Painting costs depend on whether the job is interior or exterior, the condition of the surfaces, and the quality of paint. In the US, expect to pay $2–$6 per square foot for interior painting and $1,500–$4,000 to paint a home's exterior. Per room, interior painting averages $300–$800. Hourly labour: $25–$75 (US), PLN 30–60 (Poland), €35–€65 (Netherlands), and around 18 to 30 euros per hour in Spain. Polish, Dutch, and Spanish rates are lower in absolute terms than the US but similarly proportioned relative to local wages.
Average painting costs by job type
| Job type | Typical cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Single room (interior) | $300–$800 |
| Entire interior (3-bed home) | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Exterior (single-story home) | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Exterior (two-story home) | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Cabinet painting | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Deck staining | $500–$2,000 |
| Trim and door painting | $50–$150 per door/window |
Sources: HomeAdvisor 2025 cost data, Angi service pricing reports.
Painting costs depend on whether the job is interior or exterior, the condition of the surfaces, and the quality of paint. In the US, expect to pay $2–$6 per square foot for interior painting and $1,500–$4,000 to paint a home's exterior. Per room, interior painting averages $300–$800. Hourly labour: $25–$75 (US), PLN 30–60 (Poland), €35–€65 (Netherlands), and around 18 to 30 euros per hour in Spain. Polish, Dutch, and Spanish rates are lower in absolute terms than the US but similarly proportioned relative to local wages.
Average painting costs by job type
| Job type | Typical cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Single room (interior) | $300–$800 |
| Entire interior (3-bed home) | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Exterior (single-story home) | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Exterior (two-story home) | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Cabinet painting | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Deck staining | $500–$2,000 |
| Trim and door painting | $50–$150 per door/window |
Sources: HomeAdvisor 2025 cost data, Angi service pricing reports.
What affects the cost?
- Surface prep needed — peeling paint, patching, and priming add significant cost
- Paint quality — premium paints (Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin-Williams Emerald) cost $50–$80/gallon vs. $25–$40 for standard
- Ceiling height — tall ceilings require scaffolding or specialized equipment
- Number of colors — multiple color changes take more time
- Trim and detail work — cutting in around trim, windows, and doors is labor-intensive
- Lead paint (pre-1978 homes) — EPA RRP compliance adds $500–$2,000+ to the project
Painter costs in the United States
US painters charge $25–$75 per hour or $2–$6 per square foot for interior work. Exterior painting is typically bid per project. Rates are highest in coastal cities and lowest in the Midwest and South. Always get itemized quotes that separate labor, materials, and prep work. Verify the painter is insured — a ladder accident on your property without insurance is your liability.
Painter costs in Poland
Polish painters charge PLN 15–40 per square meter for interior work (walls and ceilings). A standard apartment (50–70 m²) costs PLN 2,000–5,000 to paint. Exterior work is priced per m² at PLN 25–60. Prices are higher in Warsaw and other major cities. Many painters include materials in their quote.
Painter costs in the Netherlands
Dutch painters charge €35–€65 per hour or €15–€35 per m² for interior work. Exterior painting costs €25–€50 per m², with additional costs for scaffolding rental (€500–€2,000+). The Schilders CAO sets minimum wage rates, and quality is generally high among professional painters. Dutch homeowners typically repaint every 5–7 years.
Painter costs in Spain
Spanish painters charge €18–€30 per hour in Spain for hourly work, or by the square metre at €5–€12/m² for interior, €10–€20/m² for exterior. A standard 80–100 m² piso interior repaint costs €450–€1,200 including materials. Exterior fachada work on a low-rise edificio starts at €1,500 and climbs quickly with andamios (scaffolding) rental at €300–€800/week for a 3-4 storey building.
The trade has the lowest entry barrier of the regulated trades — no licence required, just autónomo registration plus the mandatory 50-hour PRL safety course and a 20-hour Trabajos en Altura module for any façade or attic work above 2 metres. The Mediterranean rental-property cycle drives the demand: short-term-rental owners in Alicante, Valencia, and Málaga repaint between every guest swap (May-September) or at minimum every 4-6 years, vs the Spanish national-average ~8-10 year cycle. Ask for a desglose between mano de obra (labour) and materiales (paint + supplies); the latter is often 30-40% of the quote and the painter's margin on it can be 25-50%.
How to save on painting costs
- Do the prep yourself — moving furniture, removing fixtures, and light cleaning saves labor hours
- Choose fewer colors — each color change takes time
- Book off-season — winter is quieter for painters, and you may get better rates
- Supply your own paint — buy during sales (30–40% off is common) to save on materials
- Get 3+ quotes — prices vary significantly between painters
What affects the cost?
- Surface prep needed — peeling paint, patching, and priming add significant cost
- Paint quality — premium paints (Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin-Williams Emerald) cost $50–$80/gallon vs. $25–$40 for standard
- Ceiling height — tall ceilings require scaffolding or specialized equipment
- Number of colors — multiple color changes take more time
- Trim and detail work — cutting in around trim, windows, and doors is labor-intensive
- Lead paint (pre-1978 homes) — EPA RRP compliance adds $500–$2,000+ to the project
How to save on painting costs
- Do the prep yourself — moving furniture, removing fixtures, and light cleaning saves labor hours
- Choose fewer colors — each color change takes time
- Book off-season — winter is quieter for painters, and you may get better rates
- Supply your own paint — buy during sales (30–40% off is common) to save on materials
- Get 3+ quotes — prices vary significantly between painters
Frequently asked questions
How much do painters charge per hour?
Painters charge $25–$70 per hour in the US, with most quoting per project rather than hourly. Per square foot, expect $1–$3 for interior, $1.50–$4 for exterior. A typical 3-bedroom interior repaint runs $2,000–$5,000; full exterior is $3,000–$8,000.
How much paint coverage per gallon?
One gallon covers 350–400 sq ft for one coat on smooth interior walls. For new drywall or color changes, plan on 2 coats. A 12'×12' bedroom (480 sq ft of walls) needs about 1.5 gallons for 2 coats. Quality paint costs $35–$70/gallon.
Should I paint or hire a painter?
DIY saves 60–70% on labor (which is 80% of paint job cost) but takes 4–10× longer. Hire a pro for: ceilings, trim work, exteriors, color changes, anything over 1,000 sq ft. DIY is reasonable for: single accent walls, touch-ups, small rooms.
What time of year is best to paint?
Interior: any time, though winter humidity can slow drying. Exterior: spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) — temperatures 50°F–85°F and low humidity give the best paint adhesion. Avoid summer heat and any time with high pollen counts.