A 5-gallon pail of Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 typically costs about $150-$250 before tax, with an estimated average near $195. The final price depends on the local dealer, product base and sheen, discounts, and whether the purchase includes delivery or painting labor.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Spec 500, 5-gallon pail | $150 | $195 | $250 | Paint only; dealer prices vary |
| Price per gallon | $30 | $39 | $50 | Calculated from the pail price |
| Paint for a 1,000-sq-ft room | $150 | $195 | $500 | One or two coats; quantity varies |
Assumptions: U.S. dealer purchase, standard interior Ultra Spec 500 product, and no contractor labor or sales tax.
What a five-gallon Ultra Spec 500 pail usually costs
For the paint alone, a practical budget is $150-$250 per 5-gallon pail, or about $30-$50 per gallon. Many buyers will see quotes near $170-$220, but Benjamin Moore products are sold through independent dealers, so shelf prices and promotions differ by location. The exact quote should identify the Ultra Spec 500 line, base, sheen, and pail size.
A 5-gallon pail can cover roughly 1,500-2,000 square feet with one coat on a smooth, sealed surface, using an approximate spread rate of 300-400 square feet per gallon. Two coats may cover about 750-1,000 square feet. Porous walls, texture, color changes, and application waste can reduce coverage. For planning, two coats on 1,000 square feet may require about 5-7 gallons.
How tinting and dealer charges change the pail quote
The paint price is only one part of a larger painting estimate. Tinting is often included in the quoted product price, but delivery, primer, supplies, and labor can be separate. The ranges below are planning estimates, not a fixed dealer price list.
| Quote item | Typical range | Pricing basis | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Spec 500 paint | $150-$250 | Per 5-gallon pail | Dealer, base, sheen, discount |
| Primer | $20-$45 | Per gallon | Interior primer type and surface |
| Delivery | $0-$75 | Per order | Distance and order minimum |
| Painting labor | $1.50-$4.00 | Per sq ft of wall area | Prep, coats, access, region |
| Painting supplies | $25-$100 | Per room or small job | Rollers, tape, covers, brushes |
Check whether the quote includes tinting, delivery, and sales tax before comparing dealer prices. Labor estimates may also include masking, patching, sanding, and cleanup, so a low per-square-foot rate is not necessarily an equivalent scope.
Regional dealer pricing from city to rural markets
Paint pail prices can vary by roughly 5%-15% between markets, although local promotions and contractor accounts may outweigh regional averages. Higher-cost metro areas may quote toward the upper end, while rural dealers may have fewer promotions or add delivery charges for distant addresses. These differences are not a guaranteed regional price rule; the local store’s current quote is the best reference.
For example, a $195 baseline could work out to about $185-$205 in a lower-cost market and $205-$225 in a higher-cost market. Requesting the same product, base, sheen, and pail quantity from two nearby dealers gives a useful apples-to-apples comparison.
Does painting labor cost more than the paint itself
On a professional interior painting job, labor usually exceeds the cost of the paint. A painter may charge about $35-$75 per hour, or quote by room or square foot. A straightforward 500-square-foot wall project might take a two-person crew 6-10 hours for preparation and two coats; extensive patching, trim work, furniture moving, or difficult access adds time.
As a rough labor check, 12 hours at $50 per hour equals $600, before paint and supplies. Ask whether the bid includes the number of coats, wall repairs, primer, and cleanup, since those tasks change both hours and total price.
Which wall conditions and finish choices raise paint needs
Surface condition and coverage often affect the budget more than a small difference in pail price. Textured or unsealed drywall can absorb more paint than smooth, previously painted walls. A major color change, repaired patches, or stains may require primer or an extra coat. Budget for roughly 10%-20% extra paint when the surface is rough, the layout is complex, or touch-up material is needed.
Ultra Spec 500 is an interior line, and available bases and sheens can influence the dealer quote. A low-sheen finish may suit many walls, while a different sheen can be preferred for cleaning or appearance. Confirm the exact finish and base before ordering, because a price for one version may not apply to another.
How Ultra Spec 500 compares with contractor paint options
Ultra Spec 500 is positioned as a professional interior paint, but the best comparison is another product specified for the same surface and finish. A less expensive contractor-grade paint may save $20-$60 per 5-gallon pail, while a premium interior product may cost $50-$150 more. Actual differences depend on the dealer and product line.
Compare coverage, coat count, washability requirements, and whether primer is needed—not just the price per pail. If a lower-priced paint needs an additional coat, its material savings can disappear through extra labor. For a small room, calculate the total gallons and coats before deciding that a cheaper per-gallon option costs less overall.
Ways to lower the Ultra Spec 500 painting budget
Ask the local dealer about contractor pricing, volume discounts, or current promotions, and compare the price per gallon after any discount. Buying the amount needed in one order can avoid repeat delivery charges and reduce the chance of a later batch mismatch. For a small project, confirm whether the dealer sells a smaller container at a better total cost than an oversized pail.
Reduce labor by moving furniture, clearing walls, and handling simple masking or surface cleaning before the crew arrives, if the painter agrees. Avoid paying for unnecessary primer on sound, previously painted walls, but use the appropriate primer for bare drywall, stains, or repaired areas. Get at least two written quotes that list paint quantity, coats, prep work, and included materials.
Paint storage and accurate estimating can also prevent waste. Keep leftover paint sealed and labeled for touch-ups, and avoid ordering solely by room count when wall area and surface condition are known. A contractor’s takeoff can account for windows, doors, wall height, and coverage assumptions; ask for those details if the estimated quantity seems high.
Sales tax is generally added where applicable, and delivery or disposal fees may appear separately. A complete budget should distinguish the pail price from the installed painting price: one 5-gallon pail may be enough for a modest one-coat job, but a larger two-coat project can require multiple pails, primer, supplies, and paid labor.