Painter & Decorator in Durham
Compare local painting contractor pros in Durham and get free quotes — no obligation, no call-backs you didn't ask for.
Typical price: $150–$10,000
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Painter & Decorator prices in Durham
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single room (walls and ceiling) Standard 10x12 bedroom, two coats, minor prep | $300 | $500 | $800 |
| Whole interior (3-bed home) Walls throughout, standard prep, two coats | $2,500 | $4,500 | $8,000 |
| Exterior repaint (single-family) Wash, scrape, prime, two coats on siding and trim | $3,000 | $5,500 | $10,000 |
| Trim, doors, and baseboards (per room) Woodwork in semi-gloss, added to a wall job | $150 | $300 | $500 |
| Kitchen cabinet repainting Degrease, sand, prime, spray or brush finish | $1,500 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
How to hire a painter & decorator pro in United States
- Check state licensing where it applies — e.g., California requires a CSLB C-33 painting contractor licence for jobs above the small-job threshold; many states have similar rules, others none
- For homes built before 1978, verify the firm is EPA Lead-Safe (RRP) certified — it's federally required for work disturbing paint in pre-1978 housing
- Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers' comp
- Get 3 itemised bids on the same written scope: surfaces, prep level, coats, and paint line
- Confirm who supplies paint and which line (e.g., contractor vs premium grade)
- Agree stage payments — avoid paying more than a modest deposit up front (California caps deposits at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less)
US painter regulation is two-layer: state contractor licensing (varies — California's CSLB requires a C-33 licence above a small-job threshold, while some states require no licence at all) and the federal EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule, which requires certified lead-safe firms and practices for work disturbing paint in pre-1978 homes.
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See the full breakdown of what drives painter & decorator prices — job sizes, unit rates, and how to save.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a good painter in Durham?
Look for painters in Durham with recent reviewed jobs similar to yours, ask two or three for itemised written quotes on the same scope, and compare the scopes rather than the bottom line. Local paint stores are an underrated source — staff know which professionals buy quality materials regularly. A painter who measures up in person and asks about prep will almost always outperform one who prices sight-unseen.
How many coats of paint do walls need?
Two topcoats is the professional standard for a proper finish, plus a primer or sealer coat on new plaster, stains, or strong colour changes. Be suspicious of quotes that assume one coat — it rarely covers evenly and is the classic way a cheap quote wins then disappoints. Dramatic colour changes (dark to light) can need a tinted primer plus two coats.
When is the best time of year to paint the exterior?
Exterior paint needs dry surfaces and temperatures roughly between 10-30C (50-85F) without rain for 24 hours after application, so the local dry season or settled summer months are ideal. Painters' calendars fill in peak season — booking exterior work a month or two ahead gets better pricing and scheduling. Interiors are painted year-round and some painters discount interior work in their off-season.
Can painters work room by room while we live in the house?
Yes — it's the normal mode for occupied homes. Agree the sequence, confirm low-VOC or quick-dry paints if fumes are a concern, and expect each room out of action for 1-2 days. Whole-house jobs go 20-30% faster in an empty house, which is why many people schedule painting between moving out and moving in.
Is my US home covered by the lead paint (RRP) rule?
If it was built before 1978 and the job disturbs more than minor amounts of painted surface, yes — the contractor must be an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm and follow containment practices. Ask for the certification number; fines for uncertified work are significant and the dust risk to children is real.
What do painters charge per hour vs per square foot in the US?
Hourly rates run about $25-$75, but most interior work is bid at $2-$6 per square foot of floor area or per room ($300-$800 for a standard bedroom). Whole-interior repaints of a 3-bed home typically land between $2,500 and $8,000 depending on prep, ceilings, and trim.
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