Exterior Painting Cost in Houston 2026
Exterior Painting in Houston costs between $2,822 and $11,290 in 2026, with the average around $5,645. Houston pricing runs 6% below the US national average. Painting of the home exterior with power washing, scraping, priming bare spots, and two coats of weather resistant acrylic paint. Includes caulking and trim work.
What exterior painting includes in Houston
Painting of the home exterior with power washing, scraping, priming bare spots, and two coats of weather resistant acrylic paint. Includes caulking and trim work.
Typical time on site: 3 to 5 days. Local labor rate: $20/hour for an experienced painting pro.
What changes the price of exterior painting in Houston
- Home square footage
- Number of stories
- Siding material and condition
- Prep and scraping needed
- Paint grade and coats
A exterior painting quote priced off statewide averages will be off by 10 to 20 percent for Houston, because the metro has its own labor pool, material delivery distances, and permit timelines.
Houston climate and demand for painting
Subtropical climate with heavy AC demand year-round; hurricane exposure (Harvey 2017 reshaped flood maps); subsidence in clay soils
Houston permits for exterior painting
Building department: City of Houston Department of Public Works. https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org
Typical permit cost: $80 - $1,200 residential / $2K+ commercial. Inspection time: 3-7 business days (fastest large city). Houston rule: Houston has NO ZONING - easier permitting than most large cities. Flood plain rules from post-Harvey are strict. TDLR licenses for HVAC, electrical, plumbing apply.
Texas sales tax and licensing for Painting
Texas sales tax: 6.25% + local (~8.2% combined avg, capped at 8.25%). NEW CONSTRUCTION labor exempt. REMODELING and REPAIR labor on real property TAXABLE. Lump-sum vs. separated contracts treated differently.
State license: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) - for HVAC, electrical, plumbing only; no statewide GC license, no statewide license, local registration required.
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