Average Cost to Paint Interior of a House

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How much it cost to paint a interior house?

Figuring out the average cost to paint the interior of a house can feel overwhelming. Prices vary everywhere you look, and it’s hard to know what’s fair. Are you paying too much for a professional? Will going the DIY route save you money, or will hidden costs add up? Without clear answers, it’s easy to make costly mistakes that could ruin your budget or leave your home unfinished.

The average cost to paint a house interior starts with separating it by room size, labor, materials, and project type. Knowing what factors affect pricing can help you avoid overspending and plan smarter, whether repainting a single room or the entire house.

Here, we will learn everything you need to know about interior painting costs. You will get the answers you need to confidently start your painting project.

Let’s get started!

KEY Takeaways

How Much Does It Cost to Paint the Interior of a House?

Painting the inside of a house costs anywhere from $1 to $8.68 per square foot, depending on several factors. If you’re painting an average 2,000-square-foot home, the total cost usually falls between $4,000 and $10,000 when hiring professionals. For smaller spaces, like a single room, costs can range from $350 to $850.

Professional painting costs more, but you’re paying for expertise and time saved. Painters typically charge between $2 and $8 per square foot, including labor, materials, and sometimes prep work, like filling holes or sanding rough surfaces. The price increases if you need ceilings or trim painted or the walls require extra prep due to damage or old paint.

If you decide to paint yourself, you’ll spend less money, usually between $1 and $3 per square foot, but you’ll need to factor in the cost of supplies like brushes, rollers, tape, and drop cloths. While DIY saves on labor, it takes more time and effort, especially for larger spaces or areas with tricky features like high ceilings.

The size of the house also makes a big difference. For a smaller home, around 1,000 square feet, the total cost could be as low as $2,500. However, a larger 3,000-square-foot home might cost over $15,000 if you use professional painters and premium materials.

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Factors Influencing Interior Painting Costs

Let’s look at the elements so you can better understand what goes into the total cost.

Home Size

The bigger the house, the more it costs to paint. Square footage plays a huge role because larger spaces need more paint and take longer to finish. For example, painting a 1,000-square-foot house might only require a few gallons of paint and take a couple of days, but a 3,000-square-foot home could need several more gallons and a whole team of painters to get the job done. More square footage also means higher labor costs if you’re hiring professionals.

Paint Quality

Not all paint is the same, and the quality you choose can make a big difference in cost. Low-end paints usually cost around $20 per gallon, while high-end paints can cost $55 or more. The more expensive paints often have better coverage, meaning you’ll require fewer coats, and they last longer, saving you money on future touch-ups. Some premium paints are washable or stain-resistant, which can be a great plus for kids or pets.

Number of Rooms and Ceilings

The number of rooms you paint also affects the total amount, especially if the ceilings are high or the layout is tricky. Larger rooms or ones with vaulted ceilings take longer to paint and need special equipment. Even small rooms can price high if detailed features like crown molding or many corners require careful work.

Labor Costs

If you hire professional painters, labor will likely be your biggest expense. Most painters charge between $20 and $50 per hour, varying depending on where you live. In areas with higher living costs, you can expect to pay more. It is often contain from taping off edges to cleaning up afterward, so you’re paying for convenience and expertise.

Preparation and Repairs

Before the painting even starts, walls usually have to be prepped. This might contain cleaning the surface, sanding rough spots, or patching holes. If the walls are in bad shape, the prep work can take just as long as the painting and add significantly to the cost. For example, fixing cracks or peeling paint could increase your total bill by hundreds of dollars.

Special Requirements

Some painting projects come with unique challenges that can raise costs. Textured walls, for instance, demand more paint and extra effort to cover properly. Specialty finishes, like a faux or high-gloss look, require skill and time, so they often cost more. If you want to use eco-friendly or low-VOC paints, you will pay a premium, but these are a great option if you’re concerned about indoor air quality.

Cost to Paint Specific Areas of a Home

The cost of painting your home can vary depending on whether you’re working on one room or the entire house. Let’s break it down by room and whole-house estimates so you can better understand what to expect.

Room Painting Cost

Painting individual rooms is usually more affordable than tackling the entire house, but the cost depends on the room’s size and complexity.

Bedrooms

The price typically ranges from $350 to $850. A smaller room with standard ceilings will be on the lower end of that range, while larger rooms or those with extra details, like crown molding, may charge more.

Living Rooms

Living rooms often cost between $600 and $1,500 to paint. Since these spaces tend to be larger and may have higher ceilings, they require more paint and time. If you want to add a fresh coat to the trim or baseboards in the room, expect the price to increase because of the precision and time needed for these details.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are usually smaller, so they cost less to paint than other rooms. Painting a bathroom can cost between $150 and $400. However, the price might go up if there’s a lot of prep work, such as removing mildew or repairing water-damaged walls. Bathrooms also often require special moisture-resistant paint to prevent mold, which can add to the cost but is worth it for durability.

Kitchen

Kitchens are more complex to paint because of cabinets, appliances, and backsplashes. The paint cost of a kitchen typically ranges from $400 to $1,200. Painting the walls alone might fall on the lower end, but if you’re also painting cabinets, the price will increase significantly. Cabinet painting requires precision and may involve sanding, priming, and multiple coats for a smooth finish. Kitchens often use semi-gloss or satin paint, which is easier to clean but slightly more expensive.

Dining Rooms

Dining rooms usually cost between $300 and $900 to paint, depending on their size and design. Suppose the room has wainscoting, chair rails, or other decorative trim. In that case, the amount will be higher because those features take more time and attention to detail. Dining rooms are often painted with more elegant or bold colors, so you might want to invest in high-quality paint for a polished look.

Room

Average Cost

Bedrooms

$350 - $850

Living Rooms

$600 - $1,500

Bathrooms

$150 - $400

Kitchen

$400 - $1,200

Dining Rooms

$300 - $900

Cost to Paint an Entire House

If you’re planning to paint the entire interior of your house, the size of your home plays a huge role in determining the cost. For a smaller home of around 1,000 square feet, the total cost ranges from $2,500 to $7,500, depending on the quality of the paint and whether you hire professionals.

Go here to learn the painting cost of new 1500 sq. ft. home.

A 2,000-square-foot house will cost more, typically between $4,000 and $10,000. Larger homes need more paint and take longer to finish, which increases labor costs if you’re hiring a painting crew.

House Size

Average Cost Per Square Foot

1,000 square feet

$2,500 - $7,500

2,000 square feet

$4,000 - $10,000

3,000 square feet

$6,240 - $18,900

Interior Surface Painting Cost

The measurement and pricing of each particular painting surface is different. Such as walls are calculated in square feet while interior trim in linear feet.

Ceiling and Trim Costs

Adding ceilings and trim to your painting project can raise the overall price. Ceilings often cost an extra $1 to $2 per square foot, particularly if they are textured or have stains that need covering. Painting trim, like baseboards or crown molding, is also an additional expense. Professionals usually charge $1 to $3 per linear foot for trim, depending on the work’s details.

How to Save Money on Interior Painting

Painting your home doesn’t have to be expensive if you plan wisely. Whether you do it yourself or hire professionals, these strategies can help you save money without compromising quality

  • Save with Do It Yourself Projects

Painting your home yourself can save you hundreds of dollars. Start with proper preparation: clean the walls, fill cracks, and tape edges to ensure clean lines. Choose mid-tier paint for good coverage and durability. Cheap paint may seem like a bargain, but it often requires extra coats, which can expensive.

  • Look for Seasonal Discounts

Professional painters are less busy in winter and often offer discounts. Scheduling your project in the off-season can significantly reduce price compared to the busy spring and summer months.

  • Get Multiple Quotes

Always compare quotes from several painters. Check what each estimate includes, such as labor, materials, and prep work, to ensure you get the best value. The cheapest option isn’t always the best if it leaves out key details, so ask questions to understand what’s covered.

FAQs

How long does it take to paint a house interior?

The time it takes to paint the inside of a house depends on the size of the space, how many people are working, and the amount of prep needed. For an average-sized room, like a bedroom, it usually takes about 4 to 6 hours to paint the walls, assuming they are in good condition and don’t need much prep. Adding time for ceilings and trim can stretch this to a full day.

For an entire house, the timeline varies. A 1,000-square-foot home might take a professional crew 2 to 3 days to paint, including walls, ceilings, and trim. Larger homes, like a 2,000-square-foot house, could take 5 to 7 days or more, especially if there are high ceilings, textured walls, or lots of detailed areas to paint.

If you’re doing the work yourself, expect the process to take longer. Painting even a single room might take a full weekend, if you’re new to painting or need to spend extra time preparing, like cleaning, taping edges, and patching holes. Painting a whole house could take several weeks if you tackle it solo.

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