Painters
Compare 499 painters across 51 states — averaging 5★ from 93,436 verified Google reviews. Pick your state to see local firms with ratings, service areas, and licensing rules. No lead fees.
Painters handle interior and exterior surface prep and coating, a trade where prep work rather than the paint separates a job that lasts a decade from one that peels in two years. Interior painting runs $2 to $6 per square foot of floor area; exteriors $1.50 to $4 per square foot of surface.
Painters by State
How to Hire Painters in 2026
Most states do not require a painting license, so vetting rests on insurance, references, and a detailed scope. Ask exactly what prep is included, from washing and scraping to sanding, patching, and priming, because two coats means little over poor prep. Confirm paint brand and product line, since contractor-grade and premium paints differ in coverage and durability.
Get a written estimate that specifies surfaces, number of coats, prep steps, and product. For exteriors, ask how they handle weather delays and lead-paint safety on pre-1978 homes, which requires EPA RRP certification. Hold final payment until you have walked the job in daylight and confirmed cut-lines and coverage.
Painters FAQs
How much does it cost to paint a house?
Interior painting runs $2 to $6 per square foot of floor area, so painting a 2,000-square-foot home's interior costs roughly $4,000 to $12,000. Exterior painting runs $1.50 to $4 per square foot of surface, or about $3,000 to $10,000 for an average home, depending on prep and stories.
Do painters need a license?
Most states do not require a specific painting license, though some require a general contractor license above a dollar threshold. What matters most is proof of general liability insurance and, for homes built before 1978, EPA Lead-Safe (RRP) certification. Always confirm insurance.
How many coats of paint do I need?
Two coats is standard for durability and even coverage, and one over a primed or similar-color surface may suffice in some cases. Deep color changes, bare drywall, or covering stains need primer plus two coats. Get the number of coats in writing to avoid disputes.
What should be included in a painting quote?
A good quote lists the surfaces, prep steps such as wash, scrape, sand, patch, and prime, the number of coats, the paint brand and product line, and cleanup. It should note who moves furniture and how weather delays are handled on exteriors. Vague quotes lead to skipped prep.
Directory refreshed April 2026. Listings sourced from public business data; confirm licensing and insurance directly with each firm.