In 2026, most Tampa Bay homeowners pay $2 to $6 per square foot of wall area for interior painting, or about $400 to $1,000 per room. A full exterior repaint on a typical 1,500 to 2,500 sq ft concrete block home usually costs $3,500 to $9,000, depending on prep, stories and the condition of the stucco.
| Project | Typical 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Bedroom, walls only (12 x 12 ft) | $400 to $750 |
| Living room or great room | $700 to $1,500 |
| Kitchen walls (cabinets not included) | $500 to $1,000 |
| Whole interior, 2,000 sq ft home | $5,000 to $11,000 |
| Ceilings, per room | $200 to $450 |
| Exterior, one story block and stucco | $3,500 to $6,500 |
| Exterior, two story home | $6,000 to $9,500 |
| Kitchen cabinets | $3,000 to $7,000 |
How much does it cost to paint a house interior in Tampa?
Interior work is usually priced by the room or by the square foot of wall surface. Two coats of a quality acrylic on walls in good shape, with basic patching, is the baseline. Add ceilings, trim, doors and accent walls and the price climbs. Painting trim and doors in a full room typically adds 20 to 40 percent.
Tampa homes built in the 1950s through 1970s in neighborhoods like Seminole Heights, Sunset Park and Carrollwood often have plaster walls, textured ceilings and layers of old paint. Those surfaces need more patching and priming than newer drywall in New Tampa or Riverview, which pushes the cost per room up. For a look at how interior pricing compares in another Southern metro, see our Dallas interior painting cost guide.
How much does exterior painting cost in Tampa Bay?
Most Tampa Bay homes are concrete block covered in stucco, and stucco needs different prep than wood siding. A good exterior job includes pressure washing, caulking cracks, patching stucco, priming bare spots and two coats of a masonry rated exterior paint. Expect $3,500 to $6,500 for a single story home and $6,000 to $9,500 for two stories.
Homes with wood siding, such as older bungalows in Hyde Park or Old Northeast in St. Petersburg, need scraping, sanding and spot priming where paint has peeled. That labor can add $1,000 to $3,000 compared with stucco of the same size. Soffits, fascia, shutters and the lanai ceiling are often priced separately, so ask what is included.
What affects painting prices in Tampa?
- Prep work. Patching, sanding, caulking and priming can be half the labor on an older home.
- Height. Vaulted ceilings, two story foyers and second floor exteriors require ladders or scaffolding.
- Paint quality. Premium exterior paint costs $60 to $90 a gallon versus $35 to $50 for mid grade, but it holds color longer in Florida sun.
- Color changes. Going from a dark color to a light one, or the reverse, often needs a primer coat plus two finish coats.
- Moisture damage. Mildew, stained ceilings or soft wood must be treated before painting.
- Furniture and access. Full rooms take longer to protect and paint than empty ones.
What paint works best in Tampa’s climate?
Florida is hard on paint. Strong UV fades color, afternoon storms soak walls, and humidity feeds mildew on shaded north walls and under eaves. For exteriors, choose a 100 percent acrylic exterior paint rated for masonry, with mildew resistant additives. Satin or low sheen finishes hide stucco texture and clean easily. Our guide to the best exterior house paint compares the main product lines.
Lighter colors reflect heat and fade less noticeably, which is one reason soft whites, sand, pale gray and light coastal blues are so common from Westchase to Gulfport. Inside, many homeowners pick warm whites to brighten tile heavy rooms; see the most popular Benjamin Moore whites for starting points.
How long does a painting project take?
Timelines depend on crew size, prep and weather. These are typical durations for a two or three person crew:
- One bedroom: one day, sometimes a day and a half with trim and ceiling.
- Whole interior, 2,000 sq ft: four to seven working days.
- Kitchen cabinets: four to seven days, because doors are removed, sprayed and left to cure.
- One story stucco exterior: three to five days in dry weather.
- Two story exterior: five to eight days, longer during the rainy season.
Cabinet painting deserves its own note. It is one of the most requested Tampa updates for homes built in the 1990s and 2000s with oak cabinets, and it costs a fraction of new cabinets. The work involves degreasing, sanding, a bonding primer and a durable enamel, so it should not be rushed. Ask whether hinges are reused or replaced and how long doors need to cure before rehanging.
When is the best time to paint a house in Tampa?
| Season | Exterior | Interior |
|---|---|---|
| October to April | Best: lower humidity, fewer storms | Good |
| May | Good, plan around heat | Good |
| June to September | Possible with morning starts; storms cause delays | Best time to do indoor projects |
Exterior paint needs dry surfaces and a few hours without rain to cure. During the summer rainy season, crews often work early and stop before the afternoon storms, so an exterior that takes four days in February may take a week in August. Interior work can happen any time of year.
Should you paint it yourself or hire it out?
A single bedroom is a reasonable weekend project if you are comfortable with cutting in and rolling. Exteriors, two story rooms, cabinets and anything with heavy prep are usually worth hiring out. Our DIY vs professional painting guide lays out the time and cost tradeoffs.
Whoever does the work, get the scope in writing before day one: which rooms and surfaces, how many coats, the paint brand and sheen, who supplies materials, how patching is handled, and whether cleanup and furniture moving are included. A clear scope is the easiest way to keep the final bill matching the price you agreed to.
With House Fly you see an upfront price for your painting project, you book at that price, and House Fly handles the rest. Payment is held until the job is done.
See your upfront price and book your house painting on House Fly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a room in Tampa?
Most Tampa homeowners pay $400 to $1,000 to paint one room, walls only, with two coats. Large living rooms, vaulted ceilings, heavy patching or dark to light color changes push the price higher. Adding ceilings, trim and doors usually adds 20 to 40 percent to the room price.
How much does it cost to paint a stucco house exterior in Tampa?
A one story block and stucco home typically costs $3,500 to $6,500 to repaint, and a two story home $6,000 to $9,500. The price includes pressure washing, crack repair, primer on bare spots and two coats of masonry rated paint. Wood trim, shutters and lanai ceilings may cost extra.
How often should you repaint a house exterior in Florida?
Most Tampa Bay exteriors need repainting every 5 to 8 years. Sun exposure, mildew on shaded walls and the quality of the last paint job all affect timing. Fading on south and west walls, chalky residue on your hand and hairline stucco cracks are signs it is time.
What is the best month to paint outside in Tampa?
October through April is best, because humidity is lower and afternoon storms are rare. Paint cures more evenly and crews lose fewer days to rain. Summer exterior work is possible with early starts, but storms often stretch the schedule, so plan indoor projects for June through September.
Do I need to move furniture before interior painting?
Move small items, decor and anything fragile, and take everything off the walls. Larger furniture is usually pushed to the center of the room and covered. Ask in advance whether furniture moving is included. Clear rooms let painters protect floors properly and finish faster.
