Benjamin Moore Aura paint typically costs about $90-$110 per gallon, with larger containers and regional dealer prices affecting the total. A professionally painted room may run $500-$1,200, depending on wall area, surface preparation, finish, and labor.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aura interior paint, 1 gallon | $85 | $100 | $115 | Price varies by finish and dealer |
| Aura interior paint, 5 gallons | $410 | $475 | $550 | May be priced as a bulk container |
| Paint for a 12-by-12-foot room | $180 | $260 | $390 | Paint and basic supplies, two coats |
| Professional room painting | $500 | $800 | $1,200 | Labor, prep, and paint included |
What Aura Paint Costs Per Gallon and Room
Aura interior paint generally sells for $85-$115 per gallon. A typical price is around $100, while a 5-gallon container can cost roughly $410-$550. Aura exterior paint often falls near $95-$125 per gallon, depending on finish, color, and local dealer pricing.
One gallon usually covers about 350-400 square feet per coat on a smooth, properly prepared surface. A 12-by-12-foot room with 8-foot ceilings has about 400 square feet of wall area before subtracting openings; two coats may require two gallons. Dark color changes, porous walls, and texture can raise the amount needed.
For a standard room, budget around $180-$390 for Aura paint and basic painting supplies, or $500-$1,200 with professional labor. Assumptions: 350-400 square feet of wall area per gallon per coat, standard colors, and ordinary access.
How Paint, Prep, and Labor Shape an Aura Quote
Product cost is only part of a painting estimate. Contractors may include patching, sanding, masking, primer, cleanup, and moving or covering furniture. Ask whether the quote specifies Aura by product line and finish; a quote for a different Benjamin Moore paint is not a direct price comparison.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aura interior paint | $85-$115 per gallon | Finish, color, dealer | Gallons needed |
| Primer | $25-$60 per gallon | Stains, bare drywall, color change | Surface coverage |
| Wall preparation | $1-$3 per sq. ft. | Cracks, peeling paint, repairs | Area and condition |
| Painting labor | $40-$75 per hour | Region, crew, detail work | Hours or room rate |
| Supplies and protection | $30-$100 per room | Masking, rollers, drop cloths | Job scope |
Labor commonly exceeds the paint bill when a room needs extensive prep or trim work. Confirm whether the estimate includes primer, two coats, minor repairs, and cleanup.
Why Wall Condition and Color Change Raise Paint Costs
Coverage and preparation are two of the largest variables. Textured or absorbent walls may use 20%-40% more paint than smooth walls, while a major color change can require an extra coat or tinted primer. At $85-$115 per gallon, each additional gallon adds a noticeable material charge.
Room size also matters: a 10-by-10-foot room may need about 1-2 gallons for two coats, while a 16-by-20-foot room can require 3-5 gallons, depending on wall height, openings, and coverage. High ceilings, stairwells, built-ins, and numerous windows or doors change both labor time and paint quantities.
Get the wall area and coat count in writing rather than estimating from floor area alone. Assumptions: typical 8- to 9-foot ceilings; extra coats or repairs are not included in the basic coverage estimate.
Where to Trim the Aura Painting Budget
Measure the walls and buy enough paint from one batch when possible; later batches can vary slightly in color. Compare quotes that list the same Aura product, finish, number of coats, and preparation scope. A low bid may exclude patching or primer, while a high bid may include more extensive repairs.
Homeowners can reduce labor charges by clearing furniture, removing wall décor, and handling simple masking or small nail-hole repairs if the painter agrees. Avoid paying for a premium finish on surfaces where a less costly finish meets the performance need. Do not skip needed primer on bare drywall or stains, since poor coverage can require extra coats.
Controlling prep scope and comparing like-for-like bids usually saves more than choosing a slightly different sheen. Get any DIY work approved in advance so it does not conflict with the contractor’s preparation or warranty terms.
How Many Gallons a Room or Whole Home May Need
Paint quantity depends on total wall area and coats, not simply the number of rooms. For a rough two-coat estimate, divide measured wall area by 350-400 square feet per gallon, then round up. Add allowance for rough surfaces, touch-ups, and color changes.
| Painting scope | Approximate gallons | Aura paint budget | Typical labor range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom, 300-400 sq. ft. walls | 2-3 | $170-$345 | $300-$650 |
| Living room, 500-700 sq. ft. walls | 3-4 | $255-$460 | $450-$900 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. home, walls only | 12-18 | $1,020-$2,070 | $2,500-$6,000 |
Whole-home labor varies substantially with layout, ceiling height, occupied-room protection, and repairs. These figures exclude ceilings, trim, major drywall work, and taxes where applicable.
How Local Labor Rates Change the Installed Price
Paint prices can differ by dealer and market, but labor often creates the larger regional gap. In lower-cost rural and smaller-market areas, room painting may fall near the low end of the ranges above. Major metro markets, including parts of the Northeast and West Coast, may price labor 15%-35% higher than a typical national-market estimate.
Ask local dealers for current Aura pricing, then obtain at least two written contractor bids. A contractor’s minimum charge can make a small room expensive per square foot, even if the paint quantity is low. Scheduling several rooms together may lower setup costs per room.
Use local labor quotes for the project total and treat online gallon prices as a materials benchmark.
Aura Versus Regal Select and Standard Interior Paint
Aura generally costs more than Benjamin Moore Regal Select and many standard interior paints. Depending on local pricing, Regal Select may run about $65-$90 per gallon, while standard-quality options can be around $40-$70. The actual gap varies by dealer, finish, and promotion.
When comparing products, consider coverage, number of coats, washability needs, and the condition of the walls. A lower-priced paint may not reduce the total if it needs additional coats or more frequent repainting. Aura’s higher gallon price is easiest to justify where durability, color depth, or repeated cleaning matters; for low-traffic spaces, a less expensive product may fit the budget.
Compare the complete materials estimate, not just the price printed beside one gallon. Confirm the exact product name and finish on the quote before approving the purchase.