San Francisco’s housing stock is unlike any other American city: roughly 14,000 Victorian and Edwardian homes line its hills, many of them last painted before the energy crisis. The coastal microclimate brings salt air, dense fog, and UV-heavy summer afternoons that together degrade exterior paint faster than inland markets, making a proper preparation stage as important as the paint itself. Interior painting across the city averages $4,000 to $10,000 for a full home, while a detailed Victorian exterior with multi-color trim work routinely runs $30,000 to $100,000 or more depending on restoration requirements.
San Francisco homeowners prioritize painters who understand lead-paint protocols, since homes predating 1978 are common throughout the Mission, Haight, and Richmond districts. Stucco repair, wood-rot remediation, and color preservation in historically designated blocks are recurring requests, and many owners are drawn to contractors with verifiable experience on bay windows and ornate gingerbread trim.
Barrios Painting Inc.
Founded: 1999
Address: San Francisco, CA (Bay Area region)
Phone: (415) 424-2470
Website: https://barriospainting.com
Services: Interior painting, exterior painting, cabinet painting and refinishing, deck and fence painting/staining, drywall repairs, trim replacement, stucco repairs, minor remodeling
Products Used: Not specified
A family-owned company founded in 1999, Barrios Painting serves both residential and commercial clients across San Francisco and the broader Bay Area. The firm is licensed, insured, and bonded, and its emphasis on high-end professional work at fair pricing has built a repeat-client base in neighborhoods ranging from Pacific Heights to Bernal Heights.
Rossi Painting and Construction
Founded: Not specified
Address: 110 Glenn Way, #17, San Mateo, CA 94070
Phone: (650) 595-5225
Website: https://rossipainting.com
Services: Residential painting, commercial painting, interior painting, exterior painting, kitchen cabinet painting, office painting, government building painting, wallpaper removal and installation, popcorn ceiling removal, drywall repair
Products Used: Not specified
Operating across the Bay Area for over 35 years, Rossi Painting and Construction backs its work with a three-year all-inclusive warranty, a commitment that is uncommon among San Francisco contractors. The company holds particular expertise in navigating the coastal weather and architectural variety of San Francisco, from stucco row houses in the Sunset to wood-frame buildings in Noe Valley.
JLM Painting Inc.
Founded: Not specified
Address: San Francisco, CA
Phone: Not publicly listed
Website: https://jlmpaintinginc.com
Services: Interior painting, exterior painting, commercial painting, HOA painting, property management painting
Products Used: Not specified
JLM Painting operates as a full-service residential and commercial contractor across San Francisco, with particular experience serving HOA communities and property managers who need consistent results across multiple units. The company’s commercial division handles tailored paint programs for office buildings, retail spaces, and multi-unit residential properties throughout the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does interior painting cost in San Francisco?
A: Interior painting in San Francisco typically runs $4,000 to $10,000 for a full home, depending on square footage, ceiling height, and surface condition. Single-room projects generally fall between $800 and $2,000.
Q: Why does exterior painting cost so much more in San Francisco than in other cities?
A: The city’s dense fog, salt air, and the intricate architecture of Victorian and Edwardian homes drive costs up significantly. A standard exterior repaint can run $5,000 to $30,000, and a detailed Victorian with ornamental trim and lead-paint abatement can exceed $100,000.
Q: Do San Francisco painters need special certification for older homes?
A: Yes. Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint, and California law requires contractors to hold EPA Lead-Safe Certification before disturbing painted surfaces in those structures. Always ask for proof of certification before any work begins on a pre-1978 property.
San Francisco’s painting market moves at the pace of its real estate cycle: demand spikes in spring when homeowners prep for sale and again after summer fog season when exterior work picks up. Getting estimates from multiple contractors three to four weeks before your target start date is advisable, particularly in neighborhoods like Pacific Heights and the Castro where reputable crews book out quickly.