What affects the cost of house painting the most?

The biggest cost drivers for house painting are total square footage, whether the work is interior or exterior, the level of prep and repairs required, paint quality, number of coats, and regional labor rates. Exterior projects also factor in height, siding type, and accessibility.

How accurate is this House Painting Cost Calculator?

The calculator uses typical cost ranges per square foot for interior and exterior painting in the US and adjusts for paint quality, ceilings, minor repairs, and regional pricing. It is designed as a planning and budgeting tool, not a formal quote. Actual pricing depends on surface condition, color changes, and local contractor rates.

Does this estimate include materials and labor?

Yes. The per-square-foot ranges used by the calculator bundle both materials and labor in a typical professional repaint, including primer and two finish coats for most projects. Very basic refreshes or heavy restoration jobs may fall outside these ranges.

Why do house painting quotes vary so much between contractors?

House painting quotes vary because contractors use different prep standards, crew sizes, paint brands, warranty terms, and overhead structures. Some quotes include extensive surface repair, priming, and premium coatings, while others focus on basic coverage. The calculator normalizes typical ranges, but real quotes reflect each painter’s process and the specific condition of your home.

HOME SERVICES • PAINTING

Estimate your house painting cost before you book a painter.

Enter your project type, square footage, paint quality, and basic prep details to see a realistic budget range for repainting your home. This tool uses typical cost ranges used by professional painting contractors across the United States.

Free calculator • No signup • US homeowners

What this calculator estimates

Approximate total painting project cost
Estimated cost per square foot
Impact of paint quality, ceilings, and repairs

House painting inputs

Use your best estimate if you don’t have exact square footage.

Estimate only

Project type Choose the portion of your home you plan to paint.

Interior wall area to paint (sq ft) Include walls and ceilings if you plan to paint them. A typical 3-bed home may have 1,500–2,500 sq ft.

Exterior wall area to paint (sq ft) Approximate siding surface area. Many single-story homes fall between 1,200–2,000 sq ft.

Paint quality level Higher-quality paints typically cost more but last longer and cover better.

Include ceilings in the estimate

Yes, include ceiling painting

Ceilings add surface area and labor time for interior projects.

Include minor repairs and patching

Yes, include typical minor drywall/wood repairs

Use this for nail holes, small cracks, and light sanding—not major restoration.

Regional cost level Labor and overhead vary by region.

ⓘ This House Painting Cost Calculator provides a budgetary range based on typical US price assumptions. It is not a formal quote. Always confirm final pricing with a licensed painting contractor in your area.

Need a house painting quote for your home?

We have house painting contractors nationwide ready to take your call and discuss exact pricing, colors, finishes, and scheduling for your interior or exterior repaint.

Call (877) 949-3557 now

Estimated house painting cost

Updated automatically as you adjust your inputs.

Estimated total project cost

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Enter your project details to see a typical cost range for a professional house painting project.

Estimated low-end cost

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Represents simpler projects at the lower end of the range.

Estimated high-end cost

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Includes more prep work, higher-quality paint, and higher labor rates.

Estimated cost per square foot

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Average blended cost across all included areas.

Estimated interior vs. exterior split

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Helps you see how much of the budget is inside vs. outside.

How this House Painting Cost Calculator works

Painting contractors commonly price work using a cost per square foot that bundles labor, materials, primer, and typical prep. This calculator uses different per-square-foot ranges for interior and exterior painting, then adjusts for paint quality, ceilings, minor repairs, and regional pricing.

Your inputs determine a blended cost per square foot, which is multiplied by your total painted area to generate estimated low-end, high-end, and midpoint project costs. The low end assumes lighter prep and standard coatings, while the high end reflects more extensive prep, premium paints, and higher-cost labor markets.

Plan your house painting budget with a realistic estimator

A fresh coat of paint is one of the fastest ways to transform the look and feel of your home—but it’s not always easy to know what a professional repaint should cost. The House Painting Cost Calculator from Hot Calculators helps you build a realistic budget before you start collecting bids.

By pairing your interior and exterior square footage with typical cost ranges from painting contractors, this tool estimates what many homeowners might expect to spend on a professional repaint. Options for paint quality, ceilings, and minor repairs give you a clearer picture of how upgrades and prep work affect your overall budget.

While only an on-site walk-through can reveal every detail—such as extensive peeling, moisture damage, or complex trim—this calculator keeps you from going into the process blind. It can help you decide which rooms to prioritize, whether to upgrade to premium coatings, and how far apart contractor proposals really are.

What this calculator is best used for

This house painting calculator is ideal for homeowners who want to:

Get a quick budget range before requesting quotes
Compare the impact of paint quality and repairs
Understand how interior and exterior costs differ
Decide whether to paint everything at once or in phases

Use the results as a benchmark when you review written proposals, color recommendations, and warranty options from painting companies in your area.

Why square footage and prep matter so much

Square footage determines how much surface area must be cleaned, prepped, primed, and painted. Prep—like patching, sanding, caulking, and scraping—adds labor hours that can push a project higher on the cost spectrum. This calculator factors both the area you enter and your repair and paint-quality selections into your estimated range.

How interior vs. exterior painting compares in price

Interior painting is often more focused on wall and ceiling coverage, while exterior painting must account for weather exposure, siding type, and working at height. The calculator applies different per-square-foot ranges to each so you can see how a full interior repaint, exterior repaint, or combination project might fit your budget.

Next steps after using the House Painting Cost Calculator

After you’ve reviewed your estimated range, schedule walk-throughs and written proposals from at least two or three reputable painting contractors. Ask each painter to explain what’s included in their price—such as prep steps, number of coats, paint brand, and warranty coverage—and compare those details to your calculator results. A clear understanding of your budget range and project scope can make those conversations more productive and help you choose the right partner.

Ready to turn your painting estimate into a real quote?

Once you’ve seen your estimated painting cost, speak with a painting professional about exact pricing, color choices, and scheduling tailored to your home.

Call (877) 949-3557 now