Apartment painting cost: How much should you budget in the US?

Home improvement projects often tempt us to roll up our sleeves and save money. But before you rush to the hardware store, you must consider what professional painters bring to the table. Unlike occasional DIYers, professional painters have invested in specialized tools and developed techniques that allow them to achieve crisp lines, even coverage, and durable finishes that truly improve spaces.

In the US, apartment painting typically costs between $700 and $3,100, depending on factors like apartment size, wall condition, paint quality, and local labor rates. This guide breaks down what affects pricing and how to get the best value for your next paint job.

Apartment painting price list

Painting your apartment with certain colors can boost its value by up to $5,000, making it a worthwhile investment. However, the actual costs involved vary depending on your location. For instance, painters in major cities tend to charge more, while remote areas may have higher prices due to material access. 

To get a clearer idea of what to expect, refer to the pricing table below.

A tradesman carefully preparing paint during a home renovation project.  (Source: Shutterstock)

Factors affecting apartment painting costs

Now that we've discussed the cost of apartment painting based on location, it's time to tackle the different factors that influence the cost of the service.

Apartment size

The size of your apartment significantly influences your overall painting costs, with larger spaces naturally requiring more time, paint, and labor. For bedroom painting costs, expect to pay between $340 and $2,480 per room, depending on wall condition, ceiling height, and the complexity of trims and fixtures. 

If your apartment includes outdoor areas, factor in additional deck painting costs, typically ranging from $125 to $850, depending on size and condition. Deck surfaces require specialized weather-resistant paints and often need more extensive preparation work, including sanding and sealing, which can increase your project budget by 20-30% compared to interior spaces. 

Here’s a price table based on square footage:

Materials

Most painters will already provide the materials needed for the project. But if you want to supply your own materials and just pay for the labor fee, you can always ask your painter if that's something they can accommodate. Nonetheless, take note of the materials needed for apartment painting. The rule of thumb is the higher the paint quality, the higher the service fee. While it's more expensive to buy good-quality paint, you can be assured that the result will last for years.

Task complexity

Aside from painting, your painter might also need to do other tasks requiring more time and labor. These include prepping walls, moving furniture, and cleaning up waste. Since these tasks take more time and effort, they will be included in the final cost of the service. You might also be required to pay more if you have higher ceilings to paint or walls with intricate details.

The cost of painting the exterior of an apartment building might also be different from interior painting. Often, exterior painting is more expensive, requiring more paint ingredients to strengthen toughness, moisture resistance, and UV color corrosion.

Reasons to book a professional apartment painter

You’re probably wondering whether to hire a professional painter or just take on the task yourself. While it’s cheaper to go the DIY route, there’s no guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the result. Here are the top reasons why hiring a pro painter is the better option:

They help you save time

Let's face it: Painting your entire apartment is a big job. Professionals can knock out what might take you a full week of evenings and weekends in just a day or two. They arrive with everything they need, protect your furniture, and clean up when they’re done. You don’t have to spend your precious free time balancing on ladders or washing paint rollers in the bathtub. 

Instead, you can simply leave for work in the morning and come home to freshly painted walls.

They provide quality work

Most DIY paint jobs go wrong before the first stroke of paint. This is because professional painters don’t just slap paint on walls. Instead, they carefully prepare each surface. They’ll fix holes, sand rough patches, and clean walls properly before painting. They’ll also use the right primers and know exactly how many coats your walls need. This thorough preparation makes a professional paint job look good for years instead of months.

They actually save your money in the long run

Hiring painters might seem expensive at first, but do the math. You must buy quality paint, primers, rollers, brushes, trays, drop cloths, painter’s tape, and maybe even ladders. Professionals already have all the tools and can often get paint at trade discounts. Plus, if your DIY job goes wrong, you might end up paying professionals to fix it anyway. A properly done professional paint job lasts longer, meaning you won’t need to repaint as often. 

The professional option often makes more financial sense when you add it all up. When you hire a professional painter, you no longer need to worry about the materials and supplies needed since they already have those in their gear. 

 A handyman painting a white wall with a roller. (Source: Shutterstock)

Post your apartment painting task now

When you’re finally ready to hire a painter for your apartment, Airtasker makes finding the right professional simple. Just post your job with clear details, compare quotes from verified local painters, and select someone who matches your needs and budget

If it's your first time posting a task, just remember to include these details: 

1. Your budget
2. Your location
3. The size of your apartment
4. Number of ceilings

Post your painting task on Airtasker today and connect with skilled painters near you!