Need a painter but not sure where to find quality work at fair prices? Whether you're refreshing one room or painting your entire house, finding reliable painters who deliver professional results without breaking the bank makes all the difference.
This guide shows you how to find trusted painters near you, what you should actually pay, how to prepare for your project, and common mistakes to avoid.
💰 Painting Cost Guide (2025)
Average Pricing Breakdown
| Pricing Method | Average Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Per square foot | $1.50-3.50/sq ft | Large projects |
| Hourly rate | $25-50/hour per painter | Small touch-ups |
| Per room (flat rate) | $300-800/room | Standard-sized rooms |
| Whole house interior | $3,000-8,000 | Complete refreshes |
| Exterior painting | $2,500-7,000 | House exteriors |
Cost by Project Type
| Project | Size | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| INTERIOR ROOMS | ||
| Small bedroom (10x10) | 400 sq ft | $300-600 |
| Large bedroom (12x14) | 650 sq ft | $400-800 |
| Living room (15x20) | 900 sq ft | $600-1,200 |
| Kitchen (10x12) | 500 sq ft | $400-800 |
| Bathroom (8x10) | 350 sq ft | $250-500 |
| WHOLE HOUSE | ||
| 1,000 sq ft home (interior) | 3-4 rooms | $2,000-4,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft home (interior) | 5-6 rooms | $3,000-6,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft home (interior) | 7-8 rooms | $4,000-8,000 |
| EXTERIOR | ||
| 1-story house (exterior) | 1,200-1,500 sq ft | $2,000-4,000 |
| 2-story house (exterior) | 2,000-2,500 sq ft | $3,500-7,000 |
| Deck staining | 300-500 sq ft | $500-1,500 |
💡 What Affects Painting Costs?
- Room size: Larger = more time and paint
- Ceiling height: 10ft+ ceilings add 20-40%
- Prep work: Patching holes, sanding adds $100-500
- Paint quality: Premium paint costs $50-80/gallon vs. $25-40
- Number of coats: 2 coats standard, 3 for color changes
- Trim & detail: Crown molding, baseboards add time
- Color complexity: Multiple colors = higher labor
🔍 How to Find Painters Near Me
1. GigNGo (Best for Comparing Quotes)
Why it works: Post once, get quotes from local painters with portfolios.
How to use:
- Go to GigNGo.org
- Describe your painting project (rooms, colors, timeline)
- Add photos of areas to be painted
- Receive 5-15 quotes from local painters
- Review portfolios and past work
- Compare pricing and availability
Advantages:
- ✓ Free to use
- ✓ View before/after photos
- ✓ Verified customer reviews
- ✓ Often same-week estimates
2. Google "Painter Near Me"
What to look for:
- 4.5+ stars with 30+ reviews
- Before/after photos in reviews
- Professional website with portfolio
- Clear pricing or free estimates
- Licensed and insured (where required)
- Years in business (3+ preferred)
3. Ask for Recommendations
Where to ask:
- Neighbors: See whose houses look freshly painted
- Paint stores: Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore staff know local painters
- Nextdoor: Search for painter recommendations
- Facebook groups: Local home improvement groups
4. Check Social Media Portfolios
Many painters showcase work on Instagram/Facebook:
- Search hashtags: #[YourCity]Painter
- Review before/after galleries
- Check for consistent quality
- Read comments from customers
✅ Questions to Ask Before Hiring
About Experience & Work
- "How long have you been painting professionally?"
- "Can I see examples of similar projects?"
- "Do you specialize in interior, exterior, or both?"
- "What prep work is included?"
- "How many coats will you apply?"
About Pricing & Timeline
- "Do you charge by square foot, hour, or room?"
- "Is paint included or separate?"
- "When can you start and how long will it take?"
- "What's your payment schedule?"
About Protection & Guarantee
- "Are you licensed and insured?"
- "Do you warranty your work?"
- "How do you protect furniture and floors?"
- "Can you provide 2-3 references?"
Find Painters Near You
Get competitive quotes from local painting contractors with portfolios.
Get Free Quotes →✓ Compare pricing ✓ View portfolios ✓ Verified reviews
💡 How to Save Money on Painting
1. Get Multiple Quotes
Potential savings: 20-30%
Painting quotes vary significantly. Get 3-5 quotes to find fair pricing:
- Post on GigNGo for instant quotes
- Compare what's included (prep, paint, coats)
- Choose middle-range pricing with best reviews
2. Do Your Own Prep Work
Potential savings: $100-500
Prep work you can do yourself:
- Move furniture to center of room
- Remove outlet covers and switch plates
- Clean walls and baseboards
- Minor hole patching (small nail holes)
Saves 2-4 hours of labor time.
3. Provide Your Own Paint
Potential savings: 10-20%
Painters typically mark up paint 15-30%. Buying yourself:
- Ask painter for paint recommendations
- Calculate gallons needed (1 gallon = 350-400 sq ft)
- Buy during paint store sales
- Save $50-200 on average project
4. Paint in Off-Season
Potential savings: 15-25%
Peak season: Spring/summer (highest demand)
Off-season: Fall/winter (better rates, availability)
5. Bundle Multiple Rooms
Potential savings: 15-20%
Painters offer discounts for larger projects:
- Single room: $500
- Three rooms separately: $1,500
- Three rooms bundled: $1,200-1,300
- Savings: $200-300
6. Choose Simpler Color Schemes
Potential savings: $100-400
- One color = faster work
- Multiple accent walls = more taping/time
- Stick to 1-2 colors per room
🎨 DIY vs. Hiring a Painter
When to DIY
Good projects for DIY:
- Small rooms (bedrooms, bathrooms)
- Simple, flat walls
- Single color
- Standard 8ft ceilings
- If you have time (weekend project)
DIY costs:
- Paint: $100-300
- Supplies (brushes, rollers, tape, drop cloths): $50-100
- Your time: 8-16 hours for average room
- Total: $150-400 + your time
When to Hire a Painter
Hire professionals for:
- High/vaulted ceilings (10ft+)
- Exterior painting (safety, equipment)
- Large projects (whole house)
- Detailed trim work
- Time constraints
- Quality is critical
Professional advantages:
- Work 3-4x faster than DIY
- Clean, professional results
- Proper surface prep
- Warranty on work
- No equipment investment needed
💡 Hybrid Approach
Save money with strategic DIY:
- Hire painter for living room, kitchen (high-visibility)
- DIY bedrooms, closets yourself
- Do all prep work yourself
- Saves 30-50% vs. hiring for everything
🚨 Red Flags to Avoid
Don't hire if they:
- ❌ Won't provide written estimate - Always get it in writing
- ❌ Demand large upfront payment (50%+) - Standard: 25-30% down
- ❌ Have no insurance - You're liable for accidents
- ❌ Can't show portfolio/references - No proof of quality
- ❌ Significantly undercut competitors (40%+ below) - Quality concerns
- ❌ Vague about prep work - Prep = 70% of quality outcome
- ❌ Pressure immediate decision - Good painters don't rush you
- ❌ Show up unprepared for estimate - Sign of disorganization
🏠 Preparing for Your Painting Project
Before Painter Arrives
- ☑️ Choose paint colors and finishes
- ☑️ Buy paint if providing your own
- ☑️ Move small furniture, decorations
- ☑️ Remove wall hangings, nails
- ☑️ Clean surfaces to be painted
- ☑️ Secure pets in separate area
- ☑️ Clear access to all rooms
What Painters Should Provide
- ☑️ Drop cloths for floors and furniture
- ☑️ Painter's tape for trim
- ☑️ All painting tools and equipment
- ☑️ Proper surface prep (washing, sanding, patching)
- ☑️ Paint (if included in quote)
- ☑️ Cleanup and debris removal
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a painter?
Professional painters cost $1.50-3.50 per square foot or $25-50/hour. Average room: $300-800, whole house interior: $3,000-8,000, exterior painting: $2,500-7,000. Factors: room size, ceiling height, paint quality, prep work needed. Get 3-5 quotes to compare pricing and save 15-25%.
How do I find a good painter near me?
Best methods: 1) Post on GigNGo to get quotes from local painters, 2) Google "painter near me" and check reviews (4.5+ stars, 30+ reviews), 3) Ask neighbors for recommendations, 4) Check portfolios on social media. Verify insurance, get written estimates, check references. Most painters offer same-week estimates.
Should I hire a painter or do it myself?
Hire a painter for: high ceilings, exterior work, large projects, time constraints, quality concerns. DIY for: small rooms, flat walls, if you have time and patience. Professional painters work 3-4x faster and achieve better results. DIY saves 50-70% on labor but requires significant time investment (8-16 hours per room) and equipment purchase.
How long does it take to paint a room?
Professional painters: 4-8 hours per average room (12x12), including prep. DIY: 12-20 hours for same room. Factors: ceiling height, trim amount, color changes (multiple coats), prep work needed. Whole house interior: 3-7 days professionally, 3-6 weeks DIY on weekends.
What type of paint should I use?
Interior walls: Eggshell or satin finish (easy to clean, hides imperfections). Bathrooms/kitchens: Semi-gloss (moisture-resistant). Ceilings: Flat finish. Trim/doors: Semi-gloss or gloss. Paint quality: Premium paint ($50-80/gallon) lasts longer and covers better than budget paint ($25-40/gallon). Ask your painter for brand recommendations.
How do I prepare for painters?
Before painters arrive: Move furniture to room center or out entirely, remove wall hangings and outlet covers, clean walls, secure pets separately, choose colors beforehand. Painters should handle: surface prep (washing, patching, sanding), protecting floors/furniture with drop cloths, taping trim, multiple coats, cleanup. Confirm what's included in your estimate.
Do painters provide paint or do I buy it?
Varies by painter. Options: 1) Painter includes paint in quote (convenient but 15-30% markup), 2) You buy paint separately (saves money, you control quality), 3) Hybrid (you buy paint, they provide supplies). Always clarify in estimate. If buying yourself, ask painter for exact type, brand, quantity, and finish recommendations.
📚 Related Resources
✅ Your Action Plan
Here's your step-by-step process:
- Plan your project
- Choose rooms to paint
- Select colors (test samples first)
- Measure square footage
- Set budget and timeline
- Get 3-5 quotes
- Post on GigNGo
- Google local painters
- Ask neighbors for recommendations
- Request written estimates
- Review and compare
- Check reviews and portfolios (4.5+ stars)
- Verify insurance
- Understand what's included (prep, paint, coats)
- Compare pricing and timeline
- Choose and book
- Select best value (not just cheapest)
- Get written contract
- Confirm start date and duration
- Finalize paint colors/finishes
- Prepare and complete
- Do agreed prep work
- Be available for questions
- Inspect work before final payment
- Leave review for next customers
Most people find reliable painters and schedule work within 1-2 weeks using this process.
Get Your Painting Project Started
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