Home project cost
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room?
Paint a 12x14 ft room (walls, ceiling, trim)
DIY range
$120-$350
Professional range
$400-$1,200
What drives the cost
- Number of coats needed
- Ceiling height and trim detail
- Prep work — patching, sanding, taping
- Local labour rates
Paint itself is rarely the expensive part of painting a room — labour is. That's why the DIY-to-pro gap is so wide for a job that costs little in materials.
What drives the professional quote
- Ceilings over 9 feet add a scaffold or extension pole charge
- Dark-to-light colour changes need an extra coat
- Heavy patching or wallpaper removal is priced separately
- Trim and doors are often quoted per linear foot, not included in the 'room' price
Put this into practice
- Paint CalculatorHow much paint do I need for this room?
- Project Cost EstimatorWhat will this project cost me?
More cost guides
- How Much Does New Flooring Cost?Cost ranges per square foot for laminate, LVT, engineered wood, and tile flooring, installed and DIY.
- How Much Does It Cost to Tile a Bathroom?Cost ranges for tiling a bathroom floor and shower surround, DIY and professional, and where the money goes.
- How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck?Cost per square foot for pressure-treated, cedar, and composite decks, DIY and contractor-built.