Painting prices swing widely because a single accent wall and a whole-house repaint are very different jobs. Cost tracks square footage, prep work, number of coats, and paint quality. Here is what local painting jobs have actually run, and how to hire a painter whose work holds up.
What people actually pay — GigNGo data
| Typical range | $175 – $1,000 |
| Median | $450 |
| Full span seen | $25 – $4,390 |
Based on 13 recently posted Painting jobs on GigNGo. Prices vary by scope, location, and materials.
What you’re really paying for
Most of a paint job is labor — and most of the labor is prep: patching, sanding, caulking, taping, and priming. A cheap quote that skips prep looks fine for a month and peels by year two. The paint itself is a smaller share of the cost, but better paint covers in fewer coats and lasts longer.
Interior vs exterior
Interior work is priced by room or by square footage, with ceilings, trim, and accent colors adding time. Exterior work costs more per square foot because of surface prep (scraping, power washing), height and ladders, and weather windows.
Getting a quote that holds
Ask exactly what prep is included, how many coats, and which paint and finish. Get it in writing. The difference between two quotes is almost always the prep and the number of coats — not the painter being “expensive.”
What changes the price
- Square footage and number of rooms/surfaces
- Prep work: patching, sanding, caulking, priming
- Number of coats and color changes
- Paint and finish quality
- Interior vs exterior (height, weather, washing)
- Trim, ceilings, and detail work
- Furniture moving and protection
How to hire a good pro
- Ask what prep is included — this is where quality lives
- Confirm number of coats and the exact paint/finish
- Get the scope in writing, room by room or surface by surface
- Check reviews and ask to see recent local jobs
- Confirm insurance, especially for exterior/ladder work
- Clarify who moves furniture and protects floors
- Agree on cleanup and touch-up expectations
FAQ
How much does it cost to paint a house?
It depends heavily on square footage, prep, and coats. A single room is modest; a full interior or exterior repaint costs much more. Exterior generally costs more per square foot than interior.
Why are painting quotes so different?
Almost always prep and number of coats. A low quote often skips prep, which is why the finish fails early.
Is more expensive paint worth it?
Often yes — better paint covers in fewer coats and lasts longer, which can offset its higher price over time.
Interior or exterior — which costs more?
Exterior usually costs more per square foot due to surface prep, height, ladders, and weather constraints.
How can I lower the cost?
Do simple prep yourself, keep existing colors to reduce coats, and paint fewer surfaces (walls only vs walls, trim, and ceilings).