Interior house painting costs vary significantly based on factors such as home size, paint type, labor, and preparation work. In this guide, we break down all the key pricing factors to help homeowners like you plan their budget confidently and avoid unexpected expenses and pitfalls.
What factors affect cost? Are you updating your interior with paint colors, or repainting every room? From ceiling height to square footage, numerous aspects of interior painting impact costs. This includes going the DIY route or hiring a professional painter.
ProServ Painters will help you make the right choice, whether you’re looking for a Free Estimate or planning your interior home painting project. Let’s get to it.
Cost to Paint the Interior of a House by Square Foot
Professionals commonly estimate interior painting costs by square footage, which includes materials and labor. These ranges are dependent on paint quality, home layout, and prep work required. When consulting a contractor about cost, make sure to bring up any questions and concerns you have, including costs, fees, labor, and materials.
Average Price Per Square Foot
According to the national average, theaverage cost to paint the interior of a house is around $2,000, with a wide range of $350 to $6,000 depending on your area, paint, materials, square footage, and labor. Home size is the biggest factor, with then average price per square foot between $2 and $6.The high and low ends of this range are ultimately dependent on where you live, but you also need to consider factors such as multi-story homes, detailed ceiling, walls, and trim, and textured walls.
Common House Sizes and Total Paint Cost
Size of Home (per Sq. Ft.) Average Cost
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- 500 $200–$1,000
- 800 $1,600–$4,800
- 1,000 $2,000–$6,000
- 1,200 $2,400–$7,200
- 2,300 $4,600–$13,800
- 2,500 $5,000–$15,000
- 3,000 $6,000–$18,000
These are generalized, national averages that vary by region, complexity of the job, the company you use, etc. These costs are based on area estimates, and local contractors and painting companies might vary in their costs based on experience.
Cost to Paint the Interior of a House by Paint Type
Type and quality of paint can significantly impact the overall cost. Factors such as coverage, durability, accent walls, VOC levels, trim, and finish can all affect pricing and performance.</span
Low-End vs. Premium Paint
Budget paints will typically run you $20 to $30 per gallon, while more premium options can be as much as $60 to $80 per gallon. Premium paints provide better coverage, a longer lifespan, enhanced durability, and fewer coats, which could save you money in the long term if you have to repaint your home in a few years after using budget paints.
Popular Interior Paint Brands
Major brands such as Behr, Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Valspar are great options for interior painting, as these trusted brands offer comparable quality. These brands all excel in different ways, including affordability, coverage, and eco-friendly options.
When shopping for Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, or PPG, it’s a good idea to go to their dedicated stores (if possible) instead of a big box store such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. These brands will often provide dedicated discounts, and give you information about the products that are not available elsewhere.
Premium paints, such as Sherwin-Williams Emerald, can cost up to $75 per gallon but offer superior coverage, enhanced mold and mildew resistance, and a smoother surface.
Value paints such as PPG Prominence may be better for homes that experience more foot traffic, or rough and tumble younger children.
Paint Finishes and Their Costs
Common interior paint finishes, such as flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss, differ in cost, performance, and use.
- Flat Paints: This finish provides a high level of coverage with low shine. It is typically the least durable finish option, and can be damaged by cleaning products.
- Eggshell Paints: Carries a slight shine and is somewhat heartier than flat paints, making it great for medium-traffic areas such as hallways and dining rooms.
- Semi-Gloss Paints: Glossy, stain-resistant, and durable, though it tends to show imperfections more easily.
- High-Gloss Paints: Shiny, durable, and can stand up to heavy scrubbing and cleaning. It tends to show the most mistakes, and is the least spreadable, making it an unlikely DIY option.
Cost to Paint the Interior of a House by Surface
Your home’s various surfaces can impact painting cost. Complexity, material needs, and labor intensity can be influenced by your home’s surfaces, such as more detailed or complicated rooms, hard-to-reach surfaces, and ceilings, etc.
Walls
This common and straightforward surface is the easiest to paint, even for those newcomers who insist on the DIY route. While walls might have a higher square footage than other surfaces, they are the easiest to provide coverage for. Cost can be influenced by textured walls and pre-paint repairs. Walls are the lowest cost, typically $1 to $3 per square foot.
Ceilings
Ceilings are naturally more labor-intensive due to overhead work necessitating special paints and equipment. Square foot costs and factors like vaulted design or ceiling height can affect costs. Ceiling costs between $1 to $3 per foot on average.
Trim and Baseboards
Trim work is detail-oriented and based on the skill of the painter. It can involve sanding, priming, and multiple coats, and the cost of baseboards can be influenced by gloss finishes. Trim is measured in linear feet, and can cost $1 to $3 per linear foot.
Doors and Door Frames
Panel doors, French doors, and traditional door frames are also labor-intensive, and the skill required can influence labor more than the square foot paint cost. Cost estimates per door or frame can be factored by prep time, as some doors may need aesthetic repairs or sanding before priming and painting. Door projects may be subject to flat costs, such as $40 to $100 per door.
Cabinets and Built-Ins
Cabinets, built-ins, and other custom surfaces require precision, special primers, and high-end glossy finishes. Labor costs can be impacted by sanding, spraying, or taking furniture apart and putting it back together again. The average cost can be between $3 to $8 per
square foot.
Cost to Paint the Interior of a House by Room Type
Room-specific painting costs depend on size, layout, complexity, surface type, and prep work. Some rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms, require moisture-resistant paint or additional detail work. Trim and baseboards can increase cost, as can additional repairs.
Bedroom
Bedrooms can vary considerably based on size, though the average American bedroom is around 130 square feet and has plenty of plain wall space. A bedroom can cost between $300 and $800, while master bedrooms may cost upwards of $1,500.
Bathroom
Bathrooms have much smaller coverage areas, with many unpaintable surfaces such as tile or acrylic. Half-baths may cost $50 to $150, while a master bath can cost upwards of $650.
Kitchen
Kitchens are larger spaces in the home, with wall space taken up by backsplash, tile, and cabinetry. While they may be more intricate, they commonly cost less to paint, in the range of $200 to $750. Some kitchens may require grease-resistant or semi-gloss paints.
Living Room
The average American living room is around 350 square feet. Living rooms vary greatly in size, shape, and complexity, meaning the range can be anywhere between $600 to $2,000 to paint. Certain details must be taken into account, including wall height and ceilings.
Hallways and Stairwells
Hallways, stairwells, and other intensive areas with trim, baseboards, and handrails, can be more expensive because of their unique features. They are typically charged per linear foot, and may cost anywhere from $15 to $30 per foot.
Paint Costs By Housing Type
Interior painting costs can also be influenced by housing type because of size, layout, accessibility, and regulations. Different houses present unique challenges that impact the final price, which is why it’s important to be upfront about costs during the initial estimate.
Apartments
Apartment painting projects have lower square footage compared to homes, but are still made of rooms and unique spaces that require particular attention to detail. The average cost for painting an apartment ranges from $2,000 to $4,600 or more. Additional costs may arise based on the apartment building, and can affect a contractor’s ability to move supplies in and out of the building.
Condos
Condos typically feature less complexity but more space than apartments. Higher ceilings, lofted areas, and other details can increase the cost of painting a condo, making the average cost roughly
$1,000 or more higher than painting an apartment. Condo jobs can also take longer, depending on building procedures and interior work. You may have to refer to condominium building guidelines and HOA regulations so as not to overlook these considerations.
Townhouses
Townhouses can have multiple stories, narrow stairwells, and other time-consuming details in their layouts that can increase labor costs beyond those of apartments or condos. Despite a moderate
overall square footage, these details can make townhouses expensive and time-consuming to paint.
Single-Family Homes
The most common type of home is the single-family, which is the most flexible type for interior painting. Cost depends on square footage, number of rooms, surface types, and repairs, but it is relatively straightforward to paint. Single-family homes have a more detailed estimate than apartments or townhouses, since they are made up of more rooms and spaces.
New Construction vs. Repaints
Cost, labor, and materials to paint a brand-new home are often cheaper than repaints, because of the amount of clean, empty surfaces that are faster to paint. Repainting an existing home often requires furniture moving, repairs, scheduling, and additional unforeseen prep that can be specific to the home.
Additional Painting Costs to Consider
Beyond paint and labor, hidden and/or optional costs can influence the interior house painting cost. It’s important to prep for these so homeowners can avoid surprises down the road.
Wall Prep and Repairs
Painters may charge extra for patching holes, sanding surfaces, repairing cracks, caulking, drywall repairs, or removing old paint and
wallpaper. Wall damage may require additional materials and prep time.
Color Changes
Switching colors, such as going from dark to light or vice versa, requires extra coats and primer, increasing the costs of labor and materials. Complex color schemes, accent walls, and trim may also cost more.
Primer Use
Primer may be a requirement for bare drywall, stained walls, or drastic color changes. Primer is necessary to ensure a smooth, efficient coat of paint, though it does add materials and labor costs. A gallon of primer can cost between $20 to $30, though there are self-priming paints that combine paint and primer, but these can be very thick and offer poor coverage.
Moving Furniture and Protecting Surfaces
Some contractors include surface protection as part of their services, while others may charge as much as $300 to move furniture and lay down drop cloths and covers. The average contractor will tape fixtures themselves, or be upfront with homeowners about what services they offer and if these services cost extra.
Cleanup and Disposal Fees
Post-job cleanup, such as removing painter’s tape, disposing of materials, and hauling away trash, may be billed separately with some companies and contractors. Ensure that whoever you are hiring includes these fees in their total estimate, or ask up front what’s typically included in their professional estimate.
How to Save Money While Painting a Home’s Interior
Whether you are hiring professionals or attempting a DIY route, there are a few practical tips that can reduce overall painting costs without sacrificing quality. Through smart planning, material choices, and timing, you can stay on budget, and complete your interior painting project.
Do Your Own Prep Work
Clean your walls, patch minor holes, buff out scratches, move furniture, and cover important things in the home before the painters arrive to save time and labor. This simple task can save you hours on your budget, plus it allows you to reorganize at your own pace instead of waiting for the painters to carefully cover everything in drop cloths or shuffle furniture in and out of rooms.
Use Neutral Colors
Light, neutral colors and shades require fewer coats of paint and are easier to touch up in the long run. Neutral colors are also resale-friendly, so consider white, eggshell, beige, tan, and other shades that are inoffensive.
Buy Paint on Sale
Shop major sales and find your own paints ahead of time, using coupons at hardware stores or finding deals straight from the manufacturer. Buying paints in bulk can also offer cost advantages, so if you’re thinking about repairing your interior but time isn’t a pressing factor, you can drive down costs with effective planning.
Bundle Rooms Together
Painting multiple rooms in a single project can lead to dramatic bulk labor discounts, reducing setup/cleanup time, and making the job efficient, cost-effective, and timely.
Paint During the Off-Season
Winter and autumn are slower seasons for painters. Contractors may offer lower rates during these times if you can effectively manage the weather and plan accordingly. Booking early may secure you seasonal deals.
How to Calculate the Cost to Paint the Interior of Your Home
You can calculate the cost of painting a house interior through things like measuring square footage and factoring in supply costs. While professional quotes are the most accurate, these basic calculations can help with budgeting and planning.
Measure Total Paintable Square Footage
You can measure the total paintable square footage in a room by multiplying Length x Width to get Area in Square Feet.
Section off the room to make squares or rectangles from the paintable areas, and measure each section at a time. Add square footage areas together, and total the rooms to see how much paint you’ll need. A gallon of paint is required per 300-400 square feet, though textured walls and thinner paint might boost your material numbers.
Overestimate by purchasing 1 Gallon of Paint per 300 Square Feet.
Estimate Paint Needs
We’ve established that one gallon of paint typically covers 300-400 square feet per coat. If you need multiple coats, it will require multiple gallons. Total square footage / 400 = Number of gallons of paint.
Add Labor Costs
General labor estimates, about $1 to $3 per square foot or $20 to $50 per hour, are a rule of thumb when considering contractors and interior painting companies. Prices fluctuate based on region, complexity, home size, and multiple surfaces, as well as materials and coats of paint.
When trying to reduce labor costs yourself, envision your home through the eyes of the professionals. How high are your ceilings? How many walls do you have? Do you have complex or textured surfaces? Will they have to do extra work?
Factor in Additional Supplies
Common tools and materials such as brushes, rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths, and primer are a dime a dozen to an interior painting company, but a DIY homeowner may not have any of these tools, which can drive up the cost if you decide to paint yourself. While it can be costly to hire a contractor, it could cost upwards of $300 or more just to buy the tools you need, not to mention the paints. Plus, you have to store these items once the job is done.
Professional vs. DIY
Should you hire a professional or tackle your interior painting project yourself? While the DIY route can be tempting, there are some trade-offs and merits in the financial, practical, and quality-related factors that come with hiring a contractor. There are merits in considering a professional painter vs DIY.
The right choice depends on skill level, available time, and project complexity. If you have enough hours in the day, and a little experience with interior painting, as a savvy homeowner, you may be able to save some money by painting a few walls on your own. But for the more complex jobs, and to ensure long-lasting quality, a professional painting company is the way to go
Cost Comparison
Many homeowners can tackle basic interior painting jobs, saving upwards of $2,000 on small painting projects by doing the work themselves. While DIY painters will pay around $300 out of pocket for supplies and tools, these costs can be minimized depending on what you already own. Expect to need paint, primer, tape, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, a ladder, etc.
There is also the factor of time. While you will save on labor, interior painting projects can be quite time-consuming, not to mention physically exhausting. Professional painters have the experience, technique, and tools to accomplish projects of any size. Contractors often bundle labor, materials, and prep together, giving you the peace of mind you need while you see to other affairs.
Factors That Affect Interior Painting Costs
Many factors influence the cost of painting a house interior. Variables can affect paint costs, labor, time, materials, and complexity, and there’s nothing worse than beginning a DIY project and not fully understanding the scope of it.
Size of the Home
Larger homes require more paint and labor, which directly increases overall costs. Some walls may need multiple coats applied to look professional, and multi-story homes may have additional complexities, such as setup time, having to carry supplies up and down flights of stairs, etc.
Number of Coats Required
Certain color changes, such as dark to light, paint types, and specific finishes, may require multiple coats. This increases paint usage, costs, and labor hours.
Wall Condition
Cracked, uneven, or dirty walls will need prep before you paint to ensure a quality application. Sanding, patching, or priming before painting begins adds prep time and cost.
Regional Labor Rates
Painting costs vary widely based on location, as there are different labor rates state by state and area by area. Higher cost of living or increased demand for skilled labor can increase painter rates.
Access and Obstacles
High ceilings, stairwells, skinny hallways, tight corners, and heavy furniture can slow down a paint job with unexpected challenges and labor costs. Additional tools and effort may be required depending on a home’s eccentricities.
Transform Your Home With Confidence — Final Thoughts
The biggest cost drivers for any interior painting project are the size of a home, square footage, paint quality, labor, preparation, and obstacles. Careful planning prevents budget surprises, whether you’re going the DIY route or hiring professional painters.
ProServ Painters has the experience, techniques, and local knowledge to tackle any interior paint job, big or small. With over 30 years of experience serving the local community, ProServ’s team has helped thousands of homeowners with high-quality paint jobs and beautiful interior finishes.
Contact us or call us today for a FREE, no-obligation quote from ProServ Painters. Whether it’s an interior painting project, drywall replacement, or commercial painting job, we are here for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of paint do I need to buy?
Depending on the surface you’re painting, the room you’re painting, and your desired finish, you should choose between matte, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes. Interior walls and high-traffic areas do best with water-based latex paints because of their durability and ease of cleaning. Kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-moisture areas are suited for semi-gloss finishes and paints with higher mildew resistance.
How long does it take to paint a house?
The time it takes to paint your home’s interior varies depending on size and complexity, but you should count on it taking up to four days. Square footage and multiple floors can make your project last a week or more, depending on hard-to-reach areas and other details. Professional painters will outline a timeline and schedule for you after assessing the project.
What’s the best time to paint a house interior?
The best time to paint is in the milder portions of the year, such as spring or fall. Less extreme temperatures, lower humidity, and fewer chances for sudden weather changes help the paint dry evenly.
Should I hire a professional or DIY my interior paint project?
While there are benefits to handling an interior painting project yourself, DIY projects require time, effort, and expenses that some homeowners won’t want to deal with. Professional painting companies have the tools, expertise, and skill to deliver a quality job.
How do I estimate interior paint costs?
Estimating interior paint costs depends on the type of paint you use, the square footage of the project, and any additional tools you might need. The average home costs between $2 to $5 per square foot to paint. Depending on the quality, a gallon of paint can cost anywhere between $15 to $90. Painting companies and contractors offer free estimates to help you better figure out the total cost.
What should I do to prepare for my painter’s arrival?
Cleaning each room, moving furniture, and making your home more accessible can reduce labor costs and make things easier for the painters before they arrive, cutting down on necessary prep work.
