House Painting Cost in San Francisco (2026)
Average cost in San Francisco
US$6,500 — US$35,000
US$5 — US$10 per sq ft
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedProfessional painting and finishing
35%
Premium coastal-grade paint and sundries
30%
Scraping, sanding, and caulking
25%
Scaffolding and environmental disposal
10%
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$14,287
Today
US$15,030
House Painting in San Francisco is ↑ 5.2% compared to roughly a year ago — about US$743 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
58 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
The city's fog and salt air require premium 100% acrylic or elastomeric paints like Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior, which cost $100-$115 per gallon. Standard paints fail quickly in SF, so contractors charge a premium for these high-durability coatings.
If scaffolding must remain on a public sidewalk for over 72 hours, an SF Public Works permit is required, typically costing between $250 and $800 per month depending on the neighborhood and footprint.
With over 80% of SF homes built before 1978, lead abatement is common. EPA Lead-Safe certified procedures (containment and HEPA vacuuming) typically add $1.00 to $3.00 per square foot to the total project cost.
Historic Victorian restorations often require 3 to 5 distinct colors. These complex schemes add $1,500 to $4,000 in labor for detailed trim work, while full restorations with wood epoxy repairs can push total costs toward $60,000.
📊Our Methodology
How we collect dataAggregated from 8+ 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 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.