Interior Painting Cost: Per Room and Whole-House Pricing

Key takeaways

• Most interior painting runs $2–$6 per square foot of painted area, or about $300–$800 per room for standard-sized rooms with average prep work.
• Whole-house interior painting often ranges from $3,000–$10,000+, depending on home size, ceiling height, wall condition, and paint quality.
• Prep work drives a big part of the cost. Peeling paint, lots of nail holes, patching, stains, and smoke damage can add hundreds or even thousands to a project.
• You can save without cutting corners by doing some prep yourself, simplifying colors, and choosing mid-grade paints instead of ultra-premium lines.
• DIY is realistic for small, low-risk rooms if you’re patient and careful; high ceilings, stairwells, and extensive repairs are safer and faster with a pro.
• A good paint job protects and updates your home. Fresh paint can hide minor flaws, seal surfaces, improve indoor air feel, and boost resale appeal.
• Always get 2–3 detailed quotes. Painters bid differently (per room, per square foot, or by project), so comparing scope and prep assumptions is key.

Typical price range

All numbers below are approximate US ballpark ranges for labor and materials combined. Actual quotes will vary by region, painter experience, and your home’s condition.

Common interior painting scenarios

• Small bedroom (10' x 12', 8' ceiling, walls only):
  $300–$600

  • Light prep, one or two colors, standard latex wall paint.

• Average bedroom (walls, ceiling, trim, doors):
  $500–$900

  • Includes caulking trim, light patching, and two coats on most surfaces.

• Living room / family room (200–300 sq. ft.):
  $600–$1,500

  • Wide range depending on ceiling height, number of windows/doors, and wall condition.

• Kitchen (walls, ceiling, some trim – cabinets not included):
  $400–$1,000

  • Grease and stain blocking can push costs up.

• Bathrooms (small to large):
  $250–$700

  • Often need moisture-resistant paints and extra prep around showers.

• Hallways and stairwells:
  $400–$1,200+

  • Tall walls, railings, and tight spaces add labor time and ladder work.

• Whole small home (1,200–1,500 sq. ft., walls only):
  $2,000–$4,000

  • Basic repaint, minimal repairs, standard 8' ceilings.

• Whole average home (1,800–2,500 sq. ft., walls and ceilings):
  $3,000–$7,000

  • Includes typical patching, multiple rooms, possibly some accent walls.

• Whole large home (3,000+ sq. ft. or many high ceilings):
  $5,000–$12,000+

  • More square footage, more ladders/scaffolding, more trim and detail work.

• Trim, doors, and baseboards only (average home):
  $800–$2,500

  • Enamel or semi-gloss paints, careful taping and sanding.

• Cabinet painting or refinishing (kitchen):
  $2,000–$6,000+

  • Very prep-heavy; often sprayed for a smooth finish.

What pushes costs lower

• Simple color scheme: One color throughout or minimal accent walls.
• Good existing condition: Few nail holes, no peeling, no major stains or repairs.
• Standard ceilings: 8' ceilings and easy access, no complex stairwells.
• Empty or lightly furnished rooms: Less time moving and covering furniture.
• Flexible timing: Allowing the painter to schedule during slower periods can sometimes reduce pricing.

What pushes costs higher

• Extensive prep: Cracks, water damage, smoke stains, or lots of patching and sanding.
• High or vaulted ceilings: Requires ladders, scaffolding, and extra labor time.
• Detailed trim and millwork: Crown molding, wainscoting, built-ins, and lots of doors.
• Multiple colors and finishes: More time for cutting-in, cleaning tools, and careful transitions.
• Old or unknown surfaces: Lead paint concerns in older homes, glossy walls that must be sanded or primed.

“Repaint vs. full redo” decisions

With interior painting, the main decision isn’t “repair vs. replace” like with equipment, but rather how extensive the repaint should be and whether you can get by with touch-ups or need a full redo.

When touch-ups or partial repainting make sense

• Minor wear and tear: A few scuffs, small nail holes, or one damaged wall.
• You have leftover paint: Same brand, sheen, and batch number for a good match.
• Budget is tight and resale isn’t immediate: You just need things to look cleaner, not brand new.

Example:

• You have a bedroom with a few marks and nail holes.
• A painter may charge $150–$300 to patch, spot-prime, and touch up one wall if you provide matching paint.
• A full repaint of the room might be $400–$700, but if most of the walls are in great shape, touch-ups can be reasonable.

When a full repaint is smarter

• Color changes: Switching from dark to light (or vice versa) usually needs multiple full coats.
• Uneven aging: Sun-faded walls, prior touch-ups that don’t match, or patchwork repairs.
• Major repairs or stains: Water damage, smoke, or patched drywall will show unless everything is repainted.
• Preparing to sell: Consistent, neutral colors throughout the home show better to buyers.

Rule of thumb:

• If more than 30–40% of a room’s wall area needs work, it’s often more cost-effective and better-looking to repaint the entire room.
• If you’re changing sheens or colors, plan on a full repaint; touch-ups will almost always show.

Example:

• Your living room has several patched areas and you want to go from a dark red to a light gray.
• Spot painting might be $300–$500 but will likely look blotchy.
• A full repaint (primer + 2 coats) might run $800–$1,500, but it will look uniform and help with resale value.

Efficiency and long-term costs

Paint doesn’t use energy like a furnace, but quality and type of paint affect how often you repaint and how your home feels over time.

Why paying a bit more upfront can save later

• Better coverage = fewer coats: Higher-quality paints often cover in 1–2 coats instead of 2–3, which can reduce labor hours and future repaint cycles.
• Durability and washability:
  • Mid- to high-quality paints resist scuffs and clean more easily, especially in hallways, kids’ rooms, and kitchens.
  • You may repaint every 3–5 years with basic paint, vs. 5–10 years with better products in low-traffic areas.
• Moisture and stain resistance:
  • In bathrooms and kitchens, moisture-resistant paints help prevent peeling and mildew, avoiding repair costs later.
• Low- or no-VOC options:
  • These can cost more upfront but improve indoor air quality, especially important for kids, pets, or anyone sensitive to odors.

Long-term cost perspective

If repainting a main floor costs $3,000 with basic paint that lasts 5 years, that’s about $600 per year of use.
If a better paint job at $3,600 lasts 8 years, that’s $450 per year—a lower long-term cost and less disruption.

What to expect from a visit or project

Before the pro arrives

• Initial contact (15–30 minutes by phone or online):

  • Discuss rooms, rough square footage, colors, and timing.
  • Decide whether you need an in-person estimate.

• On-site estimate (30–60 minutes):

  • Walk through each room.
  • Note wall/ceiling condition, repairs, and special areas (stairwells, tall walls).
  • Discuss paint types, sheen, and number of colors.
  • You should receive a written estimate with scope, prep details, and payment terms.

Typical painting project (per room or whole house)

• 1. Prep and protection (30–120 minutes per room, depending on size):

  • Move or cover furniture, protect floors with drop cloths.
  • Remove outlet covers and switch plates.
  • Mask off trim, windows, and fixtures as needed.

• 2. Surface prep (30–180+ minutes per room):

  • Fill nail holes and small cracks.
  • Sand rough spots and glossy areas.
  • Spot-prime repairs, stains, or entire walls if changing colors drastically.

• 3. Cutting-in and first coat (1–3 hours per room):

  • Carefully paint along ceilings, corners, and trim.
  • Roll the first coat on walls and ceilings.

• 4. Second coat and any additional coats (1–3 hours per room):

  • After proper drying, apply a second coat for even coverage.
  • Dark-to-light or problem colors may need a third coat.

• 5. Trim, doors, and details (time varies widely):

  • Paint baseboards, window trim, and doors (often with a different sheen).
  • Touch up corners and edges.

• 6. Cleanup and walkthrough (30–60 minutes):

  • Remove tape and coverings, reattach switch plates.
  • Move furniture back (if included in the quote).
  • Final walkthrough with you to address touch-ups and confirm satisfaction.

Typical project duration

• Single room: 1 day for a pro crew, sometimes less for simple jobs.
• Whole small home (walls only): 2–4 days with a small crew.
• Whole larger home or full interior (walls, ceilings, trim): 4–7+ days, depending on crew size and prep needs.

DIY vs. hire a pro

Reasonable DIY tasks for many homeowners

If you’re handy, patient, and have basic tools, you can often handle:

• Small rooms with standard ceilings: Bedrooms, home offices, or closets with 8' ceilings.
• Basic wall painting: Rolling walls in a single color after light patching and sanding.
• Simple touch-ups: Filling a few nail holes, spot-priming, and touching up with matching paint.
• Removing outlet covers and basic masking: Taping around trim and protecting floors.

DIY can save hundreds per room in labor, but factor in:

• Tools and supplies: Rollers, brushes, trays, tape, drop cloths, ladders, and possibly a shop vac.
• Your time: A room that takes a pro 1 day might take a DIYer an entire weekend or more.

Tasks best left to pros

For safety, quality, and code reasons, it’s smart to hire a professional for:

• High ceilings and stairwells:
  • Working on tall ladders or over stairs is a fall risk. Pros have the right ladders, planks, and safety practices.
• Extensive drywall repair:
  • Large holes, water damage, or cracked seams often need proper taping, mudding, and sanding to look seamless.
• Lead paint concerns (homes built before 1978):
  • Disturbing old paint can release lead dust. Certified pros know how to test and handle this safely.
• Major smoke, fire, or water damage:
  • These often require specialized primers, sealing, and sometimes remediation before repainting.
• Cabinet refinishing or spraying:
  • Getting a smooth, durable finish on cabinets or built-ins is tricky without professional sprayers and a controlled setup.
• Tight timelines or large projects:
  • A crew can complete a whole-house repaint in days versus weeks or months of DIY evenings and weekends.

Questions to ask potential pros

• How do you price jobs—per room, per square foot, or by the project?
• What exactly is included in this quote? (Walls, ceilings, trim, doors, closets, inside of closets?)
• How much prep work is included, and what would count as an extra charge?
• What brand and type of paint do you plan to use, and how many coats are included?
• Will you handle minor drywall repairs, caulking, and stain blocking?
• How will you protect my floors, furniture, and belongings during the project?
• How many people will be on the crew, and what is the expected start and finish date?
• Do you carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage?
• Do you offer any warranty on your work, and for how long?
• Will you handle any necessary lead-safe practices if my home is older?
• Who will be my main contact on-site each day, and how will we handle change orders?
• How do you handle final walkthroughs and touch-ups before the job is considered complete?

Quick FAQ

How often should I repaint interior walls?

Most homes need repainting every 5–10 years for low-traffic areas, and every 3–5 years for hallways, kids’ rooms, and busy living spaces. High-quality paint and gentle cleaning can extend that timeline.

Is it cheaper to paint a whole house at once?

Usually yes. Painting multiple rooms or the whole interior at once lets pros work more efficiently, reducing setup and travel time. You’ll often get a better per-room or per-square-foot rate than doing one room at a time.

Do painters move furniture, or do I have to?

Many painters will move light furniture as part of the job, but heavy or delicate items may be your responsibility. Clarify this in the estimate so you know what to move ahead of time.

Can I stay in my home while it’s being painted?

In most cases, yes. Modern low-odor paints make it easier to stay put, though some rooms may be off-limits for a day or two. If you’re sensitive to smells or have small children, ask your painter about low- or no-VOC options and plan room-by-room access.

Wrap-up and next steps

A good interior paint job does more than change color—it refreshes your space, protects surfaces, and can boost resale value. The right level of work depends on your home’s condition, your budget, and how long you plan to stay.

• Touch-ups or partial repaints can be fine for minor wear or short-term fixes.
• Full room or whole-house repaints make more sense when you’re changing colors, dealing with damage, or preparing to sell.
• Spending a bit more on prep and paint quality often pays off in longer-lasting results and fewer repaints.

Before you commit, get 2–3 detailed quotes so you can compare scope, materials, and timelines—not just the bottom line. A neutral directory like Home Services Scout can help you quickly find and compare local painting pros.

With clear expectations and the right painter, your interior repaint can be a straightforward project that makes your home feel cleaner, brighter, and more like your own.