Painting and decorating costs in the U.S. range from about $300 for a small room to $8,000 or more for a full-home project. Price depends on painted area, surface condition, paint quality, trim and ceiling work, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small interior room | $300 | $650 | $1,200 | Walls only, about 10-by-12 feet |
| Interior painting per sq ft | $2 | $4 | $7 | Floor-area equivalent; prep and trim change rate |
| 2,000-sq-ft home interior | $3,500 | $6,500 | $11,000 | Walls, with typical prep and standard paint |
| Exterior house painting | $3,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 | Typical detached home; siding and access matter |
| Wallpaper installation | $4 | $7 | $12 | Per sq ft of wall covering, excluding complex removal |
What interior painting costs by room and home size
Most homeowners pay $2-$7 per square foot of floor area for professional interior painting, with a common total of $3,500-$8,000 for a 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot home. The rate generally covers standard wall painting, basic masking, and ordinary surface preparation. It is not a strict wall-area rate: ceilings, doors, trim, tall rooms, and extensive repairs can raise the quote.
A standard 10-by-12-foot bedroom with 8-foot ceilings often costs $300-$800 for walls, or $500-$1,200 when the ceiling and trim are included. A 12-by-16-foot living room may run $500-$1,400 for walls, depending on openings, furniture handling, and finish. Painting a single bathroom can cost $250-$700 because of small-job minimums and extra masking around fixtures.
For a whole interior, a 1,000-square-foot home might cost $2,500-$5,500, while a 3,000-square-foot home can reach $6,000-$15,000. These estimates assume accessible rooms, standard 8- to 9-foot ceilings, one or two colors, and no major drywall repair. Assumptions: U.S. contractor pricing, mid-grade paint, occupied or normally accessible home, ordinary preparation.
How paint, labor, and prep appear in a contractor quote
Labor usually takes the largest share of a painting quote. The table shows typical allocations for a roughly $4,000 interior repaint; actual bids may combine several tasks into one line. Ask whether the quote includes primer, minor patching, masking, cleanup, and a second coat.
| Quote component | Typical rate | Example amount | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | $30-$75 per hour | $2,000-$2,800 | Room count, height, cutting-in, and repairs |
| Paint and primer | $25-$75 per gallon | $400-$850 | Brand, coverage, color change, and coat count |
| Surface preparation | $1-$4 per sq ft of affected area | $250-$700 | Cracks, peeling paint, sanding, and stain blocking |
| Equipment and protection | $75-$300 per project | $100-$250 | Plastic, tape, ladders, sprayer, and floor protection |
| Delivery and disposal | $25-$150 per project | $25-$100 | Paint pickup, debris, and local disposal charges |
Some contractors price by room, others by square footage or labor hours. A rough labor calculation is shown below, but it should not be mistaken for a complete project estimate because materials, setup, and overhead may be separate.
For example, 40-55 labor hours at $40-$65 per hour equals $1,600-$3,575 in labor before materials and other charges.
How wall area, ceiling height, and repairs change the price
Paintable surface area and condition matter more than the home’s listed floor area. A 2,000-square-foot home with open rooms and few doors may take less time than a smaller home divided into many rooms. Quotes also rise when painters must move furniture, work around delicate finishes, or apply several colors.
Ceilings above 10 feet can add about 10%-25% to labor; vaulted ceilings or stairwells may add 20%-50% because of ladder or scaffold work. A switch from a similar shade to another similar shade may need two coats, while a strong color change can require an extra coat or tinted primer, adding roughly $200-$800 across several rooms.
Minor nail-hole filling and spot sanding may be included, but extensive repairs are often separate. Drywall patching can cost $75-$300 per repair, while broad skim coating may add $1-$3 per square foot of affected wall. Peeling, smoke stains, water marks, or glossy surfaces may require scraping, sealing, or specialty primer. Surface preparation and access are common reasons two bids for the same home differ by 20% or more.
How many painter hours a typical home needs
A two-person crew may complete a standard bedroom in 4-8 hours when walls are in good condition and the room is cleared. A living room with high ceilings or multiple colors may take 8-16 crew hours. Whole-home interior work commonly requires 3-7 working days for a two- or three-person crew, including setup, coats, and cleanup.
Contractor labor rates often fall around $30-$75 per painter-hour, though metropolitan markets and specialty work can exceed that range. A crew may charge a minimum of $250-$500 for a small visit, making several isolated rooms more expensive per room than a bundled project. Labor time expands when the job requires extensive masking, furniture protection, detailed trim, or repeated color changes.
Drying time is not always active labor, but it can stretch the calendar. Most latex paint needs several hours before recoating, while humidity, cold rooms, and limited ventilation can delay work. Ask whether the schedule includes separate visits and whether residents must leave rooms empty until the paint cures.
Why exterior painting prices vary by region and siding
Exterior painting often costs $1.50-$4.50 per square foot of paintable exterior surface, or roughly $3,000-$12,000 for a typical detached home. These are not floor-area rates. Wood siding, complex trim, peeling coatings, and multiple stories usually cost more than smooth, well-maintained siding with easy ground access.
Labor prices in large coastal cities and other high-cost metro areas can run 15%-35% above national midrange estimates. Rural areas may be 5%-20% below them, but travel charges or limited contractor availability can offset the difference. Climate also affects scheduling: rainy periods, extreme heat, and cold weather may restrict exterior work and increase wait times.
For a 1,800-square-foot home with straightforward vinyl siding, an exterior repaint may cost $3,000-$6,000. The same floor-area home with two stories, peeling wood siding, and detailed trim could reach $7,000-$13,000. Assumptions: Standard access, ordinary exterior prep, two coats where needed, and no major siding replacement.
Three sample painting quotes with different project scopes
These examples illustrate how scope affects the estimate. They assume licensed or established local contractors, standard paint, and no extensive structural repairs; local bids can vary substantially.
| Project | Scope and labor | Unit estimate | Likely total |
|---|---|---|---|
| One bedroom | 10-by-12-foot room, walls only, 6-9 labor hours | $2.50-$5 per floor sq ft | $350-$700 |
| Whole-home repaint | 2,000-sq-ft home, walls and basic prep, 40-55 labor hours | $2-$5.50 per floor sq ft | $4,000-$9,000 |
| Exterior repaint | Two-story home, siding and trim, 60-100 labor hours | $1.50-$4.50 per exterior sq ft | $6,000-$13,000 |
The bedroom example may have a higher per-square-foot rate because the contractor still needs to travel, protect the room, and clean up. The whole-home example assumes ordinary walls, while the exterior range allows for added height and trim. Compare the included surfaces and preparation—not just the final total—when reviewing estimates.
When trim, wallpaper, and paint removal add separate charges
Trim and doors are commonly quoted separately from walls. Baseboards may cost $1-$4 per linear foot to paint, while door painting often runs $75-$200 per door, depending on panel detail and whether it must be removed. Ceilings may add $1-$3 per square foot of ceiling area, with textured or high ceilings at the upper end.
Wallpaper installation is often $4-$12 per square foot of covered wall, including standard labor and adhesive. Removing old wallpaper can add $1-$3 per square foot; difficult, layered paper or damaged drywall can cost more. Cabinet painting is a separate, detail-heavy service and may run $3,000-$8,000 for an average kitchen, depending on door count, degreasing, sanding, and finish system.
Exterior scraping and paint removal can add $1-$4 per square foot of affected surface. Lead-safe practices may be required in homes built before 1978 when disturbing lead-based paint, potentially adding hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on containment and cleanup. Confirm whether removal, disposal, and specialty safety procedures are included before accepting a low quote.
How to lower a painting quote without cutting necessary prep
Combine rooms or schedule interior work as one project to reduce repeated setup and minimum charges. Clearing small items and moving lightweight furniture before the crew arrives can save time, but heavy furniture, delicate pieces, and flooring protection should be discussed with the contractor rather than handled unsafely.
Keep the color plan simple. Multiple accent colors and separate trim finishes require more masking and cut-in work; choosing a similar shade can reduce primer and coat requirements. Mid-grade paint is usually adequate for low-traffic spaces, while washable, higher-scrub finishes may be worthwhile in kitchens, hallways, and children’s rooms.
Request two or three itemized quotes that state the number of coats, paint brand or grade, surface repairs, ceiling and trim scope, and cleanup. A bid that omits primer or repair work may not be cheaper once those charges are added. Avoid skipping sound preparation: a poorly bonded finish can peel early and cost more to correct. Control the scope and compare equivalent specifications before choosing the lowest price.