How much does it cost to paint an apartment?
How much does it cost to paint an apartment?
$2 – $6 average cost per square foot
$1,200 – $3,600 average cost to paint a 600 SF apartment
Cost to paint an apartment by square foot
Professional apartment painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot, depending on the paint quality and service. A basic service includes cheaper paint on the walls only, while a premium service includes top-quality paints on the walls, ceilings, and trim. The average cost to paint a 600 sq. ft. apartment is $1,200 to $3,600.
| Service | Average cost (per square foot) |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $2 – $3 | Walls only, minimal prep, standard-grade paint |
| Standard | $3 – $4 | Walls, ceilings, trim, moderate prep, good paint |
| Premium | $4 – $6 | Complete service, extensive prep, high-end paint |
Basic service: This budget-friendly service often includes painting walls only, with minimal surface prep and a low-grade paint product. Expect this paint to be less durable, requiring repainting within 1 to 2 years.
Standard service: This mid-level service offers a better value, including walls, ceilings, and trim work with a better paint product. With more attention paid to surface prep and a higher quality paint product, this paint job might last 5 to 7 years before repainting.
Premium service: This top-tier service includes walls, ceilings, and trim with extensive surface prep and high-quality paint. Premium paint jobs can last 10 to 15 years before requiring repainting, making this the most cost-effective choice long-term.
Cost to paint an apartment by size
Apartment painting costs vary significantly based on size, location, and project scope. The cost to paint a two-bedroom apartment starts at around $1,600 for a basic paint job on the walls only. Costs range from $2,400 to $7,200 when painting the walls, ceiling, and trim using mid- to high-quality paint.
| Apartment size | Square footage | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 400 – 600 | $800 – $3,600 |
| 1 bedroom | 600 – 800 | $1,200 – $4,800 |
| 2 bedrooms | 800 – 1,200 | $1,600 – $7,200 |
| 3 bedrooms | 1,200 – 1,500+ | $2,400 – $9,000 |
Apartment painting cost by room
When you only need to refresh one room rather than your entire apartment, the costs become much more manageable. The average cost to paint a room ranges from $200 to $1,000 to paint the entire room or less when painting only the walls or using an economy paint.
| Room type | Room size | Average cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | 5 x 8 | $120 – $240 |
| Primary bathroom | 8 x 8 | $200 – $380 |
| Kitchen | 10 x 10 | $300 – $600 |
| Bedroom | 10 x 12 | $360 – $720 |
| Primary bedroom | 12 x 15 | $540 – $1,080 |
| Living room | 15 x 15 | $675 – $1,350 |
*Including walls, ceiling, and trim
Apartment painting cost factors
Several factors influence interior painting costs:
Labor
Labor represents the largest portion of your apartment painting budget, accounting for 70% to 85% of the total project cost. Painter hourly rates range from $25 to $75 per hour depending on the location and the painter's experience level.
Experienced painters can cover 150 to 350 square feet per hour with a brush and roller, depending on the painter's skill level, surface conditions, and the complexity of the project. Higher productivity painters often charge more per hour but complete jobs faster, which can reduce overall labor costs.
Rather than charging by the hour, many professionals prefer charge by the square foot, which provides more predictable pricing for both contractors and homeowners.
Materials
Materials also impact the total project cost, with paint costs ranging from $20 to $80 per gallon depending on quality, brand, and finish. Standard paint covers 350 to 400 square feet per gallon on average, while primer coats provide slightly less coverage.
For a typical 600-square-foot apartment, you'll need approximately 2 to 3 gallons of paint, resulting in material costs that range from $40 for basic paint up to $240 for premium options.
Check out our paint calculator guide to determine how much paint you need for your apartment.
Size and scope
The size and scope of the project impact the total cost in several ways. Larger apartments require more paint and additional labor hours, while complex layouts with multiple rooms, hallways, and architectural details also increase the overall price.
The scope of work affects pricing, with ceilings, trim, and detailed elements increasing the complexity and cost. A basic wall-only paint job costs significantly less than comprehensive work that includes ceilings, trim, doors, and closets.
Other factors
Paint quality and finish: Premium paints cost $100+ per gallon while basic paints cost $20 to $30 per gallon, and glossy finishes cost more than matte or lower-sheen options.
Number of coats needed: Multiple coats increase overall painting costs, especially when covering dark colors with light ones.
Surface prep: Extensive repairs, priming, and wall texture affect labor time and material costs.
Wall texture complexity: Popcorn ceilings, swirled patterns, and textured walls require more paint than flat surfaces.
Geographic location: Painting costs more in urban areas than in suburban areas due to higher living costs and labor rates.
Furniture moving: Empty apartments with no furniture cost less to paint. The more furniture to move and protect, the more labor cost involved.
FAQs about painting an apartment
Can you paint walls in an apartment?
Check your lease before painting apartment walls. Most rental agreements require landlord permission for any changes to the property. Even if your landlord approves painting, you'll likely need to repaint the walls back to the original color when you move out.
How long does it take to paint an apartment?
A professional painter may spend a day or two painting a small studio or one-bedroom apartment. A larger space can take up to a week if the project scope includes ceilings, trim, and closets, which take longer to paint than just walls.
Getting estimates from apartment painters
Follow these tips to help you get fair quotes and hire the right apartment painter near you:
Get multiple estimates to compare pricing, services, and quality.
Check Google and HomeGuide for reviews, paying attention to patterns in feedback about work quality.
Confirm the estimates include labor costs, materials, prep work explanation, number of coats, timeline, and specific paint brands.
Verify the painters are licensed, insured, and have experience with multi-unit buildings if applicable.
Be wary of unusually low estimates as they may indicate corner-cutting or inexperienced contractors.
Questions to ask a painting contractor
Before hiring a painting contractor for your apartment project, ask the right questions to identify qualified professionals and avoid costly mistakes:
Are you licensed and insured?
Can you provide recent references?
How many years have you been in business?
What materials and paint quality will you use?
How will you prepare the surfaces?
What does your warranty cover and for how long?
Are your workers employees or subcontractors?
What are your payment terms?
How long will the project take?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.