Quick Answer

House Painting Cost in Columbus (2026)

Average cost in Columbus

US$4,985avg

US$2,200 — US$9,500

US$2 — US$5 per sq ft

+6.5% YoY
7 sources
Updated 3 days ago
Ohio

Cost Breakdown

Itemized
Labor

Skilled painting and application

US$3,150 — US$6,650

70%

Materials

Premium paint, primer, and sundries

US$810 — US$1,710

18%

Surface Preparation

Power washing, scraping, and caulking

US$450 — US$950

10%

Equipment & Disposal

Scaffolding, ladders, and waste removal

US$90 — US$190

2%

🧾Sales Tax (5.75%) — Ohio
Base cost + $287 tax$5,272

Sales Tax at 5.75%

📋What's Included

Scope

Typically 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

Interactive

Estimated Cost

US$3,960

US$3,168 — US$4,752

Based on 7 sources and market data for Columbus. Actual costs may vary depending on specific project requirements.

📈Price Momentum

Year-over-year

~1 year ago

US$4,681

Today

US$4,985

House Painting in Columbus is 6.5% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$304 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 Columbus

Verified providers
🔨

Prim Painting

875 Gray St, Columbus, OH 43201, USA

5.0
★★★★★

742 reviews

🔨

JNG Painting & Decorating LLC

1506 Fishinger Rd, Columbus, OH 43221, USA

5.0
★★★★★

123 reviews

🔨

Fresh Touch Custom Painting

1485 Showcase Dr, Columbus, OH 43212, USA

4.9
★★★★½

341 reviews

🔨

Painter1 of Columbus

2000 W Henderson Rd Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43220, USA

4.9
★★★★½

245 reviews

🔨

Paint & Rollers

747 N James Rd, Columbus, OH 43219, USA

4.9
★★★★½

263 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

In 2026, Columbus homeowners can expect to pay between $3,200 and $8,000 for a 2,000 sq ft exterior, with the median price landing around $4,850 depending on siding type and condition.

Yes, homes in these areas often require extensive prep work due to older wood siding and lead paint safety protocols, adding an estimated $0.50 to $0.75 per square foot to the standard labor rate.

Professional painting contractors in the Columbus metro area typically charge between $35 and $70 per hour per painter, reflecting a slight increase over 2025 due to rising labor demand.

Exterior painting is peak-priced from May through September. However, many Columbus contractors offer 'winter discounts' of 10% to 15% for interior projects scheduled between January and March.

📊Our Methodology

How we collect data
1

Aggregated from 7+ verified web sources and cost databases

2

Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides

3

Government construction and labor statistics

4

Community-reported project costs and reviews

Last data collection: 3 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.