Painting cost-per-square-foot planning bands
Typical published planning values — NOT a certified spec or professional advice. Coverage and coats vary by product, surface, texture and color; confirm on the paint can’s stated spread rate and the manufacturer’s data. Surface prep, moisture/adhesion and pre-1978 lead paint are a pro’s call — follow the EPA RRP rule and hire a certified firm; lead-paint abatement, structural repairs and code certification are not engineered here.
Painting is usually priced per square foot of surface, all-in (material + labor). The bands below are labeled planning bands — a sanity guide only; you enter the real price from your own quote. Cost varies by wall texture, color change, number of coats, prep and patching, trim and ceilings, height and access, region and labor. Use them with the interior cost per sq ft and painter quote checker.
| Job | Band (low) | Band (high) |
|---|---|---|
| Interior — walls | $1.50/sq ft | $4.00/sq ft |
| Interior — walls + ceilings + trim | $2.00/sq ft | $5.00/sq ft |
| Exterior | $1.50/sq ft | $4.50/sq ft |
labeled planning bands — a sanity guide only, all-in (material + labor) per square foot. Enter the real price from your own quote. Cost varies by texture, color change, coats, prep, trim/ceilings, height/access, region and labor.