Paint cost calculator
How much will the project actually cost? Total = paint + labor + supplies. DIY interior runs $0.50–1.50/sq ft for materials only. Hiring a contractor pushes that to $2–4/sq ft interior and $1.50–3.50/sq ft exterior, including labor.
DIY vs. hire breakdown
DIY costs are mostly paint and a few hundred dollars in supplies. Hiring a contractor adds labor, which is ~70% of the total bill. The break-even consideration: a typical 12 × 14 bedroom takes a homeowner 2 weekends ($0 labor) and ~$200 in materials, vs. a contractor at $800–1,200 total. The pro will be faster and cleaner; you save 75% by doing it yourself.
Per-square-foot benchmarks
- Interior DIY: $0.50–1.50/sq ft of wall area
- Interior hired: $2–4/sq ft of wall area
- Exterior DIY: $0.75–1.75/sq ft of wall area
- Exterior hired: $1.50–3.50/sq ft of wall area
- Cabinet DIY: $50–100 per linear foot
- Cabinet hired: $100–250 per linear foot
Where contractors save money
Pros buy paint at trade-account discounts (~30% off retail), spray instead of brush (4× the speed on exteriors), and have prep down to a science (saving hours per room). They also know when to charge for repairs separately so the paint quote isn't padded.
FAQ
Premium paints have higher binder content, so they cover better and last longer. PRO covers ~2× the area of contractor-grade paint per gallon, and the exterior film holds up 15 years vs. 5–7. Cheaper-per-gallon often costs more per coat.
Not standard — but $50–100 per painter for a multi-day job is appreciated, especially for messy or detailed work. Tipping is a thank-you, not an expectation.