Interior painting costs $300-$7,000 depending on scope. See 2026 pricing for single rooms, whole houses, accent walls, and cabinet painting.
Interior painting is one of the highest-impact, most affordable home improvements. Costs depend on room size, ceiling height, and how much prep work is needed. Here are typical 2026 prices for professional interior painting.
Single Room (12x12)
Whole House (3 bedroom)
Accent Wall
Cabinet Painting (kitchen)
Painters charge by square footage of wall space. A standard 12x12 room has roughly 400 sq ft of wall area.
Rooms with 9-10 ft ceilings cost 15-25% more than standard 8 ft ceilings due to extra wall area and ladder work.
Builder-grade paint costs $20-$30/gallon. Premium brands (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams) run $50-$80/gallon but cover better and last longer.
Walls with holes, cracks, or peeling paint need repair before painting. Extensive prep can add 30-50% to the total cost.
Two coats are standard. Dark-to-light color changes or fresh drywall may require primer plus two coats, adding 25-35% to labor.
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A professional crew can paint a standard room in 4-6 hours including prep. A full 3-bedroom house takes 3-5 days.
DIY saves 50-70% on cost but takes 3-4x longer. Professionals deliver cleaner lines, better prep, and handle high or difficult areas safely.
High-traffic areas (hallways, kitchens) benefit from repainting every 3-5 years. Bedrooms and low-traffic rooms can go 5-10 years between painting.
Compare prices from top-rated, licensed professionals in your area.