How much can I expect to pay for painting interior and exterior on a new home?

Thanks so much for your question. Well this question has a lot of variations in the answer. When we talk about the interior we have several factors to consider. Are the rooms going to have different colors? Many people today like to have the main areas of their home painted a common neutral color and that means that when the paint is purchased you will need several gallons of the same color. This means the paint can be purchased in larger quantity and the painter can get a discount and the savings gets passed on to the home owner. 

If there are a lot of variations of colors in rooms, then he has to buy a few gallons for each different room color and this results in more cost for him and you.

Another thing to consider is the how are you going to finish the doors and trim? If they are painted matching colors to the rooms, then the cost will be considerably less. If you are going to have the trim painted with a contrasting color that will increase the cost. Or, if you are planning on having the doors and trim stained and finished, that will up the price too.

Plus you have to take into consideration any stairs or railing that need to be painted or stained and any other items like cabinets or shelving.

When it comes to the exterior of the home, there are things we need to consider also. What type of exterior wall covering are we talking about? Is it wood, stucco etc.? Are there overhangs, fascia, windows involved? Most of the homes today are geared up to have as much maintenance free material used to make upkeep as simple as possible. So aluminum or vinyl is used a lot for the exterior sofits, fascia and windows. The exterior doors can come prefinished from the factory and others come primed and ready to paint.

So when you factor in all this, again the price can vary a lot. Add decks, railing and stairs and there is even more cost.

I know this is not a direct answer because it is almost impossible to give you an direct answer. However I can give you some price ranges and then when you get bids you can compare them. Remember when you do get prices, the lowest price is not always the best price. Do your research on the company, ask the better business bureau and check with the Home Builders association or Ange's List and be sure to ask friends and family as well. Remember references can sometimes be the most reliable information since people will be sharing their personal experiences with the company they used.

Here are some price ranges for you to consider.

Interior painting can range in price from about $1.00 to $2.00 per sq. ft. depending on how many color changes you decide to have and the type of paint you are going to use.

Interior trim will range from about $.25 to $.75 per lineal foot again this will depend the paint and or stain and finish you decide on. Although railings will cost about the same, some painters would rather price them as one price. 

If you are painting the interior doors, then you can figure them in with the wall painting. If you are going to have them stained and finished, again the painter will probably give you one price to do them all and you can expect it to cost about 25% more or higher then just painting the doors.

The exterior of the home can vary in range depending on the factors mentioned above and on the size of the home. So for that reason the price ranges can be quite different.

An average size 3 bedroom home can cost between $1,500 and $3,500 plus extra for deck and railings etc. While larger homes can cost between $3,000 and $6,000 again depending on the factors already mentioned and more for things like decks and stairs.

So, again, I can't stress enough about doing your homework. Checking out the companies, talk to other people and in the end, you will be able to make the best decision when you go to hire the right company for the job.

I hope this helps, Rick

Rick Maselli is Founder and Editor of Showroom411.com and Ask Rick