What interior painting covers
Interior jobs range from a single bedroom to every wall, ceiling and door in the house. The work usually includes moving and covering furniture, protecting floors, patching holes and cracks, sanding, caulking trim gaps, priming stains or patches and then two coats of finish paint. Cleanup and putting the room back in order should be part of the price.
- Walls and ceilings
- Baseboards, crown molding, window and door trim
- Interior doors and stair rails
- Plaster repair and drywall patching
- Stain blocking after water leaks
Plaster walls in older homes
Many older houses in Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Pelham and Bronxville still have plaster walls and ceilings. Plaster is durable, but it develops hairline cracks, and older layers of paint can be oil-based. A painter needs to repair cracks properly and use a bonding primer where latex goes over oil. In homes built before 1978, sanding or scraping old paint falls under the EPA lead-safe rules, and the contractor must be Lead-Safe Certified.
Choosing finishes and colors
Flat or matte finishes hide wall flaws and suit ceilings and bedrooms. Eggshell and satin wipe clean more easily and work in living areas and hallways. Semi-gloss is common on trim and doors and in bathrooms. Ask your painter for sample patches on the actual wall before deciding, since light changes a color a great deal.
Scheduling
Interior painting can be done all year, which makes the colder months a good time to book. Many homeowners schedule interior rooms in late fall and winter and save the exterior for summer. Ask how long each room will be out of use and whether the crew can work around your schedule.
Getting a useful estimate
Walk the painter through every room you want done and point out cracks, stains and any spots that had water damage. Say whether ceilings, trim, doors and closets are included, and whether you plan a color change, since dark-to-light changes take more coats. A clear written estimate lists each room, the prep, the paint line and finish for walls and trim, the number of coats and how the crew will protect floors and furniture. Comparing bids is much easier when they all cover the same rooms and surfaces.
Typical interior painting costs
Published national ranges from This Old House.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Whole interior | $1,800 to $10,000 |
| Per square foot of floor space | $1 to $4 |
| Bedroom | $300 to $800 |
| Living room | $600 to $2,000 |
| Ceilings, per square foot | $1 to $2.50 |
| Trim, per linear foot | $1 to $3 |
Ranges are national averages, not quotes. Your price depends on ceiling height, wall condition, plaster repair, the amount of trim, color changes and paint choice. Many painters also have a job minimum.
Questions homeowners ask
Do I need to move my furniture before the painters come?
Most painters move furniture to the middle of the room and cover it, but it helps to clear small items, art and anything fragile yourself. Ask what is included when you get the estimate.
Can I stay in the house while rooms are painted?
Usually yes. Low-odor water-based paints make that easier. Painters can work room by room so the rest of the house stays usable.
How long should interior paint last?
Walls in low-traffic rooms can look good for many years, while hallways, kitchens and kids' rooms wear sooner. Quality paint in a washable finish helps busy areas last longer.
Other services
House painting
Full interior or exterior repaints for houses of every age.
Exterior painting
Siding, trim, porches and doors, with the prep older homes need.
Cabinet painting and refinishing
A new look for kitchen and bath cabinets without replacing them.
Deck and fence staining
Cleaning, sealing and staining for wood decks and fences.
Power washing and surface prep
Cleaning and prep for siding, decks and walks before paint or stain.
Commercial painting
Storefronts, offices and multi-family buildings.