In general, painters price jobs according to the square footage of space to be painted, the type of paint used, and the number of coats required for the job. Let’s drill a bit deeper into the answer.

Are you thinking about hiring a painter but want to know more about what and how they charge? Here is everything you need to know about painting prices.

“How hard could it be?” Trust me; those are famous last words.

That phrase is a phrase uttered by someone who is about to find out just how “hard” it can be to paint their own house.

Hiring a house painter is a smart decision for someone who wants to leave it to the professionals and ensure that their house doesn’t look like a child’s craft project, but how much can you expect to pay?

Painting prices vary from painter to painter based on the size of your project and the area you live in, but you should understand why you’re paying what you are.

Read on to find out how painters determine their painting prices!

Factor #1: The Size of Your House

The first factor that a painter uses to determine the cost of their services is the size and scope of the project in front of them.

After all, a 600-square-foot studio apartment is worlds apart from a 2,500-square-foot, four-bedroom house.

But, it’s not only the size of the house itself that contributes to pricing. It’s also based on what you actually want to be painted. Just the walls? How about the ceiling or the trim?

A painter will inquire about what exactly your painting project entails before sending you a quote for the project.

Factor #2: The Cost of the Paint

Believe it or not, not all paint is created equal. We all know that paint comes in various colors, but it also comes in different qualities. From $15/gallon to $80/gallon, the price of your project will highly depend on the paint that you choose.

Besides paint, there may be other materials that your painter needs to buy. This could include paint brushes, tarps, paint, rollers, etc.

Factor #3: The Labor

When paying to have your house painted, the biggest thing that you are paying for is convenience. Essentially, you’re paying for someone else’s expertise and labor.

The amount that you pay for labor will depend. For one, how many painters will you hire? Is one person going to complete the job by themselves or is this going to be a team effort?

Now, what experience level do these painters have? The more established the painters are, the more they will likely charge. This is especially true if your project requires any specialized skills that not every painter possesses.

Also, remember that more goes into painting than you might think. Is there any preparation or cleanup that the painters will have to do? That will take their time as well.

Think about how many hours your project will take, and that will give you more insight into why the pricing is what it is.

Painting Prices Vary

It’s important that you hire painters within your budget, but it’s also key to remember that you are paying for someone else to perform a service for you. At the end of the day, they also need to take home money for their materials and hard work.

Shop around for painting services that best meet your needs and if in doubt, ask your painters to be transparent about their painting prices.