Most "pricing guides" you find online are useless. They give you a range so wide it tells you nothing. "$1,000 to $10,000." Thanks.

Here are the actual numbers. These are the prices we quote every week on real jobs in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the rest of the Valley in 2026. They're built from 25 years of running painting companies and 131 real reviews. If you want to skip the rest of this article and just call, that's fine too — (602) 888-1281.

Exterior Painting — Phoenix Metro

Exterior pricing is driven by three things: square footage of painted surface, stucco condition, and how many colors you want. The square footage that matters is surface area, not home square footage. A 2,000 sq ft single-story with a steep pitched roof can have more exterior surface than a 2,800 sq ft two-story.

Here's how we price exterior jobs in three tiers:

  • Small exterior (single-story, under 2,000 sq ft): $3,500 – $5,500
  • Medium exterior (2,000–3,200 sq ft, single or two-story): $5,500 – $9,000
  • Large exterior (3,200+ sq ft, two-story, or heavy trim/detail): $9,000 – $18,000+

Those numbers assume stucco in decent shape, normal 2–3 color scheme, and a Sherwin-Williams or Pittsburgh Paints product. Here's what moves you up:

  • More than 3 colors. Every additional color adds labor — separate cutting, separate rolling, more masking. If you go from 3 colors to 6 colors, expect 20–30% more.
  • Heavy stucco repair. Cracks over 1/8" wide, delamination, water damage. Repair runs $200–$800 per area depending on scope.
  • Wood fascia or eaves with rot. Replace-and-prime runs $12–$25 per linear foot.
  • Wrought iron that hasn't been touched in a decade. Power-wash, wire-brush, rust-convert, prime, and paint adds $600–$2,500.

Interior Painting — Phoenix Metro

Interior is quoted by room count, ceiling height, and what you're actually painting. A full interior repaint (walls, ceilings, trim, doors) is a different job from "just the walls."

  • Small interior (1–2 rooms or a condo, walls only): $4,500 – $6,500
  • Medium interior (3–5 rooms, walls + trim, or a small home top to bottom): $6,500 – $9,500
  • Large interior (whole 2,500–3,500 sq ft home, walls/ceilings/trim/doors): $9,500 – $16,000+

Ceilings are the sneaky one. Adding ceilings to a full-wall job isn't 10% more. It's usually 30–50% more, because ceilings are slow and hard. 10-foot walls cost more than 8-foot walls. Vaulted ceilings cost more than flat ones. If your home has a lot of 20-foot entryways, expect scaffolding charges.

Cabinets

Cabinet refinishing is its own category. It's closer to fine furniture work than wall painting — different crew, different materials, different pricing logic.

  • Small (under 15 doors/drawers): $3,000 – $5,500
  • Medium (15–25 doors/drawers): $4,500 – $8,500
  • Large (25+ doors/drawers, or two-tone island): $6,500 – $11,000

There's a longer article on cabinet pricing here. Short version: if your boxes are solid, refinishing is a fraction of replacement.

The $2,500 Minimum

We have a $2,500 minimum on any job. That's not a markup — it's math. Mobilizing a crew, a truck, materials, insurance, and a project manager for a half-day job costs real money. Below $2,500, we lose money and you get a rushed job. If your project is smaller than that, we'll tell you honestly, and we can point you to a one-man operation that can take it.

What You Should Be Getting for That Price

A real quote in this price range should include, in writing:

  • A named paint product, sheen, and number of coats per surface
  • Power-wash and surface prep scope
  • Stucco crack repair scope (sizes, quantity, product)
  • Masking and protection of landscaping, windows, fixtures
  • Cleanup terms
  • Written warranty — ours is 9 years labor and material
  • Insurance and bonding info, ROC license number

If a quote is just a price and a line that says "paint exterior" — walk away. You have no idea what you're buying.

Why We Don't Quote by Phone

We never quote a house by phone. Not because we're being difficult. Because we'd be wrong. Until we see the stucco condition, the trim, the prep needs, and what colors you actually want, any number we give you is a lie. We'd rather spend 30 minutes walking your project with you and give you a number we can stand behind for 9 years.

Want an actual number? Call (602) 888-1281 or request a free estimate. We'll walk your property, measure it, and send you a written quote that breaks out every line item. No sales pitch.