Painting Contractors in Memphis

June 14, 2026

Memphis carries a deep inventory of older housing, and that single fact shapes much of its painting market. Across the city’s historic districts and mid-century neighborhoods, a large share of homes predate 1978, which is why the federal lead rule comes up so often here. Under the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, any contractor who disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before that year must hold RRP firm certification, because paint manufactured in earlier decades can contain lead. Tennessee’s second-largest city, with a population of about 618,980 per 2024 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, also leans heavily on a wide commercial and industrial base, so demand for interior, exterior, cabinet, and commercial painting holds firm year-round. A local contractor, unlike a national lead-routing app, sends someone to the property to inspect the surfaces and talk through color, sheen, and prep in person before the work is scheduled.

Buyers tend to get cleaner estimates when they understand the service categories up front. Exterior painting defends siding, brick, and fascia against the Mid-South’s heat and humidity; interior painting handles walls, ceilings, trim, and doors; cabinet refinishing offers a budget-friendlier route than gutting a kitchen; and commercial painting works around the schedules of offices, retail spaces, multi-family buildings, and industrial sites. A good deal of the quality lives in the prep, which many crews fold in as pressure washing, drywall repair, carpentry, and wallpaper removal. Skip that step and even premium paint tends to fail early.

When it comes to credentials, the size of the contract decides what is required. Any Tennessee project that reaches $25,000 or more in combined labor and materials calls for a license from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, and painting counts toward that total. For smaller residential jobs in the $3,000 to $25,000 band, the Home Improvement (HI) license governs, and Shelby County takes part in that program along with Davidson, Knox, and Hamilton. Taxes add their own line: the 7% state sales tax plus a Shelby County local option tax together come to 9.75% on taxable materials and certain transactions.

Homeowners are not without recourse if a project falls apart. Deceptive trade practices fall under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs, and the mechanics’ lien law (TCA 66-11-145) permits a contractor or supplier to record a lien up to 90 days after completion, a deadline worth weighing as you arrange deposits and the final payment. Before committing, ask to see liability insurance, check any required license through the Board for Licensing Contractors at tn.gov, confirm RRP certification whenever the home dates to before 1978, and get the scope, paint products, number of coats, and warranty down in writing.

Top Painting Contractors Providers in Memphis

1. Riggins Painting

Address: 3144 Stage Post Dr, Suite 114, Bartlett, TN 38133
Phone: (901) 444-0944
Website: https://rigginspainting.com
Services: residential interior painting, residential exterior painting, commercial painting, house painting
Description: Riggins Painting is a Mid-South painting company based in Bartlett that serves Memphis and the surrounding Shelby County communities, including Germantown, Collierville, Cordova, Arlington, and Lakeland. The company is EPA Lead-Safe Certified, which is a meaningful credential for the area’s many older homes, and is a member of the Painting Contractors Association (PCA) as well as BBB accredited. It handles both residential interior and exterior work and commercial projects, runs background checks on crew members, and provides transparent pricing with a line-by-line breakdown of costs. The firm uses premium coatings from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams and has been recognized locally as a Nextdoor Favorite in 2025 along with Community Choice and Quality Business awards in 2023.

2. Caldwell Painting

Address: 7730B Trinity Rd, Suite 122, Cordova, TN 38018
Phone: (901) 881-2324
Website: https://caldwellpainting.com
Services: interior painting, exterior painting, cabinet painting and refinishing, wood door refinishing, color consulting, commercial painting, specialty finishes, wallpaper and popcorn ceiling removal
Description: Caldwell Painting is a Cordova-based house and commercial painter that markets itself as a high-end finisher with more than a decade of experience. Beyond standard interior and exterior painting, the company specializes in cabinet painting and refinishing, wood door refinishing, and specialty finishes such as Venetian plaster, liquid metal, and lime wall paint, along with wallpaper and popcorn ceiling removal. It carries an unusually deep roster of premium and specialty coatings, including Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Farrow & Ball, Romabio, Portola Paints, Fine Paints of Europe, and General Finishes, which supports its focus on detailed, design-oriented work. The company serves Memphis and surrounding communities such as Germantown, Collierville, Arlington, Eads, East Memphis, and Piperton, and has been featured in design-oriented outlets including The Spruce and Country Living.

3. Middleton Painting

Address: Memphis, TN (street address not published; confirm by phone)
Phone: (901) 352-0202
Website: https://www.middletonpaintingmemphis.com
Services: interior painting, exterior painting, cabinet painting and refinishing, commercial painting
Description: Middleton Painting is a Memphis painting contractor that states it has served Memphis and Shelby County since 2009, giving it more than fifteen years in the local market. The company handles interior and exterior residential work, cabinet painting and refinishing, and commercial projects, and reports having completed more than 500 projects. It describes itself as fully licensed and insured in Tennessee, carrying general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage, and uses premium Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore paints. Middleton offers a two-year written warranty on workmanship and serves Memphis along with Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Arlington, Lakeland, and surrounding Shelby County communities, including Midtown Memphis, East Memphis, and Cordova. The company does not publish a street address on its website, so buyers should confirm its location and service details by phone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Painting Contractors in Memphis

Q: Does a painting contractor in Memphis need a license?

It depends on the size of the project. Any job totaling $25,000 or more in combined labor and materials requires a license from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, and painting counts toward that threshold. Residential work valued between $3,000 and $25,000 falls under the Home Improvement (HI) license, which applies in Shelby County. You can confirm a contractor’s license status through the Board for Licensing Contractors database at tn.gov before signing a contract.

Q: What is the RRP rule and does it apply to my home?

The federal EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule requires that any contractor who disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 be a certified RRP firm, because paint from that era may contain lead. Memphis has a large stock of older homes, so this rule applies to many local projects. If your home predates 1978, ask the contractor to confirm RRP certification before work begins.

Q: How much is sales tax on painting in Memphis?

Tennessee charges a 7% state sales tax, and Shelby County adds a local option tax that brings the combined rate to 9.75% on taxable materials and certain transactions. How labor is taxed can vary depending on how the contractor structures the job, so request an itemized invoice that separates materials, labor, and tax.

Q: When is the best time to paint a home’s exterior in Memphis?

Late spring through early fall generally offers the most reliable conditions, since most exterior paints cure best in moderate temperatures and lower humidity. The Mid-South’s hot, humid summers can slow drying and affect adhesion, so many contractors schedule exterior work to avoid the peak heat of midsummer afternoons and periods of heavy rain.

Q: What should I confirm before signing a painting contract in Memphis?

Request proof of liability insurance, get the full scope of work in writing including surface preparation, the specific paint products and number of coats, and the warranty terms. Confirm any required contractor license through the Board for Licensing Contractors at tn.gov, and if your home was built before 1978, confirm the firm is RRP certified. Because the mechanics’ lien law (TCA 66-11-145) allows a lien to be filed within 90 days of completion, tying payments to completion milestones protects both sides.

Q: How do I file a complaint against a painting contractor in Memphis?

Complaints about deceptive trade practices or contract disputes can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Disputes involving a licensed contractor can also be directed to the Board for Licensing Contractors. Keeping the signed contract, payment records, and photographs of any defective work strengthens a complaint.