What Painting Costs in Fairfield County
Painting in Fairfield County costs 18-28% above the national average. Prices are close to Westchester, with coastal towns trending higher because salt air and humidity wear paint down faster.
CT doesn't require a specific painting license, but any painter doing work over $200 needs a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration with the state. That's a low bar, but it does provide a basic level of consumer protection and a way to file complaints if something goes wrong.
2026 Painting Costs in Fairfield County
Prices from painters working across the county. Prep work and paint quality are the biggest cost variables.
| Job | Low | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior, single room (12x12) | $375 | $850 | CT HIC registration needed for jobs over $200 |
| Interior, whole house (2,000 sq ft) | $4,500 | $13,000 | Greenwich, Westport, Darien trend toward the high end |
| Exterior, full house (2-story) | $6,000 | $11,000 | Coastal homes need repainting every 5-7 years vs. 7-10 inland |
| Cabinet painting (20-30 doors) | $2,800 | $6,500 | Popular alternative to full cabinet replacement |
The Coastal Paint Problem
If your home is within a few miles of Long Island Sound, your exterior paint takes a beating. Salt air, higher humidity, and more intense sun exposure on south-facing walls all accelerate paint failure.
Inland towns like Danbury, Brookfield, and Ridgefield can go 7-10 years between exterior paint jobs. Homes in Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, and Westport often need repainting every 5-7 years. Over the life of a home, that adds up to tens of thousands of dollars in additional painting costs.
The fix is using marine-grade or high-salt-resistance exterior paints (Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior, Sherwin-Williams Duration). They cost more per gallon but last longer in coastal conditions. A good painter working on the coast should bring this up without you asking.
Pricing by Town
Greenwich and Westport are the most expensive painting markets in the county. Large homes with extensive trim, high ceilings, and homeowner expectations for premium finishes push whole-house interior work to $8,000-13,000 routinely.
Stamford and Norwalk are more moderate. Plenty of competition keeps the market honest, and the mix of housing (condos, ranches, colonials) means painters work across price points.
Danbury is the most affordable market in the county for painting. Smaller homes, simpler trim, and lower overhead for painters who don't commute to the coast. A full interior in Danbury runs $3,500-8,000 for a 2,000 sq ft home.
Fairfield sits in the middle. The town has both modest neighborhoods and expensive waterfront areas, so quotes can vary significantly depending on which part of town you're in.
Lead Paint in Pre-1978 Homes
Most homes in Fairfield County's established towns were built before 1978 and likely have lead paint. Any work that disturbs paint (scraping, sanding, window replacement) requires EPA RRP-certified contractors. This is federal law. Fines start at $37,500 per day for violations. Lead abatement adds $2,000-5,000 to an exterior job. Ask for the EPA certification number before hiring.
The Bottom Line
Budget $375-850 per room for interior work, $6,000-11,000 for a full exterior. Coastal homeowners should plan for repainting 2-3 years sooner than inland neighbors. Verify CT HIC registration at portal.ct.gov/DCP. Compare painters in your area through our Fairfield County painting directory.
Find Contractors Now
Browse verified contractors in our directory — compare ratings, read reviews, and request free quotes.
Alex Colombo is the founder of Westchester AI, a technology consulting firm serving businesses across Westchester County and the tri-state area. When he's not helping local companies modernize their operations, he's researching what home improvement actually costs in the area so homeowners don't walk into quotes blind.