How much do painters cost?
The national average cost to hire an interior painter ranges between $200-$2,700. Interior painters can tackle everything from complete color makeovers in each of your rooms to touching up an accent wall to painting pieces of furniture. The square footage and complexity of the project, along with the materials needed, are the main factors that will affect cost. Other factors include whether you supply the paint yourself or want the painter to do so, whether you move the furniture and do the prep work or ask them to do it, and whether any repair work is needed on the walls.
Painting the ceiling and the trim will also have an effect on cost. The type of paint you choose can also raise or lower your house painting cost. A gallon of paint may range from $20 to over $100, depending on quality and brand. Ask your painter if they charge per hour or per square foot, and how much you can save by doing prep work (moving furniture, etc.) yourself.
How much should interior painting cost per square foot?
You can expect a 12x12-foot average room with 8-foot ceilings to cost $100 to paint, while a 16x16-foot room with 9-foot ceilings could cost around $175.
To calculate the cost of interior painting per square foot, measure the square footage of wall space and ceiling space of your room. From this, you can estimate the number of gallons of paint needed to cover the wall space and compare it to these figures. You can also ask interior painters near you to provide an estimate before you hire them.
How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house?
Interior house painting costs are calculated on a few key factors. Nationally, interior house painting projects range from $917 (for one room) to $4,893 (for eight rooms). The wide price range indicates how much square footage, paint selection and labor can affect cost. One pro uses a laser to measure each room, subtracting the size of the doors and windows, and then bases the quote on the square footage of the actual surfaces to be painted.
Painters may provide you with savings if you opt to paint your entire home rather than just having one room or an accent wall painted. For example, the average house painting cost for an 8x12 room with 8-foot ceilings is roughly $200, when contractor-grade paint is used. Painting ceilings, baseboards and frames can also affect cost. Pros may charge per linear foot to smooth and paint baseboards.
In one area, pros might charge 50 cents per linear foot to paint baseboards, while pros in another part of the country could charge $1.50 per linear foot for the same task. Painters may charge flat rates for painting door and window frames, with one charging $20-$25 and another $60 per door. Geography and regional costs to do business play a major role in the cost of interior painting. The same painter in a rural region has less to pay in taxes, transportation, insurance and overhead than they would in a major city like New York.
How much do interior painters charge per hour?
You can expect to pay $50 per hour for interior painting. This price will change depending on a number of factors and may range between $30 and $160 per hour. Some factors include the height of the rooms, the complexity of the painting and more.
For an accurate cost estimate, request quotes from local painters and contractors.
Do you tip painters?
Yes, it’s best practice to tip house painters if you’re pleased with their work. Painters perform detailed, skilled work that can last for many years, if not decades.
Tipping house painters is good etiquette. You can base the tip on the size of the crew, and request the amount to be evenly divided. Or, you can leave a tip based on the size of the job and leave it up to the foreman to decide how it is distributed among the crew. Sometimes — especially with big projects — the painters on the job change during the course of the project, so it’s often customary to leave one tip for the whole job.
How much value does painting add to a house?
Due to a lack of data available, it’s hard to say whether painting your home’s interior or exterior will increase its value. But there are some important things to keep in mind.
If you're thinking about selling your home, you might want to repaint areas that look especially worn, dull or chipped so your house looks fresh and new to potential buyers. On the other hand, it’s possible some potential buyers will repaint the home upon moving in. So if you have a limited budget, your money (and time) might be better invested in other types of home projects, such as remodeling your bathroom or kitchen, installing new floors or fixing broken appliances.
When in doubt, check with your realtor before making a final decision.
How long does it take to paint a room?
The length of time it takes to paint a room varies, depending on a couple of factors. For example, the size of the job makes a difference. With a small bedroom, or with only a wall or two that have to be painted, the job can be done in half a day. Larger jobs take longer.
Also, if there are several different colors being used, the job may take longer, as one may have to dry before the other is applied. A 12-by-12 room with one color may take a morning. With multiple colors, the job may stretch into the afternoon.
Before you hire an interior painter near you, ask them how long it will take to paint the room(s) in your home.
How often should you paint your walls?
You should repaint your home interior once every few years, depending on the condition of the current paint.
Paint on walls fades over time, regardless of the room — it could happen in a bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room or bathroom. However, paint that is exposed to more dirt, particularly flat or matte paint textures, may need repainting more frequently.
Areas of the bathroom or kitchen that routinely get touched may show signs of collecting dirt and grease over time. These would require more frequent painting.
If you're ready to repaint the walls in your home, get free estimates from the best painters near you.
What should I look for when choosing a painter?
When choosing a painter, pay attention to online reviews and ratings. Reviews with pictures are especially valuable, as these showcase the painter’s work. It’s also important to check whether your state requires licenses for painters — if it’s required, your contractor should be able to present their license.
Finally, compare estimates and quotes from multiple painters near you. Take into consideration what each one guarantees with the job, including factors like higher-quality paint, extensive preparation and a good warranty.
Should you wash walls before painting?
Yes, in most cases you’ll want to clean your wall before painters start. Washing walls before painting helps get rid of dirt and grime that could affect how the paint adheres, including primer. You can do this using a wall washer, especially if the top of the wall is hard to reach.
The best way to clean walls is to use a solvent that won’t affect the surface underneath. Some experts recommend using a sponge, warm water and/or a mild detergent or soap. Abrasive washing may remove some of the current pain.
Cleaning painted walls should be done with care. If you’re not comfortable with washing the walls yourself, consider hiring a house cleaner near you.
