Cost to Paint House Interior: Interior Painting Cost Calculator

New paint can completely change the appearance of any room! However, the cost to paint house interiors may vary depending on square footage, accessibility, complexity, and materials.

The average cost to paint the interior of houses is about $2.95 per square foot but can range from $2 to $8 per square foot depending on the house size, the number of rooms in the house, and what type of paint is used.

A single 12’x10′ bedroom will cost around $350 to $900 to paint using quality materials. Cost depends on wall height, number of paint coats, difficulty accessing corners and edges, drywall repairs, or if moldings or trim must be removed and replaced. For a higher-quality job, you may want to add 15% for labor costs.

Interior Painting Cost Calculator

Our interior paint calculator gives you a ballpark estimate of what your interior painting project might cost. You’ll be able to quickly see how much paint and labor you may need to complete the job.

We’ve also included additional costs like wall repair and other services, like wallpaper removal and popcorn removal, that may need to be completed before the painting can begin.

Also, see our Exterior Paint Calculator.

Average Cost to Paint House Interior

The average cost to paint the interior of a house is $2,800. This price can range from as low as $1,000 to as high as $6,000, depending on the house’s size and the job’s complexity.

If you wish to have the interior of your home painted professionally, plan on spending at least $2.75 per square foot for walls and trim or around $4.69 if ceilings are included as well. Necessary repairs before painting will add additional costs to the project’s final price tag.

Room height can also be important in cost: lofts or higher ceilings may increase prices by 20-40%. Hiring a professional is a surefire way of ensuring your space looks perfect!

A professional painting company may charge extra for wallpaper repair or removal, texturing walls or ceilings, painting elaborate trim work around windows and doors, or any other special requests. It’s important to always ask for a detailed cost estimate before committing to an interior painting project.

Asking questions and getting quotes from several companies is also a great way to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Cost to Paint Interiors By Square Footage

The average cost per square foot to paint an internal house is based on its size, but the layout of a home can also affect pricing.

Depending on wall height and surface condition, interior painting costs may vary—walls over 10 feet tall can add $0.55 to $1.10 per square foot. In contrast, walls extending over 14 ft high incur another charge of $0.74 to $1.49 for every additional sqft!

Don’t let these details surprise you–be sure to plan when budgeting for your next interior paint job!

Figuring out the expense of interior painting largely depends on your house’s surface area due to additional materials and labor costs. On average, you can expect a total cost of roughly $1 to $4 per square foot of floor space in your abode.

The Cost of Painting The Interior Myself

If you’re planning to tackle an interior painting project yourself, there are a few points to consider. We’ve outlined the costs of DIY painting versus hiring a professional painter to make the decision easy for you. But don’t forget: if necessary, priming your walls should be done correctly and carefully – our primer paint guide will help.

Calculating Interior Paint Material Cost

Before you begin, make sure to calculate the actual cost of the paint product. For a successful color change, two coats are recommended. Now measure the walls in your room from one end to another and multiply that by their height; this will help you determine your space’s total square feet area.

To determine the number of gallons you’ll need for your project, divide the total square footage by 350. If a second coat is required, multiply that figure by 1.7, the industry standard for two-coat coverage, which typically requires 30% less material than the first layer!

Cost of Paint Gallons

Now, multiply the paint gallons you calculated earlier by the price of each gallon – depending on your quality preference.

If using superior interior paint from Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore, expect a cost between $50 to $70 per gallon; however, shopping lower-grade options at Lowes or Home Depot will reduce this figure to an estimated $30 to $45 per gallon.

If you already have the necessary painting supplies and are confident in your skillset, please skip ahead. However, our experts put together this useful guide for those who need extra guidance or don’t know where to start regarding interior design colors!

Nevertheless, even with the help of an expertly crafted color palette at hand – let’s get into what equipment is needed for painting and how much money (and time!) these materials will cost you.

Painting Supply and Equipment

When planning to paint, don’t forget the supplies! Although tape, masking paper, drop sheets, rollers, paint brushes, and buckets are just a few of the materials you’ll need for a successful painting job, these items account for around 20% of your overall cost.

An extra 10% is added to this initial expenditure if you lack sandpaper pads or drywall compound. To top it off – should ladders or extension poles be absent from your array of equipment – then plan on adding $125 to 450 bucks to the total material price tag.

The Cost Of Your Time

When it comes to DIY house painting, don’t forget to factor in the value of your time. Generally speaking, homeowners take twice as long as professional painters when finishing a job themselves.

Of course, this all depends on your experience with paintbrushes and rollers! Additionally, consider the drive time necessary for picking up test patches or supplies throughout the project.

Before you know it – Sunday night will come around, and if you haven’t planned accordingly, chances are that only half of one room is completed!

Labor Costs

Don’t forget that the price of painting your home’s inside walls also covers any necessary prep work. This usually involves cleaning spots, sanding rough surfaces, filling holes, and sealing gaps.

Any aspect that adds to the job duration, such as having to get access to high walls or difficult-to-reach places, will boost labor expenses.

Depending on the job’s complexity, professional painting services generally cost anywhere from $30 to $75 per hour. Some painters may offer flat-rate prices based on surface area or room instead.

No matter what your project entails, it pays to do a little research beforehand to ensure you’re getting value for money!

Costs to Do It Yourself

The uplifting news is that interior painting can be a manageable DIY job. It takes effort, endurance, and plenty of drop cloths, but a few safety risks are involved. The task isn’t as straightforward as one may think; you’ll need the proper materials to do it correctly.

Easier Jobs Cost Less

You have probably already calculated the costs of painting yourself versus hiring a pro. The good news is that you can save money on some projects!

Empty spaces with easy access and minimal furniture will require less time to move and cover items in each room, leading to cost savings of up to several hundred dollars per floor.

Extra Painting Cost Factors

When painting your home’s interior, a few other factors can affect the cost. Utilizing higher-quality paint products or designer paints will add to your overall expense, while walls with many doors and windows can slightly reduce costs.

Dramatic color changes may demand extra coats for proper coverage at an additional cost; similarly, adding an accent wall adds complexity, thus increasing the price as well. Labor and material rates vary from city to city, so this also needs consideration when budgeting for an interior painting job.

Apartment Painting

Painting an apartment is typically less of an undertaking than repainting a house, and the average price ranges from $2,150 – $4,600. Nonetheless, extra fees may be charged based on your building’s contractor policies, such as setup time or materials transport in and out of the unit.

Before you bring any painting company into your building, inquire if they have proof of insurance and worker’s compensation. Some apartment complexes will also require the association to be listed as “additionally insured.” If yours does not currently have these requirements, it won’t hurt to suggest them for future renters’ benefit.

Is the popcorn ceiling in your unit outdated? Good news! Our latest guide takes homeowners through a step-by-step process to remove those pesky ceilings like a pro!

Condo Painting

Painting a condo unit can be less complex than an apartment but is usually more prominent in scale. The additional size and tall ceilings bring further costs to the project, generally averaging between $2,400 to $5,800.

It may also take longer to finish due to condominium building protocols for interior projects – make sure you know these beforehand so that your painting mission runs smoothly from start to end.

Painting Common Areas In Buildings

You must take specific steps before you hire a painting company to paint your condo or apartment building’s common areas. Secure approval from the board of directors and allocate an adequate budget for the job.

Plan out access points, such as doors that need unlocking. Communicate with those who share stairwells and hallways in advance to ensure everyone is on board before work commences.

Interior Paint Job Cost Savings

Did you know the season you choose to redecorate can drastically impact your paint job’s cost? If budget is of utmost importance, scheduling an off-season appointment may help.

November through February are usually the ideal times for interior painting since many companies tend to be less occupied due to fewer exterior projects and often offer more competitive price quotes. This winter period will save you money while giving your walls a much-needed refresh!

Can You Paint Inside in the Winter?

Painting the interior of your home can be done any time of year with a few safety precautions in mind.

Choose low-VOC or non-VOC water-based paints to reduce harmful fumes, and set up a box fan to help circulate air quickly – this will ensure that you experience minimal issues with indoor air quality during and after painting.

These tips help maintain health and comfort levels and give you access to savings by allowing you to book off-season!

Cost To Paint By Room

Interior paint pricing can vary greatly from room to room. In light of this, these are some approximate guidelines for home painting costs – although bear in mind that a house’s overall cost range ($1 to $4 per square foot) may not be applicable on more granular levels because contractors often impose minimum prices.

The following is an overview of each type of household space and their respective price point:

Bedrooms

Bedrooms with an average of 132 square feet can be decorated easily. Painting a bedroom could cost between $300 and $800; however, painting a larger primary bedroom may cost as much as $1,500!

Painting bedrooms is one of the more manageable paint projects you can take on in your home. However, how intensive it becomes depends upon the size and setup of each bedroom area – a main bedroom usually costs more than a guest room due to its larger measurement.

Accordingly, when all’s said and done, an average painting job for any typical-sized bedroom would cost between $450 and $700 but may reach up to nearly a grand if it happens to be that of a primary suite.

Living Room

Living rooms come in many shapes and dimensions, with an average size of 340 square feet. The cost to paint these spaces can vary from $600 to nearly $2,000—and don’t forget the ceilings! High walls may mean higher prices, as painters typically charge more for that work.

Living rooms are usually more spacious, which may mean higher ceilings. As a result of the larger space and other factors such as wall height, painting living areas requires more time than most projects, costing you anywhere between $940 and $1,700.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are typically compact spaces, often tiled or acrylic-clad showers and tubs. This makes them relatively inexpensive to paint – half bathrooms of 20 square feet can cost anywhere from $50 to $150. In comparison, the larger primary bathroom of 70 square feet may require up to a maximum investment of only $650.

Painting a bathroom is one of the most effortless home improvement projects you can do. Surfaces in bathrooms are usually easier to reach, and much of the wall space has fixtures like backsplashes, showers, and tiles taking up room.

This makes it an affordable task that averages between $380 – $670! To find your perfect shade for those walls, we suggest using this top 10 list of bathroom paint colors so you get just what you need to match your decorating style.

Kitchen

Despite the size of a kitchen, much of the wall area is likely to be taken up by large appliances, cupboards, or tiles. As such, painting this room can cost less than other areas in your home- between $200 and $750.

Regarding painting costs, the kitchen is one of the least expensive areas since many of the walls are occupied by cabinets, appliances, and backsplashes.

Are you thinking about personalizing your space with a unique element? Chalkboard paint can be used on sections or complete kitchen walls for an affordable price as part of our average cost to paint between $450-$840!

This amount is far more wallet-friendly than other interior spaces like houses or condos. Check out our latest article today for full details on how chalkboard paints work!

Dining Room

Dining room painting cost: If you’re searching to renovate your 300-400 square foot dining room, the project costs can range from $600 to $1,000.

Painting a dining room doesn’t usually require much effort or cost too much money, as the furniture in this area is often minimal and easy to move. You can paint your dining room for between $425 to $850.

However, if delicate items like armoires or bookcases are present in the space, which may complicate matters when it comes to moving them around during the job – make sure that you let your hired painting service know ahead of time!

That way, they can prepare accordingly so that all expensive pieces remain damage-free throughout their work.

Stairwells and Stairways

Painting stairways can be a tricky, costly endeavor – from ladder placement and restricted access to high ceilings that stretch into foyers with multiple landing areas. Most paint jobs for stairwells require extra attention due to their complexity and the level of detail needed.

Contractors often calculate the cost per linear foot rather than square feet when pricing a staircase painting project due to various components such as spindles and baseboards. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $30 for one linear foot of stairway painting.

The lofty ceiling height can make painting any related walls difficult due to the step-like surfaces, resulting in inflated costs for this task. Painting a stairwell area is estimated to range between $780 and $1,240, still cheaper than hiring someone else!

Closets, Nooks, Or Pantries

The cost of painting in compact spaces is mild—falling between $50 and $150. That said, if any parts of the room aren’t easily accessible, a professional painter may charge more due to higher labor costs.

Painting closets, pantries, and other nooks can be relatively straightforward and cost-effective. However, their size may make larger walk-in closets with more wall space a bit pricier.

Painting closets is affordable, with smaller and medium-sized spaces ranging from $175 to $315. The cost of walk-in closets can be compared to bathrooms with similar square footage measurements.

The pricing may vary if you include trim details or ceiling work in your painting project. As a rule of thumb, nook areas are not typically included in painting quotes unless requested separately.

Hallways and Entryways

Hallways and entryways: Heavy foot traffic means hallways and entryways take a beating, necessitating tougher types of paint to withstand scratches and other signs of wear. Painting these areas can cost between $300 to $1,000 depending on the desired results.

Painting a hallway doesn’t have to break the bank; elements like lofts or entryways can make for more complicated projects. Painters usually take extra care when painting entrance halls as these areas are among the most trafficked in any home.

Therefore, price points for foyer painting vary greatly from $440 up to an estimated range of $1,340, depending on project details and complexity.

Cost To Paint By Interior Surfaces

When painting a house’s interior, the price is determined by more than just its walls – so be sure to factor in these other features when estimating your cost.

When pricing a painting job, the surface being painted must be considered. For instance, walls are priced based on square footage, while trim is measured in linear feet. In addition, doors are typically charged per unit or by a fixed price multiplied by their number.

To give you an idea of how this works for different surfaces, let’s explore these considerations and what goes into calculating the cost for each one!

Walls

Painting your interior walls may seem straightforward but costly if preparation and repair work is overlooked – it’ll cost you anywhere from $1.90 to $3.60 per square foot! If that’s not enough, failing to address prep work such as patching holes, repairing cracks in drywall, or replacing warped corner tape and caulking gaps could threaten the quality of any finishing job.

The cost will be pretty low if you aim only to paint the walls. Wall painting quotes cost $1 per square foot and can reach up to $2, depending on the surface area. Additional charges may apply if any strange angles or unusual features must also be painted.

Ceilings

Adding ceilings can be the secret ingredient to make painting your walls smoother. It will help you create clean lines in those tricky corners of rooms, enable easier touch-ups, and minimize extra charges due to hard-to-reach ceiling areas.

Thus, introducing ceilings into your job could make all the difference when trying to achieve that perfect finish!

Sanding, patching, and priming ceilings can be costly for any home remodeling project. Also, the difficulty of performing such labor on an overhead surface requires extra care when it comes to ensuring ladder safety, making this type of prep work more expensive than wall-related preparations.

Furthermore, water damage should also be considered, as fixing cracks in these elevated surfaces is always necessary.

Although ceilings are more labor-intensive to access, they aren’t usually walked on and can be painted using affordable paint. The cost of painting your ceiling will vary from $1 to $2.50 per square foot, depending on the texture and condition of the surface.

Trim

Adding trim painting to a wall or ceiling job can save you money. This makes touch-ups and neat lines between walls and trims easier. Moreover, with such an approach, gaps or cracks are sealed up due to thorough coverage of the entire area!

Bringing your home to life with beautiful interior trim is as easy as adding baseboards, wainscoting, and crown molding. Each item’s painting cost will depend on the number of linear feet, ranging from $1 to $3 per foot. This means that for a 1,500-square-foot house, the total expense can vary between $500 to $1,500, depending on your desired detail.

Doors

Many individuals might believe painting interior doors is easy, yet they are wrong; it requires a professional touch and attention when desiring the perfect finish. Interior doors typically demand to be painted in higher gloss or semi-gloss paint, which isn’t as forgiving as an eggshell finish used for walls.

The expenses of painting your door may vary from $70 per side on single-paneled ones to up to $160 for more intricate French-style double panels – so make sure you plan the budget accordingly!

The cost to paint an interior door can vary between $40 and $100, making it a task many homeowners prefer to take on themselves since the surface area is relatively small.

Cabinets

When it comes to painting, kitchen cabinets are the most popular choice, and if you’re looking at giving your whole kitchen a makeover with freshly painted cabinets, the cost can range from $900 up to an extravagant $3,500.

Nonetheless, cabinet painting usually costs around $3 to $8 per square foot cabinetry for smaller undertakings.

Costs of Paint by the Gallon

When searching for house paints, you’ll recognize a vast price discrepancy. As expected, higher-quality paint will cost more as they feature finer and cleaner pigments and solid resins.

Lower-quality products come cheaper but require multiple coats for the desired outcome. If budget isn’t an issue, buying mid-tier or high-grade paint is your best bet for optimal results.

Primer Costs

To ensure your paint lasts longer, apply primer as a base layer first. Certain types even contain additives that resist mildew and staining!

Prices differ depending on the purchase size; while gallon cans typically range from $20 to $30, you can get five-gallon buckets for around $50 to $100 or just one gallon at an affordable price of only ten to twenty dollars.

If you’re looking for a touch-up or want to repaint an area with the same color, then self-priming paints are your best bet.

Although they may be more expensive (ranging from $25 to $45 per gallon) due to their higher quality ingredients, these premium products will cover small spaces efficiently and effectively.

Cost by Quality of Paint

Prices for a gallon can of paint usually range from $15 to $60, depending largely on the quality rather than the brand name; however, exceptions exist.

For instance, Sherwin-Williams is considered a premium brand, and its product starts at around $40 per gallon or higher. Expect to pay more if you’re looking for luxury brands like Farrow & Ball. These are the prices you should anticipate paying based on the different qualities of common brands:

• Value: $15–$35 per gallon
• Mid-tier: $35–$50 per gallon
• Premium: $50–$60+ per gallon

Cost by Type of Paint

Price should not be your primary factor when selecting the best paint for your project. Instead, consider how you plan to use it and its adherence qualities.

Oil-based paints offer a smooth finish but can sometimes be hard to apply as they utilize mineral spirits as solvents.

Latex paints are easier to work with and won’t produce harsh fumes while cleaning up after – all at generally a lower cost than oil alternatives!

Ultimately though, which one works better will depend on what kind of application you’re looking for.

You can choose from various sheens and finishes when selecting the right paint for interior rooms. Generally, the shinier the paint is, the more costly it will be. From budget-friendliest to most pricey options, here are your choices:

• Flat paint: This type offers thorough coverage with a matte finish, yet it is the most fragile and may suffer damage when exposed to certain cleaning products.
• Eggshell paint: Eggshell finish paint is ideal for medium-traffic areas due to its slight shine and durability. This low-luster hardy paint would benefit areas like your living room or hallway, perfectly balancing coverage and resilience.
• Satin finish: Satin finish has a slightly glossy sheen but is less lustrous than other finishes. It often gives cabinets or floors a subtle shine without overpowering the room’s look. Satin finishes can be applied with either water-based or oil-based products and are great for busy areas because they resist stains and scuff marks better than
• Semi-gloss paint: Semi-gloss is known for its glossy, stain-resistant finish, yet its sheen also exposes any surface painting imperfections much more evidently than flat or eggshell paints.
• High-gloss paint: Not only is this paint highly durable and shiny, but it can also even withstand heavy scrubbing. Unfortunately, its downside is that it is quite viscous, and mistakes in the painting are more likely to be visible with this type of paint compared to others.

Calculating Paint Costs

Before you purchase any paint, it’s essential to determine how many gallons of paint you’ll need. Typically one gallon covers 350-400 square feet on a single coat; however, when painting most interior walls, two coats will be necessary after applying the primer first.

Calculating this may seem intimidating at first glance but don’t fret! Plenty of online estimators can do all the work for you quickly!

To find a room’s surface area (in square feet), multiply its length and width by the height of its walls. Then remove any windows, doors, or cabinet areas (length x width).

Determine the amount of paint you need to cover your surface by dividing it by 400. Multiply that figure by 2 for two coats, then round up to get a whole number for the total gallons needed.

Equipment and Supplies

Painting your home is a breeze, but you need more than just paint and primer. Here are some other items that will help get the job done, along with their corresponding prices:

• Brushes: $3 to $20
• Rollers: $10 to $20
• Paint trays: $3 to $5
• Painter’s tape: $3 to $10
• Drop cloth: $5 to $30
• Scraper: $5 to $20
• Sandpaper: $5 to $30
• Ladder: $80 to $300

Professional vs. DIY

Painting your home interior can be rewarding and cost-effective but involves mathematics, planning, and manual labor. If you enjoy the hands-on aspect of DIY projects, this might be for you!

Hiring experts can give you a beautifully painted house in record time without purchasing costly tools or worrying about cleaning up afterward. You’re also absolved from potential strain and injury while painting!

On the other hand, hiring professionals will cost more than doing it yourself – plus, your plans to paint may have to fit around their availability and schedule.

DIY projects are often a great way to save on labor costs and take control of the result. However, it is important to know that depending on your experience level and equipment, the outcome may not always be consistent.

Additionally, you must invest in specialty tools you may never use again after completing your project.

Cost to Paint Interior of House FAQs