How much does it cost to paint a room?
A single interior room typically costs $300 to $1,000 to paint professionally, depending on size, ceiling height, wall condition, and how many colors are involved. Painting an entire average home's interior usually runs $2,000 to $8,000.
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?
Exterior painting for an average home generally runs $3,000 to $10,000. The spread comes from the home's size and number of stories, the surface material, how much scraping and repair the old finish needs, and the quality of paint chosen.
How long does a paint job last?
A quality interior paint job lasts 5 to 10 years, and a well-prepped exterior job about 5 to 10 years too, depending on climate, surface, and paint grade. Good preparation is the single biggest factor — it matters more than the paint brand.
Why does prep work matter so much?
Because paint can only bond to a clean, sound, properly primed surface. Skipping cleaning, scraping, patching, and priming is why budget paint jobs peel, crack, or fade early. When comparing painters, the depth of their prep often explains the difference in their quotes.
How many coats of paint do I need?
Most jobs need two coats for even color and durable coverage, plus primer on bare, patched, or stained surfaces or when making a big color change. A single coat may look fine at first but usually wears unevenly. Confirm the coat count is in your quote.
Should I paint or replace my kitchen cabinets?
If the cabinet boxes are solid, painting them costs a fraction of replacement and can completely modernize a kitchen. Replace only if the cabinets are damaged, poorly laid out, or falling apart. Professionally sprayed cabinet painting gives a far smoother finish than a brush-and-roller DIY.
What time of year is best for exterior painting?
Dry, mild weather is ideal — typically late spring through early fall in most climates. Paint needs stable temperatures and low humidity to cure properly, so painters avoid extreme heat, cold, and rainy stretches. This is why exterior projects are often scheduled weeks in advance.
› Read the full Painting guide