House Painting Cost in Philadelphia (2026)
Average cost in Philadelphia
$6,000 – $19,000
$2 – $9 per sq ft
In Philadelphia, the average is $10,148 and most projects cost between $6,000 and $19,000, or about $2 – $9 per sq ft. Prices are before tax and based on 8 sources.
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedSkilled painting labor and prep
50%
Paint, primer, and supplies
20%
Insurance, transport, and equipment
16%
Business profit and management
14%
Cosmetic work exemptions
0%
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 project
LiveYour estimate in Philadelphia
Likely range $6,000 – $19,001
- Labor50%$5,074
- Materials20%$2,030
- Overhead16%$1,624
- Contractor Margin14%$1,421
Interior only
$10,148
Exterior only
$14,207
Interior + Exterior
$22,325
Calibrated to 8 researched sources for Philadelphia. Before tax. Real quotes vary with site conditions.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
$9,939
Today
$10,148
House Painting in Philadelphia is ↑ 2.1% compared to roughly a year ago — about $209 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
977 reviews
Enhanced Property Appearance Painting & Renovation
3362 Edgemont St, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA
220 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. Philadelphia does not require a standalone permit for cosmetic painting. However, if your home is in a historic district like Society Hill or Old City, you must get approval from the Philadelphia Historical Commission for color changes, which can add $500–$1,500 in consulting or administrative time.
Older rowhomes often require extensive lead paint stabilization and plaster repair. This 'prep work' can add $0.50 to $4.00 per square foot to the base price, especially in neighborhoods with pre-1978 housing stock where lead safety protocols are mandatory.
The average loaded labor rate for skilled painters in the Philadelphia metro area is approximately $49.50 to $54.00 per hour. This reflects a premium over the national average due to the high prevalence of union labor and the city's cost of living.
Humidity swings and cold winters can extend drying times by 10–20%, potentially increasing labor costs. Most exterior projects are scheduled between late April and October to avoid the Mid-Atlantic winter, which can lead to 'peak season' surcharges of 5–10%.
📊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: 3 weeks 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.