Professional painting is one of the highest-ROI home improvements you can make -- a fresh coat transforms a space for a fraction of what other renovations cost. Here's what the work actually costs so you can evaluate any estimate you receive.
Interior painting cost
Interior painting is typically quoted by room, by linear foot, or by square foot of paintable surface (walls and ceilings, not floor):
- ✓Per room (average bedroom): $400--$900
- ✓Per room (large living room): $600--$1,500
- ✓Whole house interior (1,500 sq ft): $3,500--$7,000
- ✓Whole house interior (2,500 sq ft): $5,000--$11,000
- ✓Cabinets (kitchen): $1,200--$3,000
- ✓Trim and doors (whole house): $1,000--$3,000
- ✓Accent wall: $200--$500
Exterior painting cost
Exterior painting is more variable due to surface prep, accessibility, and material:
- ✓Small home (under 1,500 sq ft): $2,500--$5,000
- ✓Medium home (1,500--2,500 sq ft): $4,000--$8,000
- ✓Large home (2,500+ sq ft): $6,000--$14,000
- ✓Deck staining: $500--$2,000
- ✓Fence painting: $1--$3 per linear foot
What drives painting costs
The single biggest factor in painting cost is prep work. A house with peeling paint, damaged drywall, or intricate trim requires significantly more preparation time before a brush touches it. Other factors:
- ✓Number of coats (dark-to-light color changes often need 2--3 coats)
- ✓Ceiling height: rooms with 10+ ft ceilings require more time and scaffolding
- ✓Paint quality: professional-grade paint costs $50--$80/gallon vs. $25--$40 for builder grade
- ✓Move-out/move-in condition: empty rooms are faster than furnished ones
- ✓Geographic market: labor rates vary significantly by region
Bottom line
Expect to pay $400--$900 per room for interior painting. Quality prep and quality paint are where good painters earn their price. A suspiciously low quote usually means cut corners on prep -- which shows within a year.
Need painting work done?
Novum sends its own licensed crew. Flat upfront quote before we touch anything.