How much painters charge per square foot

Q: How much does it cost to paint a 100 sq ft room?

If youre just painting the walls of a 100 square foot room, you can expect to pay between $150 and $350. Generally, this size room describes a small bedroom or large bathroom.

Once the construction of a home is complete, people spend the maximum time finalising the colour they wish to adorn their walls. Many people prefer to rework the interiors before moving into their new homes. A major part of this process involves painting the walls and the ceiling of the property with colour/s that reflect their design preference and personality. For many, giving their home a new life in the form of fresh colours is a vital part of the home cleaning process every couple of years or so. But, while the procedure sounds creative and customisable, it generally requires money, efforts, and a plan to complete it. As the cost of painting a home often varies based on the available options, here is a comprehensive guide breaking down the different aspects of the process.

Interior painting vs exterior painting

The first step is to determine the surface that has to be painted. If you live in an apartment, you may only be able to get the interior walls painted, whereas if you own a villa or a row house, you may also paint its exteriors.

Generally, the cost of exterior paint is lesser than the paint meant for the interiors. The cost of exterior paint may range between Rs 10 per sq ft and Rs 40 per sq ft, whereas the cost of interior paints varies between Rs 20 per sq ft and Rs 200 per sq ft.

Also, while the exterior paint cost is relatively lower, applying it is more cumbersome and time-consuming due to the requirement of scaffolding and extensive levelling and sanding of the walls.

Rohit Gupta, Co-founder and Principal Architect, Nirvana Consultants and Engineers, shares a noteworthy tip, “It is not advisable to use exterior paints for indoor use. This is because exterior paints contain additives and extra resins to make them withstand rain, storms, and sunlight without cracking or fading. Such ingredients lead to outgassing (release of a chemical in gaseous mode) in the form of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are solvents that get released into the air while the paint is being applied and left for drying. They can cause acute symptoms, including dizziness and headaches, hence should not be used for painting the interiors.”

Types of paints

The type of paint used can significantly affect the cost of painting your home. The following are the different varieties of paints:

Distemper paint

This is a cost-effective water-based paint. The standard nomenclature for using this paint is ‘whitewashing’. It is inexpensive and easy to apply but not a long-lasting one. It fades and peels off when wet since it is non-washable. The cost of distemper paint begins from Rs 10 per sq ft.

Emulsion paint

This type of paint is water or oil-based. It dries off rapidly and gives an excellent finish. Emulsion paint provides exceptional durability and, to an extent, can be cleaned by washing with a cloth soaked in a detergent solution. Some of these paints have anti-fungal properties as well. These can be classified into plastic emulsion paint and acrylic emulsion paint.

The cost of emulsion paint depends on the type of finish required, such as glossy and matte, among others. It ranges from Rs 12 per sq ft to Rs 60 per sq ft.

Enamel paint

These enamels are applied onto surfaces where a high amount of activity is expected since they are durable, easy to clean and offer varied glossy effects. They are also water and stain-resistant and generally used for metal and wooden surfaces. The cost of emulsion paints starts from Rs 80 per sq ft.

Lustre paint

As the name suggests, lustre paints (oil or water-based) provide a pearl-like smooth finish. Lustre paints are highly washable. However, these are not recommended for quick works since they emit an odour for some time, even after getting completely dry. The cost of lustre paints ranges between Rs 26 per sq ft and Rs 30 per sq ft.

Texture paint

These types of paints are used on accent walls or show walls. Their application requires special tools, including knives, rollers, brushes and trowels, and materials, such as putty to create a 3D texture. Generally, texture paints are voluminous and have a tactile feel. Texture paint is also the most expensive option, ranging from Rs 80 per sq ft to Rs 200 per sq ft.

What is the per sq ft cost of painting?

Type of paintCost of paintingDistemper paintRs 10 per sq ftEmulsion paintRs 12-60 per sq ftEnamel paintRs 80 per sq ftLustre paintRs 26-30 per sq ftTexture paintRs 80-200 per sq ft

How to select the right paint and colour for your home?

There are various aspects, such as shine level, durability, and usage basis which you may decide which paint to opt for.

Water-based paint vs oil-based paint

CategoryWater-based paint (Distemper, emulsion, lustre, texture)Oil-based paint
(Enamel, emulsion, lustre)CharacteristicsProvides a satisfactory sheen finish for an extended periodHigh sheen level, but fades over timeLow resistance to wear-and-tearHigh resistance to wear-and-tearLess susceptible to crackingMore susceptible to crackingLow level of VOC emissionsHigh level of VOC emissionsUsageMore suited for exterior useMore suited for interior useCan tolerate small amounts of moisture on a surface before applicationThe surface must be completely dry before applicationApplicationLesser application time as compared to oil paintsRequires more application time than water paintsLess odour after paintingMore odour after painting (gives off the newly painted smell)Drying time30-60 minutes for touch dry6-8 hours for touch dry1-4 weeks to fully harden2-3 days to fully harden

Additional costs

Apart from the paint itself, several other materials, such as putty and primer, are needed for painting your property. Further, if you decide to have professionals paint your home, you have to think about the cost of labour.

Putty

This white cement-based, water-resistant material is used to level out imperfections and undulations on the concerned surface. Generally, one kg of putty provides 15 sq ft to 35 sq ft of coverage, with its cost being around Rs 50 per kg.

Primer

This material works as a base for the paint and enhances its look. The costs differ depending on the various kinds of primers available in the market. One litre primer provides 210-270 sq ft of coverage. The cost per litre of primer ranges between Rs 140 and Rs 200. Generally, contractors apply a coat of primer before using putty for better paint adherence.

Painting labour cost

The cost of labour is approximately 3/2 (1.5 times) of the expense incurred for materials. For example, if the material cost is Rs 5,000, the labour cost would be ((3/2)*5,000) - Rs 7,500. Nevertheless, the cost may vary across cities. For instance, the cost of labour in metro cities is higher than the non-metro cities. You can also save the labour expenditure by doing the painting yourself, but only if you have the time, energy and basic know-how to do a good job.

Fresh painting or repainting

Whether your home is being freshly painted or repainted will also affect the overall cost. Fresh painting needs 1-2 coats (one coat = one layer) of putty, a coat of primer and at least 2-3 coats of paint. On the other hand, repainting needs minimal putty for touch-up, a coat of primer, and 1-2 layers of paint. Naturally, fresh painting costs more than repainting.

Cost headerCostPuttyRs 50 per kgPrimerRs 140-200 per litrePainting labour cost1.5 times of cost of materialFresh painting/repaintingVaries as per the type of paint

Also, if you use a single colour to paint all the rooms in your home, the cost will be lesser than if you use multiple colours.

How do I estimate the paint quantity for my house?

It is advisable to calculate the paint quantity beforehand. While the owners can connect with contractors to get the estimate. To roughly calculate the expenditure, you can follow the below metric:

The quantity of paint depends on the space whether it's the interior or exterior of a house. Generally, 25 to 30 litres of paint would be required to paint the area of 1000 square feet.

Tips for painting the house

Always buy good quality, branded paints even if it means shelling out extra money.
Do not forget to treat the walls with a water-resistant product before painting, as it reduces seepage or dampness from setting in.
Choose the paint for rooms depending on how much natural light they receive. For instance, a dark room should be painted in a warm tone while a brighter room can boast of a cool hue perfectly.

Things to do before starting home-painting

A fresh coat of paint can make even tiny holes look prominent. So, ask the painter to fill the holes before starting the painting process
Ask the painters to clean the walls before beginning the process. A lot of dust and debris get stuck to walls. You can also get it cleaned with damp clothe or vacuum it for a better experience
If you are painting a light colour over a dark shade, always opt for a primer
Remove or cover the furniture with tarpaulin before the painting starts

How to save on home-painting costs?

Calculate your requirements

Before hiring painters and arranging for the material, it is important that you calculate your requirements in the correct way. Calculate the total painting space, paint type, carpet area, number of doors and windows. Accordingly, consider the kind of paint you are going to bring. This will avoid wastage and you will be able to save on it.

Factor in all kinds of requirements

Most people skip the waterproofing process and then repair the damage caused by the seepage, resulting in additional expenditure. It is important to evaluate the wall conditions and include all the processes that can go a long way.

Reconsider using primer

Primer is usually required when you are changing the shades from dark to lighter hues or from higher sheen to lower sheen. You can do away with the primer cost if you are choosing the shades in the same or related colour family.

To conclude, the cost of painting your home is influenced by various factors, such as the area of the house, exterior or interior painting, fresh painting or repainting, and the type of paint involved. It is a good idea to speak to the professionals to arrive at the right home painting cost. You can also talk to your friends or family members who have had their homes painted lately. Old experiences might not help as there might be some cost revisions over the years.

What do most painters charge hourly?

While less common, some painters will calculate their labor costs per hour. Hourly rates for a professional painter will average $20 to $50 for basic painting but can increase to $100 per hour, or more, for specialty work such as murals or specialty paint.

How do I estimate the cost of painting a room?

The average cost to paint the interior of a home is $2.75 per square foot. If you include walls, trim, and ceilings the cost per square foot is $4.69. If repairs are needed before painting, you'll likely pay more. This assumes you hire a professional painter to do the job versus doing it yourself.

How do you charge for a paint job?

Some contractors use a rough base rate of $1.50 or $2.00 per square foot, some multiply 4 to 6 times the paint cost, some estimate the time the job will take and add it to an estimate of materials—and some may simply offer the lowest price to outbid the competition.

How much does it cost to paint a 100 sq ft room?

If you're just painting the walls of a 100 square foot room, you can expect to pay between $150 and $350. Generally, this size room describes a small bedroom or large bathroom.