How much will painting your house cost? This guide breaks down interior, exterior, and whole-house pricing so you know exactly what to expect.
What buyers miss in cost guides
Square footage is useful, but real quotes move on prep, trim complexity, story height, humidity windows, repairs, and whether cabinets or specialty finishes are bundled in.
Interior vs exterior logic
Interior painting and exterior house painting behave like different scopes. One is driven by room detail and occupied-space planning, the other by substrate, access, weather, and maintenance cycle.
Use this guide for planning
Use these ranges to budget, then compare a written estimate that separates prep, production, and material assumptions instead of relying on one headline number.
💰 Quick Price Reference
🏠 Interior Painting Costs
| Home Size | Sq Ft | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 1,000-1,500 | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Average | 1,500-2,500 | $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Large | 2,500-4,000 | $4,000 - $8,000 |
| Very Large | 4,000+ | $8,000+ |
Per Square Foot
Professionals charge $2-$5 per square foot for interior painting, including walls and ceilings. Add $1-2/sq ft for trim work.
🏡 Exterior Painting Costs
| Home Size | Stories | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 1 story | $1,500 - $3,500 |
| Average | 1-2 stories | $2,500 - $6,000 |
| Large | 2 stories | $4,000 - $10,000 |
| Very Large | 2-3 stories | $8,000+ |
Per Square Foot
Exterior painting runs $1.50-$4 per square foot. Two-story homes add 30-50% due to equipment and safety requirements.
📐 Cost by Room
Bedroom
$300 - $750Living Room
$400 - $900Kitchen
$400 - $800Bathroom
$200 - $500Hallway
$200 - $400Ceiling Only
$150 - $350📊 What Affects Price?
📏 Home Size
Biggest factor—more square footage = more labor and materials.
🔧 Condition
Repairs, filling holes, and extensive prep add 20-40%.
🎨 Paint Quality
Premium paint ($50-80/gal) vs budget ($25-40/gal).
🪟 Trim Work
Including trim, doors, and windows adds 30-50%.
🏛️ Ceiling Height
Vaulted/high ceilings require scaffolding (adds cost).
🎯 Number of Colors
Each color adds setup time. Accent walls = extra cost.
⚖️ DIY vs Professional
🔨 DIY
$500 - $1,500(Materials only for average home)
- Save 50-70% on labor
- Work at your own pace
- Takes 5-10x longer
- Results depend on skill
- Tool/equipment costs
👷 Professional
$2,000 - $8,000(Average home interior/exterior)
- Done in 2-5 days
- Professional finish
- Warranty included
- Proper prep and repairs
- Higher upfront cost
FAQ: House Painting Costs
How much does it cost to paint a house?
Interior painting costs $2,000-$6,000 for an average home. Exterior painting costs $2,500-$8,000. Whole house (interior + exterior) typically runs $5,000-$15,000 depending on size and condition.
How much do painters charge per hour?
Professional painters typically charge $35-$75 per hour depending on experience and location. However, most quotes are project-based rather than hourly to give you predictable pricing.
What changes the quote faster than square footage?
Prep work, drywall repair, trim detail, number of stories, cabinet work, exterior access, humidity-related scheduling, and substrate condition often change the quote faster than square footage alone.
For the next step, compare the scope directly: full interior painting and exterior house painting.
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