Benjamin Moore Regal Select typically costs about $75-$110 per gallon before tax, with an average near $90; exterior formulas and specialty finishes can cost more. A room repaint may run $450-$1,200 with professional labor, depending on wall area, prep, coats, paint finish, and local rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regal Select interior paint | $75 per gallon | $90 per gallon | $110 per gallon | Typical retail range; prices vary by store and region |
| Regal Select exterior paint | $85 per gallon | $100 per gallon | $120 per gallon | Formula and finish affect shelf price |
| DIY paint for one room | $150 | $280 | $500 | Paint and basic supplies, excluding major repairs |
| Professional room repaint | $450 | $800 | $1,200 | One average room with ordinary prep and two coats |
What a Gallon of Regal Select Usually Costs
Regal Select is a premium Benjamin Moore paint line, so the purchase price is notably higher than many contractor-grade paints. A typical gallon of interior Regal Select is about $75-$110, averaging around $90. Exterior Regal Select commonly lands near $85-$120 per gallon. Local dealer pricing, product version, sheen, color, and promotions can shift the register price.
For budgeting, use $90 per gallon for interior paint and $100 per gallon for exterior paint, then verify the exact formula at a nearby Benjamin Moore retailer. Regal Select is sold through independent paint dealers, and not every dealer lists the same price online. Sales, loyalty offers, or contractor accounts may lower the quoted amount; custom colors and special bases can change the final total.
A standard gallon covers roughly 350-400 square feet on a smooth, previously painted surface, though the label and surface condition govern actual coverage. Two coats on 400 square feet may require about two gallons, with extra paint prudent for touch-ups or textured walls. That puts paint alone near $150-$220 for two gallons of interior Regal Select.
Assumptions: U.S. retail pricing, standard gallon containers, ordinary colors, and no sales tax.
How Paint, Primer, and Painter Labor Shape the Quote
Professional painting estimates combine paint, preparation, application, and site protection. For one average 12-by-12-foot room with 8-foot ceilings, a basic interior repaint often totals $450-$1,200. The lower end assumes walls in good condition, limited trim work, and accessible surfaces; extensive patching, high ceilings, or multiple colors can push the estimate higher.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Regal Select paint | $75-$110 per gallon | Interior formula, sheen, color, and dealer |
| Primer and patch supplies | $25-$70 per room | Stains, bare drywall, repairs, and surface type |
| Painter labor | $35-$75 per hour | Region, crew experience, access, and prep detail |
| Protection and sundries | $20-$80 per room | Tape, drop cloths, rollers, brushes, and cleanup |
| Trim or door painting | $1-$4 per linear foot | Profile complexity, condition, and number of coats |
Labor can account for more than half of a contractor’s total, particularly when the room needs sanding, caulking, nail-hole repairs, or furniture moving. A painter may quote by room, square foot, or project rather than disclose an hourly rate. For a time-based estimate, the basic labor calculation is shown here:
A paint-only estimate and a turnkey painting estimate are not comparable unless both include the same prep, coats, trim, protection, and cleanup. Ask whether the quote includes primer, wall repairs, ceiling work, furniture moving, and sales tax so that a low initial figure does not conceal extra charges.
Which Regal Formula and Sheen Changes the Price?
Regal Select comes in interior and exterior formulations, and those are not interchangeable. Interior paint is intended for indoor surfaces and commonly costs about $75-$110 per gallon. Exterior versions designed to withstand outdoor exposure may cost roughly $85-$120 per gallon. Confirm the product name and intended surface on the quote rather than relying on the Regal brand name alone.
Sheen usually affects the price less than the formula, but it can affect the choice of product, coverage, and touch-up appearance. Matte and eggshell finishes are common for interior walls; satin and semi-gloss are often selected for trim, kitchens, bathrooms, or areas that need more frequent cleaning. A dealer may price different sheens similarly, but the exact can price should be checked before buying several gallons.
Color selection can also affect purchasing. Deep, vivid, or unusually saturated colors may require a different tint base and sometimes additional coats, especially over a contrasting color. A painter may recommend a tinted primer or an extra coat rather than simply adding more finish paint. That choice can add about $25-$60 for primer in a room, or increase labor by several hours.
Match the formula to the surface first; finish and color choices matter, but exterior durability and interior use are the bigger product distinctions. When comparing estimates, specify the exact Regal Select product, finish, and color so that the contractor does not substitute a different line or sheen without approval.
How Room Size and Coverage Affect Gallon Counts
Wall area, not floor area alone, determines how much paint a project needs. A 12-by-12-foot room with 8-foot ceilings has about 384 square feet of wall surface before subtracting doors and windows. Two coats generally require about two gallons if coverage is close to 350-400 square feet per gallon per coat. Textured plaster, porous patches, and deep color changes can require more.
A small 10-by-10-foot bedroom might need one to two gallons for two coats, depending on openings and coverage. A large 20-by-20-foot room with tall walls may need four to six gallons. At $75-$110 per gallon, those quantities represent a paint budget of roughly $75-$220 for the small room and $300-$660 for the larger one, before primer or labor.
Measure each wall’s width and height, add the results, then subtract large openings if useful. Divide the resulting square footage by the coverage stated on the paint can for one coat, and multiply by the number of coats. Rounding up to whole gallons may leave leftover paint, but it avoids an additional trip and helps maintain the same batch for touch-ups.
Budget one extra quart or gallon when coverage is uncertain, but calculate the wall area before buying a large surplus. A quart often costs roughly $25-$40, while a full gallon typically costs $75-$110; for a large project, a full gallon can be better value per ounce.
Three Regal Select Painting Quotes for Common Projects
These examples illustrate how paint and labor can combine under ordinary conditions. They assume standard access, typical U.S. labor rates, and no major water damage or extensive drywall repair. Actual contractor bids may differ by market and by whether the painter includes ceilings, trim, or furniture handling.
| Project example | Paint and supplies | Labor assumption | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-by-10-foot bedroom, walls only, two coats | 1-2 gallons; $100-$220 including sundries | 6-9 hours at $40-$65 per hour | $450-$800 |
| 12-by-12-foot living room, walls and basic patching | 2-3 gallons; $190-$380 including primer | 9-14 hours at $40-$70 per hour | $650-$1,300 |
| Exterior siding, 1,500 square feet, two coats | 8-10 gallons; $720-$1,250 including primer and supplies | 32-55 hours at $45-$75 per hour | $2,400-$5,700 |
Exterior estimates have wider ranges because access and surface condition matter substantially. A single-story home with sound siding costs less to paint than a two-story structure with peeling paint, extensive scraping, or difficult landscaping. The example excludes major carpentry, lead-safe work, and unusual lift rental.
Use the examples as comparison points, not guaranteed bids; verify the measured area, coat count, preparation, and included surfaces. A quote for a room that includes ceilings and trim should not be compared directly with a walls-only figure.
How U.S. Region and Painter Rates Change the Total
Paint shelf prices can vary modestly by dealer and local promotions, while labor rates often create the larger regional gap. In high-cost metro areas, professional painting bids may be 15%-30% above a national middle-market estimate. Smaller cities and rural markets can come in 5%-20% below that reference, although limited contractor availability may offset the difference.
For an interior room that might cost $650-$1,000 in a moderate-cost market, a similar scope could reach about $750-$1,300 in an expensive metro. In a lower-cost market, it may be closer to $550-$900. These comparisons assume comparable room size, prep, paint quality, and number of coats; they are not fixed geographic price lists.
Weather and season affect exterior scheduling more than the paint can price. Contractors may be busier during dry, mild months, and rain, humidity, or extreme temperatures can delay work. Interior demand often rises during home renovation seasons and before holidays. A short deadline or weekend request can add a rush fee of roughly 10%-25% where the contractor offers priority scheduling.
Compare at least three local bids with the same written scope, because regional labor differences can outweigh a small per-gallon discount. Ask whether travel, parking, lift rental, or minimum project charges apply, especially for small jobs or homes outside a contractor’s regular service area.
Can Regal Select Beat Cheaper Paint Over Time?
Regal Select costs more per gallon than many midrange or contractor-grade paints. A lower-priced paint may run $35-$65 per gallon, compared with about $75-$110 for Regal Select. On a two-gallon room, the initial paint difference might be $20-$150. That difference is small beside labor on a professionally painted room, but it matters more for a large DIY project.
Paint price alone does not prove that one product will reduce repainting costs. Durability depends on surface preparation, room traffic, cleaning habits, color, and application. In a hallway or child’s room, washable finish and careful prep may be valuable; in a low-traffic guest room, a less expensive paint could meet the need. A premium finish cannot compensate for peeling paint, moisture, or a poorly prepared wall.
DIY painting can reduce labor expense, but supplies, time, and correction work still have value. A basic DIY kit for one room may add $40-$120 for rollers, brushes, tape, drop cloths, and patching materials. A contractor can be more economical for tall ceilings, stairwells, extensive repairs, or precise trim because specialized equipment and experience reduce the chance of rework.
Compare total project cost and expected use, not just the price printed on each gallon. For a small, lightly used room, the cheaper paint may save money. For heavily used surfaces, consider whether the selected formula and finish justify the higher initial material expense.
Where to Trim a Regal Paint Budget Without Losing Coverage
Control the scope before changing the paint specification. Painting walls only instead of walls, ceilings, doors, and trim can cut labor substantially. For a typical room, omitting ceiling work may save about $100-$300, while leaving sound trim unpainted can avoid another $100-$400, depending on room size and condition.
Prepare the room yourself by moving small items, removing wall hangings, and clearing the work area, if the contractor allows it. This can reduce setup time, but extensive sanding, scraping, or repair should be discussed before the work begins. A contractor may decline responsibility for damage to items left in the room, so agree on furniture handling and protection in writing.
Request a measured estimate and buy only the quantity needed for the specified coats, while keeping a labeled touch-up supply. Avoid adding primer automatically to every wall: sound, previously painted surfaces may not need full priming, while bare drywall, stains, or major color changes usually do. The painter should identify the conditions that make primer necessary.
Get competing quotes for identical preparation, coat counts, surfaces, and Regal Select specifications before accepting a lower bid. Ask whether the contractor can bundle several rooms into one visit; a larger combined job may reduce minimum charges and repeated setup, though it will not always lower the per-room price.