Enter your rooms, paint grade, ceiling height, and labor preference below. The estimate updates live with a line-item breakdown, contingency reserve, and realistic timeline.
By Alexander Georges ·
At a glance
Interior painting costs $2,500 to $5,500 for a typical 1,500 to 2,500 sqft home in 2026, with DIY at $600 to $1,200 in supplies versus $3,000 to $6,000 for a professional crew.
Typical cost
$2,500 to $5,500
Pro, 5-room interior
Time
2 to 3 days
Pro crew
DIY savings
50 to 70%
Vs. pro labor
Permit
Not required
Project scope
Paint & coverage
Mid-grade is the best value for most interiors
Labor & location
Cost varies significantly by region
Estimated total range
$5.5K
–$7.4K
Most likely: $6,475
Line-item breakdown
Paint (11 gal, mid)
1,920 sqft walls, 2 coats
$715
Pro labor
1,920 sqft × $3.00/sqft
$5,760
Subtotal
$6,475
Contingency (+10%)
$648
Total
$6,475
Typical timeline: 2–3 days with pros
Numbers update as you adjust inputs. 2026 national averages.
How this calculator works
Want the full data behind these numbers? Read the 2026 Home Improvement Cost Report, our synthesis of public industry sources for project costs across 22 categories and every region.
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Frequently asked
The estimate is typically accurate to within ±15% for standard interior projects in average-cost markets. Accuracy decreases for: homes with heavily damaged walls requiring repair, very old homes with lead paint (requires certified abatement), rooms with extensive custom trim or molding, and HCOL markets where contractor pricing varies widely. Use the estimate for budgeting; get 2-3 contractor bids before committing.
Pro labor typically includes: furniture moving and covering, wall prep (patching, sanding, caulking small imperfections), taping, priming where needed, two coats of paint, touch-ups, and cleanup. It does NOT typically include: major drywall repair, wallpaper removal, lead or asbestos abatement, or dramatic color changes requiring extra coats. Ask for a written scope before signing.
DIY typically saves 50-70% of the total cost on painting projects, making it one of the highest-ROI DIY projects. For a 5-room interior job, DIY runs $600-1,200 in paint and supplies; pros run $3,000-6,000. The tradeoff is time: DIY takes 3-5x longer and requires prep and cleanup effort. DIY makes the most sense when you own basic painting tools, have flexible time, and will do a few rooms regularly (spreading learning curve).
Primer is required when: painting over new drywall, painting over dark colors with lighter colors, covering stains or marker, changing sheen type (flat to semi-gloss), or painting over bare wood or metal. Skip primer when: refreshing the same color, both colors are similar and mid-tone, using premium paint-and-primer-in-one products (though these work best color-to-color, not over bare surfaces). Budget an extra $100-200 in primer for rooms that need it.
Pros complete about 2-3 rooms per day for a crew of 2-3 painters. A typical 5-room interior takes pros 2-3 days. DIY takes 3-5x longer: expect 6-8 hours per room for one person doing walls only, 10-12 hours per room if also doing ceilings and trim. Drying time between coats is 2-4 hours for latex paint. Allow 24 hours before heavy use (furniture against walls).