Painting a whole home interior costs $1,800–$6,500 in 2026, or $2–$6 per sq ft. Prep work — not paint — is what separates a $2/sq ft job from a $6/sq ft job.
Per square foot of floor area ($2–$6 for walls; add ~$1–$2 for ceilings and trim) or per room ($350–$900 for a standard bedroom). Labor is 70–85% of the bill. Paint itself runs $30–$70 per gallon, and a 12x12 room takes about 2 gallons for two coats.
Patching, sanding, caulking, priming stains, and protecting floors is what you're paying for. A cheap bid usually means one thin coat over unpatched walls. Ask every bidder: how many coats, what paint line, and what does prep include? Get it in writing.
Spend on: high-traffic areas in scrubbable paint (satin/eggshell), proper primer over stains and color changes. Save on: closets and low-use rooms in builder-grade flat, and consider painting ceilings only where needed — a ceiling in good condition doesn't need repainting with every wall color change.
Large cash deposits, no surface-prep line item, 'paint and materials' bundled with no brand named, and no mention of protection (floors, fixtures, furniture). ConstructHelp quotes are itemized and reviewable, and payment releases only when you approve the finished milestone.
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Whole interior (per sq ft) | $2 | $6 |
| Standard bedroom (walls, 2 coats) | $350 | $900 |
| Ceilings (per sq ft) | $1 | $2 |
| Trim & doors (per linear ft) | $1 | $4 |
| Accent wall | $150 | $400 |
| Drywall patching (per patch) | $60 | $250 |
A 2,000 sq ft interior takes a 2–3 person crew 3–5 days including prep and two coats.
Usually no — pros get contractor pricing and warranty their material. If you do, expect the labor quote to rise slightly.
Flat hides imperfections but marks easily. Eggshell is the living-area default. Satin for kitchens, baths, kids' rooms, and trim.
Spraying is faster and smoother for empty homes and trim; rolling gives better control in furnished spaces. Good crews use both.
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