Services Offered by Professional Painters
Many painting companies offer interior, exterior, and additional services.
Interior Painting
Professional interior painting companies can advise you when deciding on interior paint types, textures, and finishes, and can educate you on upkeep requirements to figure out what works best where. They'll prep, prime, and paint windows, cabinets, moldings, door frames, and trim. Some professionals offer wallpaper or textured finish removal for an extra fee.Exterior Painting
Professional painters start exterior jobs by repairing weather damage, stripping old paint, sealing leaks with caulk, and cleaning walls. They then paint siding, window frames, decks, trim, doors, fences, and other outdoor features.Additional Services
Painters may also offer the following extra services, depending on their qualifications and experience:- Concrete staining
- Crown molding installation and repair
- Drywall and plaster repair
- Popcorn ceiling removal
- Pressure washing
- Wallpaper hanging or removal
How To Choose a Painter in San Francisco
When looking to hire a house painting service, consider these key factors.
- Cost: Talk to a few painters to get price estimates. Watch out for exceptionally cheap prices compared to the average.
- Guarantees: Get all guarantees in writing and ensure you know which items are covered and for how long.
- Paint types: Your painting pro can walk you through the different paint choices and their benefits and downsides to help you pick the best one for your needs. Certain paints, for instance, resist weather damage more effectively or are more eco-friendly.
- Qualifications: Painters who work on jobs valued at over $500 must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board. To obtain this license, a contractor must have proof of experience and must have workers' compensation insurance if they have employees. Any contractor you hire should be properly bonded and insured, particularly if they’re working on a ladder or using power equipment. If your home was built prior to 1978, and you're concerned about the presence of lead, you may want to look for a contractor who is licensed by the EPA to work with lead-based paint.
- Reputation and reviews: Ask friends and neighbors for references, and look up each provider you’re considering on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can also browse review sites such as Trustpilot or Google Reviews.
How Much Does Painting Cost in San Francisco?
The price of professional painting work varies by the square footage of your home, the paint types chosen, and the time of year. Most painters increase their rates during the summer due to increased demand. In San Francisco, painting projects for both interiors and exteriors typically cost $0.95 to $3.81 per square foot. Most homes have greater interior square footage, which leads to higher paint costs than when painting the exterior. To paint a 2,000-square-foot house’s exterior runs approximately $4,762, while the interior will cost about $1,905 to $7,618. Some painters in San Francisco may offer alternative rates of $21.39 to $35.64 per hour. Packaging services together can help you save with these hourly rates. Having exterior and interior painting completed at the same time, for instance, may result in a lower bill.
