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Painting in Charleston, SC

Compare 4 local painting pros. Typical service: $385–$1154.

Top Painting Companies in Charleston

  1. 1.Charleston Painting Contractors

    5.0★ (22 reviews)

    5.0★ from 22 reviews

    +18437375770Website

  2. 2.LIME Painting of Charleston

    4.8★ (25 reviews)

    4.8★ from 25 reviews

    +18438748191Website

  3. 3.Colorworks Painting and Designs - Charleston

    5.0★ (2 reviews)

    5.0★ from 2 reviews

    +18436830780Website

  4. 4.Palmetto Tri-County Painting

    +18439732260Website

Painting Cost in Charleston

Local ranges, adjusted for area wage and cost-of-living data.

ServiceTypical range in Charleston
Interior room$385–$1,154/room
Whole-home interior$3,848–$9,620/job
Exterior repaint$2,886–$7,696/job
Cabinet painting$2,886–$6,734/job

Painting prices in Charleston run about 4% below the national average, based on what this trade earns in the metro area — so neighbouring cities in the same metro see similar rates.

Quotes on this page come from 4 companies serving Charleston, rated 4.9★ on average across 49 customer reviews.

Charleston Climate & Seasonal Timing

What Charleston's weather means for scheduling painting.

Last spring frost
February 6
First fall frost
December 23
Annual precipitation
44.42"
Heating degree days
1,736
Cooling degree days
2,375
MonthLowHighPrecip
Jan42.8°56.7°2.94"
Feb45.5°59.6°2.51"
Mar51.6°65°3.3"
Apr58.8°72°2.53"
May67.1°78.7°2.16"
Jun74°84.5°4.65"
Jul76.9°87.6°5.4"
Aug76.1°86.4°6.71"
Sep71.8°82°5.76"
Oct62.5°74.6°3.67"
Nov53.6°67.3°2.19"
Dec45.6°59.5°2.6"

NOAA station data 4.64 miles from Charleston.

Permits & Regulations in SC

  • Residential painting and other specialty work over $500 in South Carolina requires Residential Builders Commission registration
  • Larger remodeling is licensed as residential building
  • Work that disturbs paint in homes built before 1978 must be done by a Lead-Safe Certified firm under the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

License required: SC Residential Specialty Contractor registration (work over $500)

Sources: llr.sc.gov, www.epa.gov

Painting FAQs for Charleston

How much does painting cost in Charleston?

Painting a typical interior room in Charleston runs $385-$1154, depending on size, ceilings and trim.

How many painters serve Charleston?

We track 4 painting companies serving Charleston.

When can exterior painting be done in Charleston?

Most exterior paints need surface and air temperatures above about 50F. In Charleston the reliable window runs from after the last frost around February 6 to before the first around December 23.

Is painting in Charleston more expensive than average?

Painting in Charleston runs about -3.8% versus the national average, tracking local painter wages.

Can exterior paint go on in Charleston summer heat?

Paint applied in direct sun when Charleston reaches 88F dries too fast and can lap or blister, so crews work the shaded side of the house and early in the day.

How does Charleston rainfall affect exterior paint?

Charleston gets about 44.42 inches of precipitation a year; siding must be dry before painting and the paint needs several dry hours to cure.

Do painters need a license in SC?

In SC, Residential painting and other specialty work over $500 in South Carolina requires Residential Builders Commission registration. Homes built before 1978 in Charleston also require an EPA lead-safe certified firm for work that disturbs paint.

How long does exterior paint last in Charleston?

Typically 5-10 years; Charleston winter lows near 43F and summer highs near 88F drive the expansion and contraction that crack paint sooner on sun-facing walls.