Apartment turnover painting typically costs $700-$3,500 per unit, with many standard repaint jobs landing near $1,700. Apartment size, wall condition, paint coverage, local labor rates, and whether ceilings, trim, or repairs are included drive the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio or small unit | $700 | $1,100 | $1,700 | About 400-600 sq ft; walls only or limited trim |
| One-bedroom apartment | $950 | $1,600 | $2,500 | About 600-850 sq ft; standard repaint scope |
| Two-bedroom apartment | $1,400 | $2,400 | $3,500 | About 850-1,200 sq ft; more rooms and surfaces |
| Typical unit-area rate | $1.25/sq ft | $2.25/sq ft | $3.75/sq ft | Based on apartment floor area, not painted wall area |
What a standard apartment repaint usually costs
For a vacant unit in fair condition, a basic turnover repaint commonly runs $1,000-$2,000 for a studio or one-bedroom and $1,800-$3,200 for a two-bedroom. These estimates generally assume one neutral color on walls, ordinary latex paint, minor nail-hole patching, and accessible rooms. Adding ceilings, doors, closets, or detailed trim can push a quote above the typical range.
Apartment painters may estimate from floor area, room count, or the surfaces to be painted. A floor-area rate of $1.25-$3.75 per sq ft is a rough comparison tool; heavily textured walls, high ceilings, or extensive prep make it less reliable. Assumptions: vacant unit, standard-quality paint, normal access, and no major drywall damage. For a standard one-bedroom apartment, budgeting about $1,200-$2,000 is a practical starting point.
How paint, labor, and prep appear on the quote
Labor usually accounts for the largest share because turnover work includes covering floors, patching, cutting in, rolling, and cleanup. Ask whether the quote includes paint, primer, minor repairs, and a second coat; a low bid may cover fewer surfaces or exclude materials.
| Quote component | Low | Typical | High | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | $450 | $900 | $1,700 | Room count, coats, repair time |
| Paint and primer | $150 | $300 | $600 | Coverage, brand, color change |
| Surface preparation | $100 | $300 | $800 | Patch quantity, sanding, stains |
| Trim, doors, and ceilings | $0 | $250 | $900 | Included surfaces and detail level |
| Protection and disposal | $50 | $125 | $300 | Furniture, masking, paint waste |
These component ranges are illustrative and may overlap in a bundled contractor quote. For example, 16-24 labor hours at $45-$75 per hour equals $720-$1,800 before paint and other charges. Compare the written scope line by line, not just the grand total.
How apartment size, wall damage, and color change the price
Unit size affects room count and painted surface area, but condition can matter more than square footage. A 700-sq-ft apartment with clean walls may take less work than a smaller unit with dents, stains, or peeling paint. Minor patching may be included; extensive drywall repair can add $200-$800 or more.
Color changes also affect labor and material use. Repainting a light neutral over a similar shade may need one or two coats, while covering a dark or saturated color can require primer and additional coats, often adding $150-$500 for a typical unit. Ceilings above 9 feet, textured surfaces, and detailed woodwork can raise labor. Confirm whether the price includes two finish coats and stain-blocking primer where needed.
How long crews need to finish vacant units
A painter working alone may spend 1-2 days on a small apartment and 2-4 days on a larger unit requiring repairs and multiple coats. A two-person crew can often complete a straightforward one-bedroom in about 8-16 crew hours, excluding drying time and substantial patching. Labor rates commonly fall around $45-$75 per painter-hour, with higher rates in expensive metro areas.
Vacancy deadlines can affect scheduling and pricing. Same-day or overnight work may carry a rush charge of roughly 10%-25%, especially when the painter must add staff or work outside normal hours. Allow drying and inspection time before scheduling cleaning, flooring, or tenant move-in.
How metro labor rates shift apartment painting bids
Prices in high-cost markets such as New York City, San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle may run 20%-40% above a national midrange estimate. Smaller cities and rural areas can be 10%-20% below it, although limited contractor availability or long travel distances can erase that difference. Regional rates reflect wages, insurance, parking, building access, and demand—not simply paint prices.
Large apartment buildings may receive lower per-unit pricing when several vacant apartments can be painted consecutively. A single unit in a managed property may instead face building-specific requirements for elevator reservations, work hours, insurance, or protection of common areas. Request comparable bids using the same surfaces, paint specification, and completion deadline.
Which turnover extras add to the painting bill
Common add-ons include painting ceilings for $150-$500 per unit, repainting doors and trim for $200-$700, and repairing larger drywall areas for $200-$800 or more. Removing heavy wall stains, covering smoke damage, or sealing odors may require specialized primer and additional labor. These costs depend on affected area and the number of preparation steps.
Furniture removal, extensive masking, and difficult access may add $75-$300 or more. Contractors may also have a minimum service charge, often around $300-$600 for a very small job. Ask for separate prices for optional surfaces and repairs so the base repaint remains easy to compare.
Three apartment sizes show how quotes can differ
The examples below assume a vacant unit, standard neutral paint, ordinary access, and minor prep. They illustrate how scope changes the total, rather than setting a fixed market price.
| Example | Scope and labor | Approximate total | Estimated rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio, 500 sq ft | Walls, minor patches, 10-14 labor hours | $850-$1,350 | $1.70-$2.70 per sq ft |
| One-bedroom, 750 sq ft | Walls and basic trim, 16-24 labor hours | $1,300-$2,100 | $1.73-$2.80 per sq ft |
| Two-bedroom, 1,050 sq ft | Walls, ceilings, moderate prep, 28-40 labor hours | $2,400-$3,800 | $2.29-$3.62 per sq ft |
Ceiling coverage and repair needs explain why two apartments of similar size can receive noticeably different bids.
Ways to lower repaint costs without cutting coverage
Keep the scope consistent from unit to unit by specifying a durable, readily available neutral color and identifying which surfaces are included. Reusing a suitable existing color can reduce primer and coat requirements. For multi-unit turnovers, batching vacant apartments may lower travel and setup charges, especially when schedules are coordinated in advance.
Before painters arrive, remove belongings if allowed, clear access to walls, and identify damage that requires a separate repair price. Compare at least three written estimates, checking coat count, paint quality, patching limits, protection, and cleanup. Controlling prep and avoiding unnecessary ceiling or trim work can reduce the bill while preserving full wall coverage.