Average Cost to Paint the Inside of Your Home

The average size room can cost anywhere from $300-$500, not including ceilings, trim, or cost of the paint. In order to estimate the cost of a room, the painters first have to figure out how much paint they are going to need in order to complete the job. In order to figure out how much paint they need, they figure out the surface area of the room then subtract the area of the parts of the room that they are not going to paint, such as windows and doors.

The size of the room plays a huge role in the cost factor. A gallon of paint can typically cover about 400 square feet. The larger the room, the more paint will be used, and you will be charged for the number of paint cans needed. It also takes a painter longer to paint a bigger room than a smaller room, which means higher labor costs, in addition to supplies and time.

Textured walls need more paint than smooth walls. This is because the texture adds more surface area even though it does not increase the square footage. Depending on how much texture there is, determines how much additional paint will be needed. To account for the texture painters usually estimate about 300 to 350 extra square feet, so if you have textured walls this is important to understand when calculating your budget.

The amount of time that a painter takes to complete a job also determines the cost. However, knowing exactly how much time a painter will take to paint your home is not the easiest to estimate. Certain painters will be able to cover a wall faster than others, and some painters are more methodical in their work. “Most painters should be able to cover about 100 to 120 square feet of flat surface in an hour unless they are working on a very large wall.” It also takes time for the first coat of paint to dry before the painter is able to apply the second coat, so that is an important factor to be aware of when estimating the cost. How you can expect to pay anywhere from $50-$75 per hour per painter depending on the company.

It usually takes about two gallons of paint to cover a room. Paint comes in three different finishes; flat, semi-gloss, and high-gloss, and can range anywhere from $30-$60. Flat finishes are the least shiny of the three finishes and are best suited for areas such as long walls where you’re trying to hide imperfections. You also want to use flat paint in areas of the house where you want the paint to stand out. Semi-gloss finishes are a bit shiny but can also be easily cleaned, and are best used for painting the trim. A high-gloss finish is stain-resistant and easy to clean. Glossy paints are best used for like high traffic spots, such as the hallways. For your paint job, you may also need a primer, especially if your old layer is darker than your new color. Primer typically costs anywhere from $12-$25, and you will need at least 1-2 cans of primer to cover one room.

While you have professional painters in your home, you may want them to touch up any cracks, warps, or any other issues in your molding, trim, and baseboards. They will most likely be able to do it and for a reasonable price.