What Does House Painting Actually Cost?
Painting costs depend on square footage, surface condition, paint quality, and whether you're painting interior, exterior, or both. Here's what homeowners are paying in 2026.
Interior Painting Costs
| Project | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Single room (walls only) | $300–$800 |
| Single room (walls + ceiling + trim) | $500–$1,200 |
| Full interior (3-bedroom home) | $2,500–$5,500 |
| Full interior (4-5 bedroom home) | $4,000–$8,000 |
| Kitchen cabinets | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Single accent wall | $150–$400 |
| Bathroom | $300–$700 |
| Ceiling only (per room) | $150–$400 |
Exterior Painting Costs
| Home Size | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Small (under 1,500 sq ft) | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Medium (1,500–2,500 sq ft) | $3,000–$5,500 |
| Large (2,500–4,000 sq ft) | $5,000–$9,000+ |
| Trim and shutters only | $800–$2,500 |
| Deck or fence staining | $500–$2,000 |
What Affects the Price
Surface condition is the biggest variable. A room with clean, smooth walls that just needs a color change costs far less than one with:
- Water stains or smoke damage (add $200–$500 for primers)
- Wallpaper removal (add $1–$3 per sq ft)
- Lead paint (homes pre-1978 — add $500–$2,000 for safe removal)
- Extensive drywall repairs (add $200–$800)
Paint quality matters too. Premium paints ($45–$75/gallon) like Sherwin-Williams Duration or Benjamin Moore Aura cover better, last longer (8–12 years vs. 3–5), and need fewer coats. Professional painters usually include mid-to-premium paint in their estimates.
Labor vs. Materials
Painting is about 80% labor, 20% materials. A gallon of good paint covers 350–400 sq ft. For a typical room, that's 2–3 gallons ($90–$225). The real cost is the 6–10 hours of skilled labor for prep, priming, cutting in, rolling, and cleanup.
DIY vs. Professional
| Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (single room) | $100–$250 | $300–$800 |
| Time | 12–20 hours | 4–8 hours |
| Finish quality | Variable | Showroom-quality |
| Prep work | Often skipped | Thorough |
| Warranty | None | 1–3 years |
DIY makes sense for single walls or small rooms. For anything involving ceilings, trim, multiple rooms, or exterior work, professionals deliver far better results in a fraction of the time.
How to Get the Best Price
- Get three detailed written estimates — compare scope, not just bottom-line price
- Schedule in winter or early spring — off-season rates save 10–20%
- Minimize colors — each additional color adds $100–$300 per room for time and materials
- Do your own prep — moving furniture, removing outlet covers, and taking down curtains saves 1–2 hours of labor
- Ask about leftover paint — good painters leave you touch-up paint; that's a sign of quality work