How do you calculate a painting estimate?

Calculate square footage of paintable surfaces, multiply by your price per square foot (based on prep needed and paint quality), add materials cost, then add your markup (typically 20-35%). Most painters charge $2-5 per square foot for interior work.

2026 Pricing Guide

Painting Estimate Calculator & Pricing Guide

Real pricing data to help you bid painting jobs accurately. Includes labor rates, production speeds, and material costs for 2026.

2026 Painting Prices at a Glance

🏠 Interior Painting (per sq ft)

Scope	Budget	Mid-Range	Premium
Walls only	$1.50	$2.50	$4.00
Walls + ceiling	$2.75	$4.00	$6.00
Full room*	$4.00	$5.50	$8.00

*Full room includes walls, ceiling, trim, and doors

🏡 Exterior Painting (per sq ft)

Surface	Budget	Mid-Range	Premium
Siding	$2.00	$3.50	$5.50
Trim (per LF)	$1.00	$2.00	$3.50
Deck/fence	$2.50	$4.00	$6.00

Prices vary by region, surface condition, and paint quality

Production Rates for Estimating Labor

Use these rates to calculate how many hours a job will take.

Walls (roller)

200-300 sq ft/hour

Ceilings

150-200 sq ft/hour

Trim/baseboards

50-75 linear ft/hour

Doors

2-3 doors/hour

Prep work

100-150 sq ft/hour

Cabinet doors

1-2 hours per door

💡

Pro tip: These are average rates for experienced painters. Adjust down 20-30% for apprentices or complex surfaces (textured walls, detailed trim). Add 50% more time for dark-to-light color changes.

2026 Painter Hourly Rates

What to pay (or charge) based on experience level.

Apprentice / Helper

$15-$25/hr

Basic prep, rolling, and cleanup. Needs supervision.

Journeyman Painter

$25-$50/hr

Full skill set. Can work independently on most jobs.

Master / Lead Painter

$40-$75/hr

Specialty finishes, crew management, client-facing.

How to Estimate a Painting Job

Measure paintable surfaces

Calculate square footage of walls (height × width for each wall), ceilings, and linear feet of trim. Subtract windows and doors.

Wall sq ft = (Room perimeter × Ceiling height) - Windows - Doors

Estimate labor hours

Divide square footage by production rate, then add prep time (usually 20-40% of paint time).

Labor hours = (Sq ft ÷ 250) + Prep hours + Touch-up/cleanup

Calculate materials

1 gallon covers ~350-400 sq ft (one coat). Budget for 2 coats on walls, plus primer if needed.

Gallons needed = (Sq ft × 2 coats) ÷ 350

Add markup

Most painters use 20-35% markup on labor + materials. This covers insurance, vehicle, tools, and profit.

Total = (Labor + Materials) × 1.25 to 1.35

Quick Reference: Common Job Prices

Single room (12×12)

$350 - $850

Walls, ceiling, trim

3-bed home interior

$3,500 - $8,000

~1,500 sq ft, all rooms

Kitchen cabinets

$1,500 - $4,000

Average kitchen, 20-30 doors

Exterior (2-story)

$4,000 - $12,000

Siding, trim, prep

Front door

$150 - $400

Both sides, prep included

Deck staining

$500 - $2,000

300-500 sq ft deck

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do painters charge per square foot?

Interior painting costs $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot for walls only, or $4.00 to $8.00 per square foot for full room painting (walls, ceiling, trim, and doors). Exterior painting ranges from $2.00 to $5.50 per square foot for siding. Prices vary by region, surface condition, and paint quality.

What markup should painters charge?

Most painting contractors use a markup of 20% to 35% on top of labor and materials. This covers overhead costs like insurance, vehicle expenses, tools, marketing, and profit. For high-end work or complex projects (cabinet refinishing, specialty finishes), markups can reach 40-50%.

How long does it take to paint a room?

A standard 12×12 room takes 4-8 hours for one experienced painter (walls, ceiling, trim, 2 coats). This includes prep, painting, and cleanup. Larger rooms, extensive prep work, or detailed trim can double this time. Most painters can complete 1-2 rooms per day.

How much paint do I need per room?

One gallon covers approximately 350-400 square feet per coat. A typical 12×12 room with 8-foot ceilings has about 400 sq ft of wall space, requiring 2 gallons for two coats. Add a gallon for the ceiling and primer if doing a significant color change.