Painting a house costs about $2,000-$8,000 for a typical professional project, depending on whether the work covers interior rooms, exterior siding, or both. House size, surface condition, paint quality, access, and local labor rates drive the estimate; interior work is often priced by floor area, while exterior quotes may use siding area or the home’s overall size.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior painting | $1,800 | $4,500 | $9,000 | Typical 1,500-2,000 sq ft home |
| Exterior painting | $2,500 | $5,500 | $12,000 | Typical one- or two-story home |
| Interior and exterior | $4,500 | $9,000 | $18,000 | Combined professional project |
| Interior rate | $2 | $3.50 | $6 | Per sq ft of floor area |
| Exterior rate | $1.50 | $3.50 | $6 | Per sq ft of paintable surface |
Assumptions: U.S. contractor pricing, standard paint, ordinary surface preparation, and no major repairs.
Typical house painting prices by project size
For interior painting, a 1,000-sq-ft home commonly costs $1,800-$4,500, while a 2,000-sq-ft home may run $3,500-$8,000. These estimates generally include walls, basic prep, and two coats, but ceilings, trim, closets, and extensive color changes can add charges. An exterior repaint on a 1,500-sq-ft home often costs $2,500-$7,000; larger or complex homes can exceed $10,000.
For a standard-sized home, a reasonable planning budget is $3,500-$6,000 for interior or exterior painting alone. Estimates vary because contractors measure different areas: interior rates usually refer to floor area, whereas exterior rates refer to the surfaces being painted.
What labor and paint add to the contractor quote
Labor typically accounts for the largest share of a professional painting estimate. Paint quantity depends on coverage, number of coats, and surface texture; a gallon commonly covers about 300-400 sq ft per coat. The following ranges reflect typical residential projects, not a fixed national price.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | $1,200 | $3,500 | $8,000 | Prep, masking, application |
| Paint and primer | $300 | $800 | $1,800 | Standard to premium products |
| Surface preparation | $150 | $600 | $2,000 | Scraping, sanding, patching |
| Equipment and access | $100 | $400 | $1,500 | Ladders, lift, scaffolding |
| Delivery and disposal | $50 | $200 | $600 | Supplies and waste removal |
Painter labor rates commonly fall around $30-$75 per hour, though many contractors quote the entire job. Ask whether the quote includes primer, two coats, trim, cleanup, and minor repairs before comparing totals.
How siding, height, and wall condition change the price
House size is only one pricing variable. A 1,500-sq-ft home with simple, accessible walls can cost less than a smaller house with multiple stories, detailed trim, or steep rooflines. Exterior work on a two-story home may cost 10%-25% more than a comparable one-story project because setup and access take longer.
Preparation can shift the estimate substantially. Light washing and small nail-hole repairs may be included, but peeling paint, rotten siding, extensive caulking, or lead-safe work can add hundreds or thousands of dollars. On interiors, ceilings higher than 10 feet, textured walls, and many doors or windows increase labor. Switching from a dark color to a light one may require an extra coat, adding roughly $0.50-$1.50 per sq ft.
Get a separate line-item price for repairs instead of treating uncertain surface damage as a vague allowance. For exterior siding, material also matters: smooth fiber cement is generally easier to paint than weathered wood or rough masonry.
Where homeowners can trim a painting budget
Keeping the scope focused is often more effective than choosing the cheapest paint. Painting walls without ceilings or trim can reduce an interior quote, while repainting sound siding instead of replacing it can avoid a much larger expense. Homeowners can move furniture, remove wall decorations, and clear access to exterior walls, but should confirm that the contractor does not charge less for this preparation.
Compare at least three written quotes with matching room counts, surface preparation, coats, paint grade, and cleanup terms. Standard paint often offers a better value than premium paint when the home is being prepared for sale or the surfaces are in good condition. Do not cut costs by skipping primer where bare, patched, or stained surfaces need it.
How many days painters need for a typical home
A two- or three-person crew may complete a typical interior repaint in 3-6 working days, depending on room count, drying time, and preparation. Exterior projects often take 4-8 days, with weather and access affecting the schedule. Larger homes or extensive repairs can take longer.
Labor charges are usually built into the project price rather than billed strictly by the hour. If a contractor gives an hourly estimate, clarify the crew size and expected hours; for example, 40-60 labor hours at $40-$65 per hour equals $1,600-$3,900 before materials and other charges. Confirm how delays, added repair work, and return visits affect the agreed price.
Interior and exterior painting rates compared
Interior painting is often more predictable because rooms can be measured and work is less exposed to weather. Basic interior repainting commonly runs $2-$4 per sq ft of floor area, while detailed trim, cabinets, or high ceilings can push the rate above $6. Exterior painting commonly costs $1.50-$4 per sq ft of paintable surface, with difficult access or extensive scraping pushing rates higher.
Those per-square-foot figures are not directly interchangeable: a home’s floor area is not the same as its exterior wall area. Request the measured quantities and unit rates used in the bid. Compare interior bids with interior bids and exterior bids with exterior bids, using the same included surfaces.
Regional labor rates and exterior access premiums
Prices in high-cost metro areas, including parts of the Northeast and West Coast, may run 15%-30% above a national midrange estimate. Rural markets can be 5%-15% lower, although limited contractor availability or long travel distances can offset the difference. These are broad planning adjustments, not guaranteed local rates.
Scaffolding, a rented lift, or difficult site access can add about $300-$1,500 to exterior work. Ask whether equipment is included and whether the home’s height or landscaping creates additional setup charges. Local written bids provide a more dependable budget than applying a regional percentage alone.
Three sample quotes for common house painting jobs
A 1,200-sq-ft interior repaint with walls only, minor patching, and two coats might take a two-person crew about 30-40 labor hours. At roughly $2.50-$4 per sq ft, the total is about $3,000-$4,800.
A 1,800-sq-ft two-story exterior repaint with washing, scraping, and standard siding paint may require 50-70 labor hours. At about $2.50-$4.50 per sq ft of paintable surface, a plausible total is $5,000-$9,000, depending on access and actual wall area.
A 2,000-sq-ft interior project covering walls, ceilings, and trim could cost $6,000-$11,000, especially with extensive masking or repairs. These examples are estimating ranges, not fixed bids. Check the measured area, labor scope, and material allowance before accepting a quote.