Top 3 House Painters in Portland, OR
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Frequently asked questions about house painters
There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint in a new home. You can transform rooms with a change of color, and fresh paint breathes new life into an older home. Costs for painting homes vary. It depends on the rate of labor and on the type of paint you use. Most of the cost comes from the size of the home. The more square footage you need painted, the more expensive the job will be.
The average cost for painter services in a home is estimated at $3,500. On the low side, you can expect to pay $1,200 and $6,500 on the high side. These estimates assume you have a one-story home with around 1,000 square feet of wall to paint. More stories will mean higher costs.
The price is usually divided up into materials and labor. Labor tends to make up 85% of a job, but this can vary depending on the contractor. Most contractors charge between $2 - $6 / square foot. This calculates interior painting jobs with two coats of paint. For more specific paint jobs, such as doors or cabinets, you can expect to be charged $50 - $100 / door or drawer face.
Some contractors have different models of payment, which you may discover when looking up “painting companies near me” or “house painters near me.” You can be charged per room, which averages around $800 - $1,200 for a bedroom, and as high as $3,000 for a living room or similar large space. Some painters may choose to bill hourly, which can range from $20 - $50 / hour for basic painting, and $100 / hour or higher for specialty painting. A skilled painter should be able to cover between 150 – 350 square feet/hour but don’t forget to factor in prep time, clean up, and both coats of paint needed.
The cost of painting a home's exterior is far more variable, depending on your siding. Some sidings (like stucco) can cost up to $3,000 / 1,000 square feet, and that cost can rise if there are multiple stories. Weather can also play a major factor, which is why local painters are in high demand during the summer months. Vinyl siding expands and contracts depending on weather, so you’ll want a latex-based paint that is durable to these changes. For wood siding, latex is always a good option for allowing wood to breathe. Beware acrylic or oil-based paints, as these can create moisture stains. If you have stucco siding, you can go with latex, but it’s not your best option if the walls are damaged. Elastomeric paint will cover those imperfections while still being breathable. This paint is thick and time-consuming to apply. If you have brick siding, you’ll want a porous stain or paint so water doesn’t get trapped inside.
Siding is the biggest factor to cost, as prep and materials needed to do the job correctly can raise the price. Brick and stucco are the most expensive, while metal, wood, vinyl, and concrete tend to be on the lower end. Extra stories mean extra work for the painter, as safety measures and ladders need to be implemented. Painting a second or third story of a home takes longer than painting a single story based on logistics. It’s not just the walls, either. You may want to paint the garage, the shutters, the eaves and downspouts, and the siding and trim.
Your brand of paint can alter costs, as well as the cost of your finish. Flat paint tends to be the cheapest, but is also the least durable. Mid-range finishes, including eggshell and satin, can be good choices, depending on what you’re looking for. Semi-gloss finish will showcase imperfections and dents but is also resistant to cleaning. High-gloss is the most expensive type of finish and is recommended for small areas, such as trim, windows, and doors. While it is possible to DIY your home’s exterior, a professional comes with all the needed materials and is knowledgeable about what will work best and how to stay safe on the job. They are worth serious consideration.
Yes, you can paint vinyl siding. Years ago, this answer was no because paint continued to slide off the siding. We’ve come a long way since then. The best paint for vinyl is latex urethane paint, as it can cope with the constant contracting and expanding of the siding. Many paint companies create paint specifically designed for siding.
Painting vinyl is similar to painting other exteriors. You’ll want to coat it with primer (something designed for vinyl) and use a brush for the tricky spots. Otherwise, you can use a roller and cover a lot of ground. Once you have the primer, add the topcoat. Vinyl has one more caveat that you should be aware of. Dark colors tend to trap a lot of heat. Most vinyl paints will be light colors as a result, so it reflects heat rather than absorbs it. Weather can be a factor in painting vinyl, and the best weather is overcast, comfortable conditions. Sun, humidity, direct heat, and wind are not your friends when it comes to painting vinyl. You’ll want to ensure that painting your siding doesn’t void its warranty before you begin.
As with any painting, you’ll want to ensure you clean the area thoroughly first. For vinyl, a pressure washer is the best choice. You’ll want to find a recipe that tackles mold and mildew or buy a TSP solution. Mold and mildew tend to get between the paint and the siding, so it’s imperative you deal with them before you paint.
The quick answer is 350 – 400 square feet. This is generally true of wall, ceiling, and trim paint. Primer tends to go less, giving you 250 square feet on average. If you’re painting a dark room with a light color, you may need more primer coats, so keep that in mind. Be aware that fresh drywall is extremely porous and may absorb more paint than expected. Most drywall tends to arrive pre-primed, but be ready if it isn’t. If you have a textured wall (think popcorn ceilings, for example), you should use 20% more paint. If you need to paint 100 square feet of ceiling, it’s recommended you buy enough paint to cover 120 square feet to make up for the texture. You can stretch your paint with the correct tools. A nine-inch roller usually gives the best results for a coat of paint. For textured walls, consider a 1/2-inch nap over a 3/8-inch nap.
Let’s dive into the math. You know how much paint you need per square foot, but how do you calculate that square footage? First, measure the height of every wall, and add it together. Then, do the same for the length of each wall. Multiply those two numbers together, and you have the square footage. If you divide that number by 400 (how much a gallon of paint should cover), you know how many gallons you need to buy. This works for trim and doors as well. Multiply the total lengths and widths together, and divide it by 400. It’s never a bad idea to round up or ensure you have extra paint left over. You may need it for touch-ups or if a specific section requires more paint than you anticipated. It’s better to have too much than too little and have the hardware store mix you more paint. What if the color is off by even a slight bit? That’s a frustration you can easily avoid.
No, you can’t use exterior paint inside. Exterior paint is designed to hold up against weather extremes and, as such, contains more VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). These compounds were not designed for enclosed spaces; they can smell funky and release toxins that might make you or your pets sick. Exterior paint doesn’t settle in a short amount of time. In cold weather, exterior paint could continually release those toxins for a month or more. In warmer weather, this timeframe may be reduced to weeks. The process of releasing these toxins is called curing. Most professionals will wear masks when painting outside for this reason.
Exterior paint is softer by nature. It needs to be able to breathe and contract or expand with the home. It doesn’t stand up as well to the wear and tear that interior paint deals with on a daily basis. While all paint contains mildewcides and fungicides, the ingredients in exterior and interior paint are very different. The VOCs are needed in both paints to hold the pigment in. If you use exterior paint on indoor surfaces, ventilation is your first concern. This becomes a greater concern when spraying paint instead of rolling it, as spraying it makes it airborne that much quicker.
VOCs can cause lightheadedness, headaches, nausea, irritated eyes and throat, and respiratory issues. This can be an even greater hazard for those with compromised immune systems. Exterior and interior paints are vastly different, so you shouldn’t combine them. It compromises the quality of both paints. Plus, exterior paint isn’t designed to look good inside. Both varieties of paint are highly specialized, and you’ll likely regret using them where they are not intended.
The average cost to paint a 12x12 room is $650, with $400 being on the low end and $900 on the high end. Several factors can change these costs or cause them to rise. If you need drywall or plaster repaired before the job, that will cost time and effort. The higher your walls rise, the more time or paint it might take to finish the job. If you want to use designer paints, you may spend more on the materials. Your cost will also change based on the finish you choose.
Square footage is the most important consideration when factoring the price of a room. A large room, such as a living room, will cost more than a small bedroom or bathroom. Kitchens tend to cost the most since the painting is specific. They require far more attention to detail when you consider backsplashes, cabinets, and trims. Textured walls can add to that cost since it eats up more materials. Different types of paint can change the cost as well. On average, eggshell, satin, and flat are the cheapest paints. Matte, semi-gloss, latex, and oil are mid-range and all competitively priced. High-gloss paint is expensive and best used on small surfaces like trims.
You have the option to do the work yourself, of course. Be aware that it’s never as simple as splashing paint on the walls. You’ll need to purchase all the required materials, such as brushes, painter’s tape, rollers, trays, and plastic to prevent spillage. You’ll need to clean the walls and remove outlet covers and switch plates. Once that’s done, you can use painter’s tape on all the edges and then start. The big question you will need to ask yourself is whether you have the time. Painters are efficient, have all the tools, and do the job constantly. They will know immediately the best way to handle it.
Now that you know the scope of your project in terms of cost and effort, you can start dreaming in color.
Recent reviews for Portland Painters
I had Mark Dreyer come out and give me an estimate on June 1st. He did negotiate a good price but told me that I would have to wait until September 15th . I let him know that I would be willing to wait if he could assure me that he could get the job done ...
They were professional and courteous. They painted the outside of my barn and the floor inside the barn.
I had high expectations for my remodeling experience. Stawicki Painting exceeded those expectations. Andrew and crew were punctual, hard working and very meticulous. They did a great job while making sure everything else remained paint free. There wer...
Working with Soundview Painting has been a very good experience. Bart was very knowledgeable gave me all the information I needed to complete our project. I would recommend him to anyone that needs an experienced, dedicated Painter. Andy
Bart Sullivan of Soundview Painting has painted both the out side and just recently the inside of my house. I chose Soundview Painting based on a recommendation from a friend and also based on his bid. I received several bids with his being the best. He...
I had the interior and exterior of my home completed by Soundview Painting and am very happy with the quality of workmanship, especially with the difficulty of both vaulted ceilings and placement of my home on a hill. Bart Sullivan was professional and p...
Cutting Edge gave me the greatest experience I’ve had with a contractor. They came out to do my roof and paint my house. I have worked with many contractors and never met a company so punctual, high quality, and amazing attention to detail. I have recomme...
Cutting Edge Contracting did an absolutely lovely job on my complicated mess of a house. My wife and I had them do our gutters, roof, siding, windows AND custom patio. They are AWESOME. The folks that helped us out (by the name of Joe, Brandon and Sean) w...
Cutting Edge is the most professional, quality, ethical, and personable contracting company in the Portland area. I have had nothing but great experiences with the project managers (Sean, Brandon, Joe, Cameron, & Israel). No other contractor compares.
I originally called Cutting edge out to my home for a siding estimate on some problem siding I had with a chimney. The PM suggested a stone veneer for about the same money. I had them back... for Roofing more siding and painting... Now my house is the tal...
Cutting Edge did a terrific job on my badly damaged roof and siding. They were extremely thorough on their bid and scheduled me quickly. They did a great job of repairing the root issues before putting the new roof on. The roofers that worked on my house ...
Everything You Need to Know About Portland House Painters
I’m searching for Painters servicing my zip code in Portland.
Many painters provide service to multiple zip codes in and around Portland. Browse through a sample of the Painters in Portland below to find the right professional in your area for your project. Remember to contact each of these professionals individually to ask about their prices, recent successful painting services jobs, how they bill, and what licenses or permits they have or will have to get for your job:
- Kairos Painting and Remodeling LLC:
- Service Area Zip Code: 97062 and 97125
- J J's Painting Inc:
- Service Area Zip Code: 97224
- Jackson Painting Inc:
- Service Area Zip Code: 97115 and 97268
If you weren't able to find the right painter company that services your Portland zip code, don't worry. Try contacting the company directly to ask them what surrounding areas they also service near Portland.
What Portland zip codes are served by Painters?
Portland has 50 total Painter companies that service multiple zip codes. We've put together a list of areas in and around Portland with the most Painters:
- 1 Painters in 97218.
- 1 Painters in 97035.
- 1 Painters in 97214.
What should I check for once my Painter in Portland has finished working?
Every painting services project is going to have different results, but here are a few things to check for once any painting services company has told you they've finished the job:
- Obviously you want to do a visual inspection. Even if you're unfamiliar with painting services work, this gives you the opportunity to ask questions (even basic ones like, what did you do?).
- Ask the painter to describe what they did. Whether your painting services project was a repair job or a building job, have them run you through what was done.
- Compare the description provided on your painting services project estimate to the work completed. Did the professional do what was promised?
- Request that the painter do a follow-up visit to check on the work. Most professionals are willing to do this, especially if you ask them.
All House Painters in Portland, OR
Latest projects near Portland
Within a month
Install drywall where none exists
Kitchen, Bedroom
Walls and ceilings
I will provide materials, just need installation
Within a month
Texture or finish drywall
Kitchen
Walls
Smooth finish (prep for wall paper)
No
The contractor will need to purchase materials for the project
Within a month
One or more minor repairs
REPAIR WINDOW SEALS OUTSIDE
Yes
Within 48 hours
Kitchen
Both walls and ceilings
Match existing texture
No
The contractor will need to purchase materials for the project
Within a month
Install drywall where none exists
Kitchen
Walls and ceilings
The contractor will need to purchase materials for the project
Within a week
Installation
Window, Door, Baseboards, Crown molding
No
Yes, I have the materials
I'm flexible
Entry or hallway
Walls
I will provide materials, just need installation