Find a painter in Chicago, IL
A painter prepares and paints interior and exterior surfaces, from walls and ceilings to trim, cabinets and siding. People hire one to freshen a home before selling, after repairs, or when a surface is worn or peeling. A good painter spends most of the effort on prep: cleaning, patching, sanding, priming and protecting everything that should not be painted.
How many painters are in Chicago?
The Census Bureau counted 126 painters with employees in Chicago, IL ZIP codes in 2023.
Countywide, Cook County has 539, or 10.4 per 100,000 residents: about the same as the US rate of 11.2, and 86th of 165 large US cities per resident.
Another 9,247 self-employed businesses in building finishing contractors (painting, flooring and similar) are based in Cook County, the kind of one-person operation the employer count leaves out.
The ZIP codes with the most: 60618 (13), 60630 (13), 60634 (13), 60639 (10).
Half of Chicago's homes were built before 1952, and 54% of households rent, which shapes the kind of work local pros see most.
| Businesses with employees (city ZIP codes) | 126 Census ZBP 2023 |
|---|---|
| Per 100,000 residents, Cook County | 10.4 US: 11.2 |
| Rank among large US cities | 86 of 165 county count per resident |
| Small businesses (under 5 staff) | 80% |
| Self-employed, Cook County | 9,247 Census NES 2023: building finishing contractors (painting, flooring and similar) |
| Median year homes were built | 1952 ACS 2023 |
| Households that rent | 54% ACS 2023 |
| Population | 2,707,648 ACS 2023 |
What do painters in Chicago help with?
- Interior walls and ceilings
- Exterior house painting
- Trim, doors and baseboards
- Cabinet painting and refinishing
- Drywall patching before paint
- Deck and fence staining
- Wallpaper removal
- Commercial painting
- Pressure washing before exterior paint
- Color consultation
How do you choose a good painter in Chicago?
- Get written estimates that list the surfaces, prep work, number of coats and the paint brand and line.
- Ask how they will prepare surfaces. Prep is what makes paint last.
- For homes built before 1978, hire a painter who is EPA lead-safe certified.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers' compensation.
- Ask who will do the work and who will be on site daily.
- Ask for a written warranty on peeling and workmanship.
- Check recent jobs or photos of work like yours.
Some states and cities license painting contractors or require contractor registration, and federal rules require lead-safe certification for work on many homes built before 1978.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What prep is included?
- How many coats, and what paint will you use?
- Are you insured and, where required, licensed?
- Are you lead-safe certified?
- How will you protect floors and furniture?
- How long will the job take?
- What is your payment schedule?
Red flags to watch for
- A price far below other bids with no detail on prep or coats.
- Painting over peeling or dirty surfaces without scraping or cleaning.
- Large payment up front before work starts.
- No insurance.
- Dry sanding or scraping old paint in an older home without lead-safe practices.
What changes the price?
- Size of the area and height of walls
- Amount of prep and repair
- Number of colors and coats
- Paint quality
- Trim, doors and detailed surfaces
- Access, like ladders or scaffolding for exteriors
Get two or three written quotes for the same scope of work; prices vary a lot between businesses.
Questions people ask
How many painters are there in Chicago?
The Census counted 126 painters with employees in Chicago, IL in 2023, plus 9,247 self-employed businesses in Cook County.
How long does exterior paint last?
It depends on prep, paint quality, climate and sun. Good prep and quality paint last much longer. Watch for peeling, chalking and fading as signs it is time.
Do I need to move furniture before painters come?
Ask your painter. Many will move and cover furniture. Remove small items, art and breakables yourself.
What is lead-safe certification?
It is federal training for safely disturbing paint in older homes. Lead dust is dangerous, especially for children and pregnant women.
Painters in nearby cities
Painters in other cities
Sources: US Census Bureau ZIP and County Business Patterns 2023, Nonemployer Statistics 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates. Census industry groups can include closely related businesses. Expert Helper is a free matching service, not a painter.