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A full exterior repaint on a typical Portland Craftsman or colonial runs $2,400 to $6,500 for a single-story home and $5,000 to $9,500 for two stories, depending on square footage, siding condition, and the number of trim colors. Labor is roughly 70% of the total — most of that is prep, not paint. Bids significantly lower than this range usually skip the prep that makes paint last.

The reliable painting window in Portland runs roughly mid-May through late September — low humidity, consistent temperatures above 50°F, and no sustained rain in the forecast. We can work in March and April on favorable stretches, but we use a moisture meter before every exterior job and will not paint over a wall holding more than 15% moisture content. Rushing paint onto wet siding is the most common reason exterior paint fails in two years instead of ten.

A standard bedroom runs $300 to $600 painted, including walls, ceiling, and trim. A large open-plan living and dining area runs $900 to $2,200 depending on ceiling height, trim complexity, and condition. Kitchens and bathrooms cost more per square foot because of the masking required around cabinets and fixtures. A whole-home interior typically runs $3,500 to $8,500 for a 2,000–2,500 SF Portland home.

If your home was built before 1978, there is a real chance lead-based paint is present somewhere — especially on trim, window sashes, and doors, which were often the last surfaces to be updated. Oregon follows EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rules: any contractor disturbing more than 6 square feet of painted surface in a pre-1978 home must be RRP certified and follow containment procedures. TrueLine is certified, carries the documentation, and can test suspect surfaces before work begins. The penalty for non-compliance falls on the contractor — and the health risk falls on your family.

Flat or matte hides wall imperfections beautifully in bedrooms and living rooms but is hard to wipe clean. Eggshell (a very slight sheen) is the best all-around choice for most living spaces — it is wipeable and still looks like a true painted wall. Satin works well in kitchens, hallways, and kids' rooms where moisture and scuffs are routine. Semi-gloss belongs on trim, doors, and cabinetry — it is hard, cleanable, and shows brush work, so it demands proper prep. Gloss is reserved for specific architectural details.

Properly prepped and primed exterior paint with a quality finish coat should last 8 to 12 years on most Portland homes. North-facing and shaded surfaces that hold moisture are the first to peel — that's why our moisture test matters so much before we start. Skipped primer or paint applied over damp wood often starts peeling in 2 to 4 years regardless of paint brand.

Cabinet refinishing uses a full degloss, primer-sealer application, and a sprayed catalyzed finish — the same process cabinet shops use on new builds. The result is a harder, more moisture-resistant surface than brush-applied interior paint. It runs $1,200 to $3,800 for a typical Portland kitchen cabinet set versus $15,000 to $40,000 for new cabinetry. Done correctly, a refinished cabinet is indistinguishable from factory-new and resists daily moisture far better than a simple repaint.

Yes. All interior and exterior work carries a 3-year workmanship warranty. If paint we applied peels, blisters, or fails to adhere within that period and the cause is our application, we come back and fix it at no cost. Paint failure caused by structural water infiltration (a roof leak, a failed caulk joint, siding that was wet on the day another contractor worked on it) is outside the warranty, and we will tell you plainly if we see a risk like that before we start.

For interior work: remove small items from shelves and counters, move artwork and personal items off walls, and clear a path through rooms. We handle furniture moving and covering. For exterior: clear plants and furniture away from the foundation, close all windows and doors, and let us know if any pets will be on the property. Our crew handles all masking, tarping, and protective coverings.

Every TrueLine quote is itemized — prep, primer, finish coats, and any repair work listed separately. The quote price is what you pay unless scope changes. If we open a wall or strip paint and find unexpected wood rot or substrate damage, we stop, document it with photos, and give you a written change order with pricing before we proceed. We never continue over hidden damage and bill you at the end.