Updated June 2026
Hiring a professional painter for a single room costs $300 to $1,000, a full home interior runs $3,500 to $10,000, and an exterior paint job ranges from $3,800 to $9,200 for a typical 2,000–2,500 sq ft house. Cabinet painting adds $2,000 to $6,500 for a standard kitchen. The wide range is real — and every painting contractor will tell you the same thing: what moves your project from the low end to the high end is the prep work, not the paint.
This guide explains the variables that drive painting costs — broken down by interior, exterior, and cabinet work — and how to get an accurate number for your project.
How much does it cost to paint a room?
For a standard room, expect to pay $300 to $1,000, with a national average around $624 including labor, paint, and materials (Angi, 2026). A 12×12 bedroom typically runs $400 to $950; a master bedroom or large living room can reach $750 to $1,260.
Labor drives most of the bill. Professional painters charge $1 to $3 per square foot for walls alone. Add trim and ceilings, and that rises to $2.75 to $4.70 per square foot. For the whole interior of a house, total costs commonly land between $3,500 and $10,000 depending on size.
Room-by-room cost reference (professional, including labor + materials):
| Room | Typical cost range |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | $150 – $400 |
| Bedroom (12×12) | $400 – $950 |
| Master bedroom | $750 – $1,260 |
| Living room / great room | $900 – $1,500+ |
| Kitchen (walls only) | $600 – $1,000 |
| Full home interior (2,000 sq ft) | $4,000 – $12,000 |
What makes a paint job cost more?
Ranges like "$300–$1,000/room" are technically accurate and practically useless. Here are the real variables an estimator is pricing when they walk your house:
Surface preparation. Prep is the biggest single cost driver — it can represent 40–60% of labor time. Scraping peeling paint, sanding, filling holes, caulking gaps, and priming damaged drywall all add time. A room in perfect condition costs far less to prep than a room with water-stained ceilings, crumbling plaster, or decades of nail holes.
Ceiling height. Standard 8-foot ceilings are the baseline. Vaulted or cathedral ceilings increase paintable surface area by 15 to 30 percent and often require additional equipment — ladders, scaffolding, or extension poles — which adds time and cost.
Number of coats. One coat over a like color is the cheapest scenario. Covering a dark wall with a light color, or changing from a warm tone to a cool one, often requires two to three coats to achieve even coverage. Each coat adds labor and material cost.
Paint quality. Contractor-grade paint runs $25–$40 per gallon. Premium paints — Sherwin-Williams Emerald, Benjamin Moore Aura, or comparable — run $60–$90 per gallon but cover better, last longer, and hold up to cleaning. Most professional painters include mid-grade paint in their base quote; upgrades are priced separately.
Scope: walls only vs. walls + trim + ceilings. Painters price "walls only" differently from "walls and ceilings" and differently again from "all surfaces." Make sure you're comparing quotes with the same scope — a $400 quote for walls-only vs. a $700 quote that includes ceilings and trim may be the same effective price once adjusted.
Lead paint in pre-1978 homes. If your house was built before 1978, federal law requires lead-safe work practices — containment, HEPA vacuuming, and certified disposal. Painters who are Lead Safe Certified charge a premium for this, but it's the correct approach. Contractors who skip it are cutting a legal and health corner.
Key takeaway: 92% of local business websites hide pricing entirely — across GrowLocal's proprietary research into top-ranking local business websites (N=237, 28 categories). Painting is no exception: across our research into top-ranking painting contractor sites, pricing is hidden on every site. The reason is simple — every job is different. The free estimate appointment exists precisely because no range posted online will be accurate for your specific project.
How much does exterior house painting cost?
Exterior painting runs $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot nationally. For a typical 2,000–2,500 sq ft home, that puts total cost at roughly $3,800 to $9,200 (HomeGuide / Angi, 2026). Labor accounts for the majority of the bill; professional painters charge $25 to $100 per hour depending on region, crew size, and project complexity.
Exterior cost by home size (professional, 2026):
| Home size | Estimated total cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $2,250 – $6,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $3,750 – $10,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $4,500 – $12,000 |
Siding type matters. Wood siding typically runs $1–$3 per sq ft. Vinyl and aluminum: $1.25–$3 per sq ft. Brick: $1.50–$4.50 per sq ft. Stucco: $2–$5 per sq ft.
Stories add cost. A two-story home adds roughly 50% to labor costs vs. a single-story of the same size — scaffolding and ladder time are real expenses.
Regional variation is significant: Midwest and Southeast jobs average $3,000–$5,000; California, the Northeast, and the Pacific Northwest run $5,000–$9,000 due to higher labor rates.
For painting contractor websites, before-and-after photography of completed exterior jobs is the strongest trust signal a painter can show. If you're evaluating contractors, ask for project photos before you sign anything.
How much does cabinet painting cost?
Cabinet painting is the most popular third service painting contractors offer, and it's a significant jump in per-job complexity compared to wall painting. Professional cabinet painting costs $2,000 to $6,500 for a typical kitchen, or $30 to $70 per linear foot (HomeGuide / Angi, 2026).
A more detailed breakdown by kitchen size:
| Kitchen size | Typical cabinet painting cost |
|---|---|
| Small (10–18 cabinet doors) | $4,500 – $7,500 |
| Mid-size (19–34 doors) | $5,500 – $10,500 |
| Large (35–49 doors) | $8,500 – $14,500 |
Is painting cheaper than replacing? Yes, usually by a factor of three to five. New cabinet installation runs $5,000 to $25,000+ for most kitchens. Professional painting or refinishing delivers a near-new appearance at a fraction of the cost — provided the cabinet boxes are structurally sound.
The key quality variable is spray vs. brush-and-roll. Spray application produces a smooth, factory-like finish but requires full containment setup. Brush-and-roll is cheaper but leaves visible texture. Ask your painter which method they use and request examples of completed jobs.
Why don't painting contractors publish prices on their websites?
Every professional painter has the same answer: no quote is meaningful until they've seen your house.
The variables above — surface condition, ceiling height, number of coats, scope, paint grade, lead paint status — make every job unique. A painter who publishes "$X per room" is either padding the number or quoting blind. Neither serves you well.
This is why free estimates exist: the estimate appointment is how professional painters price your specific project. Across our research into top-ranking painting contractor sites, the free estimate is the universal conversion action on every site.
A solid estimate covers: scope (rooms + surfaces), paint brand and grade, number of coats, prep included, payment terms, and a written workmanship warranty. Five years is the standard among established contractors.
The best local business websites for painters make it easy to request that estimate in under 60 seconds — name, address, project description, and phone number is all it takes.
How do I get an accurate quote for house painting?
Invite two or three local painters to walk your space. Here's how to compare quotes fairly:
- Decide scope first. Know which rooms, whether ceilings and trim are included, and whether you're making a significant color change. Consistent scope lets you compare apples to apples.
- Ask what prep is included. Some quotes cover full prep; others are paint-only. Clarify before signing.
- Ask about paint grade. Know what brand and line is in the quote, and the cost to upgrade to a premium line.
- Get a written warranty. Any contractor confident in their work provides one.
- Verify credentials. Licensed, bonded, and insured is the baseline. For pre-1978 homes, ask specifically about Lead Safe Certification.
To find local painters, Google Business Profile for painters shows you contractors, review counts, and response times before you make a call.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint the interior of a 2,000 sq ft house?
Expect $4,000 to $12,000 professionally painted, depending on room count, scope (walls vs. walls + ceilings + trim), and surface condition. Most homeowners pay $5,000–$8,000 for a full interior repaint.
Does painting add value to a home?
Yes — fresh paint is consistently among the highest-ROI home improvements before a sale. Neutral interior paint makes a home photograph and show better. Exterior repaints are cited among the highest-return curb-appeal projects in competitive markets.
How long does a professional paint job last?
Interior paint lasts 5 to 10 years under normal conditions; high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens may need refreshing sooner. Exterior paint typically lasts 5 to 10 years as well, though wood siding in harsh climates may require repainting every 4–5 years. Premium paint grades extend lifespan. Across our research into top-ranking painting contractor sites, a 5-year workmanship warranty is the benchmark among established contractors — it signals that the painter stands behind both the materials and the prep work.
Is it worth painting kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them?
For most homeowners, yes. Cabinet painting typically costs $2,000–$6,500 vs. $5,000–$25,000+ for new cabinets. If the cabinet boxes are structurally sound and you want a significant visual update, professional spray-finish cabinet painting delivers a near-factory result at a fraction of replacement cost.
What questions should I ask before hiring a painter?
Ask: What brand and grade of paint does the quote include? What prep work is included (filling holes, sanding, priming)? How many coats? What is the payment schedule — and is there a deposit required? What is the workmanship warranty? Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? For homes built before 1978: are you Lead Safe Certified?
Do I need a website or a quote form to attract painting customers online?
Both — and they're the same thing. A painting contractor website with a clear free-estimate form converts homeowners searching "interior painting cost" into estimate requests. The form itself is simple: name, address, project description, phone. What matters is that the site loads fast, works on mobile, and shows up in local search when someone in your area starts comparing painters.