For homeowners getting quotes and painting contractors setting their prices — here are the real numbers.
Painters charge $25–$75 per hour or $1.50–$4.50 per square foot for interior work. A 2,000 sq ft house interior runs $3,000–$9,000 including labor and materials. Exterior work for the same house costs $2,500–$7,000. Labor makes up 70–80% of the total cost on most residential jobs.
Painting prices vary more than most home services because scope definitions differ so dramatically from one contractor to the next. One quote might include walls only. Another includes trim, ceilings, and two coats of premium paint. Comparing them directly leads to bad decisions. The right approach is to get three quotes with identical scope and divide each by square footage.
For interior work, the standard benchmark is $1.50–$2.50 per square foot for straightforward single-color jobs with surfaces in good condition. Complex work with multiple colors, high ceilings, extensive patching, or specialty finishes runs $3.00–$4.50 per square foot. These figures include labor and materials but assume standard prep — if a room has peeling paint, water damage, or wallpaper removal, expect a separate line item.
Exterior painting runs slightly lower per square foot ($1.50–$3.50) but costs more in total because houses have more surface area than individual rooms suggest, and equipment costs for ladders and lifts on two-story homes add $500–$1,500 to the job. The prep work on exterior jobs — scraping, caulking, priming — often runs 40–50% of the total cost, which is why cheap quotes usually mean minimal prep.
| Job Type | Typical Range | Per Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| Single room (12x12) | $300 – $800 | $2.00 – $5.00/sq ft wall |
| Full interior (2,000 sq ft home) | $3,000 – $9,000 | $1.50 – $4.50/sq ft |
| Exterior single-story | $2,500 – $6,000 | $1.50 – $3.00/sq ft |
| Exterior two-story | $3,500 – $10,000 | $2.00 – $3.50/sq ft |
| Hourly rate (labor only) | $25 – $75/hr | — |
Painting contractors typically mark up materials 15–30% above their contractor cost, which is already 20–40% below retail. The net effect is that materials in a painter's quote are roughly at or slightly above what you would pay at a paint store. Supplying your own paint is rarely cheaper and shifts quality risk to you.
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Use the Free Painter Pricing Calculator →Most residential painting companies quote by the square foot, which gives homeowners a fixed price. Hourly billing is common for small touch-up jobs, commercial work, or specialty finishes where time is unpredictable. For any job larger than a single room, ask for a flat price per square foot so you can compare quotes fairly.
A complete quote should include surface preparation, primer if needed, two finish coats, floor and furniture protection, cleanup, and paint materials. Always confirm whether trim, ceilings, and doors are included — many quotes are walls-only by default. Get the scope in writing before signing.
A standard bedroom (12x12 with 8-ft ceilings) typically costs $300–$500 for walls only, or $500–$800 including ceiling and trim. A bathroom runs $400–$700 due to tight corners and prep. A large living room with high ceilings can reach $1,000–$2,000. These ranges include labor and materials.
Quotes vary because scope definitions differ, prep work assumptions vary, paint quality differs significantly in price, and labor rates vary by region. A quote 50% below others usually means walls-only scope, minimal prep, lower-grade paint, or unlicensed workers without liability insurance. Ask each contractor exactly what is included.
A skilled painter takes 3–5 hours to cut in and roll a standard 12x12 bedroom with one coat. With two coats and ceiling, plan for 6–8 hours. A full house interior (2,000 sq ft) typically takes a two-person crew 3–5 days. Extensive prep work — patching, sanding, priming — adds 1–2 days for a full house.
Exterior painting typically costs more in total because the surface area is larger and equipment (ladders, lifts) adds cost. On a per-square-foot basis, interior and exterior are roughly comparable. The key difference is that exterior prep — scraping, caulking, priming — is almost always more intensive than interior prep.
Get three quotes with identical scope. Divide each by square footage and compare to the market benchmark ($1.50–$4.50/sq ft for interior). Ask each contractor to specify the paint brand, number of coats, and prep included. The middle quote among three comparable contractors usually represents fair market pricing for your area.
Residential painters typically target 15–25% gross profit margin. Commercial painting contracts often run lower (10–20%) due to competitive bidding. A solo painter working without employees keeps more of the revenue but still needs to cover insurance, equipment, and materials. Quotes below 15% margin are common from operators cutting corners on insurance or prep.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.