House painters in Des Moines, IA
Homeowners searching for painters des moines can expect interior jobs to run about $2,200-$5,800 for a typical three-bedroom house, while full exterior repaints on a 1,800-2,400 sq ft home in Beaverdale or Waveland Park usually land between $3,800 and $8,500 depending on siding type and the amount of scraping and prep needed on older homes.
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Top 10 painters in Des Moines, IA
The 10 Des Moines painters with the most Google reviews.
- 1View on Google
CertaPro Painters of Des Moines
4.8529 reviews2771 104th St Suite G, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA
- 2View on Google
Peterson Painting
5.0480 reviews2110 63rd St, Windsor Heights, IA 50324, USA
- 3View on Google
Budget Pro Painters
4.9215 reviews5729 Holcomb Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA
- 4View on Google
Harmony Painting
5.0176 reviews8000 Sharon Dr, Urbandale, IA 50322, USA
- 5View on Google
Midwest Paint, LLC.
4.9144 reviews5741 NE 22nd St Ste 204, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
- 6View on Google
Ekman Painting LLC
4.7125 reviews5820 NW Beaver Dr, Johnston, IA 50131, USA
- 7View on Google
Five Star Painting of Ankeny and West Des Moines
4.9123 reviews122 S Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023, USA
- 8View on Google
JC Toland Painting
4.379 reviews395 NW 43rd Pl, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA
- 9View on Google
Zoab Painting
4.977 reviews309 Court Ave Ste 841, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA
- 10View on Google
Pierpont Painting of Des Moines
4.975 reviews14410 Oakbrook Dr, Urbandale, IA 50323, USA
Ratings and reviews powered by Google
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The Henry Standard
Every painter in our network agrees to three things.
Show up
Call back. Keep appointments. And if something changes, communicate it.
Quote honestly
Clear scope, materials, and pricing in writing—so you know what you're agreeing to.
Finish the work
See the job through and take care of the agreed-upon work before calling it finished.
Nothing revolutionary. Just the way we believe doing business should still be done.
How Henry matches you with Des Moines painters
- Step 1
Tell Henry about the job
Your ZIP, the rooms or surfaces, and when you want it painted. Two minutes, four questions.
- Step 2
Only three pros get it
Only three Henry Standard painters in your Des Moines-area ZIP get your request — each has agreed to show up, quote honestly in writing, and finish the work.
- Step 3
Compare up to three quotes
You hear from three painters at most — never a list of twenty — and every estimate comes in writing. You pick, or pick nobody.
What painting costs in Des Moines
| Interior - single room (12x12) | $350-$700 |
| Interior - whole house (3 bed) | $2,200-$5,800 |
| Exterior - siding repaint (1,800 sf) | $3,800-$7,500 |
| Exterior - full repaint w/ trim & lead-safe prep | $5,500-$8,500 |
| Cabinet refinishing (kitchen) | $1,800-$4,200 |
| Deck or fence staining | $500-$1,400 |
| Drywall repair + paint (per room) | $250-$600 |
| Popcorn ceiling removal + paint (per room) | $450-$900 |
Ranges are general estimates gathered from homeowner-reported quotes in the Des Moines area, not an offer or a quote for your project.
When to schedule painting in Des Moines
Exterior painting in Des Moines is realistically limited to roughly May through October because paint and caulk need surface temps above 50F to cure properly, and Iowa's freeze-thaw cycles in winter and early spring can crack fresh exterior coatings before they fully harden.
Permits and HOA rules
Standard repainting does not require a permit through Des Moines Development Services, but exterior work involving siding replacement or structural trim repair may trigger a building permit reviewed by the city's Permit and Development Center.
Licensing and insurance in Iowa
Iowa has no statewide license specific to painting contractors; painters working in Des Moines must instead carry Iowa Division of Labor contractor registration, and out-of-state contractors need to post a bond with the state before performing work.
What Drives Painting Costs in Des Moines
Housing stock age is the biggest cost variable in this metro. Sherman Hill and Beaverdale both have large concentrations of homes built before 1978, which means lead-safe work practices under EPA RRP rules add labor time and cost to scraping and sanding exterior surfaces.
Siding type also matters: the wood lap siding common in Waveland Park and Drake takes longer to prep than the vinyl or fiber cement siding found in newer Windsor Heights construction, and that labor difference shows up directly in exterior bids.
Timing Your Project Around Iowa Weather
Late spring through early fall is the window most local painters recommend for exterior jobs, since humidity and temperature swings in early spring and late fall can affect paint adhesion.
Interior painting has no seasonal restriction, so many Des Moines homeowners schedule interior repaints for winter months when exterior crews have less work and pricing can be slightly more competitive.
Choosing a Painter in the Des Moines Metro
Since Iowa does not issue a dedicated painting license, ask any contractor for proof of Iowa Division of Labor contractor registration and current liability insurance before signing a contract.
Get at least two written bids that separately itemize prep work, primer, number of coats, and paint brand, since bids covering older Ingersoll Park or Sherman Hill homes can vary widely based on how much lead-safe prep is included.
Neighborhood Notes
Beaverdale's bungalow-heavy streets and Merle Hay's mid-century ranches each have their own common repaint needs, from narrow eaves to larger flat wall areas, so it helps to mention your neighborhood when requesting quotes.
South of Grand and Drake, both close to Drake University, have a mix of rental and owner-occupied homes where exterior curb appeal projects are common in late summer before the school year starts.
Areas Henry covers
Beaverdale · Sherman Hill · Ingersoll Park · Waveland Park · Drake · South of Grand · Merle Hay · Windsor Heights
Common questions
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior in Des Moines?
Most full exterior repaints on a typical 1,800-2,400 sq ft Des Moines home run $3,800 to $8,500, with older homes needing lead-safe prep landing at the higher end.
Do painters need a license in Iowa?
No statewide painting license exists in Iowa, but contractors must carry Iowa Division of Labor contractor registration, and out-of-state contractors need a bond on file with the state.
What time of year is best for exterior painting in Des Moines?
Roughly May through October, when daytime temperatures stay reliably above 50F, which is what most exterior paints and caulks need to cure properly.
Is a permit needed to repaint a house in Des Moines?
Simple repainting typically does not need a permit from Des Moines Development Services, but work that involves siding replacement or structural trim repair may require one.
Why do older Des Moines homes cost more to paint?
Neighborhoods like Sherman Hill and Beaverdale have many pre-1978 homes, which require lead-safe prep practices that add labor time and cost compared to newer construction.
Des Moines guides from The Henry Files
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