Kelly-Moore paint prices historically ranged from about $35 to $90 per gallon, depending on product line and finish, with a typical interior repaint using several gallons costing $400-$1,500 for paint and labor. The brand’s California retail operations closed in 2026, so current availability and pricing depend on remaining stock or comparable products sold through other paint suppliers.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly-Moore paint, per gallon | $35 | $60 | $90 | Historical retail estimates; line, sheen, and location affect price |
| Paint for one room | $100 | $220 | $450 | About 2-5 gallons, excluding labor |
| Professional room repaint | $400 | $900 | $1,800 | Includes typical paint, labor, and basic prep |
| Whole-home interior repaint | $2,500 | $5,500 | $10,000+ | Varies by home size, wall condition, and trim scope |
What Kelly-Moore paint costs by gallon and project size
Before the company’s shutdown, common interior paint pricing generally fell around $35-$60 per gallon for standard products and $60-$90 for premium or specialty lines. These are useful planning ranges, not guaranteed current shelf prices. Leftover inventory may be discounted, limited in color or sheen, or unavailable in the quantity needed for a full project.
A 10-by-12-foot room with 8-foot ceilings has roughly 350-400 square feet of wall area before subtracting doors and windows. Two coats usually require 2-3 gallons, or about $70-$270 for paint alone at the estimated ranges above. Larger rooms, porous surfaces, and deep color changes can increase coverage needs.
For a typical room, allow $100-$300 for paint and sundries before paying for labor.
Assumptions: two coats, ordinary wall condition, standard colors, and U.S. retail pricing estimates.
How paint, prep, and labor shape the quote
A painting estimate combines more than the paint label price. Primer, masking materials, patching compound, and labor can add as much as the paint itself, especially when walls need repair or several colors are involved.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint, per gallon | $35 | $60 | $90 |
| Primer, per gallon | $20 | $35 | $55 |
| Supplies per room | $25 | $60 | $140 |
| Painter labor per hour | $30 | $50 | $85 |
| Wall preparation per room | $50 | $150 | $400 |
Labor is commonly priced by room or square foot rather than a visible hourly rate. As a rough check, a painter taking 8-12 hours at $40-$70 per hour represents $320-$840 in labor, before materials and contractor overhead.
Ask whether the quote includes primer, patching, trim, moving furniture, and cleanup.
How wall area, sheen, and repairs change paint prices
Coverage and surface condition are major cost drivers. A gallon often covers about 350-400 square feet on a smooth, previously painted wall, but textured or unsealed drywall may require more. A 1,500-square-foot home can have roughly 4,000-5,000 square feet of paintable wall area, depending on layout and ceiling height.
Color changes also matter. Going from a dark shade to a light one may require a tinted primer or an extra coat, adding about $20-$55 per primer gallon and additional labor. Flat paint is often the lowest-cost finish; satin or semi-gloss can cost more and may expose wall flaws. Extensive repairs can add $1-$3 per square foot of affected surface.
More than 400 square feet of wall per gallon or repairs across multiple rooms should prompt a revised materials estimate.
Which paint and prep choices can lower the bill
Keeping the existing color family can reduce primer and extra-coat needs. Buyers can also limit the job to walls rather than adding ceilings, doors, and trim, which require separate materials and careful labor. Use leftover paint only when the product, sheen, and color match; mixing unrelated batches can create visible differences.
Compare two or three written quotes using the same room list, coat count, preparation, and paint quality. A low bid may exclude patching or primer. If the wall coating is sound and only a small area is damaged, spot repair and repainting may cost $100-$400 rather than repainting the entire room. Avoid buying extra gallons of discontinued colors without confirming future availability.
Matching scope across bids is more reliable than comparing a single per-gallon figure.
Where Kelly-Moore paint is available after store closures
Kelly-Moore closed its company-operated stores in 2026, making ordinary walk-in availability uncertain. Remaining inventory may exist through independent dealers, contractors, or liquidation channels, but stock can vary by product, color, and gallon size. A discount does not help if there are not enough matching gallons to finish the job or buy later for touch-ups.
Dunn-Edwards acquired Kelly-Moore assets, but that does not mean every Kelly-Moore product is available as a direct, identical replacement at every location. Check the product name, base, sheen, and color formula with the seller. For a project requiring multiple gallons, confirm the full quantity and batch consistency before starting.
For a new multi-room project, price an available equivalent alongside any remaining Kelly-Moore stock.
Painter hours and room-size examples behind common totals
One painter may finish a prepared bedroom in 6-10 hours, while two workers can complete it faster but will generally charge for both crew members. Detailed trim, high ceilings, furniture protection, or heavy patching can extend the schedule. Typical professional labor rates vary widely, with metropolitan areas often above rural markets.
| Example | Paint quantity and rate | Labor assumption | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom, 300 sq. ft. walls | 2 gallons at $45-$70 | 6-8 hours | $350-$750 |
| Living room, 600 sq. ft. walls | 3-4 gallons at $45-$80 | 10-16 hours | $700-$1,500 |
| 1,500-sq.-ft. home, walls only | 12-16 gallons at $45-$80 | 50-90 hours | $3,000-$7,500 |
These totals assume ordinary access and basic prep; they exclude major drywall repair, extensive trim painting, and premium color-matching fees. Local labor markets can shift project totals by roughly 15%-30% from these examples.
Confirm the number of coats, included rooms, and repair allowance before approving a labor quote.
How to compare Kelly-Moore with replacement paint lines
When the exact Kelly-Moore product is unavailable, compare paints by intended use, coverage, washability, and finish rather than price alone. A comparable midgrade interior paint may run about $35-$65 per gallon, while premium washable products commonly cost $55-$100. Contractor or large-volume pricing can reduce the per-gallon rate, but minimum quantities may apply.
For a small touch-up, a color match from a paint retailer may cost $40-$90 per gallon, plus a possible color-matching charge of $5-$20. Matching can vary because aged paint fades and different product bases reflect light differently. Test a sample on the wall and check it after drying before purchasing enough for a full room.
For large surfaces, prioritize consistent coverage and confirmed supply over a lower price on one remaining gallon.