House painters in Memphis, TN
Compare up to three local Memphis painting contractors from Henry's vetted bench — interior, exterior, cabinets and trim.
A full interior repaint on a 2,000-square-foot Memphis home costs $3,800 to $7,500 in 2026, with historic Midtown and Central Gardens homes running higher because of lead-safe prep on older trim. Exterior jobs cost more and depend heavily on siding material and how much scraping and caulking the crew has to do first.\n\nFrom cabinet refinishing in East Memphis kitchens to full exterior repaints in Collierville, knowing typical local pricing and prep standards helps you compare quotes accurately.
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 Memphis 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 Memphis-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 Memphis
| Interior painting (per room, 10x12) | $400 - $850 |
| Whole interior (2,000 sq ft home) | $3,800 - $7,500 |
| Exterior painting (2,000 sq ft home) | $4,200 - $8,500 |
| Cabinet painting/refinishing (kitchen) | $1,800 - $4,500 |
| Trim and door repaint (per room) | $150 - $350 |
| Ceiling painting (per room) | $150 - $300 |
| Wallpaper removal and repaint (per room) | $500 - $1,100 |
| Deck or fence staining | $700 - $2,200 |
Ranges are general estimates gathered from homeowner-reported quotes in the Memphis area, not an offer or a quote for your project.
When to schedule painting in Memphis
Spring and fall bring the mild, lower-humidity days best for exterior painting in Memphis, while summer heat and humidity above 90% can slow dry time between coats; interior painting can be scheduled any time of year with proper ventilation.
Permits and HOA rules
Most residential interior and exterior painting does not require a permit from the City of Memphis Office of Construction Code Enforcement unless structural repairs are bundled into the job, but pre-1978 homes fall under EPA lead-safe renovation rules that painters must follow.
Licensing and insurance in Tennessee
Tennessee requires a state contractor license through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors only for painting contracts over $25,000; for smaller jobs, homeowners should still confirm general liability insurance and, for older homes, EPA lead-safe certification.
What Memphis homeowners pay for paint
Painting quotes in Memphis vary by neighborhood age and prep work. Historic homes in Midtown, Central Gardens, and Cooper-Young often need lead-safe practices on pre-1978 trim, which adds labor cost under EPA rules.
Newer construction in Cordova, Collierville, and Arlington usually needs less prep, so painters can quote tighter ranges.
Humidity and Memphis paint jobs
Memphis summers run hot and humid, which slows dry time between coats and makes spring and fall the preferred exterior painting windows. Interior work can happen year-round with proper ventilation and dehumidification.
Painters who understand local humidity patterns will build extra cure time into exterior schedules rather than rushing a second coat.
Licensing and hiring a painter
Tennessee does not require a separate state painting license for jobs under $25,000, but any painting contract above that threshold needs a contractor pulling permits through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Always ask for proof of general liability insurance regardless of job size.
Get at least two written quotes that specify surface prep, number of coats, and paint brand and sheen.
Choosing paint for Memphis conditions
Exterior paints with strong UV and mildew resistance hold up better through Memphis' humid summers; many local painters recommend 100% acrylic latex for siding and trim. For cabinets, a hybrid enamel gives a durable, washable finish that survives daily kitchen use.
Our Memphis painting guide has more detail on choosing sheens and finishes room by room.
Areas Henry covers
East Memphis · Germantown · Cordova · Bartlett · Collierville · Midtown · Cooper-Young · Central Gardens · Whitehaven · Hickory Hill · Harbor Town · Downtown Memphis · Frayser · Raleigh · Millington · Arlington
Common questions
How much do painters charge in Memphis?
Whole-interior jobs on a 2,000-square-foot home typically run $3,800 to $7,500, while exterior repaints run $4,200 to $8,500 depending on siding material and prep needed.
Do painters in Memphis need a license?
Tennessee only requires a state contractor license for painting contracts over $25,000, issued through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors; smaller jobs still warrant checking for liability insurance.
What time of year is best to paint a house exterior in Memphis?
Spring and fall offer the most stable temperatures and lower humidity, giving paint the best chance to cure properly between coats.
Does older Memphis housing need special lead paint precautions?
Homes built before 1978, common in Midtown and Central Gardens, fall under EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rules requiring lead-safe practices.
How much does cabinet painting cost in Memphis?
Kitchen cabinet painting or refinishing typically runs $1,800 to $4,500 depending on cabinet count and whether doors are removed and sprayed off-site.
Memphis guides from The Henry Files
Nearby Tennessee markets
Sources
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