How Much Does It Cost to Paint an Apartment?

Painting your apartment can help you to get a clean, fresh look. You can eliminate tired old stains, and bring a new life into your living space. Most people wonder how much it would cost to do a renovation job such as this in their living quarters.

The cost of painting an apartment is dependent on:

• Understanding the Scope of the Project
• Geographic Considerations
• Whether you do the work or you hire someone to do the work. 
• The brand and type of paint you buy
• Where do you buy the paint?
• The method of paint application

Understanding the Scope of the Project

Embarking on an apartment painting project can come with varying costs, and this often hinges on the specific scope of work. To estimate the expenses more accurately, several factors must be evaluated.

Identifying the Size of the Apartment

The size and layout of the apartment can greatly influence the cost. The cost per square foot of surface area typically ranges between $1 and $3. Hence, the larger the apartment, the more square footage you’re dealing with. 

A studio apartment might be on the lower end of the spectrum, while multi-bedroom apartments would naturally command higher costs. On average, the cost per room can fall anywhere between $350 and $850.

Determining the Surface to be Painted

The specific surfaces that need painting will determine the extent of the project. Each surface has its own set of requirements. Trims and doors, for instance, may require a more robust paint due to wear and tear. Meanwhile, ceilings may necessitate more specialized techniques or equipment. Differentiating between these surfaces and accounting for their unique needs is crucial in getting a closer approximation of costs.

Special Requirements

• Textured Walls: A textured wall might fall on the higher end of the cost spectrum per square foot since it can demand additional layers or specialized paints. The intricate nature of these surfaces may require more time and attention to detail.
• Special Finishes: Depending on the chosen finish — be it matte, satin, or high gloss — there might be a variation in the number of coats required or the method of application. Special finishes can sometimes lead to incremental costs due to the quality or type of paint necessary.
• Murals: Murals are essentially bespoke art pieces, and their costs can be quite distinct from standard painting rates. Their price can vary widely based on the intricacy of the design and the expertise required.

For those considering painting the entire interior of a house, you can expect the costs to typically range between $3,500 and $10,000, depending on the factors mentioned above.

In essence, while the baseline costs provide a starting point, it’s the finer details of the project’s scope that will ultimately determine the final cost.

Geographic Considerations

When budgeting for an apartment or house painting project, it’s essential to understand that geographic considerations are pivotal in influencing the cost. Here’s a breakdown of these considerations:

Costs by Region – Urban vs Rural

Where you reside can greatly affect the labor costs of your painting project. Urban and coastal areas, characterized by a higher cost of living, generally have professional painters charging more, be it per hour or per square foot. 

In contrast, suburban and rural areas tend to offer lower labor rates for painting. However, a noteworthy exception is for residents in remote locations. The longer drive might mean painters charge more, particularly for projects spanning multiple days.

Painting Is Cheaper in Winter

Seasons, too, play a part in the cost of painting. The demand for painting services usually sees a dip in the winter months. 

Adverse weather often deters homeowners from embarking on home improvement projects. This reduced demand means that painting companies are often more available, eager for business, and potentially offering more competitive rates. 

Contrast this with peak seasons like summer, when demand soars. Painters often find their schedules fully booked, sometimes for months at a stretch, leading to higher charges.

Local Legislation and Permits

Beyond the direct costs associated with labor and materials, it’s also crucial to be aware of potential local legislation and required permits. 

Depending on the region or municipality, there might be permits and fees associated with painting projects, especially for larger or more complex undertakings. These can add to the overall cost and should be factored in during the budgeting process.

Professional or DIY Which option is great

Hiring a Professional Painter

To decide whether you should do the work yourself, or hire a pro, consider the benefits of each and then decide how important those benefits are to you.

• Professional painters achieve high-quality and usually flawless results
• You do not have to make time in your schedule to do the work
• You do not have to buy painting supplies or tools to do the work
• Professionals know how to repair or hide flaws that exist
• Professionals paint faster
• You do not have cleanup to deal with
• You do not have to store or dispose of any leftover paints or supplies

Paint the Apartment Yourself

• You save money on labor
• You get a great feeling of accomplishment

How Long Does It Take to Paint an Apartment?

Here we have an article on the cost to paint a 2000 sq ft house.

Choosing the Right Professional for a Painting Job

One of the real painting dilemmas you will face if you decide to hire a professional painter will be choosing the best person for the job. The following suggestions will help you interview and decide on the right person.

• Ask friends and family to refer someone they have used before
• Do not jump at the lowest bid because often that is the person with the least amount of experience
• Ask if the painter is bonded or insured
• Get a written price quote that details everything that is included in the price. Often painters will give a low quote and then at the end of the job they add a lot of items and the price far exceeds their quote. You want details including what brand of paint they will use.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been complaints filed against the individual
• Do not hire someone who needs you to pay up-front. If they need the cost of materials up-front suggest that you will go to the store and purchase the materials for them to use, or at least make them give you an itemized receipt showing the cost of the materials.

Evaluating Offers and Quotes

The process of getting your apartment or house painted involves not just selecting the right colors or finishes but also choosing the right professionals to do the job. It’s vital to understand how to effectively evaluate offers and quotes to ensure quality work at the right price.

How to Ask for a Quote

When reaching out to professionals for a quote, be prepared to provide specific details. This might include the total square footage of the area to be painted, the number of rooms, any special surfaces or finishes, and potential challenges like high ceilings or textured walls. Being precise and comprehensive ensures the quote you receive is as accurate as possible.

Hidden Fees to Watch Out For

It’s not uncommon for professionals to have additional fees that might not be immediately evident in their initial quote. This could be service charges, consultation fees, or even costs for preliminary site visits. Always ask for a detailed breakdown of costs to ensure any hidden charges don’t catch you off guard.

Comparing Multiple Quotes

Don’t settle for the first quote you receive. It’s wise to solicit multiple quotes from different professionals. This not only gives you a clearer picture of the market rate but also allows you to gauge the value offered by each service provider. 

When comparing, look beyond just the total cost. Consider the quality of materials they propose to use, the estimated time for completion, any guarantees or warranties offered, and reviews or references from past clients.

How to Figure How Many Square Feet Your Apartment

Before you can calculate the cost of painting the apartment you have to be able to calculate the square footage. 

To figure the square footage you need to measure all of the walls that you intend to paint. You want the length of each wall. Write the lengths down, and after you have measured all of them add those figures together to discern the total length.

Once you have the total length figured out you will need to multiply that number by the height of the walls. The standard height of a wall is 8’, but there are walls built to 10’ and greater. Measure the height of your wall at the highest position if you have a vaulted or raised ceiling.

 The number you come up with will be the square footage that you are painting.

Figuring Out How Much Paint Is Needed in an Apartment

When you are going to paint your apartment, you have to know how much paint will be required. This is true for the people who are going to do a DIY painting of their space and the people who are going to hire a professional. 

DIY painters need to know how much paint to buy and people hiring pros should know how much paint the pro will truly need so they can make sure they are not being taken advantage of.

You should have the square footage of the walls you are painting written down. To calculate the exact amount of paint you need to buy you divide the square footage by 400. The majority of paints will cover a 400-square-foot area.

(Tip) You will likely have to apply more than one coat of paint so if you have 800 square feet of paint you need to buy enough paint to cover 1600 square feet because you will be painting 800 feet two times. 

(Tip) You need to consider the texture of the walls. If your wall is highly textured then you may need more paint to cover it completely than you would need if you were painting a smooth surface.

Primer usually covers fewer square feet than the paint. A typical gallon of paint can cover about 400 square feet and the typical gallon of primer will cover between 200 and 300 square feet.

To discover the exact amount of primer that you will need you to take the total number of square feet and divide it by 200 or 300 depending on the primer type and brand you have purchased. 

(Tip) Remember that spray guns use up to 40% more paint than a brush and roller do. Keep this in mind when you are figuring out how much paint to buy.

Apartment Wall Paint Needs

Ceiling Paints for an Apartment

The square footage of the ceiling is determined by multiplying the length of the room by the width of the room. It is recommended that you measure each room individually and then add up the figures of the rooms you will paint.

 Once you have your square footage calculated divide that number by 400 to get the precise amount you will need. Remember to figure in second coats that may be required.

Estimated Cost to Paint an Apartment

The biggest financial contributor to the cost of a DIY paint project is the paint and materials you buy. The cost of primer, paint, and specialty coatings can vary greatly. 

How to Save Money on Paint

Many different things change painting costs. There are a few things that you can do if you want to save money on paint and supplies.

• Buy high-quality paint. It looks like the bargain basement paint will cost less, but you will need more coats and will get a worse finish if you buy the bargain basement paint.
• Rent equipment like paint sprayers or electric rollers rather than buying them outright.
• Buy primer in five-gallon containers because you can often save a lot of money buying in bulk. It stores well and you can share the cost with a friend who may be going to paint soon.
• Remove trim and do repairs for yourself to reduce labor cost
• Shop at discount stores or large suppliers instead of at paint-specific stores Lowes, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and many other retailers carry paint and supplies at a reduced cost. The brands available at these stores will be limited.

If you want to use Benjamin Moore on your paint job then read how much does Benjamin Moore paint costs?

How Much Does Painting Accessories Cost?

DIY Apartment Painting Advice from the Expert

• One coat of paint has primer added to it. Do not trust a lighter color of one coat of paint to cover over darker paint colors or to cover over stains that may be on the wall. If your surface area is a dark color or is heavily stained then use primer and one coat of paint to get the ultimate finish.
• Primer covers stains, watermarks, and older colors, and helps to create a smooth surface. Primer makes your paint job better to look at and makes it last longer.
• Let the primer dry completely before you try to paint over it. Dry to the touch means you can touch the surface without getting transferred onto your skin. A full dryness happens when you can press firmly against the surface and the color does not transfer to your hands.
• Allow plenty of ventilation in the area. Paint fumes can be toxic when they are trapped in a small space and have no way to dissipate
• Wear protective eye-coverings at all times. Rollers can splatter tiny paint drops that can get into your eyes and cause severe damage. Never take the chance of anything like paint getting in your eyes.
• If you do not want paint on your hair wear a head covering.
• Paint sprayers are faster than rollers and brushes.
• Paint sprayers are messier than rollers or brushes. When using a paint sprayer increase your prep time to at least twice what you think it should be.
• Preparation is the key to a flawless finish. Take the time to repair minor damages, sand away rough spots, and create a better surface and it will look better when painted.
• Oil-based paints cannot be cleaned off of brushes or surfaces without a paint remover like mineral spirits or turpentine.

Final Considerations

Painting your apartment is a great way to express your style. The best thing that you can do is consider how much you can afford to spend on the project and then compare the costs of doing it for yourself or hiring a pro. If your budget is small you might want to consider painting one room at a time or walls and ceilings at different times.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much paint do I need for a 1-bedroom apartment? 

For a 1-bedroom apartment, the amount of paint required depends on various factors like the size of the rooms, the number of coats, and the type of paint being used. 

On average, a gallon of paint can cover 350 square feet with one coat. If you’re painting the entire apartment, including the living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, you might need anywhere from 2 to 5 gallons, depending on the surface area and assuming you’re applying two coats. 

Always measure the space and consult with the paint store to get a precise estimate.

Can I negotiate the price with professional painters? 

Yes, you can often negotiate the price with professional painters. While many painters have standard rates, there’s usually some room for discussion, especially if you’re offering a larger job or are flexible with scheduling. 

It’s a good practice to get multiple quotes to understand the market rate, which can give you a better position when negotiating. Remember, though, that the cheapest option isn’t always the best. Quality and reliability are essential factors to consider as well.

What are the most affordable months for painting?

The most affordable months for painting, particularly interior painting, are typically during the winter season. Demand for painting services tends to drop during colder months as people often delay home improvement projects. 

With reduced demand, painting companies might offer more competitive rates. However, if you’re considering exterior painting, weather conditions should be taken into account, as winter might not be suitable in many regions.

Do I need to vacate my apartment during the paint job?

It’s not always necessary to vacate your apartment entirely during a paint job, but it might be more comfortable to do so, especially if fumes or disruption could be an issue. 

Painters will need access to all areas being painted, and moving furniture and belongings can be part of the process. If using traditional paints, the fumes can be unpleasant and potentially harmful, so ensuring good ventilation and staying away for a few hours to a day might be advisable. 

If using low-VOC or VOC-free paints, the fumes are less of a concern. Discuss the specifics with your painting professional to determine the best course of action.