Get Quotes from Top Painters in Philadelphia, PA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Painter in Philadelphia?

Any painter planning to carry out services like addition, alteration, repairs, or removal of paint on buildings will need to apply for a contractor license. The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (DLI), via its Permits and Licenses Center, is responsible for reviewing license applications and issuing contractor licenses to intended painters. Failure to obtain a license before offering services in the city is a class II offense, and offenders are liable to up to $1,000 in fines or 90 days of imprisonment.

To be eligible for a contractor license, an applicant must meet all applicable contractor requirements, completion of safety training by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and provide proof of insurance. If the applicant meets all requirements, they can complete an application online through the DLI eCLIPSE portal. Applicants who need help with utilizing this portal can schedule a virtual appointment with the DLI for assistance. Alternatively, they can schedule an in-person appointment with the Permit and License Center and complete their license application at:

Applicants should note that they must pay the required license application fees before their license applications can be processed. Interested individuals can direct queries regarding the licensing and certification process for painters to the DLI by dialing 311 if within Philadelphia and dialing (215) 686-8686 if outside the city.

You can verify if your intended painter has obtained the required license by utilizing the city's DLI's find a licensed contractor platform. You can also find out if there are any subsisting or closed disciplinary actions against the painter via the DLI suspended contractor's directory.

In addition to obtaining licenses, Philadelphia painters must undergo a mandatory EPA certification per the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule. Also, all home improvement contractors, including painters, must register with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General as required by the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). Contractors can register online or complete and submit an application form to the mail address indicated on the form. For further inquiries regarding the registration process, interested individuals can contact the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General at (888) 520-6680.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Painters in Philadelphia?

Painters in Philadelphia charge an average rate of $25.31 per hour. These charges are influenced by several factors, including the scope and nature of the painting projects and the cost of painting materials. As such, it is advisable to get bids and estimates from different painters near you to enable you to compare prices before settling for the painter most suitable for your budget.

A painter in Philadelphia earns an annual average wage of $52,650. The table below provides the mean hourly wage of painters in Philadelphia and compares this with the wages of painters in other parts of Pennsylvania and several other major cities in the United States:

What Kind of Painting Services Do You Offer?

When you are planning a painting project, it is crucial that you hire a qualified painter for the job to ensure your job will be up to standard. Painters in Philadelphia offer several services like interior and exterior painting, faux painting, paint removal, texture painting, paint color consultancy, power washing, and wallpaper removal. In addition, some of these painters specialize in different areas, which can be removing paint from residential or commercial buildings or painting newly built structures.

As such, you must ensure you verify the area of specialty of your intended painter before signing off on that work contract. You can do this by requesting their work portfolio and references from past clients. In addition to confirming that your painter is qualified, you need to inquire how much the painter's services cost.

The cost estimates of some common painting services in Philadelphia are listed below:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Painters in Philadelphia?

In 2020, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded over 1,500 work-related injuries among painters across the country. Hiring an insured painter protects you from paying out-of-pocket for bodily injury or property damage caused by this painter while working on your project. In Philadelphia, painters are mandated to carry a certificate of insurance. This certificate of insurance must reflect the following insurance coverage in the following amount:

• General Liability: $500,000 per occurrence
• Auto liability insurance: $300,000
• Worker's Compensation if they have an employee:
  • $100,000 for each accident
  • $100,000 for each employee
  • $500,000 policy limit

You have to make sure you hire only painters with active insurance certificates for your projects. As such, before you finalize the work contract, request a copy of the painter's valid certificate of insurance and ensure you authenticate the certificate's validity with the issuing insurance provider.