House Painting in Chattanooga, TN

Your House Painting Toolbox

Living room after painting, sage green walls
Living room before painting, neutral tones
Before
After

We Paint Everything

We paint across Chattanooga, Hixson, and Ooltewah with consistent prep, premium products, and a 3-year transferable warranty. Our Chattanooga crew specializes in interior repaints, exterior siding refresh, cabinet refinishing, deck staining, drywall repair, and limewash, all engineered for the Tennessee Valley's humid subtropical climate, Cumberland Plateau ridge exposure, and ice-storm freeze-thaw winters.

Freshly painted interior living room with bright walls and clean trim work

Interior Painting

Transform your living spaces with flawless color and finish.

Interior Painting
Exterior house painting project with crisp siding and updated curb appeal

Exterior Painting

Curb appeal that lasts. Expert coatings for every climate.

Exterior Painting
Commercial painting project in a polished business interior

Commercial Painting

Professional-grade finishes that elevate your business space.

Commercial Painting
Kitchen cabinet painting project with a smooth factory-style finish

Cabinet Painting

Refresh your kitchen with a smooth, factory-quality finish.

Cabinet Painting
Limewash finish adding texture and depth to painted masonry

Limewash

Authentic European lime-based finishes for timeless texture and depth.

Limewash
Painted brick exterior with a durable updated finish

Brick Painting

Breathe new life into brick with lasting, beautiful color.

Brick Painting

Trusted Paint Partners

Sherwin-Williams
Benjamin Moore
Behr
PPG
Romabio
Manuel Calderon, locally owned and operated That 1 Painter Chattanooga franchise owner

We're Locally Owned

Owned by Manuel Calderon, That 1 Painter Chattanooga brings local accountability and a 3-year warranty to every Chattanooga, Hixson, and Ooltewah project. Our services cover interior painting, exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, and specialty finishes.

Your painting project means as much to us as it does to you. We're licensed and insured, and our promise is simple: we'll be your best house guests, treating your place with the utmost care and leaving it even more pristine than when we arrived.

Chattanooga area neighborhoods served by That 1 Painter Chattanooga

Areas Served

That 1 Painter Chattanooga serves homeowners and businesses across Chattanooga, Hixson, Ooltewah, Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, and the broader Tennessee Valley with a local crew, local pricing, and a written 3-year warranty.

(423) 269-2056
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Hours
Mon–Sat
7 AM – 7 PM
Sun
Closed

Recent Chattanooga Painting Projects

A look at the craftsmanship we bring to homes and businesses across Chattanooga. From full-home interior repaints and kitchen cabinet refinishing to exterior siding, stucco, and trim work, every painting project in Chattanooga is prepped, primed, and finished by licensed, insured local painters. Browse recent residential and commercial painting projects to see the color matching, surface prep, and clean lines homeowners across Chattanooga trust us to deliver.

Professional exterior painting project in Chattanooga by That 1 Painter
Exterior Painting
Professional interior painting project in Chattanooga by That 1 Painter
Interior Painting
Professional exterior painting project in Chattanooga by That 1 Painter
Exterior Painting
Professional interior painting project in Chattanooga by That 1 Painter
Interior Painting
Professional exterior painting project in Chattanooga by That 1 Painter
Exterior Painting
Professional cabinet & interior painting project in Chattanooga by That 1 Painter
Cabinet & Interior Painting
Paint It Forward

Every year, our Chattanooga team teams up with franchise owners across the country to gift complete paint transformations to deserving families, small businesses, and non-profits. It's our way of giving back to the community that's given us so much, one home, one story, one fresh coat at a time.

Learn More About Paint It Forward
Thumbnail of That 1 Painter's featured Paint It Forward community makeover video

We Painted 100 Homes For Free In One Week

Stop Scrolling.
Start Painting.

Painting Cost in Chattanooga 2026 Guide

Painting pricing in Chattanooga reflects three local realities: Tennessee's humid Upper South climate, the prep workload required by humidity, heavy spring rain, and ice-storm winter exposure, and the access surcharges common in Chattanooga and Apison. This 2026 guide shows real numbers from real Chattanooga jobs.

Project Type
Low
High
Average
Interior (per sq ft)
$2.75
$4.25
$3.50
Exterior (per sq ft)
$2.50
$4.50
$3.25
Cabinet Refinishing
$3,200
$6,800
$4,500
Single Room
$450
$1,100
$750
Whole-Home Interior
$4,200
$14,000
$8,500
Whole-Home Exterior
$3,800
$12,500
$7,200

* All prices include materials, labor, and prep. Based on 2026 Chattanooga averages.

2026 Chattanooga Guide

What painting costs in Chattanooga, and how to hire right.

An honest, in-depth breakdown from That 1 Painter Chattanooga. No fluff, no upsells, just the numbers and the questions that protect your home.

What painting really costs in Chattanooga

Painting pricing in Chattanooga reflects three local realities: Tennessee's humid Upper South climate, the prep workload required by humidity, heavy spring rain, and ice-storm winter exposure, and the access surcharges common in Chattanooga and Apison. This 2026 guide shows real numbers from real Chattanooga jobs.

Average cost by project type

2026 Chattanooga

Bars are scaled to the highest average in the table, quick visual of where each project lands.

Interior (per sq ft)$3.50 avg
Low $2.75High $4.25
Exterior (per sq ft)$3.25 avg
Low $2.50High $4.50
Cabinet Refinishing$4,500 avg
Low $3,200High $6,800
Single Room$750 avg
Low $450High $1,100
Whole-Home Interior$8,500 avg
Low $4,200High $14,000
Whole-Home Exterior$7,200 avg
Low $3,800High $12,500
Average Low-High range

Where your money actually goes

A quality paint job is mostly labor and prep, not paint. Here's the typical split on a properly bid project.

Surface prep · 40%
Wash, scrape, sand, patch, caulk, prime
Labor & supervision · 30%
Skilled hands, lead on site daily
Paint & materials · 20%
Premium products, correct sheen, 2 coats
Protection & cleanup · 10%
Floors, furniture, landscaping, final walk

Average House Painting Cost Per Square Foot in Chattanooga, TN (2026)

Expect $2.50-$4.75 per square foot for interior painting in Chattanooga, TN this year. Smaller Chattanooga bungalows often fall near the lower end, while two-story Apison homes with vaulted ceilings push toward the high range. Exterior pricing in Chattanooga runs $2.25-$4.50 per square foot depending on siding type and prep depth.

Moisture, Mildew, and Prep Pricing in Chattanooga, TN

Painting in Tennessee requires aggressive moisture management. Chattanooga homes routinely show mildew on north-facing siding, swollen trim around bath fans, and chalking on south-facing brick. We allocate dedicated prep days for Chattanooga and Apison projects so paint bonds rather than blisters.

Two-Story and Scaffolding Surcharges in Chattanooga

Two-story and three-story homes in Chattanooga carry an access surcharge, typically 12-20% of exterior labor, covering scaffolding, ladder jacks, and OSHA fall protection. Chattanooga and Apison have a heavy share of taller homes, so estimates from any reputable Chattanooga painter will line-item this access cost transparently.

How Chattanooga Winters Affect Your Paint Job

Chattanooga winters drive freeze-thaw cycles that open caulk joints, lift trim paint, and expose bare wood at fascia and window casings. Our Chattanooga estimates always include a caulk and joint inspection, failed caulk is the #1 cause of premature exterior repaints across Tennessee. We use elastomeric sealants rated for the freeze-thaw range common in Chattanooga and Apison.

How Long Does Paint Last in Chattanooga, TN?

In Chattanooga, expect 6 to 8 years exterior, with humidity-driven mildew the top concern. Interior paint typically holds 8-12 years in low-traffic rooms and 5-7 in kitchens, baths, and hallways. Premium products and proper prep are the two single biggest drivers of how long your repaint actually lasts in Tennessee.

Commercial Painting Costs and Scheduling in Chattanooga

Commercial painting in Chattanooga is priced on access, scheduling constraints, and finish spec, not just square footage. Retail and office work in Chattanooga typically requires after-hours scheduling, low-VOC products, and dust containment, which we line-item on every Chattanooga commercial bid.

Wood Rot, Siding Repair, and Carpentry Add-Ons in Chattanooga

Most Chattanooga exterior estimates include a carpentry allowance because humidity, heavy spring rain, and ice-storm winter exposure drive wood rot at fascia, sill nosings, and bottom siding courses. We carry a small-carpentry crew so Chattanooga and Apison projects don't stall waiting for a separate contractor. Typical rot allowance: $400-$1,500 per home.

How to hire a painter in Chattanooga

Seven checks that separate a real pro from a risk.

  1. 1

    Get line-item estimates

    Real bids spell out surfaces, prep, exact products & sheens, number of coats, and timeline, not a round number on a business card.

  2. 2

    Verify license & insurance

    Ask for current certificates of liability and workers' comp. If they can't produce them, walk away.

  3. 3

    Know who's on site

    crews vs. day-labor subs. Same lead every day? Continuity protects quality.

  4. 4

    Pin down the prep process

    Wash, scrape, sand, caulk, patch, prime. 70% of a quality job lives in prep, if it's not itemized, the bid is incomplete.

  5. 5

    Read the warranty

    Look for a written, transferable warranty. That 1 Painter backs every project 3 years, transferable to the next owner.

  6. 6

    Check reviews that matter

    Google reviews on the local market page, BBB profile, and references from real homeowners, not a glossy brochure.

  7. 7

    Watch the red flags

    Cash-only deals, large up-front deposits, and "sign today" pressure are the most common signs of a job that won't finish well.

Smart questions to ask before you sign

Copy/paste these into your next estimate call.

  • What specific paint brand, line, and sheen are you using on each surface?
  • How many coats are included and what does the prep scope look like?
  • Who handles color consultation, drawdowns, and HOA paperwork?
  • What is the daily start time, end time, and total project duration?
  • How do you protect floors, furniture, and landscaping?
  • What is the payment schedule and what triggers each milestone?
  • How do you handle change orders or scope additions mid-project?

Ready for a real, line-item estimate?

Call That 1 Painter Chattanooga at (423) 269-2056, written quotes, no pressure.

Painter applying a clean finish near a window to represent That 1 Painter's 3-year workmanship warranty

Our 3-Year Warranty

Your peace of mind, at the top of mind with our three-year transferable warranty. Covers the painting job, even if you sell the house.

Download Warranty

The Complete Chattanooga Painting Guide

Everything Chattanooga homeowners should know before hiring a painter, services, seasonal timing, colors, HOA rules, and how to get the most value from your project. Written by the That 1 Painter Chattanooga team.

Our Chattanooga Painting Services

That 1 Painter

Book an Appointment

Pick a service, date & time, we'll handle the rest.

Select Your Service(s)

Pick everything you'd like an estimate for.

Paint Reviews, Advice & Expert Tips

Honest product reviews, pro painting techniques, and helpful articles from professional painters who do this every day.

What Is the Best Paint Sheen for Interior Walls?

Choosing between flat, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss depends on the room's traffic, lighting, and function. Professional painters break down when to use each sheen for the best results.

SuperPaint vs Cashmere: Which Sherwin-Williams Paint Is Better?

Both are popular mid-tier Sherwin-Williams paints, but they perform differently on walls, trim, and cabinets. See how professional painters compare coverage, feel, and durability.

Is Behr Premium Plus a Good Paint for Homeowners?

Behr Premium Plus is one of the most affordable paints at Home Depot. Professional painters test its coverage, durability, and finish quality to see if it's worth the price.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Behr Urethane Paint?

Behr Urethane Alkyd is a hybrid paint that combines oil-based durability with water-based cleanup. See how it performs on trim, cabinets, and doors in a real-world test.

Is Behr Dynasty the Most Durable Paint You Can Buy?

Behr Dynasty claims to be their most durable, stain-repellent paint. Professional painters put it to the test on walls and high-traffic areas to see if the claims hold up.

Is Sherwin-Williams Gallery Series Worth the Premium Price?

The Gallery Series is Sherwin-Williams' newest premium line. Professional painters review its unique properties and explain why it may not be the best choice for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about pricing, timelines, services, warranty coverage, and working with That 1 Painter.

Chattanooga's humid Upper South climate requires aggressive prep, mildew wash, surfactant rinse, and mildewcide-fortified topcoats. We use mildew-inhibiting acrylics with heavy-bodied primers for humid prep on all exterior Chattanooga work so mildew doesn't telegraph through the finish during the next humid season.

We move and protect furniture for our Chattanooga clients, you only need to clear personal items off shelves and let us know about any fragile or pet-related considerations. Chattanooga and Apison crews always do a pre-walk to confirm scope before lifting a brush.

Yes, every That 1 Painter Chattanooga crew member is covered under our general liability and workers' comp policy. We provide certificates of insurance directly to Chattanooga HOAs and commercial clients on request.

Most whole-home interiors in Chattanooga finish inside one week. Exteriors stretch longer when humidity, heavy spring rain, and ice-storm winter exposure push us into morning-only painting windows during spring and fall, dodging summer humidity and winter ice.

Yes, our Chattanooga commercial division handles offices, retail, restaurants, and multifamily, with after-hours and weekend scheduling available. We carry $2M general liability and provide COIs to Chattanooga property managers on request.

We can paint exteriors in Chattanooga as long as surface temperature stays above 35°F for 24 hours and rising. Most reliable Chattanooga exterior windows are spring and fall, dodging summer humidity and winter ice. Interior work runs year-round across Chattanooga and Apison.

Cabinet refinishing in Chattanooga runs $3,500-$7,200 for a typical kitchen in 2026, about 25% the cost of replacement. We use bonding primer and conversion varnish or 2K urethane for a sprayed factory-grade finish that holds up to Chattanooga and Apison kitchen wear.

Most Chattanooga interior projects run $2.50-$4.75 per square foot in 2026, with the average whole-home interior landing between $6,000 and $11,000. Exterior projects in Chattanooga average $3.10/sqft, depending on siding type and prep needs in Chattanooga and Apison.

Your Trusted, Local Painters for Residential and Commercial in Chattanooga

Interior Painting Built for Chattanooga, Hixson, and Tennessee Valley Homes

Interior painting is the fastest way to change how a Chattanooga home feels without touching the floor plan, and it is the busiest scope our crews run across North Shore bungalows, Riverview and Missionary Ridge historic homes, Hixson and Ooltewah new-construction, Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain ridge homes, Harrison and Apison country properties, and East Brainerd family houses. Every interior painting job in Chattanooga starts with a real prep pass so the interior painting film has a clean, sound surface to bond to. Homeowners searching for painters in Chattanooga or Hixson for an interior painting refresh usually want two upgrades at once: an updated color palette and a durable, scrubbable interior painting finish that survives Tennessee Valley humidity, pollen-heavy springs, and busy family kitchens.

As a painting company in Chattanooga that runs interior painting on 1920s plaster in North Shore and Fort Wood, drywall in Hixson and Ooltewah new-construction, mid-century splits in East Brainerd and Red Bank, and ridge-top homes on Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain, we treat interior painting material selection as a real decision. Which interior painting sheen hides plaster settlement in an older St. Elmo home, which interior painting product holds up in an Ooltewah mudroom off a busy back entry, and which interior painting primer we need to lock down previously oil-based trim in a Riverview colonial are all questions we answer before the crew shows up.

If you're comparing interior painting bids from painters in Chattanooga, Hixson, or Signal Mountain, ask each of them about interior painting warranty terms, interior painting prep sequence, and how the interior painting crew protects hardwood floors and furniture day to day. Every serious interior painting outfit across the Tennessee Valley should have plain answers to all three. See our interior painting page for the full interior painting scope and current pricing across the Chattanooga market.

Exterior Painting for Tennessee Valley Humidity, Pollen, and Ridge Exposure

Exterior painting in Chattanooga has to hold up to Tennessee Valley humidity that pushes mildew onto shaded north elevations across North Shore, Riverview, and St. Elmo, pollen-heavy springs that coat siding across Hixson, Ooltewah, and East Brainerd, ridge-top wind and UV that beats down on Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain exposures, and afternoon thunderstorms that soak clapboard across Harrison and Apison. Exterior painting product choice is the whole conversation here, not a footnote. A painting company in Chattanooga that takes exterior painting seriously specifies a 100% acrylic exterior painting product with a mildew inhibitor built into the exterior painting film for Tennessee Valley conditions.

Our exterior painting scope typically includes a full pressure wash to strip mildew, algae, and pollen, a substrate assessment, spot scraping of any failing exterior painting layers, painted-brick, HardiePlank, cedar clapboard, and stucco sound checks, feathered sanding, spot primer on bare substrate, full caulk of siding seams and window returns, and two coats of exterior painting-grade paint. That exterior painting sequence is the same whether we are painting a North Shore craftsman, a Signal Mountain ridge home, an Ooltewah new build, or a St. Elmo Victorian. Painters in Chattanooga or Hixson who skip any of those exterior painting steps are quoting a two-year paint job in a ten-year paint job wrapper.

If you're evaluating house painters in Chattanooga for exterior painting, look closely at how the exterior painting bid describes prep, not just the exterior painting product line. A clean exterior painting film applied over a chalking, pollen-loaded substrate will fail inside a single Tennessee Valley summer. Our exterior painting service documents the exterior painting prep sequence in detail, and every exterior painting job we run carries a 3-year transferable warranty.

Cabinet Painting in Chattanooga and Tennessee Valley Kitchens

Cabinet painting is the single biggest visual change a Chattanooga homeowner can buy without a full kitchen remodel, and cabinet painting demand across Hixson, Ooltewah, and East Brainerd reflects that. Our cabinet painting scope typically covers cabinet boxes on-site plus cabinet doors and drawer fronts sprayed off-site in a controlled environment, so the cabinet painting finish flows out flat and cures without airborne dust or humid Tennessee Valley air blushing a cabinet finish. Cabinet painting projects like this are why homeowners call a painting company in Chattanooga instead of a general remodeler.

Cabinet painting product selection matters as much as cabinet painting prep. A real cabinet painting job uses a bonding primer, a cabinet-grade urethane-modified acrylic paint, and controlled drying conditions so the cabinet painting film cures hard enough to resist door-edge chipping under daily use in a busy Hixson kitchen, an Ooltewah remodel, or a downtown Chattanooga condo. As a painting company in Chattanooga that runs cabinet painting jobs almost every week, we schedule cabinet painting projects so the kitchen is out of service only for the days doors and drawers are physically off.

House painters across Chattanooga quoting cabinet painting should walk you through cabinet painting cure times, cabinet painting warranty coverage, and cabinet painting color options with real drawdowns on your actual cabinet material. Cabinet painting is not a wall paint job with cabinets in the way. See our cabinet painting page for cabinet painting scope details and lead times.

Choosing Painters in Chattanooga, Hixson, and the I-75 Corridor

There are a lot of painters in Chattanooga and Hixson to choose from, so the practical question is how to sort serious painters from casual ones. Any painting outfit you bid should carry general liability insurance, provide a written scope, and back the work with a real written warranty. They should also point at recent portfolio work in your specific corner of the Tennessee Valley: North Shore craftsmans, Fort Wood Victorians, Riverview and Missionary Ridge historic homes, Hixson and Ooltewah new-construction, Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain ridge homes, or East Brainerd family houses, not stock photos pulled from a supplier catalog.

As house painters in Chattanooga ourselves, we tell homeowners to ask three questions of anyone bidding: what is the exact prep sequence, what specific paint product is going on the walls, and who from the company is on site day to day. Painters across Chattanooga who dodge those questions are hoping you will not notice the answer later. A painting company in Chattanooga that answers plainly is one worth a second meeting.

That 1 Painter Chattanooga, run by Manuel Calderon out of the Chattanooga office, is one of many painters serving the Chattanooga, Hixson, Ooltewah, Signal Mountain, and I-75 corridor market, and we compete on scope clarity, prep quality, and a 3-year transferable warranty that follows the paint, not the owner. If you are collecting bids from painters across Chattanooga, we would be glad to be one of the bids you compare against.

What a Painting Company in Chattanooga Actually Does

A real painting company in Chattanooga is more than a paint crew: it runs estimates, project management, materials logistics, color consultations, and warranty follow-up so the crew painting your house can focus on painting. That coordination is the difference between a painting company in Chattanooga and a solo painter working out of a truck bed. It is also the difference between a paint job that lands on the promised week and a paint job that drifts a month past schedule when an afternoon thunderstorm line parks over the Tennessee Valley and shuts the exterior calendar down for a few days.

As a painting company in Chattanooga, our day starts with materials staging for that day's painting scope, drives out to active painting jobs from downtown Chattanooga and the North Shore, up Highway 27 to Red Bank, Signal Mountain, and Hixson, east on I-75 to Ooltewah, Harrison, and NW Cleveland, south to St. Elmo and Lookout Mountain, and out to Apison and McDonald in the rural east county, and ends with paint punch-list walks with homeowners. A painting company in Chattanooga running this way keeps painting projects on schedule and keeps paint quality consistent from the first painting day to the last painting day of a job, even when the Tennessee Valley calendar wraps thunderstorm, pollen, and ice-storm delays.

When you hire a painting company in Chattanooga, you are hiring the coordination layer as much as the painting itself. A painting company across the Tennessee Valley that quotes a painting scope should tell you what week your painting starts, what week it ends, and who owns the project through completion. If a painting company in Chattanooga cannot articulate what is included in the price on the bid, that is a signal to keep shopping.

How House Painters Handle Historic Chattanooga and Ridge Homes

Older homes across Chattanooga, North Shore bungalows, Fort Wood Victorians, St. Elmo Queen Annes, Missionary Ridge and Riverview historic homes, and pre-war cottages across Rossville and NW Cleveland, need house painters in Chattanooga who understand plaster, painted brick, cedar clapboard, and the way early paint layers move under fresh coats through Tennessee Valley humidity and pollen loading. House painters across Chattanooga who came up on Hixson and Ooltewah new-construction repaints alone often underestimate how much prep a Fort Wood Victorian or a Missionary Ridge historic home actually needs before the first drop of paint goes on the wall.

House painters in Chattanooga running an older home job spend the first day on paint testing, wood-siding scrape-and-sand prep, glazing repair on original divided-light windows, and containment for scrape-and-paint work outside. Skipping those steps produces a paint job that fails inside a single Tennessee Valley summer. As house painters in Chattanooga with real time on North Shore craftsmans, Fort Wood Victorians, and St. Elmo Queen Annes, we treat prep as the paint job; the coats you see are the last five percent of the actual work.

If you own an older home and are talking to house painters in Chattanooga, Hixson, or Signal Mountain, ask each bidder to walk your house and describe what they would do differently versus a Hixson new build or an Ooltewah subdivision repaint. The house painters across Chattanooga with a real answer are the ones to shortlist.

Color, Finish, and Booking Your Painting Project

Color is where a lot of painting projects across Chattanooga stall, so the painters you hire should have a real color process. Ours starts with existing light in the room, existing floor and trim tones, and the direction the room faces, then we put real paint drawdowns on your actual walls before the crew mobilizes. A painting company in Chattanooga that hands you a fan deck and walks away will paint whatever you point at, which is not the same as helping you land the right color for the space, an especially real risk in the Tennessee Valley where bright ridge light and pollen-tinged spring air change how a color reads across the year.

Finish selection is the other half of the conversation. Flat or matte on ceilings, eggshell or matte on walls, satin or semi-gloss on trim, and a cabinet-grade product on cabinets: that mix reads intentional in a finished Chattanooga, Hixson, or Signal Mountain home. Painters in Chattanooga who put one paint sheen everywhere are cutting corners on materials logistics, not doing you a favor.

Booking a painting company in Chattanooga should be simple: a walk-through, a written scope, a written price, a start date, and a warranty. Exterior painting demand peaks between March and October across the Tennessee Valley before pollen season and heavy summer thunderstorm weeks start shutting the exterior calendar down, so any painting company in Chattanooga or Hixson worth hiring is often booked several weeks out during peak exterior painting season. Interior painting flexes year-round, and cabinet painting we can usually schedule with less lead time. Request an estimate above and we will be out with a written scope you can compare against every other bid on your desk.