How much does it cost to paint a house?

*Exterior house painting costs reflect the national average pricing for 2,500-square-foot-homes that are in good condition. Interior house painting costs reflect pricing for homes in average condition ranging from 1,400-2,800 square feet. Pricing includes market price fluctuations.

The size of your home, the exterior material, and the condition of the exterior and interior walls can affect pricing. This is why there is a wide cost range in the table above. Get free painting estimates from a professional for more accurate pricing. And continue reading to learn about which factors can impact the materials, equipment and labor cost for this project.

*Interior house painting costs above reflect pricing for an entire home’s interior of average condition. Costs include sealing and priming, two coats of paint and two paint colors. Market price fluctuations are also included in the total cost.

As with a home’s exterior, various factors will affect how much you pay for an indoor home paint job. The type of paint and its quality are important factors. The square footage of the home, ceiling height, and the condition of the walls and other surfaces should also be taken into consideration.

National average material and labor cost to paint an entire house interior:

*Interior house painting costs above reflect national average pricing for an entire home’s interior of average condition. Costs include sealing and priming, two coats of paint and two paint colors. Market price fluctuations are NOT included in labor or materials costs.

Labor and material costs are determined by several details. Factors affecting the cost of painting a house include:

• The square footage of the home
• The number of coats of paint applied
• The number of areas needing to be taped off

The number of painters and how much time it will take the professionals to complete the job also impact labor costs.

Hourly rates for interior painting contractors vary significantly depending on location. It's essential to get quotes from several contractors in your area. This will help you make an informed decision.

Cost to paint the interior wall and ceiling:

*Total costs above reflect national average cost range estimates to seal, prime and paint 1,000 sq. ft. of walls and ceilings.

Thinking about painting just a few walls and ceiling instead of your entire home’s interior? It will cost anywhere from $545-$1,668 (or $0.55-$1.69 per square foot), on average, in the U.S.

The average cost to paint a room can range anywhere from $324-$1,620. The cost is determined by several factors. These include the square footage, the number of coats and colors desired, and the condition of the walls and ceiling.

*All figures above reflect national average cost range estimates to seal, prime and paint walls and ceiling in one color with two coats, which is $0.81-$1.35 per sq. ft.

The cost to paint a room largely depends on the room’s total square footage. Typically, a small room (like a bathroom) will need one gallon of paint to cover 400 square feet. An average-sized room has about 800 square feet of painting surface and will require two gallons of paint. And a large room typically needs three gallons, which will cover 1,200 square feet.

Calculate the cost of painting your home by using the average cost per square foot. But, keep in mind that your home’s condition and any necessary home improvements will impact the total cost.

Calculating the cost on your own will give you an approximate budget. However, to get a more accurate estimate, it's best to get cost estimates from at least three local painters.

The following factors can influence total materials and labor costs for a house painting project:

Type of paint.

The type of paint you use plays a major role in your interior and exterior painting cost. Some rooms in your house will benefit from specific types of paint. For example, you may want to use latex water-based paints for high-moisture rooms, like bathrooms. 

Higher-quality paint can often withstand environmental factors like condensation and UV rays than lower-quality, cheaper paint. A high-quality gallon of paint may cost more initially. However, it can save you money in the long run if the paint is more durable.

Plus, you may need fewer coats to get the same results. This could save money on materials and labor.

Speak to a painting professional near you. They can help you decide which type of paint is most suitable for your interior or exterior surface.

Surface material.

Related to the type of paint is the surface material you’ll be painting. For example, it may be cheaper to paint on the slick surface of metal compared with a porous surface like stucco. Certain building materials may require additional coats of paint or special paint types to be effective.

Square footage.

The bigger the home and the higher your ceilings, the more it will probably cost to paint your exterior or interior. A professional painter will have to cover more surface area, which increases the labor and supplies cost. A 400-square-foot paint job will likely cost less than a 1,500-square-foot paint job.

The cost of painting your home can be affected by the number of floors. When extra floors need to be taken into account, special safety methods may be required, such as ladders or scaffolding. 

Home’s qualities.

Your home's features can affect painting costs. For example, the amount of trim, number of doors and windows may drive prices up or down. The more detailed your home's features, the more it could cost to paint.

Home’s condition.

The condition of any painting surfaces could also impact costs. It is important to check for lead paint and asbestos before painting a popcorn ceiling. This is best done by a professional. If there are chips in the outside walls, you may want to repair those before you paint over them. 

Cleaning surfaces, sanding old paint, caulking gaps, repairing walls and priming the surface area will all factor into the total cost. 

Time of year.

Environmental conditions could also impact labor costs. For example, painting outside in extreme temperatures may incur additional charges. This is compared to painting in more comfortable weather conditions. There may also be higher costs during busy painting seasons.

Economy and labor market.

There may be an increased cost for professional painting if there is a shortage of labor and materials. This is especially true if there is a high demand for labor services in the local area. In addition to paying a bit more, you may also have to wait longer to get your project done. If you’re thinking about painting your home, contact local contractors sooner rather than later.

A fresh coat of paint can dramatically transform your home’s exterior or interior. A new paint job can add curb appeal and may even increase the resale value of your home. It can also make it a more pleasant place to live for you and your family.

But the price of the project can quickly add up. To keep costs low when you’re painting your home, consider using these tips:

1. Compare quotes.

To help ensure you’re not overpaying for painting services, get estimates from multiple painters in your area. Compare what the pros offer, research their past work and hire one you’re comfortable with based on their work quality and the value they can provide. 

But remember: cheaper upfront costs could cost you more throughout the project, especially if a painter is sloppy or damages your flooring or furniture. Paying a little more for painting expertise can help you save overall.

2. Use high-quality paint.

Think long-term when you’re painting your house. To avoid shoddy paint jobs or walls that need to be refreshed more frequently in the future, use high-quality paint that’s appropriate for the environment. For example, semi-gloss paints are more stain resistant and easy to clean. 

Consult your contractor when picking out the best paints for your interior or exterior.

3. Repurpose paint.

It’s possible you could save on paint by using the same paint and color in multiple rooms or areas. If you’re planning a big paint job, think about repurposing one color in several spaces. Buying paint in bulk could help you save as well.

4. Schedule painting during a cheaper season.

Labor demand or environmental factors like weather can affect paint job prices, so try to schedule work during a less-expensive time. 

Schedule painting in advance to avoid rush charges or missing out on an appointment. This is especially important during busy seasons, such as the spring. If you want to paint your home during this time, make sure to plan ahead.

5. Opt to paint an accent wall.

You don't have to paint the entire house to give it a new look. Consider buying services for a single accent wall instead. Decreasing the square footage, labor, and supplies required to paint can lower costs.

6. Find out if you should buy the paint yourself.

Talk with a house painter about the possibility of purchasing the paint yourself. If that’s an option, you can look for paint sales to cut down on the cost of materials. However, if your painter can snag a better deal on the paint, let them purchase it yourself.

7. Consider DIY-ing some tasks.

Painting your home (interior or exterior) could be a DIY job, but working with a professional often produces the best results. That said, you may want to consider doing some of the work yourself if you’re on a tight budget. 

For example, consider:

• Washing or cleaning the surface before your painter arrives
• Fixing any damage on your own if you’re comfortable doing repairs
• Painting a small bedroom or bathroom yourself, but leaving the exterior, kitchen or living room to a professional

Related: Exterior house color ideas for front doors, roofing, siding & more.

You may be able to save on labor costs by painting your house yourself. However, if you’re not an experienced painter, your learning curve will be steeper. Making an error will add more time and required resources to the project.

Another consideration with painting your home yourself is safety. If you’re painting a multi-story house or walls with high ceilings, you’ll need to be comfortable with heights and ladders. When you hire a professional painter, they should be insured and know the proper safety protocol.

For smaller paint jobs, such as touch-ups or painting a single interior wall, DIY may be more suitable. You can save on labor and purchase paint that’s on sale. But consider your comfort with imperfection. A poor paint job could result in you wanting to hire a pro anyway.

To determine whether it’s better to hire a pro or paint your home yourself, consider the following.

• How much time you have and when you want the paint job completed
• Your comfort with heights, safety procedures and ladders
• Your ability to cover and tape off furniture, valuable items and areas you don’t want accidentally painted
• Your confidence in selecting the appropriate paint for the surface material
• The cost to buy materials, equipment and paint compared to hiring a professional

Lastly, think about the value of your time. When you factor in considerations like these, it may make more sense financially and for your lifestyle to hire a professional painter.

Related: How to paint a room.