Farrow & Ball paint generally costs more per gallon than Benjamin Moore, with premium lines from both brands priced above their standard interior paints. For a typical 10-by-12-foot room, paint materials may run about $150-$400, while a professional repaint can cost roughly $500-$1,400 depending on surface preparation, coats, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farrow & Ball interior paint | $125 per gallon | $150 per gallon | $180 per gallon | Approximate equivalent pricing; sold in multiple can sizes |
| Benjamin Moore interior paint | $55 per gallon | $85 per gallon | $120 per gallon | Standard through premium lines |
| Paint for one 10-by-12-foot room | $150 | $250 | $400 | Paint and primer, usually two coats |
| Professional room repaint | $500 | $850 | $1,400 | Includes typical labor and supplies; extensive repairs cost extra |
What Farrow & Ball and Benjamin Moore Cost Per Gallon
Farrow & Ball interior paint commonly works out to about $125-$180 per U.S. gallon, depending on finish and container size. A 5-liter can is about 1.32 gallons, so its shelf price should not be compared directly with a one-gallon Benjamin Moore can. Check the label’s volume and coverage before comparing quotes.
Benjamin Moore interior paint ranges from about $55-$75 per gallon for entry-level options, $75-$100 for midrange products, and $95-$120 or more for premium lines such as Aura. These are typical U.S. retail ranges; dealer pricing, promotions, and regional availability can change the total.
For a like-for-like premium comparison, budget about $125-$180 per gallon for Farrow & Ball and $95-$120 for Benjamin Moore Aura. Farrow & Ball’s distinctive color selection and finishes are part of its price proposition, but paint cost alone does not determine how many coats a wall needs.
For a 10-by-12-foot room with 8-foot ceilings, the wall area is about 350 square feet before subtracting doors and windows. Two coats may require roughly 1-2 gallons, depending on product coverage, wall texture, color change, and waste. Ceiling and trim paint are not included in that estimate.
Assumptions: U.S. retail pricing, standard interior wall finish, about 350 square feet of wall area, and two coats. Actual coverage varies by product and surface.
How Paint, Primer, and Labor Shape the Room Quote
The paint itself is only part of the bill. A contractor’s quote may include primer, patching, masking, application, cleanup, and supplies. The table shows common ranges for a single 10-by-12-foot bedroom with ordinary access and walls in serviceable condition.
| Cost item | Low | Average | High | Typical basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paint | $110 | $230 | $360 | 1-2 gallons; product line and can size affect price |
| Primer | $25 | $45 | $80 | One gallon for spot or full-room priming |
| Labor | $300 | $550 | $900 | About 6-12 hours at $50-$90 per hour |
| Supplies and surface prep | $30 | $75 | $150 | Masking, patching, sanding, and standard tools |
| Removal and disposal | $0 | $25 | $100 | Usually limited to small amounts of debris |
Labor estimates reflect a painter working alone or as part of a small crew. Contractors may quote by room, by square foot, or by the project rather than by the hour. For hourly pricing, a simple estimate is .
In an ordinary room, labor and preparation can cost more than the paint-brand difference. If the walls need extensive sanding, crack repair, stain blocking, or furniture moving, the job may exceed the table’s high estimate even when the room is small.
Coverage, Finish, and Color Change Drive the Final Price
Coverage and the number of coats influence how much paint a project uses. Product labels may show different coverage rates, and real-world results depend on the wall’s porosity, texture, application method, and color contrast. A dark-to-light change or a new saturated color can require primer or additional coats.
Room size changes the estimate quickly. A 10-by-12-foot room with 8-foot ceilings has about 350 square feet of wall area; a 12-by-15-foot room with 9-foot ceilings has roughly 486 square feet before openings. The larger room may use around 1.5-3 gallons for two coats, compared with approximately 1-2 gallons for the smaller one.
Finish also affects the material choice and sometimes the price. Flat or matte finishes are often selected for low-traffic walls, while eggshell and satin are common where more cleaning is expected. Trim enamel is a separate product and may cost about $60-$120 per gallon for Benjamin Moore options or more for specialty products.
Farrow & Ball colors can be mixed into Benjamin Moore paint at some dealers, but the result may not precisely match the original brand’s formulation or appearance. A color name alone does not guarantee a match across brands, sheen levels, or lighting conditions.
Two thresholds matter most: above roughly 450 square feet of wall area, material needs often move into a higher quantity range, and a major color change can add a primer coat or extra finish coat. Confirm the intended product, sheen, and number of coats in the written estimate.
Which Brand Saves Money Without Changing the Project Scope
Benjamin Moore is usually the lower-cost choice when comparing similar tiers, especially if the project can use a standard or midrange line. Moving from a $65-per-gallon product to a $105 premium line adds about $80 for two gallons; changing to Farrow & Ball at $150 per gallon could add about $170 for the same quantity.
Those material differences are modest beside a large labor bill, but they matter more across a whole home. For 15 gallons, a $45-per-gallon difference adds $675 before tax. A careful estimate should compare total gallons, not just the price printed on a single can.
Keeping the same wall color and sheen can reduce the risk of extra coats. Buying the correct amount at once also helps avoid batch variation. For a small sample area, test the chosen color in the room’s actual lighting before ordering several cans.
The most controllable savings usually come from limiting prep and repainting scope, not choosing a cheaper brand while keeping the same labor-intensive work. Homeowners can move small furniture, remove wall hangings, and clear access ahead of time if the painter’s agreement allows it; repair work and masking should remain clearly assigned.
How Regional Painter Rates Change the Installed Price
Labor rates and overhead vary across the country. As a broad planning guide, a similar interior room may cost about 10%-20% less in a lower-cost rural market than the national midpoint, while major coastal cities and high-cost metro areas may run 15%-35% more. These differences are estimates, not fixed regional tariffs.
For example, a room priced at about $850 in a typical-cost market might be quoted around $680-$765 in a lower-cost area or $980-$1,150 in a high-cost metro. Difficult parking, elevator restrictions, occupied homes, and short scheduling windows can add charges independently of the local labor rate.
Paint availability can also affect the comparison. Farrow & Ball may need to be purchased through a specific retailer or ordered in the required size, while Benjamin Moore is distributed through independent dealers. Delivery, minimum order amounts, and the time needed to obtain a special color can change the job’s practical cost.
Regional labor differences can outweigh the paint-price gap on a one-room job. Compare quotes from painters serving the same ZIP code and ask whether paint pickup, travel, and delivery are included.
How Many Painter Hours Should a Bedroom Quote Include
A straightforward bedroom repaint often takes one painter about 6-12 working hours, including ordinary protection, minor patching, two coats, and cleanup. A two-person crew may finish sooner, but the total labor charge depends on the crew’s hourly rates and how efficiently the work is staged.
High ceilings, detailed trim, built-in shelving, wallpaper removal, or significant wall damage can extend the schedule. A 9-foot ceiling may add wall area and ladder work compared with an 8-foot room; rooms above 500 square feet of wall area may also need more application time and paint.
Ask whether the quote includes moving furniture, covering floors, repairing nail holes, caulking trim, and returning for a second coat after drying. A low bid that excludes these tasks may not be cheaper once the work is added. Confirm whether the painter charges for a minimum visit, which can matter for small rooms.
A written scope should state the number of coats, included repairs, products, and whether the quoted amount covers both labor and materials. If a contractor prices by square foot, clarify whether that rate applies to wall surface, floor area, or a bundled room price.
Three Bedroom Quotes Show the Brand Price Difference
The examples below use a single 10-by-12-foot bedroom, about 350 square feet of wall area, and two finish coats. They assume sound walls, an 8-foot ceiling, ordinary access, and no ceiling or trim repainting. Local labor and actual paint coverage can move each total.
| Example | Paint and quantity | Labor assumption | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Benjamin Moore | 2 gallons at $65-$75 each; $130-$150 | 6-8 hours at $50-$70 per hour | $500-$850 |
| Premium Benjamin Moore | 2 gallons at $95-$115 each; $190-$230 | 7-10 hours at $60-$85 per hour | $700-$1,150 |
| Farrow & Ball | About 2 gallon-equivalents at $140-$175 each; $280-$350 | 7-10 hours at $60-$85 per hour | $800-$1,300 |
The totals allow for typical supplies and minor prep but not major repairs, furniture moving, or added coats. A painter may recommend a compatible primer or a different quantity after inspecting the walls. If the quote includes several rooms, shared setup time can lower the average labor cost per room.
In these assumptions, the biggest material difference is between Farrow & Ball and entry-level Benjamin Moore, while premium Benjamin Moore narrows the gap. Use the exact product names and can sizes to compare a contractor’s materials allowance with retail pricing.
What to Check Before Choosing a Paint Quote
Compare estimates that specify the same surfaces, preparation, finish, and coat count. One quote may include primer and minor patching while another covers paint application only. Request a separate materials allowance if the contractor is purchasing the paint, and check whether unused cans are returned or left with the homeowner.
For a color match, verify which brand and formula will be used. A substitute can cost less, but appearance may differ because of pigment, sheen, and base. If the exact Farrow & Ball product is important, the quote should name it rather than state only the color.
Ask whether sales tax, delivery, parking, and disposal are included. Most interior repainting does not require a building permit, but local rules can differ for work involving lead paint, major repairs, or a rental property’s required standards. Homes built before 1978 may need lead-safe procedures when painted surfaces are disturbed.
A comparable quote identifies the brand, product line, finish, quantity, surface preparation, number of coats, and labor scope. That detail makes it easier to decide whether the higher price buys a preferred finish or simply reflects a larger work allowance.