Painting contractors in
Hilo, Hawaii.
A public directory of licensed painting contractors serving greater Hilo. Market data, licensing requirements, and cost benchmarks — updated continuously from public sources.
Common Job Costs
Licensing Requirements
Licensing Requirements
Hawaii requires a C-33 Painting and Decorating contractor license for projects over $1,000. Must pass trade examination, have 4 years verifiable experience or combination of experience and education. $185 application fee, $85 examination fee. License renewal every 2 years with 10 hours continuing education.
Permit Requirements
Most residential painting requires no permits in Hilo. Commercial work may require building permits if involving structural changes. Lead paint work requires EPA RRP certification and notification to Hawaii DOH.
Inspection Schedule
No routine inspections for standard painting. Lead paint abatement requires pre-work notification and post-completion clearance testing by certified inspector.
Insurance Minimums
General liability minimum $300,000 per occurrence, $600,000 aggregate. Workers compensation required if employees. Bond required for public works projects.
How to Get Licensed
Meet experience requirements
Document 4 years of painting experience through employer verification, pay stubs, or tax records. Alternative: combination of experience plus technical education.
Submit application
Complete C-33 application with Hawaii DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. Include $185 application fee and all supporting documentation.
Schedule examination
Pay $85 exam fee and schedule C-33 Painting and Decorating trade examination through PSI testing centers. Study Hawaii-specific regulations and trade practices.
Pass examination
Pass both business law and trade knowledge portions of the exam. Covers Hawaii contractor regulations, safety requirements, and painting techniques.
Obtain insurance and bonding
Secure required general liability insurance and workers compensation if applicable. Submit proof of insurance to DCCA.
Receive license
Upon approval, receive C-33 license valid for 2 years. Set up renewal reminders and complete 10 hours continuing education before expiration.
About This Market
Hilo's painter market deals with year-round humidity and heavy rainfall that creates constant demand for exterior maintenance. About 153 licensed painting establishments serve the Big Island, with most concentrated in Hilo and Kona. Mold, salt air corrosion, and UV damage drive frequent repainting cycles. Costs run higher than mainland due to material shipping and limited competition. Residential work dominates, with some commercial and resort projects. Hurricane season creates surge work for insurance repairs.
To work Hilo, you need that C-33 license for anything over $1,000 - no exceptions. Factor in 2-3 weeks for materials shipping from mainland, and plan around the wet season October through March when exterior work stops dead. Lead paint is everywhere in older Hilo homes, so get your EPA RRP certification sorted. Local suppliers are limited, so establish mainland shipping relationships. The humidity will mess with your cure times and material storage. Build relationships with insurance adjusters - storm damage keeps many painters busy year-round.
- Median hourly wageBureau of Labor Statistics
- Number of licensed establishmentsU.S. Census Bureau
- License requirementsHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
- Insurance requirementsHawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444
- Lead paint regulationsEPA and Hawaii Department of Health
Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need to paint houses in Hilo, Hawaii?
You need a C-33 Painting and Decorating contractor license from Hawaii DCCA for any painting project over $1,000. This requires passing a trade exam and having 4 years of verifiable experience.
How much do painters make in Hawaii?
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, painters in Hawaii earn a median wage of $32.91 per hour or $68,453 annually, above the national average due to higher cost of living.
Do I need permits to paint in Hilo?
Most residential painting requires no permits in Hilo. However, if the work involves lead paint in pre-1978 homes, you must notify Hawaii Department of Health and follow EPA RRP requirements.
When is the best time to paint exteriors in Hilo?
April through September during the dry season. Hilo receives over 120 inches of rain annually, with heaviest rainfall October through March making exterior painting nearly impossible.
What insurance do painting contractors need in Hawaii?
Hawaii requires minimum $300,000 per occurrence general liability insurance. Workers compensation is mandatory if you have employees, and bonding is required for public works projects.
Painting contractors in Hilo
No contractors listed yet.
Run your painting business on The Forge.
Get listed on The Board for free. Manage leads, quotes, jobs, and follow-ups in one place. Built for trades, used by thousands of operators nationwide.