending on siding type and number of stories.
The short painting season (May to October) concentrates demand, while the city's freeze-thaw cycles necessitate premium elastomeric or high-durability paints ($55-$80 per gallon) to prevent premature cracking.
Yes. Homes built before 1978 often require lead paint testing and specialized abatement. Extensive prep for old plaster walls or detailed millwork can add $1,000 to $3,000 to a standard estimate.
📊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.