A fresh coat of paint is the highest-impact upgrade most homeowners can make for the money — but painting quotes vary wildly, and it’s hard to know whether a $3,000 bid is a bargain or a red flag. This guide breaks down what interior and exterior painting actually cost in 2026, what a professional quote should include, and how to compare bids without getting burned.
The quick answer
Most homeowners pay $2.50–$6.50 per square foot for professional interior painting (walls, with ceilings and trim at the higher end) and $1.50–$4.50 per square foot of painted surface for exterior painting. A typical full interior repaint of a 2,000 sq ft home runs $4,500–$12,000, while a full exterior repaint of a two-story home usually lands between $4,000 and $11,000, depending on size, stories, siding type and prep work.
| Project | Typical range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Interior painting, per sq ft (floor area) | $2.50 – $6.50 |
| Single bedroom (12×12 ft) | $350 – $900 |
| Living room | $600 – $1,600 |
| Full interior, 2,000 sq ft home | $4,500 – $12,000 |
| Exterior painting, per sq ft (surface) | $1.50 – $4.50 |
| Exterior, 1-story home (~1,500 sq ft) | $2,800 – $6,500 |
| Exterior, 2-story home (~2,500 sq ft) | $4,500 – $11,000 |
| Kitchen cabinets (paint/refinish) | $1,200 – $4,500 |
Want a number for your exact project? Run it through our free Project Cost Calculator — pick painting, enter your square footage and finish level, and you’ll get a realistic low–high range in seconds.
Interior painting costs, room by room
Interior painters price by the room, by the square foot of wall space, or by the job. However your quote is structured, these are fair 2026 ranges for walls with standard prep and two coats:
- Bedroom (12×12 ft): $350–$900. Add $100–$250 if ceilings are included.
- Bathroom: $250–$700. Small, but cutting-in around tile, tubs and mirrors is slow work, and bathrooms need moisture-resistant paint.
- Kitchen: $400–$1,100 for walls. Cabinets are a separate line item ($1,200–$4,500) — sprayed cabinet finishes are skilled work.
- Living room / open-plan space: $600–$1,600, more with vaulted ceilings.
- Hallways and stairwells: $400–$1,200. Stairwells cost more because of ladder and scaffold work.
Ceilings add roughly $1–$2 per sq ft, and trim, doors and closets can add 20–40% to a walls-only quote. If a bid seems cheap, check whether trim and ceilings were silently excluded.
Exterior painting costs
Exterior pricing depends on the size of the home, the number of stories, and — more than anything — the condition of the surface. A one-story ranch with wood siding in good shape is the cheapest common job. A three-story Victorian with peeling paint, detailed trim and lead-safe requirements is at the other extreme.
| Home | Typical exterior range |
|---|---|
| 1-story, ~1,500 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,500 |
| 2-story, ~2,500 sq ft | $4,500 – $11,000 |
| 3-story or complex trim | $8,000 – $16,000+ |
Siding matters too: vinyl and aluminum usually cost less to paint than wood (less prep), stucco sits in the middle, and brick painting — including masonry primer — tends to cost more per square foot but lasts longer between repaints.
What a professional quote should include
A real painting quote is a scope document, not a number on a business card. It should spell out:
- Surface prep: washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, patching and priming. Prep is 30–50% of a quality job and the first thing cut-rate bids skip.
- Paint brand and line: “Two coats of Sherwin-Williams Duration” is a commitment; “paint included” is not.
- Number of coats: one coat over a similar color can work; two coats is the standard for color changes and exteriors.
- What’s included: walls only, or ceilings, trim, doors and closets too.
- Protection and cleanup: masking, drop cloths, moving furniture, and removing tape and debris at the end.
- Timeline and warranty: start/finish dates and a workmanship warranty (1–3 years is common).
If your quote doesn’t list prep and paint products in writing, ask for one that does — our 12-step contractor hiring checklist walks through exactly what to verify before you sign anything.
What drives the price up (or down)
- Prep and repairs. Peeling paint, water damage, rotten trim boards and cracked stucco all add labor before a brush comes out.
- Height and access. Every story adds cost; steep lots and tight side yards slow crews down.
- Color changes. Going from dark to light (or the reverse) usually means an extra coat.
- Paint quality. Premium exterior paint costs $15–$30 more per gallon but can add years between repaints — usually worth it on exteriors.
- Season and region. Painters in high-cost metros charge up to 25% more, and spring calendars book out fast. Interior work in winter is sometimes discounted.
- DIY-ing the easy parts. Moving furniture, removing switch plates and doing your own cleanup can trim a few hundred dollars. Painting a single accent wall or a small bedroom yourself is reasonable; a two-story exterior is where DIY savings evaporate.
Painter or handyman?
For a single room or touch-ups, a good handyman at $50–$100/hr can be the economical choice. For whole interiors, exteriors, cabinets or anything involving ladders and sprayers, hire a dedicated painting contractor — the finish quality and warranty are worth the difference. Either way, watch for the classic warning signs in our guide to contractor scams and red flags: a painter who wants full payment up front, won’t name the paint brand, or quotes half the going rate without seeing the house is telling you something.
Ready to compare real quotes? A local contractor matching service can line up several licensed painters in your area to bid on the same written scope — the fastest way to find the fair price for your project.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a 2,000 sq ft house interior?
Most homeowners pay $4,500–$12,000 for walls throughout a 2,000 sq ft home, depending on ceiling height, trim, and how many colors are involved. Ceilings and trim push toward the top of the range.
Is it cheaper to paint in winter?
Often, yes, for interiors. Many painters discount 10–20% in the slow winter months. Exterior painting needs temperatures above roughly 50°F for proper curing, so it’s seasonal in most of the country.
How long does a professional paint job last?
A quality interior job lasts 7–10 years; a quality exterior job lasts 7–12 years depending on siding, sun exposure and prep. Cheap prep is the main reason paint fails early.
Should I buy the paint myself?
Usually no. Contractors get trade pricing (often 20–40% off retail) and warranty their work with products they know. If you buy it, agree on the exact brand and line in writing first.
Prices are national averages for planning purposes; your local quotes will vary. Always get at least three written bids on the same scope before you hire.