House painters in New Orleans, LA
Compare up to three local New Orleans painting contractors from Henry's vetted bench — interior, exterior, cabinets and trim.
New Orleans homes face uniquely tough painting conditions, with year-round humidity, intense sun, and frequent rain that accelerate mildew growth and paint failure on exterior siding, shutters, and trim. Exterior repaints on a typical New Orleans shotgun house or camelback run roughly $4,500 to $9,500, while a full interior repaint runs about $2,500 to $6,000 depending on square footage and ceiling height. Because so much of the local housing stock includes historic wood siding, ironwork, and older plaster interiors, choosing the right prep and coatings matters more here than in drier climates. This page breaks down 2026 pricing, seasonal timing, and the rules homeowners should know before hiring a painting contractor.
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 New Orleans 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
Pros are already vetted
Only three Henry Standard painters in your New Orleans-area ZIP get your request — pros we've checked for responsiveness, references and written estimates.
- 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 New Orleans
| Interior room repaint (avg size) | $350 - $800 |
| Full interior repaint (1,500 sq ft home) | $2,500 - $6,000 |
| Exterior repaint (shotgun/camelback house) | $4,500 - $9,500 |
| Exterior repaint (larger two-story home) | $8,000 - $16,000 |
| Cabinet painting/refinishing | $1,800 - $4,500 |
| Wrought iron/gate refinishing | $400 - $1,200 |
| Pressure washing and mildew treatment | $300 - $700 |
| Stucco or siding repair before painting | $500 - $2,500 |
Ranges are general estimates gathered from homeowner-reported quotes in the New Orleans area, not an offer or a quote for your project.
When to schedule painting in New Orleans
Spring and fall are the best times to schedule exterior painting in New Orleans, since summer humidity and afternoon storms slow paint curing and increase the risk of trapped moisture under a new coat. Painters generally avoid the peak of hurricane season for exterior work when possible, and many homeowners plan interior painting projects during the hottest, most humid months instead, since interior work is less weather-dependent.
Permits and HOA rules
Most residential repainting projects in New Orleans do not require a permit through the Department of Safety and Permits, but any exterior color change on a home within a designated historic district generally requires HDLC review and approval before work begins. Homeowners in the French Quarter, Garden District, and similar districts should confirm color approval with the HDLC ahead of scheduling a painter.
Licensing and insurance in Louisiana
Painting contractors working above the state threshold must be licensed through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, and any work disturbing painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 must follow EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) lead-safe practices, since older New Orleans housing stock frequently contains lead-based paint layers.
Why exterior paint fails faster in New Orleans
High humidity and frequent rain create ideal conditions for mildew and algae growth on exterior siding, especially on shaded north-facing walls and under porch overhangs common on shotgun houses.
UV exposure through long, hot summers also breaks down lower-quality paint films faster than in milder climates, making product selection and proper prep especially important here.
Choosing mildew-resistant coatings
Exterior paints formulated with mildewcide additives and higher-quality acrylic resins hold up significantly better in New Orleans humidity than standard latex paint, and are worth the added cost on most homes in the metro.
Proper surface prep, including thorough pressure washing and mildew treatment before painting, matters as much as the paint product itself, since coating over existing mildew growth leads to early peeling.
Interior painting considerations
Older New Orleans homes often have plaster walls and high humidity levels indoors, so painters typically recommend breathable, moisture-tolerant paints in kitchens, bathrooms, and ground-floor rooms prone to dampness.
Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint beneath newer layers, and any sanding or scraping during interior prep should follow EPA RRP lead-safe procedures to protect the household.
Historic homes and color approval
Homeowners in designated historic districts should submit exterior color choices to the HDLC for review before starting a repaint, since approved palettes are often tied to a home's architectural period.
Working with a painter experienced in historic New Orleans homes can help streamline this process, since they are often familiar with commonly approved color ranges for shotgun houses, Creole cottages, and Victorian-era homes.
Finding a qualified New Orleans painter
Ask any painting contractor for their LSLBC license number if the project size requires one, along with proof of insurance and references from similar humid-climate exterior projects.
For current local pricing and vetted painting contractors, see our New Orleans painting page, which covers metro-specific cost ranges and coating recommendations.
Areas Henry covers
French Quarter · Garden District · Uptown · Mid-City · Bywater · Marigny · Algiers · Lakeview · Gentilly · Broadmoor · Treme · Bayou St. John
Common questions
How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a house in New Orleans?
Exterior repaints on a typical shotgun or camelback house generally run between $4,500 and $9,500, while larger two-story homes can run $8,000 to $16,000 depending on size and prep needed.
What paint holds up best to New Orleans humidity?
High-quality acrylic exterior paints with mildewcide additives perform best in the local climate and resist the mildew and algae growth common on shaded exterior walls.
Do I need HDLC approval to repaint my house in New Orleans?
If your home is in a designated historic district such as the French Quarter or Garden District, exterior color changes typically need HDLC review and approval before painting.
Is lead paint a concern in older New Orleans homes?
Yes, many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint beneath newer coats, and contractors should follow EPA RRP lead-safe practices when sanding or scraping these surfaces.
New Orleans guides from The Henry Files
Nearby Louisiana markets
Sources
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