Painting your home can be a significant investment. Since it can be rather expensive, it’s important to understand the factors that affect painting costs. Whether you’re painting the interior or exterior of your 2,000-square-foot house, various elements come into play when estimating the overall expense. From square footage and paint types to necessary repairs and location, each factor contributes to the final cost of your painting project.
Factors That Affect Painting Costs
Every home is different. Some have vaulted ceilings with intricate trim surrounding each window and door, while others have popcorn ceilings and “orange peel” walls. Some are massive homes with thousands of square feet of space, while others are smaller, with 1,000 square feet or less.
Each factor contributes to the overall cost of your painting project:
Square Footage
The size of your home is the most obvious factor contributing to painting costs. The bigger your house, the pricier it’ll be to paint. After all, it’ll take more paint to cover all of that square footage and more labor hours to complete the project, so costs will be higher.
On average, it costs from $1 to $2 per square foot for walls and ceilings and $1 to $3 per square foot for trim and baseboards. Multiply those numbers by the total square footage of space you want to have painted, and you’ll get a general idea of how much it costs to paint your home.
Paint Type
Not all paint is made equally. There are different brands, types, qualities, and colors out there, each with varying prices. So, the paint you choose can dramatically impact the cost of your project. For example, a standard interior wall paint made with synthetic coloring can cost about $30 per gallon, whereas high-end designer paints made with natural coloring might cost as much as $100 per gallon.
Difficulty
Some projects are trickier than others. For example, a kitchen with all sorts of components that can’t be removed requires more time and effort to paint. Your painters will need to account for all of those items in the space, working around them, which can take them a bit longer, driving up labor hours and overall costs.
Other factors, like the height of the ceilings, intricate trim designs, and textured walls or ceilings, can require more time, effort, and material to paint. For instance, textured walls and ceilings, like popcorn ceilings, can require up to 50% more paint than smooth surfaces, which contributes to a higher overall cost.
Location
Where you live can impact the cost of your project. If you live in an area with a higher cost of living, there’s a good chance you’ll pay more for your project than someone who lives in an area with a lower cost of living. Prices for services usually follow the cost of living, so the total on your painting project bill will likely reflect that.
Necessary Repairs
Sometimes, repairs are needed before new paint can be applied to your home’s walls. If that’s the case, you’ll encounter higher overall costs. Many painting companies can repair interior wall damage, so if your walls need a bit of TLC before paint, they can usually handle it.
However, if you’re painting the outside of your home and repairs are necessary for the siding before the paint can go on, you’ll probably have to hire someone else to fix it. Of course, this can vary, but most painting companies don’t handle exterior repairs.
Inclusions
The cost of your project can also vary based on what you want to include in it. For example, if you’re only painting the walls, your project might lean toward the less expensive end of the spectrum. However, if you’re painting ceilings, trim, and baseboards, your total costs will rise. After all, it takes more paint to cover these areas, so your final total will be higher.
Number of Stories
A multi-story home often takes longer to paint than a same-sized single-story home. Your painters will have to cart all of their supplies up each set of stairs, painting each level as they go. This takes longer and requires more effort, so oftentimes, multi-story homes are more expensive to paint than their one-level counterparts.
How Much to Paint a 2,000 Square Foot House Interior
As noted, every painting project is unique. That said, many painting projects for similarly sized homes fall within a general range. On average, it costs anywhere from $6,000 to $14,000 to paint the inside of a 2,000-square-foot house.
How Much to Paint a 2,000 Square Foot House Exterior
Just like the interior of a house, painting a home’s exterior can range in cost based on many factors. But, as with interior painting projects, most homeowners’ exterior painting bills fall within a specific range. On average, it costs anywhere from $5,000 to $13,000 to paint the exterior of a 2,000-square-foot house.
Get a Custom Estimate for Your Painting Project
Averages can be handy if you’re trying to get a general idea of what to expect from your project cost-wise, but they’re not very handy for getting precise cost estimates. That’s where we come in.
At Image Painting, we offer detailed estimates designed to give you a better idea of what your project will cost. Our estimates cover everything we expect to need for the project, from the amount of paint we’ll use to the labor hours necessary to complete the painting.
While it is an estimate, so the final bill might be slightly higher or lower, we do our best to provide the most accurate estimates by carefully evaluating the scope of your project. If anything comes up that might change the cost, we’ll be sure to let you know! We can take care of everything from drywall repair to painting, ensuring you don’t have to stress about any of the details.
Ready to revamp your home with a fresh coat of paint? Book an appointment to get a customized estimate.