What Painters Charge in Memphis, TN (2026 Guide)
Painters in Memphis, TN typically charge $3,800 to $7,500 for a whole-home interior repaint on a 2,000-square-foot house, with per-room jobs running $400 to $850 depending on prep work and ceiling height.
By Jason Green · Interior & Exterior Painting · Published August 26, 2026 · 8 min read
What painters charge across Memphis
Pricing varies by neighborhood and home age. A newer home in Cordova or Arlington with drywall in good condition usually quotes at the lower end of the range, while a historic home in Midtown or Central Gardens with plaster walls and old trim often costs more due to extra prep and patching.
Exterior painting runs higher, typically $4,200 to $8,500 for a 2,000-square-foot home, since it involves scraping, caulking, and often pressure washing before any paint goes on.
How to vet a Memphis painting contractor
1. Confirm they carry general liability insurance and ask to see a certificate. 2. For homes built before 1978, ask specifically about EPA lead-safe certification, since Midtown and other older Memphis neighborhoods commonly have original trim and windows. 3. Request a written quote specifying number of coats, paint brand, and sheen, not just a lump-sum price. 4. Ask for two to three local references from jobs completed in the last year. 5. Confirm who handles furniture moving, wall repair, and cleanup so nothing is a surprise add-on. 6. Get the payment schedule in writing before work starts, and avoid paying the full amount upfront.
Interior vs exterior pricing breakdown
Interior work is priced mostly by room count and wall condition, with an average per-room cost of $400 to $850 including ceilings and trim. Exterior work is priced by square footage of siding and how much scraping and repair the surface needs, which is why two similarly sized homes can get very different quotes.
Cabinet painting is its own category and typically runs $1,800 to $4,500 depending on cabinet count and finish quality; our Memphis painting guide covers that in more detail.
Licensing and insurance basics
Tennessee only requires a state contractor license through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors for painting jobs over $25,000, which most residential repaints fall under. That said, verifying liability insurance protects you regardless of job size if paint damages flooring or landscaping.
Typical cost ranges
| Single room interior repaint | $400 - $850 |
| Whole interior (2,000 sq ft) | $3,800 - $7,500 |
| Exterior repaint (2,000 sq ft) | $4,200 - $8,500 |
| Trim/door repaint (per room) | $150 - $350 |
| Cabinet painting | $1,800 - $4,500 |
Ranges are general estimates gathered from homeowner-reported quotes, not an offer or a quote for your project.
Common questions
How much do Memphis painters charge per room?
Most quote $400 to $850 per room for walls, trim, and ceiling depending on prep needed.
Do Memphis painters need a state license?
Only for contracts over $25,000, which require a Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors license; smaller jobs don't require one but should still carry insurance.
Should older Memphis homes ask about lead paint?
Yes, homes built before 1978 fall under EPA lead-safe renovation rules, and painters working on them should be certified.
How many quotes should I get before hiring a painter?
At least two to three written quotes that specify coats, brand, and sheen help you compare apples to apples.
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