Painting Guides
Research & guides.
Expert-reviewed articles on painting costs, materials, and best practices.
Cost Guide
Whole House Painting Cost in 2026: What Sets the Price
Whole house painting averages $9,440 for a 2,500 sq ft interior and exterior job in 2026. See the labor, paint, and prep numbers before you
Cost Guide
Interior Painting Cost in 2026: Labor, Paint, and Prep
Interior painting averages $2,615 in 2026 for a standard 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft layout. See the labor, materials, and prep numbers before you
Cost Guide
Deck Staining Cost in 2026: The Stain Does the Work
Deck staining cost runs $1 to $4 per square foot installed in most markets. See the labor, materials, and prep numbers before you sign a 202
Cost Guide
Exterior Painting Cost in 2026: You Are Paying for Prep, Not Paint
Exterior painting averages $4,315, and labor is 43.7% of it. See why you are paying for prep not paint, plus the pre-1978 lead rule that cha
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Cost index built by David Olson, Creator of the Cost Index & Permit Dataset · Methodology reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson, LC Thompson Construction Co., Owner (retired) · 2026-07-10