Pricing guide
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House?
Updated June 2026
Painting is priced by the project, driven mostly by surface area, prep work, and the number of coats. Below are honest, typical U.S. ranges for interior and exterior painting so you know what to expect and where the cost comes from.
Average interior room
$300 to $800
Per room, depending on size, prep, and coats. A whole-house interior runs $2,000 to $6,000 and an exterior $3,000 to $10,000 or more.
Quick answer
Painting a single interior room typically costs $300 to $800, a whole-house interior $2,000 to $6,000, and a house exterior $3,000 to $10,000 or more. By area it is roughly $2 to $6 per square foot.
House Painting price list
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Interior room | $300 to $800 |
| Whole-house interior | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Exterior (house) | $3,000 to $10,000+ |
| Cabinet refinishing | $1,500 to $5,000 |
| Trim and doors | $1 to $3 / linear ft |
| Per square foot | $2 to $6 |
Prices are typical U.S. ranges and vary by region, scope, and condition. Always get a written quote.
Interior painting cost by room
| Room | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Bedroom / office | $300 to $700 |
| Living room | $500 to $1,000 |
| Kitchen | $400 to $900 |
| Bathroom | $200 to $500 |
| Whole-house interior | $2,000 to $6,000 |
Exterior painting cost by home size
| Home size | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $3,000 to $7,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $5,000 to $10,000 |
| 3,500+ sq ft | $8,000 to $15,000+ |
What affects the cost
Surface area
More square footage and higher ceilings mean more paint and labor, so price scales with the size of the job.
Prep work
Patching, sanding, priming, and repairs are where painting jobs go over budget. Heavily damaged or previously poor surfaces take longer.
Number of coats and color
A dramatic color change or covering dark walls needs more coats, raising paint and labor.
Paint quality and height
Premium paint and hard-to-reach areas (high walls, multi-story exteriors) add cost.
Where the money goes
Labor is most of a paint job; paint and materials are a smaller share. That is why prep matters so much: it is labor-intensive and the main reason one bid is higher than another. A cheap bid often skimped on prep or coats, which shows within a year.
Should you DIY or hire a pro?
Interior painting is one of the more DIY-friendly home projects if you have the time and patience for prep. Hire a pro for exteriors (height and weather), high ceilings, cabinet refinishing (a sprayed finish is hard to match by hand), and large jobs where speed and a clean finish matter.
How to save on painting
- Do your own prep (move furniture, light patching) to cut labor hours.
- Paint several rooms at once to spread setup and travel costs.
- Choose a quality paint: it covers in fewer coats and lasts longer.
- Get three itemized bids and confirm how many coats and how much prep are included.
- Paint the exterior in dry, mild weather to avoid redo work.
Run a painting business? Here is what to charge
If you run a painting business, itemize prep, labor, and materials separately and price the prep honestly, that is where your margin lives. Clear estimates and before-and-after photos win the job.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a room?+
Most painters charge $300 to $800 per interior room depending on size, prep, and coats, or about $2 to $6 per square foot. Bathrooms are at the low end; large living rooms are higher.
How much does it cost to paint a house interior?+
A whole-house interior typically runs $2,000 to $6,000 depending on the size of the home, the number of rooms, ceiling height, and how much prep is needed.
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?+
Exterior house painting commonly runs $3,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the home's size, number of stories, surface condition, and paint quality.
Why do painting quotes vary so much?+
The biggest difference is prep and number of coats. A low bid often skips proper patching, sanding, and priming, or applies one coat instead of two, which shows within a year. Compare what each bid includes.
How much does cabinet refinishing cost?+
Cabinet painting or refinishing typically runs $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the number of cabinets and whether it is brushed or sprayed. A sprayed finish costs more but looks far better.
More pricing guides
How we research these prices
These figures are typical U.S. market ranges, cross-checked against our own industry research where we have it, and reviewed periodically. Prices vary by region, scope, condition, and the pro you hire, so treat them as a starting point and always get a written quote. Last updated June 2026.
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