A 5-gallon pail of Sherwin-Williams CHB interior paint typically costs about $125-$225 before tax, with the final price affected by store, contractor discounts, and local pricing. Coverage, wall condition, and whether the job includes primer or labor also shape the total budget.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHB paint, 5 gallons | $125 | $175 | $225 | Paint only; store prices and discounts vary |
| Paint per gallon | $25 | $35 | $45 | Equivalent pail price divided by five |
| Paint per sq ft | $0.03 | $0.05 | $0.09 | One coat, based on practical coverage |
| Professional painting labor | $1.00 | $2.00 | $3.50 | Per sq ft of painted surface, excluding paint |
What a 5-Gallon CHB Pail Typically Costs
CHB, short for Contractor Hides Better, is a flat interior latex wall paint commonly chosen for large interior jobs and rental turnovers. A reasonable planning range for a 5-gallon pail is $125-$225, or about $25-$45 per gallon. The low end generally assumes a sale or trade discount; the high end reflects a full-price purchase in a higher-cost market.
For paint alone, budgeting about $175 per pail is a practical starting point. At roughly 250-350 square feet per gallon per coat on typical walls, five gallons may cover about 1,250-1,750 square feet for one coat. Porous drywall, deep color changes, rough surfaces, and waste can reduce coverage. Assumptions: standard white or light-color interior paint, ordinary wall condition, and no primer or labor.
How Paint, Labor, and Store Discounts Shape the Quote
A store receipt covers only the paint. A painting estimate may also include wall preparation, masking, application, and cleanup, with separate charges for primer or repairs. The table shows common planning ranges; local quotes vary by job size and access.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHB paint | $125 | $175 | $225 | Per 5-gallon pail |
| Interior primer | $20 | $30 | $45 | Per gallon |
| Painter labor | $25 | $45 | $75 | Per hour, per worker |
| Wall patching and sanding | $0.25 | $0.75 | $1.50 | Per sq ft of affected area |
| Delivery or small-job charge | $0 | $35 | $100 | Per order or project |
Ask whether the quote includes surface preparation, primer, and tax before comparing totals. A contractor may receive account pricing unavailable to walk-in buyers, while retail promotions can reduce a pail price.
How Wall Condition and Coverage Change the Gallon Count
Paint quantity can matter more than a small price difference between stores. A pail may cover 1,250-1,750 square feet with one coat under favorable conditions, but textured or absorbent walls may take more. Two coats roughly double the paint needed unless the first coat is used only for limited touch-up.
Calculate by wall area and coats, not by room count alone. For example, 1,500 square feet of wall area at 300 square feet per gallon requires about five gallons for one coat, before allowing for waste. The same space with two coats needs close to ten gallons. Dark-to-light color changes, new drywall, or patched areas may need a separate primer coat.
Ceilings, closets, and trim should be measured separately because their surfaces may require different paint or application methods. A 10% allowance can help cover minor waste, but adding extra pails without checking the measured area can leave costly unused paint.
Does CHB Cost Less Than Other Sherwin-Williams Paint?
CHB is typically positioned as a value-oriented interior wall paint rather than a premium finish product. Other interior lines may cost more per gallon, especially when they offer a washable finish, specialty sheen, or upgraded performance claims. Actual shelf and account prices change, so comparison should use current quotes rather than assumed list prices.
Compare paint by intended room and finish, not by pail price alone. CHB’s flat finish can help disguise minor wall irregularities, but flat paint may show marks more readily than washable finishes in busy areas. A higher-priced product can be worthwhile in a kitchen, hallway, or child’s room if it reduces repainting or cleaning effort; a basic flat paint may suit low-traffic ceilings or turnover work.
Also compare coverage and coat requirements. A lower-cost paint that needs extra coats can use more gallons and labor. For a 1,500-square-foot wall project, even one extra gallon adds the pail’s effective gallon price, while an additional coat can add several labor hours.
What Regional Store Pricing Means for a CHB Pail
Regional pricing depends on local competition, distribution costs, and contractor account rates. As a planning estimate, metropolitan stores may run roughly 5%-15% above a lower-cost rural market, while areas with strong contractor discounts can land below typical retail. These are broad comparisons, not guaranteed regional price lists.
Check the same product and quantity at nearby stores before treating one quote as a national price. A delivery charge can erase savings on a discounted pail, and local taxes increase the checkout total. Ask whether a quoted price is retail, sale, or account pricing, and confirm that the product is CHB rather than another interior line.
How Long Five Gallons Take to Apply
For an open, prepared room, one painter may apply a coat to roughly 500-800 square feet of wall area in a workday, depending on cutting-in, rolling, furniture, and layout. Five gallons could therefore supply several rooms for one coat, but the work time depends on the measured surfaces rather than the paint quantity alone.
Labor often outweighs the paint bill when walls need extensive preparation. At $25-$75 per hour, a two-person crew working eight hours could charge $400-$1,200 in labor before materials. Tall ceilings, stairwells, occupied rooms, and detailed masking can slow application and increase the quote.
How to Lower the CHB Paint Budget Without Shorting Coverage
Measure wall areas, identify the number of coats, and ask the store or contractor for a written gallon estimate. Compare the final price for the same pail size, color, and product line. If the store offers a volume discount, confirm that buying additional pails is cheaper than placing a later order, especially if the extra paint may not be needed.
Save through accurate quantities and manageable prep, not by skipping necessary primer. Move furniture, remove wall plates, and complete simple patching if the painter agrees that the work is suitable. Keep the color close to the existing wall color when practical, and reserve premium paint for high-traffic areas rather than upgrading every surface.
Before approving a labor quote, check whether it includes masking, minor repairs, cleanup, and a second coat. Bundling several rooms can reduce setup charges, but avoid adding unrelated work unless the combined price is clearly lower. For a small area, ask whether a minimum labor fee applies.