Reviewed by John Tortorich, Director of Field Operations at Westchase Painting Company
We paint houses in Tampa Bay every week. Here are the actual numbers we quote in 2026, broken down by home size, job type, and what makes the price go up or down. No ranges pulled from national averages. These are Tampa Bay prices based on Tampa Bay labor, Tampa Bay materials, and Tampa Bay weather.
Exterior Painting Costs by Home Size
Most homes in Tampa Bay are stucco with flat or barrel tile roofs. Exterior painting prices depend on square footage, number of stories, surface condition, and how much prep the stucco needs.
| Home Size | Stories | Typical Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 sq ft | 1 | $3,500 to $6,000 | Pressure wash, prep, 2 coats body + trim |
| 1,500 to 2,500 sq ft | 1 to 2 | $5,000 to $9,000 | Pressure wash, prep, 2 coats body + trim |
| 2,500 to 3,500 sq ft | 2 | $7,000 to $14,000 | Pressure wash, prep, scaffolding, 2 coats body + trim |
| 3,500 to 4,500 sq ft | 2 | $10,000 to $18,000 | Pressure wash, prep, scaffolding, 2 coats body + trim + fascia |
| 4,500+ sq ft | 2 to 3 | $15,000+ | Custom scope, full scaffolding, premium prep |
Trim-only jobs (fascia, soffits, window frames, garage door) run $1,500 to $4,000 depending on the linear footage and condition. If your HOA only requires trim work, this is a common request in Westchase and Starkey Ranch.
Interior Painting Costs by Home Size
Interior pricing depends on square footage, ceiling height, number of rooms, and surface condition. Two coats on walls and trim is standard.
| Home Size | Rooms | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 sq ft | 8 to 10 | $3,500 to $6,000 |
| 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft | 10 to 14 | $4,500 to $8,000 |
| 2,000 to 2,500 sq ft | 12 to 16 | $5,500 to $10,000 |
| 2,500 to 3,500 sq ft | 14 to 20 | $7,000 to $13,000 |
| 3,500+ sq ft | 18+ | $10,000 to $18,000+ |
Single room repaints (one bedroom or bathroom, walls and ceiling) typically cost $350 to $700. Great option if you just moved in and want to change one room before the furniture arrives. Learn more about our interior painting process.
Stucco Painting in Tampa Bay
Almost every home built in Hillsborough and Pasco County after 1990 has stucco exterior walls. Stucco painting requires specific prep that other siding types do not:
- Pressure washing at 2,500 to 3,000 PSI to remove mold, mildew, and oxidized paint. Garden-hose pressure does not cut it.
- Hairline crack repair using elastomeric caulk. Florida stucco develops hairline cracks from soil settling and temperature swings. Every crack gets sealed before primer.
- Primer on bare or patched areas. New stucco repairs need a masonry primer to bond properly.
- Two full coats of acrylic latex exterior paint. We use Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior or SuperPaint Exterior depending on budget.
If your stucco has major cracks wider than a pencil, or if sections are delaminating from the block, those areas need stucco patching before paint. We quote patching separately. Read our guide on preparing stucco for painting in Tampa.
What Drives the Price Up
Two-story height. Scaffolding and ladders add time, equipment cost, and safety requirements. A two-story exterior costs 30 to 50 percent more than the same square footage in a single story.
Surface condition. A home that was last painted 15 years ago with peeling, chalking, and stucco damage requires 2 to 3 times more prep than a home painted 6 years ago in good shape.
Dark-to-light color changes. Going from a dark brown to a bright white requires tinted primer and a third coat. This adds $500 to $2,000 depending on the area being painted.
Drywall repair. Water damage, nail pops, and texture matching go beyond standard prep. Significant drywall work is quoted separately.
High ceilings and vaulted entries. Interior spaces with 12-foot or 18-foot ceilings require specialty ladders or scaffolding and take longer to cut in.
Cabinet count. If cabinets are part of the scope, a kitchen with 40+ doors and drawers costs more than one with 20. See our cabinet refinishing page for standalone cabinet pricing.
What Drives the Price Down
Empty homes. No furniture means no moving, no covering, and faster access to every wall. We can paint an empty 2,000 sq ft interior in 3 to 4 days versus 5 to 7 days occupied.
Good surface condition. If the previous paint job was done well and the surfaces are clean, prep is minimal and the job moves fast.
Walls only (no ceilings or trim). Cutting scope reduces price significantly. If your trim and ceilings are in good shape, painting just the walls can save 25 to 35 percent.
Light-to-light color changes. Going from one neutral to another neutral covers in two coats with no special primer.
Bundling interior and exterior. We offer better pricing when you combine both jobs because our crew is already set up at your home.
Paint Products and Why They Matter
The paint you choose affects the price, the look, and how long the job lasts. We use Sherwin-Williams exclusively through our ProPlus commercial account, which means we get contractor pricing on premium products.
Exterior Products
- Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Exterior: Best value for Tampa Bay homes. Built-in mildew resistance, good UV hold, and a clean finish. This is what we recommend for most exterior painting projects where the homeowner wants quality without paying for the top-tier product.
- Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior: Premium option with a lifetime manufacturer warranty. Better color retention, thicker film build, and better resistance to cracking on stucco. Worth the upgrade on south-facing walls and homes that get heavy sun exposure.
Interior Products
- Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior: Our go-to for bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways. Washable, low-VOC, mildew-resistant. Excellent value.
- Sherwin-Williams Cashmere: Smoother finish and easier application. Great for dining rooms, master bedrooms, and any space where you want a more refined look.
- Sherwin-Williams Duration Home: Built for high-traffic areas. Kitchens, kids' rooms, hallways. More durable and stain-resistant than SuperPaint.
- Sherwin-Williams ProClassic: Alkyd-hybrid for trim, doors, and cabinets. Hard, smooth finish that resists yellowing.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro in Florida
Interior DIY painting makes sense for a single accent wall or a small bedroom. Buy a gallon of SuperPaint, a good roller, and spend a Saturday. You will save $300 to $500.
Exterior DIY painting in Florida is a different story. You need a commercial pressure washer ($75 to $150/day rental), scaffolding for two-story work, and the knowledge to properly prep stucco. Florida sun, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms limit your painting window to 7 AM to 1 PM most days from May through September. A job a professional crew finishes in 4 days can take a homeowner 3 to 4 weekends.
The bigger risk is prep. If stucco cracks are not sealed, mold is not killed, or the surface is not properly profiled, the paint will peel within 1 to 3 years. Then you are paying to do it again. We see this regularly in Land O' Lakes and Wesley Chapel where homeowners tried to save money on newer homes and the paint failed within two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a house in Tampa?
Exterior painting in Tampa Bay typically costs $4,000 to $8,000 for a single-story stucco home under 2,000 square feet. Two-story homes between 2,500 and 3,500 square feet run $7,000 to $14,000. These prices include pressure washing, prep, two coats of Sherwin-Williams exterior paint, and cleanup.
How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house in Tampa?
Interior painting in Tampa Bay runs $3,500 to $6,000 for a 1,500 square foot home and $5,000 to $10,000 for a 2,500 square foot home. This includes walls, ceilings, trim, two coats, surface prep, and minor drywall repair.
Why is painting so expensive in Florida?
Florida paint jobs cost more than the national average because of heat, humidity, and UV exposure. Exteriors need products with built-in mildew resistance and UV blockers. Prep work is heavier due to mold, mildew, and stucco hairline cracks that need sealing before paint goes on. Summer schedules are limited because paint cannot be applied above 95 degrees or during afternoon thunderstorms.
How often should you repaint a house in Florida?
Exterior paint in Tampa Bay typically lasts 5 to 8 years depending on the product, color, and sun exposure. South-facing and west-facing walls fade faster. Interior paint lasts 7 to 12 years in most rooms. High-moisture rooms like bathrooms may need repainting every 4 to 6 years.
Is it cheaper to paint a house yourself in Tampa?
DIY exterior painting saves roughly 40 to 50 percent on labor, but adds significant time, risk, and equipment costs. A two-story stucco home requires scaffolding, a commercial pressure washer, and products most homeowners cannot buy at retail. Most DIY exterior paint jobs in Florida fail within 2 to 3 years because prep was inadequate or the wrong product was used.
What is the best exterior paint for Tampa Bay homes?
We use Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior and SuperPaint Exterior on most Tampa Bay homes. Both have built-in UV resistance and mildew inhibitors designed for subtropical climates. Duration is the premium option with a lifetime manufacturer warranty. SuperPaint is the best value for homeowners who want professional-grade results at a lower price point.
Does the color I choose affect the price?
Deep reds, dark blues, and bright yellows require tinted primers and often need three coats instead of two, which adds $500 to $1,500 to a full exterior job. Lighter neutrals and whites cover in two coats and cost less. Dark-to-light color changes also require extra primer coats.
Do painters charge more for stucco than wood siding?
Stucco is the dominant exterior material in Tampa Bay. Painting stucco costs roughly the same as smooth siding but more than vinyl siding because stucco requires crack repair, elastomeric caulking, and sometimes a primer coat to seal the porous surface. Heavily cracked or damaged stucco adds $1,000 to $3,000 in prep work.
Get Your Exact Price
Every home is different. The tables above give you a realistic starting point, but the only way to know your exact cost is a free, in-person estimate. We walk through your home or around your exterior, measure, assess surface condition, and give you a written quote. No pressure, no expiring offers, no sales games.
Request your free estimate or call (813) 320-8710. We serve homeowners throughout Hillsborough and Pasco counties including Westchase, Carrollwood, South Tampa, Starkey Ranch, and Land O' Lakes.
Related Reading
Exterior Painting Services
Our full exterior painting process for Tampa Bay stucco and siding homes.
Interior Painting Services
Room-by-room interior painting with Sherwin-Williams products.
Cabinet Refinishing
Sand, prime, and spray your kitchen cabinets for a factory finish.
Painters in Westchase
Serving Westchase homeowners with HOA-approved painting.
Preparing Stucco for Painting in Tampa
Why stucco prep matters and what it involves.
Painters in Starkey Ranch
Exterior and interior painting in Starkey Ranch, Odessa FL.