How much does it cost to paint a home?

Whether you are painting the interiors, exteriors or both, choosing the right colour of paint can make a lot of difference. This especially helps if you are planning to change the vibe of your current house or if you are moving into a new space. But, painting your home can be a daunting task. Sure, if it is just a room, you can take it upon yourself as a DIY project. But, if you were to paint the whole house, you’ll need to have experts on board and some budget too. The cost of painting your home will vary depending on the surface area, location, time, and several other factors. To help you budget, we have worked out some estimates and industry rates. 

Estimate on painting your home

The overall appearance of your home improves with a good coat of paint. The cost would include the cost of paint, area to be painted, labour charges of the hours worked and quality of materials used. Typically, a professional painter will charge you $1.00 to $4.00 per square foot, multiplied by the number of coats required. Add to that cost of materials, for instance, a gallon of paint can cost you anywhere between $30 per gallon for low-end and $55 for premium brands. 

  • Labour cost: Having professional painters working on your home project would mean extra cost for their expertise. The labour cost to paint a house can range anywhere between $25 and $95 per hour. 
  • Area to be painted: If we were to compare the cost of painting a two-storey house of four bedrooms versus a single-storey house of four bedrooms, which house do you think is going to cost us more? Option 1. This involves a more paintable area, more setup and cleanup time. The cost could go up by at least 50%. 
  • Materials, tools and location: The cost estimate for painting your home would depend on the quality of paint, the tools and most importantly what type of finish you have opted for. As for the location of your house, if it is in one of the suburban communities, you’ll notice a higher estimate adding in their commute time and cost. 
  • Prep work: Painting home exteriors tend to have more prep work than the interiors. From siding repair, and filling holes and cracks, to power washing, and sanding, several tasks need to be accomplished before they start painting. 
  • Painting trim: Oftentimes, painting trims are included within the total cost estimate that’s provided to you. But, if you were to have them done separately, it could cost you anywhere between $1 and $6 per linear foot. 
  • Additional costs and considerations: Some painting companies or contractors can charge you extra for paint stripping, equipment and travel fees, and landscaping too. 

We understand that painting your home interiors can be an expensive affair. Here are some interesting tips to help you save some bucks:

  • Where possible, look for colours that are similar to your current paint. This will save you on paint and primer. 
  • It’s best to avoid darker paint colours as they tend to fade faster.
  • Always take multiple bids and estimates for home projects. 
  • Sanding, scraping, caulking, and repairing are tasks that can save you some money. If you are up for some DIY projects, take these little tasks. 

There are many professional painting service providers out there. Make sure to compare costs, services and quality of their work before you sign a contract with them.