How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House in San Francisco? (2026 Guide)
Most painting estimates are useless until you know what's actually being priced. Here are real 2026 SF painting cost ranges and what drives them.
Interior painting
| Job | Typical SF 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Single room (10x12, walls only) | $600 – $1,500 |
| Single room (walls, ceiling, trim) | $1,200 – $2,800 |
| 2-bedroom flat (whole home) | $4,500 – $10,000 |
| 4-bedroom Victorian (whole home, with trim) | $14,000 – $25,000+ |
What moves the number:
- Trim complexity. Painting trim takes longer than walls, sometimes 2x. Victorians with picture rails, wainscoting, and ornate moldings cost more.
- Ceiling height. 10' ceilings in flats are normal; 12'+ in Victorians need scaffolding or extension setups.
- Prep scope. Plaster repair, skim coating, and trim restoration add days quickly.
- Color changes. Going dark-to-light or vice versa often needs a primer coat plus 2 finish coats.
Exterior painting
| Job | Typical SF 2026 range |
|---|---|
| 2,000 sqft single-family, stucco | $9,000 – $18,000 |
| 2,000 sqft single-family, wood siding | $12,000 – $28,000 |
| Victorian/Edwardian with full prep | $25,000 – $80,000 |
| Painted Lady, multi-color, full restoration | $60,000 – $120,000+ |
What moves the number:
- Substrate condition. Rotted wood, failed caulk, peeling old paint all add prep time — and prep is the largest cost driver.
- Lead-safe prep. Mandatory on pre-1978 homes per EPA RRP. Built into our pricing.
- Color count. Single-color is cheaper than 5-color. Cut-ins on multi-color schemes are slow.
- Access. Steep streets, tight setbacks, and view properties with hard ladder access add days.
- Carpentry. Trim repair, sill replacement, missing detail replication.
Cabinet refinishing
| Job | Typical SF 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Small kitchen (~20 doors) | $3,500 – $5,500 |
| Mid kitchen (~30 doors) | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| Large kitchen (~40+ doors) | $7,500 – $12,000 |
What moves the number:
- Door count and complexity. Shaker is faster to spray than raised-panel.
- Existing finish. Lacquer is easier to refinish than thermofoil.
- Hardware change. Filling and re-drilling adds time.
- Sprayed vs. brushed. We strongly prefer sprayed for cabinets.
Why estimates vary so much
If you've ever gotten three painting bids that ranged 2x or 3x apart, here's why:
- Some contractors price the labor only and skip serious prep
- Some skip lead-safe practices entirely (illegal but common)
- Some use commercial-grade paint where premium is warranted
- Some include color consultation, written warranty, and cleanup; others don't
The lowest bid is usually missing prep, lead-safe practices, or both. When comparing bids, ask for a written scope that lists prep tasks line by line — and compare those.
What our quotes include
Every RS Professional quote is: - Fixed-price, written - Itemized by area or scope - Includes lead-safe prep on pre-1978 homes - Includes color consultation - Includes 5–7 year written warranty on exteriors, 2 years on interiors - Includes cleanup, masking, and protection of finishes
We don't do hourly estimates. You'll know what the job costs before we start.
Ready to repaint? Get your free quote today.
On-site estimate within a week. Fixed written quote within 2 business days.