Painting cost in 2026
Reviewed and updated by the Fixerlane editorial team · How we research
What other publishers report painting costs, what moves the price, and how to tell whether two quotes are really for the same work.
Typical prices
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Paint one room (interior) | $990–$1,320 per roomFixr: average $1,200 for a 330 sq ft living room, primed and paintedFixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 |
| Interior painting, whole home | $1–$4 per sq ftThis Old House: $1,800–$10,000 in totalThis Old House, updated Apr 2026 | This Old Houseupdated Apr 2026 |
| $5.75–$10.70 per sq ftFixr: prime, paint and seal; $12,648–$23,540 for a whole interiorFixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 | |
| Exterior house painting | $6,242–$11,617 per jobFixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 |
| $4,400–$8,800 per jobThis Old House: for a 2,000 sq ft home; $2.20–$4.40 per sq ft; average about $6,600This Old House, updated Mar 2026 | This Old Houseupdated Mar 2026 | |
| Paint kitchen cabinets | $2,500–$6,500 per jobFixr: average $4,000; $30–$70 per linear ftFixr, updated Jan 2026 | Fixrupdated Jan 2026 |
| $422–$1,415 per jobBob Vila, citing Angi and HomeAdvisor: average $895Bob Vila, updated Sep 2023 | Bob Vilaupdated Sep 2023 | |
| Painter hourly rate | $40–$60 per hourFixr: average $50 an hourFixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 |
How we got these. Fixerlane does not set prices and these are not our figures. They are the ranges published by Fixr, This Old House and Bob Vila, read from each page on October 4, 2026 and linked so you can check them. Each publisher measures differently, so the ranges do not always agree. Your quote depends on your home, your area and the exact job — the things below are what move it.
Where the sources disagree
- Whole-interior painting: This Old House says $1–$4 per sq ft of floor space; Fixr says $5.75–$10.70 per sq ft to prime, paint and seal. They are measuring different work. (This Old House, Fixr)
- Kitchen cabinets: Fixr says $2,500–$6,500 (January 2026); Bob Vila, citing Angi and HomeAdvisor, says $422–$1,415 (September 2023). (Fixr, Bob Vila)
What changes the price
- Area to be painted, and ceiling height
- Prep: patching, sanding, caulking and scraping take much of the time
- Number of coats, colour changes and primer
- Paint quality — and whether the painter supplies it
- Exterior access: height, ladders or scaffolding
- Trim, doors and cabinets, which take far longer per square foot than walls
The EPA requires anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 to be certified under its lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. (EPA)
What pros ask before quoting
These are the questions painting pros listed on Fixerlane ask before they will quote. Each one is a variable that moves the price — which is why having answers ready gets you a firmer number faster.
- Property type
- Commonly offered: Business · Commercial · Home · Multi-unit building · Office / business · Residential
- New construction
- Commonly offered: Painting for existing buildings · Painting for new construction
- Painting type
- Commonly offered: Decorative painting - faux finish · Decorative painting - texture coating · Repainting - color change · Repainting - same color
- Mural size
- Commonly offered: Large (50 - 100 sq ft) · Medium (25 - 50 sq ft) · Small (less than 25 sq ft) · Very large (over 100 sq ft)
- Type of property
- Commonly offered: Commercial · Residential
- Type of painting
- Commonly offered: Design multiple colors · First time painting · Full repainting darker color · Full repainting lighter color · Full repainting same color · Touch ups existing paint
- Current cabinet finish
- Commonly offered: Laminate · Paint · Unfinished · Wood stain
- Wallpaper material
- Commonly offered: Fabric · Flock · Foil · Vinyl
How pros quote
Fixed price
The scope is clear enough to put a number on the whole job. The risk of it running long sits with the pro, which is why they will want the scope pinned down first.
Hourly or day rate
Used where nobody yet knows what is wrong, or the work is open-ended. Fair for diagnosis; a warning sign on a job that could have been specified.
Per unit
Priced by square foot, per fixture, per window. Easy to compare between pros — as long as you check what a "unit" includes.
Call-out plus work
A fixed fee to attend, then the job on top. Common for emergency and repair work. Ask whether the call-out comes off the final bill.
Comparing quotes fairly
Two quotes are only comparable if they cover the same job. Before you judge on price, check each one states:
- The scope, in plain words rather than a trade shorthand
- Which materials are included, and who supplies them
- Whether disposal and clean-up are in the price
- Making good afterwards — patching, painting, reinstating
- The payment schedule, tied to visible milestones
- A start date and a realistic finish window
- What happens if something unexpected is found
A quote well below the others is usually a smaller job, not a better deal. Ask what it excludes before assuming it is the bargain.
What the painting market looks like
Fixerlane lists painting pros across 51 states and 4,085 cities. About 20% are one-person businesses and 72% are small teams of two to nine. The typical business has been trading 7 years.
That mix matters for price. A sole trader carries lower overheads and is often cheaper for a small job; a larger firm can field a crew, carry more insurance and start sooner on a big one. Neither is better — they suit different work.
Common questions
- Is paint included in a painting quote?
- Often, but not always. Ask which brand and product line is quoted, how many coats, and whether you can supply your own. Two quotes using different paint are not comparable.
- Should I worry about lead paint?
- In homes built before 1978, yes. Work that disturbs painted surfaces in those homes should be done by a firm certified under the EPA's lead renovation rules. Ask whether the painter is certified.
- How long does exterior paint last?
- It depends on the surface, the climate, the prep and the paint. Good prep matters more than the brand — ask what preparation the quote includes.
- Do I need to move the furniture myself?
- Ask. Some painters move and cover furniture as part of the job; others expect the room cleared and charge if it is not.
Get a real number
Published ranges tell you what is normal; only a pro who has seen your job can tell you what yours costs. Find painting pros near you and ask two or three.
Find painting pros