Expenses Associated with Interior House Painting

If you're considering rejuvenating your residence, painting stands out as a reliable method to achieve a fresh appearance. But what is the cost associated with painting a house? Based on Angi's cost data, the average homeowner can anticipate spending around $1,983 on painting their home. However, this cost range can fluctuate due to various factors, such as the house's size, the quantity of paint required for the project, and the extent of preparatory work involved. In this comprehensive guide from AD, we delve into everything you need to understand regarding the expenses linked to painting a house, with insights from Caleb Ebel, the co-founder of Backdrop, and Mallory Micetich, the Home Expert at Angi.

Expenses Associated with Painting a House's Interior

Similar to most interior design endeavors, each house painting project holds its unique characteristics. "The cost can significantly differ based on the scale of the space, as well as specific details like the number of colors, intricate architectural features, the caliber of selected painters, and the regional market," shared Ebel with AD. "We've witnessed projects exceeding $20,000 for painting an entire residence, while a few rooms can be completed for a few thousand dollars." Consider these contributing factors that influence the overall cost of house painting.

Square footage

When it comes to determining the cost of interior painting, the square footage stands out as a significant factor affecting pricing. Larger square footage necessitates more paint volume, increased preparatory work, extended time, and greater labor involvement, consequently resulting in a higher cost. Professional painters commonly provide project cost estimates based on the cost per square foot. "Estimating the expenses for your painting project can be quite intricate," mentions Micetich. "Various factors play a role in the total project cost, but you can get a rough estimate by considering the project's cost per square foot."

What would be the expected cost to paint the interior of a 2,000-square-foot house?

According to Micetich, the typical cost per square foot for interior painting typically ranges between $2 to $6. For a home with 2,000 square feet of wall space, interior painting might vary from $4,000 on the lower end to $12,000 on the higher end.

Nevertheless, the cost per square foot doesn't always follow a linear pattern. As Ebel clarifies, "While most painters consider the cost per square foot, they also factor in the necessary time, often charging a full day rate for each painting day." This approach sometimes leads to smaller projects having a higher cost per square foot compared to larger ones, despite having a lower total cost.

Labor Costs

Labor costs can significantly fluctuate across projects, contingent on the market dynamics and the expertise level of the painter. "When engaging a professional, anticipate labor costs ranging from $20 to $50 per hour," states Micetich. "Interior painting often spans multiple days, so labor expenses can constitute a substantial segment of your overall project expenditure." Opting for a less experienced painter might offer a lower hourly rate, which could align better with some budgets. Nevertheless, when assessing quotes from house painters, it's prudent to evaluate both the quality of work and the associated costs.

Project Complexity

"The intricacy of the project plays a pivotal role, including factors like the number of windows requiring trim work, alterations in color schemes, and architectural intricacies such as ceiling height or doorways," mentions Ebel. Consequently, two homes of the same square footage may exhibit varying painting costs if one involves more specialized labor and intricate tasks.

Paint Quality

Before embarking on painting your house, acquiring the necessary paint is a pivotal step. Typically, higher-quality paint comes at a higher price compared to its lower-quality counterparts. However, it's vital to note that a hefty price tag doesn't always guarantee superior paint quality. "The quality of paint is significantly influenced by the raw materials used in its formulation, akin to cooking with high-grade ingredients," notes Ebel.

When selecting paint for your home, thorough research on available options proves beneficial. Micetich emphasizes the importance of opting for high-quality, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint. She suggests exploring sales or inquiring with contractors about potential professional discounts to save on this expense. "If you're engaging a painter, a substantial portion of the project cost will go towards quality labor and service," remarks Ebel. "Typically, the paint product constitutes around 15 to 20% of the total project cost. Therefore, compromising on paint quality isn't advisable, considering its relatively smaller share in the overall project cost."

Other factors influencing the cost of painting the interior of your house

Other factors influencing the cost of painting the interior of your house encompass considerations beyond home size, labor expenses, project intricacy, and paint quality. Engaging professionals for preparatory tasks, like relocating furniture, removing artwork, or laying drop cloths, can extend the project duration, subsequently increasing expenses. "The paint color can also affect the cost," notes Micetich. "If you're painting over a dark-colored wall with a lighter shade, it might necessitate multiple coats to achieve opacity. This requires more paint and labor time, elevating the project's overall cost."

The number of required coats, volume of trim present (often priced based on a per linear foot basis), application technique, color count, ceiling height, and wall texture are additional factors influencing the price. "Most paint contractors utilize their individual methodologies to draft project quotes, and each painter's approach may slightly differ," elucidates Ebel. "However, obtaining quotes from several reputable painters for comparison purposes is generally beneficial."

Expenses Associated with Exterior House Painting

Revamping the exterior of your house through painting can swiftly enhance its curb appeal. Similar to interior painting, the costs associated with exterior house painting can fluctuate based on the project's scale and intricacy. "Painting the exterior of a house typically incurs higher expenses compared to painting its interior," Micetich remarks. "The average cost to paint a house exterior stands at $3,108, ranging between $1.50 and $4 per square foot."

Determining the Cost of Painting a House Exterior

Similar factors influencing the cost of interior painting—such as size, labor and material expenses, and project complexity—often apply to exterior painting considerations. However, to estimate the project cost, a rough calculation involves multiplying the average price per square foot by the home's exterior surface area. "Exterior painting jobs typically encompass fewer square feet than the entirety of interior wall surfaces. Nonetheless, these areas can be challenging to access, often demanding significant preparatory measures to safeguard surroundings and sometimes minor structural repairs before painting," explains Ebel. "For instance, if there's a need to remove windows or use lifts for tall vertical surfaces—these elements significantly contribute to the overall cost of an exterior project." Painting a single-story house may incur lower expenses compared to a two or three-story home, as it requires less equipment and surfaces are more accessible. Additionally, certain houses may necessitate power washing and additional preparatory tasks before painting, leading to increased charges by painters.

DIY Expenses for Painting a House

If you possess adept skills with a paint roller, choosing to DIY your paint project might appear as a sensible approach to economize. However, does it truly save money? According to both Ebel and Micetich, opting to paint your house by yourself will invariably lead to a more economical project. Nonetheless, there are aspects beyond mere cost to take into account.

Comparing DIY with Professional Painting

"DIY interior painting typically ranges between $200 and $300," notes Micetich. "However, I wouldn't recommend undertaking the interior painting of your house unless you possess considerable experience in painting." This advice primarily revolves around the achieved quality of the final outcome. Unless you're highly skilled, there's a risk of uneven coatings, air bubbles, streaks, and drips. Nevertheless, by avoiding professional painting services, you solely need to purchase materials like paint, primer, rollers, and drop cloths—resulting in substantial savings on overall house-painting expenses.

Factors Influencing DIY Costs

Should you choose to paint your house independently, the primary expenditure often centers on the cost of the paint itself. Even in this scenario, investing in high-quality paint remains crucial, even if it entails a slightly higher price. Whether you intend to perform the task or hire a professional for your wall transformation, dedicating time to research various paint types and reputable brands becomes essential to best cater to your requirements. For additional guidance, consider referring to AD's paint buying guide.

Additional Expenses and Factors to Consider

If the concept of cost-saving through a DIY project seems appealing without compromising the final outcome, Ebel and Micetich propose undertaking a significant portion of the preparatory work independently. This step helps minimize the labor costs incurred during the painting process. "If you're able to remove photos or artwork from walls or rearrange furniture, it will reduce the workload for the painters onsite," Ebel explains. Micetich highlights that activities such as patching holes, sanding, applying painter's tape, and arranging protective cloths are straightforward tasks that contribute to lowering the overall expenses. "By employing this approach, you can cut costs by handling some of the labor while still reaping the advantages of a professional paint job," she suggests.