How Much to Charge for Painting a House (2026 US Pricing Guide)
Jobnix Team·8 min read·
Pricing a house painting job comes down to square footage, prep work, and how many coats you need. Here's what contractors across the US are charging in 2026.
How much does it cost to paint a house interior?
The average cost to paint a house interior in the US is $2,000 to $6,000 for a standard 3-bedroom home. That breaks down to roughly $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot of wall space, or $200 to $600 per room.
Interior painting rates by room
| Room | Average Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | $300-$500 | 4-6 hours |
| Living room | $400-$700 | 6-8 hours |
| Kitchen | $300-$550 | 4-6 hours |
| Bathroom | $200-$400 | 3-5 hours |
| Hallway/stairway | $400-$800 | 6-10 hours |
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?
Exterior painting typically costs $3,000 to $8,000 for a 2,000 sq ft home. Factors that affect price:
- Height and stories - two-story homes cost 30-50% more due to ladder/scaffold time
- Siding type - wood siding needs more prep than vinyl or stucco
- Condition - peeling, scraping, and priming add significant labor time
- Trim and detail work - shutters, fascia, doors, and windows add up
Per square foot pricing
- Interior walls: $1.50-$3.50/sq ft
- Interior with ceiling + trim: $3.00-$5.00/sq ft
- Exterior: $1.50-$4.00/sq ft
- Cabinet painting: $3,000-$7,000 per kitchen
How to price painting jobs accurately
- Measure total wall area (length x height, minus windows and doors)
- Assess prep needs - the biggest variable in painting estimates
- Calculate paint quantity (1 gallon covers ~350 sq ft per coat)
- Factor in coats - dark to light requires 3+ coats
- Add materials (paint, primer, tape, drop cloths, caulk)
- Include your profit margin - don't just cover costs
The fastest way to send accurate painting estimates is with estimating software. Set up your per-room or per-sqft rates once, then build estimates on site in minutes.
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