How much does it cost to paint a house in Florida?▾
Interior repaint of a 2,000 sq ft home: $3,500–$7,500 depending on prep, ceilings, trim, and color count. Full exterior of a 2,000 sq ft stucco home: $4,500–$9,500 with elastomeric or premium acrylic. Cabinet refinishing (kitchen, ~30 doors): $2,800–$5,500. Always include surface prep, primer, and 2 topcoats in your quote.
What's the best exterior paint for Florida?▾
Elastomeric coatings (Sherwin-Williams Loxon XP, Behr Premium Plus Ultra elastomeric) for stucco — they bridge hairline cracks and resist UV. For wood/Hardie siding, a 100% acrylic latex with UV inhibitors. Avoid oil-based exteriors in Florida — they yellow and chalk fast in the sun.
How often does a Florida home need to be repainted?▾
Stucco exteriors with elastomeric: 8–12 years. Wood or Hardie with quality acrylic: 6–10 years. Decks and pool cages: 3–5 years (wood is brutal in our climate). Interior walls: 7–10 years for most rooms, less for kitchens and bathrooms. South and west exposures fail first — that's where to inspect annually.
Do Florida painters need a license?▾
Painters working under $2,500 per job and not pulling permits don't need a state license — but a county/city Business Tax Receipt (BTR) is universally required. For commercial work, larger residential jobs, or anything requiring permits, a Painting Contractor license is needed. Always verify liability insurance.
Should I paint my Florida home a light or dark color?▾
Light colors (whites, soft grays, pale blues) reflect heat, last longer in UV, and dominate Florida HOA palettes. Dark colors fade 30–50% faster and run noticeably hotter — a deep charcoal exterior in Tampa can hit 165°F surface temp in summer, accelerating substrate damage.