What Do Most Painters Charge Per Square Foot? Complete Pricing Guide
Per-square-foot pricing is the most common way painters calculate costs. Understanding these rates helps you budget accurately and compare quotes effectively.
Interior Painting: Per Square Foot Rates
Wall Surface Only
Budget quality: $1.00 - $2.00 per sq ft
Standard quality: $2.00 - $3.50 per sq ft
Premium quality: $3.50 - $5.00 per sq ft
High-End: $5.00 - $7.00+ per sq ft
Walls + Ceilings
Budget: $1.75 - $2.75 per sq ft
Standard: $2.75 - $4.25 per sq ft
Premium: $4.25 - $6.00 per sq ft
High-End: $6.00 - $8.00+ per sq ft
Complete Room (Walls, Ceiling, Trim)
Budget: $2.50 - $3.50 per sq ft
Standard: $3.50 - $5.00 per sq ft
Premium: $5.00 - $7.00 per sq ft
High-End: $7.00 - $10.00+ per sq ft
Exterior Painting: Per Square Foot Rates
Siding Only
Vinyl siding: $1.00 - $2.00 per sq ft
Wood siding: $1.50 - $3.00 per sq ft
Aluminum siding: $1.25 - $2.50 per sq ft
Stucco: $2.00 - $4.00 per sq ft
Brick: $1.50 - $3.50 per sq ft
Fiber Cement: $1.25 - $2.75 per sq ft
Complete Exterior (Siding + Trim)
Good condition (minimal prep): $1.50 - $2.50 per sq ft
Fair condition (moderate prep): $2.50 - $3.50 per sq ft
Poor condition (extensive prep): $3.50 - $5.00+ per sq ft
Understanding Square Footage in Painting
Important Distinction
Floor square footage ā Paintable surface area
A 2,000 sq ft home has approximately:
- 5,000-6,000 sq ft of wall space
- 2,000 sq ft of ceiling
- 500-800 sq ft of trim
How to Estimate Your Walls
Simple formula:
Example for 12x14 room with 9' ceilings:
- Perimeter: 52 feet
- Ć 9 feet = 468 sq ft of wall space
Subtract ~50 sq ft for doors/windows = ~418 sq ft
What Affects Per-Square-Foot Pricing?
1. Surface Condition
New drywall: Base price
Good condition: Base price
Needs repairs: +15-25%
Extensive damage: +30-50%
2. Ceiling Height
8-9 feet: Base price
10-12 feet: +15-25%
12-15 feet: +25-40%
15+ feet: +40-60%
3. Number of Colors
1 color: Base price
2-3 colors: +10-15%
4+ colors: +20-30%
Custom/matching: +5-10%
4. Paint Quality
We recommend premium paints from Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams. Visit benjaminmoore.com or sherwin-williams.com to explore their color collections.
Builder grade: -$0.25-0.50 per sq ft
Mid-range: Base price
Premium (Benjamin Moore Regal Select, Sherwin-Williams Duration): +$0.50-1.00 per sq ft
Luxury (Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin-Williams Emerald): +$1.00-2.00 per sq ft
5. Complexity
Simple rooms: Base price
Lots of windows: +10-15%
Built-ins/niches: +15-20%
Detailed trim: +20-30%
Regional Variations
Connecticut Averages vs. National
Interior walls: CT $2.50-4.00 vs. National $2.00-3.50
Exterior: CT $2.00-3.50 vs. National $1.75-3.00
Trim work: CT $3.00-5.00 vs. National $2.50-4.50
Connecticut tends to be 10-20% higher than national averages due to higher labor costs and cost of living.
Sample Calculations
Interior Room Example
12x14 bedroom with 9' ceilings
- Wall area: ~420 sq ft
- At $3.00/sq ft: $1,260
- Realistic quote range: $300-$750
Wait - why the difference? Because quotes account for fixed costs (setup, cleanup) that don't scale with size.
Exterior Home Example
2,000 sq ft ranch home
- Exterior surface: ~3,200 sq ft
- At $2.50/sq ft: $8,000
- Realistic quote range: $3,500-$6,500
Fixed costs have less impact on larger projects.
Using Per-Sq-Ft Rates Effectively
For Comparing Quotes
When you receive estimates:
1. Calculate implied per-sq-ft rate
Example Comparison
Three quotes for the same room:
Quote A: $400 for 420 sq ft = $0.95/sq ft (Walls only, your paint)
Quote B: $650 for 420 sq ft = $1.55/sq ft (Walls+ceiling, their paint)
Quote C: $850 for 420 sq ft = $2.02/sq ft (Full room, premium paint)
Quote B might be the best value!
Questions to Ask About Pricing
1. "What surfaces are included in this price?"
Get Your Free Estimate
Pro House Painters provides transparent, competitive pricing throughout Connecticut. Our quotes include:
- Detailed square footage breakdown
- Premium paint options
- All prep work
- No hidden fees
Call (860) 926-3009 for your free, detailed estimate!
