Is your apartment in need of some TLC and a fresh lick of paint? Or maybe you’ve recently moved into a new place with an existing color scheme that doesn’t quite adhere to your taste. Whatever the reason, you may now be questioning how much it will cost to paint your apartment.
The overall expense will be influenced by several factors. For example, is the task something that you would like to approach yourself, or are you going to be hiring the help of professionals? Also, consider the size of the area that is going to be painted.
In our guide below we have identified the costs that you are likely to encounter throughout the process along with the additional cost of the painting materials.
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Typically, the average cost of a professional painting an apartment can fall anywhere within the range of $1000 to $3000 depending on the complexity of the job and how many rooms require painting. Most will charge a certain amount for a standard paint project and this will often include the cost of preparing the apartment for painting and cleaning up afterward.
If you intend to paint your apartment yourself you will find that the cost is significantly cheaper. This is because you can source cheaper alternatives in regards to the equipment that you use and the paint that you select whilst ensuring that it doesn’t compromise on quality.
On the other hand, for those that do not have supplies on hand from previous painting jobs, the cost of purchasing these will increase the overall expense because you will require supplies and tools that you may not already have.
The necessary supplies will range from paint brushes, rollers, and tape to personal gear for you to wear e.g a paint suit, goggles, gloves, and respirator.
You will also require clothes to protect the flooring and furnishings in that room. It is likely that you will spend anything up to $400 on all of the painting supplies that you will need. Below, we have provided you with a list of the necessary supplies along with the expected cost of each.
Paint
A can of paint can cost anywhere from $15 to $40 with the price changing according to how many gallons, the brand, and the quality.
The price can also differ depending on the color that you choose because some will be more expensive than others.
Paint Brushes
The price of paint brushes can also vary. Whilst you will find some as cheap as $6, others can cost up to $30 and sometimes more.
When choosing your paint brushes it is important to ensure that you don’t compromise on the quality because you don’t want remnants of the bristles to cling to the surface that you have painted.
Paint Roller Covers
If you are going to be painting a larger surface, you will likely find it beneficial to opt for the use of a roller.
Roller covers are likely to cost around $10, whilst the frame will add a further cost of around $7.
Paint Tray
Paint trays tend to be a pretty affordable purchase with the most expensive options retailing for a maximum of $20.
You will often find that some brands offer sets that consist of the paint rollers and the tray which provides a more cost-effective option.
Roller Extension
Depending on the height of the walls, you may require a roller extension pole which will make higher walls easier to reach.
There are some cheap options available that cost around $12 and some expensive options that cost around $20.
Paint Primer
It is beneficial to use a paint primer before applying the first layer of paint because this will ensure that the paint adheres to the surface more effectively.
For a gallon of primer, you are likely to spend around $36. For a quart, the cost will be much less and you are more likely to spend around $15.
Tape
Painters tape is likely to cost between $6 to $8, however, you will find some affordable multipack options which will help tackle paint jobs on a larger scale.
Drop Clothes
A drop cloth is a protective sheet that tends to be made from plastic or cloth which will be needed to cover any furnishings in that room.
You should expect to pay between $6 to $15 on a drop cloth and this price will be influenced by the material in which it is made, the size, and the quality.
Protective Gear
- Mask – A disposable paint mask is likely to cost around $20, however, if you would prefer a more substantial covering such as a respiratory mask, you are likely to spend around $30.
- Goggles – safety goggles are necessary to protect your eyes from any splashes of paint. There are many options that cost around $12.
- Gloves – Some individuals may choose to wear gloves as they paint to protect their hands. Most disposable offerings cost approximately $8.
Whilst some people may require all of the supplies listed above, others may only require a few. As you can see, the cost of these supplies can fluctuate with some cheaper offerings and some that are more expensive.
You may choose to invest in higher-end offerings for greater reassurance in the quality, however, this does not mean that cheaper products are incomparable in regards to the quality because this isn’t the case.
For some supplies, there are also many cost-effective alternatives as you can purchase sets and those that come in multipacks.
Remember that the above list is solely based upon estimates. If you are painting a large room or multiple rooms, you will likely need to invest in more than one can of paint.
Although some people proceed to paint without the use of a primer, the use of such a product will influence the standard of the final results achieved but will also increase the cost. This is because, similar to paint, it is likely that you will require more than one can, especially if you are going to be painting more than one room.
Painting an apartment is going to be significantly cheaper than painting a house and a DIY attempt will also result in lower costs.
The Cost Of A Professional
As mentioned previously, the cost of hiring a professional will be significantly more expensive than doing it yourself, however, for those who don’t have a lot of confidence in a DIY approach, this may be the most feasible option.
There isn’t one fixed price that will be charged by every professional company. Though you may find some that seem rather costly, you will find others that charge less but still provide a high-quality service.
The size of the room and the number of rooms that require painting will also result in a different cost. Of course, if you are hiring a professional to paint all of the rooms inside of your apartment you will pay more than if you hire them to paint a single room.
The cost of a professional will also differ depending on the intricacies of the job. For example, if your apartment has access walls or the ceilings need to be painted along with the trims and doors, you are likely to witness an increase in the price. Also painting closets or cabinets will result in a different price.
Furthermore, the complexity of the design will also influence the cost. If you simply want all of the walls to be painted the same color you are likely to pay a lower price, however, if you have a particular design in mind that you want to emulate through the decor of a particular room the cost is likely to increase as a result.
It will also depend on the tools that the professional painter thinks that they will require to fulfill the task. Some more basic jobs are likely to require fewer tools.
Another factor to consider is whether the surface that is going to be painted on requires any repairs and whether the existing color is darker than the newer shade of paint. For example, if the wall has any damp patches, the paint can’t be directly applied to the problem area because the issue will need to be rectified beforehand.
In this instance, the cost is likely to increase because the professional will need to dedicate more time and effort to fixing and preparing the walls before they can begin painting properly.
When deciding to enlist a professional to paint your apartment, you may opt for a service provider that has more years of experience. This isn’t essential because there are many decorators that may not have the same amount of experience but still complete the job to a similarly high standard. Professionals with more years of experience are likely to reflect this in their cost by charging more.
The Size And Number Of Rooms That Are Going To Be Painted
The cost of painting will differ depending on the size of the room, the number of rooms that require painting, and the height of the ceiling, and this is the case regardless of whether you paint it yourself or hire a professional.
When doing it yourself, you will spend more on larger/multiple rooms because it is very unlikely that one can of paint is going to cover the whole job, especially if a few coats of paint are going to be required.
Most professional painters base the overall cost of the job on these factors too, charging a total cost rather than an hourly rate.
The cost will be based on the square footage of the room with the average charge being a maximum of $3 per square foot. However, some decorators will charge more than this at approximately $6 per square foot.
Because apartments tend to have smaller and fewer rooms than a house, you are more likely to pay a lesser amount per square foot. The majority of average-sized apartments are likely to cost a maximum of just over $3,500 but expect this figure to differ if your apartment is slightly larger.
For apartments with high walls, the total cost is going to be higher because there is more surface area that needs to be painted.
Another factor refers to the number of rooms that you want to be painted and whether they are of a similar size. Although apartments have fewer rooms than a house, the rooms can still differ in size. If you want someone to paint your whole apartment you will of course pay more than if you hired someone to paint one or two rooms.
The number and size of rooms will also determine the labor that is required. For example, jobs on a larger scale will likely call for more workers to ensure that it is completed on time.
As a result, the cost will be affected because more workers will need to be paid. Closely linked is the amount of time that the job will take to finish. If your whole apartment is going to be painted it is likely to take a few days longer than a singular room so you will be required to pay a daily rate.
Many professionals will carry out a home visit before completing the job to assess the areas that need to be painted and see whether any repair work needs to be done in preparation. This will also allow them to visually see the area and arrive at a figure to which the job is going to amount.
For those who are going to be painting their apartment themselves, to assess the volume of paint that is needed, you will need to measure the room beforehand. The paint can will state the surface area that the paint is expected to cover.
Once you have measured the area you will have a better understanding of how many cans of paint you need. In most cases, you will need multiple cans rather than just one.
The majority of walls will require at least 2 coats of paint, although depending on the quality, you may end up needing to apply more than this and because more paint is going to be used, you will need to purchase more cans as a result. It is also worth noting that drywalls are prone to absorbing more paint so this will affect the volume that is required.
Other Factors that Will Affect the Cost
The Finish of the Paint
There are many different types of paints available which have different finishes. These include matte, eggshell, semi-gloss, and satin. The type that you choose will depend on the desired look of the room that is being decorated. Satin and eggshell tend to be the most commonly sought after.
The cost of the paint can differ depending on its finish. Matt paints tend to be significantly cheaper than the other offerings. Considering the costs associated with each type of finish may influence the type of paint that you choose.
The Color of the Paint
Though we have touched upon this previously, it is also important to remember that the color of the paint can affect the cost that you are likely to pay.
Whilst more neutral colors typically provide the most affordable options, those that are slightly more unique and vibrant will retail within a higher price range.
Saving Money when Painting Your Apartment
There are a few ways of lowering the cost of painting your apartment should you decide to take on the job yourself.
Opting for affordable resources doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice the overall quality of the finished results.
The Paint And Supplies
Be cautious with the type of paint that you choose, whilst it may feel tempting to splurge on the first one that you see in a shade that you like, it is worth shopping around and doing some research beforehand. You may end up finding a more affordable offering from a different trustworthy supplier.
Also, try and purchase the amount of paint that you are going to need. Purchasing a few cans without evaluating how much you are likely to use beforehand may see you with a large volume of paint leftover without an intended use for it.
Additionally, it is important to choose the correct paint finish for the room that you are going to be decorating. You can also choose between latex paints and oil based paints although the latter isn’t recommended for those who lack previous experience of painting because they can be a little more difficult to work with and clean following use.
There will be cheaper retailers of paint supplies available too. Of course, it is important to ensure that you don’t opt for supplies that seem surprisingly cheap because this may be reflected in the quality, however, you do have the flexibility to invest in options that accommodate your budget.
Make Use of Rented Supplies
Some retailers will offer a service that allows you to rent out paint supplies rather than purchase them. This is particularly useful for those who are unlikely to require the use of paint supplies in the future.
Instead of investing in an array of different pieces of equipment that will only be used on a singular occasion, you will only have these supplies to hand as and when needed.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t a definitive figure regarding the cost of painting your apartment because the total expense can be influenced by a selection of factors, one of the most significant being who will be responsible for completing the job; a professional service or yourself.
It will also be determined by the size and number of rooms that need to be painted. Aside from this, the number of supplies that you require, the type of paint that you choose and the quality will also influence how much you should expect to pay.
A DIY House attempt is likely to cost around $400 depending on the scale of the project, whilst a professional job is likely to cost at least $1000.
