House painting costs in Boston vary significantly based on home size, number of stories, surface condition, and the scope of prep work required. This guide covers realistic pricing for both interior and exterior house painting in Greater Boston — not the lowball numbers you'll see from contractors who plan to upcharge later.
For a typical single-family home in Greater Boston, exterior painting runs $4,000–$10,000 for a complete job including prep. The main variables are square footage of paintable surface, number of stories (ladder and equipment time adds cost), condition of existing paint (a house with significant peeling requires more scraping and prep time), and whether trim and shutters are included. A well-maintained 1,500 sq ft Cape with minimal peeling runs toward the lower end. A 2,500 sq ft Victorian with ornate trim and significant prep needs runs toward the upper end. HomeAdvisor national painting cost data →
Full interior painting for a single-family home in Boston runs $3,000–$8,000 depending on square footage, ceiling height, number of rooms, and whether trim and doors are included. A 3-bedroom colonial with standard 8-foot ceilings and trim included runs $4,000–$5,500. A larger home with 9–10 foot ceilings, multiple rooms, and detailed trim work runs higher. Apartments and condos are typically priced per room: $400–$700 per room for walls and ceilings, plus trim.
A reputable Boston painter should include full surface prep, patching minor holes and cracks, priming bare spots, and two finish coats in a complete job price. Things that legitimately add cost: significant drywall repair beyond minor patching, lead paint protocol on pre-1978 homes, more than one story requiring scaffolding or a boom lift, and wood rot repair on exterior trim. We scope all of these at the estimate stage so the price we quote is the price you pay. Massachusetts HIC contractor requirements →
Price alone is a poor way to evaluate painter quotes. A $2,000 quote for exterior painting on a house that legitimately costs $6,000 to do properly means one of two things: they're planning to skip prep work, or they'll be asking for more money midway through the job. The right questions to ask any Boston painter: What surface prep is included? What primer are you using? How many finish coats? What products? Will you put that in writing? Any contractor who can't answer those questions specifically isn't worth hiring regardless of price.
We provide free, itemized written estimates for all house painting projects in Greater Boston. We walk the job, scope the prep work honestly, and give you a number that reflects what the project actually requires — not a lowball to win the job. Call (617) 777-7700 or send us a message to schedule. Most jobs in Boston are scheduled within the week. Verify our MA license #193121 →
Need House Painting in Boston?
AURA Painting Inc serves all Boston neighborhoods. Licensed MA #193121, fully insured, 2-year warranty. Free estimates — most jobs scheduled within the week.
Call (617) 777-7700 ← Back to House Painting in Boston