If you’re considering a new paint job for your commercial property, several important choices can make your final decision more difficult. Choosing a contractor can be a chore, plus there’s the factor of shopping around, considering the cost of materials, and scheduling the service. You need to know that you’ll be charged a fair price for whatever you decide.
In an environment of rapidly changing going rates, slippery estimates, and shoddy business models, you must know that you’re going with a commercial painting company you can trust. Here is what you can expect out of a quality painting contractor, with variable costs and prices as a guide.
Benefits of High-Quality Commercial Painting
When applied by professionals, a new coat of paint for your building is a wise property investment. Commercial painting projects can be challenging for DIYers as they require a different skill set beyond residential painting projects.
It’s essential to work with an experienced contractor and painting company that can handle your project’s size, scope, and detail, ensuring that the paint job is high-quality and lasts for years.
The immediate benefits of a commercial paint job are improved curb appeal and a refreshing visual update. Maintaining your property’s appearance is essential if you own a rental, office building, or other commercial property, as what people see often makes the first and last impression. A well-maintained property attracts new customers, improves business morale, and enhances the overall property value.
Long-term values of commercial painting include protection from the elements, easier maintenance, surface protection, improved working environment, and increased customer perceptions.
Protection from the elements
A new coat of paint doesn’t just look nice—paint protects your building’s exterior from harsh sunlight, weathering, moisture, and pests. Some paints and coatings have special properties that can increase resistance to mold, heat, and corrosion. By utilizing professional paints and advice, you can prevent expensive property damage, improve employee safety, and add years to your building.
Easier maintenance
Repainting makes routine maintenance easier. Walls that are tough to keep clean can be improved with the right finish or sheen, adding a luxurious appearance and improved washability.
ProServ Pro Tip:
Improved customer perceptions
There’s no point in trying to “trick” your customers—potential clients will always notice poorly maintained interior and exterior surfaces, and paint that is peeling, fading, or cracking. Maintaining your building’s appearance can improve employee safety & productivity, encourage potential customers to visit your business, and add additional curb appeal that turns heads.
Protection for interior surfaces
Exterior paint jobs protect your building from temperature, weather, and pests, but interior paints also protect your building by adding defenses to walls, doors, and trim. High-quality paint jobs will minimize interior damage caused by moisture, plus these surfaces will hold up longer from everyday wear and tear. Flaking, thinning, or fading paint won’t be able to protect the surface underneath, and your surfaces will accrue damage over time.
Improved working environment
Colors can have a crucial effect on employee productivity. Dull office walls and beige coloring do little to motivate anyone, and an updated color scheme can have a surprising effect on mood, morale, and behavior. Beautiful, calming colors can improve employee well-being, and contractors can help you consider color psychology when updating a workspace.
Understanding Commercial Painting Costs
If you’re considering a new paint job for your commercial property, several important choices can make your final decision more difficult. Choosing a contractor can be a chore, plus there’s the factor of shopping around, considering the cost of materials, and scheduling the service. You need to know that you’ll be charged a fair price for whatever you decide.
Quality and Type of Paint
Paint itself is a key factor in the overall cost of commercial painting. Brand, type of paint, quality, and source all factor into pricing, and can have a big impact on the overall result of your project. You don’t want to skimp on a cheap product, but you don’t want to invest in an overly expensive one either. High-quality paints and coating cost more and will deliver an overall better finish, especially if you’re using specialized products that can provide greater longevity to your commercial space. Quality paint brands will do more than look good on your building—they protect against the elements, industrial environments, corrosion, weather, use, abrasion, and more.
Many paints include built-in primers, saving you money on a separate purchase. But better paint will reduce your maintenance costs, meaning your paint job will last longer. Your contractor should be able to offer you several choices and offer insight into what will work best for your product.
Number of Coats
The number of coats necessary during application is the other crucial aspect of commercial painting costs. For instance, a dynamic color change might require additional coats to effectively pull away from the existing color of your building. Compared to a simple refresh, a repaint definitely demands additional coats. This increases the quantity of paint used, but also the work hours and resources.
Design
Creativity can also factor into overall costs. If you’re looking for something demanding or complex, this means more coats, more labor, and more product. While the final look of your building might be worth it from an aesthetic standpoint, the cost should be a consideration. You can also look at this moment as an opportunity to set your property apart and make it more visible to your clients and consumers.
Special Equipment
The reason it’s necessary to hire painting contractors versus attempting the project yourself is because the professionals have access to a suite of specialized equipment. This equipment is included in their estimate, allowing contractors to paint the upper levels of tall buildings, apartment building sides, high ceilings, stairwells, and more.
Purchasing any special equipment yourself will increase your costs exponentially. Scaffolding, elevated platforms, swing stages, long brushes, and other equipment ensure that the project can be completed professionally and safely, meaning you, the painters, your staff and customers won’t be disturbed by the work.
Repairs and Extra Attention Needed
The scope of your project can be greatly influenced by unexpected maintenance problems. Your building might require repairs and touchups before the project even begins, and there are any number of problems that could arise. Foundational issues, cracked concrete, existing lead paint, and leaks can all delay or obstruct a project. This will also affect the structural integrity of your property, and if not taken care of can cheapen the longevity of the project.
Experienced commercial painters can advise you on building maintenance issues prior to the start of the project and include them in the total estimate. This will save you time and money and prevent you from hiring multiple contractors, and many paint companies will take care of light foundational maintenance themselves.
After Hours Work
Typically, experienced contractors will be willing to schedule their work after hours so as not to disturb your customers. This minimizes any issues for clients or tenants, though it might come with a cost increase since you will be paying for work outside of normal business hours. In most cases, this is worth it so as to not disrupt your business.
Size of Project
Finally, the scope of your project will influence its cost. Additional buildings, complex surfaces, secondary colors, and more all add to the labor and materials required. Regardless of the size of any job, a good contractor will do what it takes to accomplish the work safely. Never settle for a company that will cut corners or lower its standards.
Average Cost Range for Commercial Painting per Square Foot
Estimates based on the national average. The link below is as of year-end 2024 and estimates may change in 2025. It is only an estimate for painting commercial buildings. Final costs or estimates should be discussed with your contractor.
The average cost for painting commercial buildings ranges from $2 to $6 per square foot. This typically includes primer and up to two coats of paint. Depending on your area, commercial painting businesses offer different pricing and estimates based on several local factors. The total cost of painting a commercial building—per the national average—can be anywhere between $5,000 to $15,000 for a 2,500-square-foot space.
Commercial painters and contractors will charge differently for interior or exterior projects. You should expect to pay around $60 to $100 per hour for a crew of experienced painters, as well as the use of ladders, spraying equipment, scaffolding, supplies, lifts, and other tools. Always fully discuss costs with your contractor before signing anything.
Getting and Comparing Quotes
As you shop around for different painting companies, the contractor will send out a written estimate detailing the total project costs and what is included. After you receive a few quotes, take a moment to look them over and see what each contractor offers. Prices will vary from contractor to contractor, so ensure that you know what is included in each quote.
Ask yourself questions, such as:
- Do these estimates include the same items?
- Do some contractors require you to supply paint?
- What schedule do they agree to?
- How much can the final cost fluctuate compared to the estimate?
Ensure that all items line up and that the estimate only includes items you agreed upon. If something doesn’t seem right, reach out to the company with your questions. You should assume that if something is not listed in the initial quote then it is also not included in the total price.
You should also hammer out further scheduling details. Ask if they can start the project right away or if you will be added to a waitlist. If there are two companies you are torn between but one of them cannot start for three months, it might be better to go with the company that can take care of the job sooner rather than later.
While price is the most important factor in your selection, you should compare quotes based on details beyond cost. If one company costs less but has worse reviews and fewer recommendations, things will end up costing more in the end. Ensure the painting company is using high-quality materials and that their employees are insured. You should also ask if the painters are part of the company or if they are outsourced by the contractor. Also, any contractor you work with should be able to answer your questions completely and fully.
Customized Solutions for Unique Commercial Spaces
ProServ Painters’ decades of experience have uniquely positioned us to tailor painting solutions to fit specific business needs in our area. Our appreciation of local values and preferences allows us to center creative solutions that add curb appeal, beauty, and rejuvenation to any building.
Our contractors can discuss your property’s specific needs, including colors, design preferences, particular details, and the unique challenges posed by your space. ProServ ensures a custom look that aligns with your brand’s particulars.
Let’s show new and existing customers that you care about how you look, inside and out. Let ProServ enhance your space and see that a little coat of paint can do big things for your business.
Choosing Quality for Long-Lasting Results
At the end of the day, the cost of your commercial paint job has a number of considerations. It’s important to fully vet the contractor and company you decide to work with, which includes looking for local recommendations and reading reviews. Ensure that you are using high-quality paints so that the paint job has increased longevity and won’t require additional maintenance anytime soon.
ProServ has over thirty years of experience, and as a trusted local paint company they know how to do the job right the first time. You can schedule a free estimate with ProServ Painters today, and they will get back to you promptly. When it comes to your commercial business or property, don’t settle for less. A great commercial paint job is an important investment, one that you should be proud of displaying for years.