Albert, How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Bedroom?

1. Room size
The average bedroom measures 200 – 310 square feet. It can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,200 to paint a room this size. The area of the room determines the quantity of material that goes into the painting project. A gallon of paint for example can be used to paint up to 400 square feet. This of course has to be divided by the number of coats to be applied to get the area it will cover.

2. Height of walls
Once the area of a room is calculated, it is important to measure the height of the walls. The higher the walls, the more paint is needed and the more expensive the project becomes.

3. Type of paint
The type of paint used can greatly influence the cost of a painting project. A gallon of paint costs between $20 and $100 depending on what type is chosen. Latex based paints are cheaper and offer great durability. They cost an average of $15 – $60. Oil based paints on the other hand are very water resistant albeit less durable than latex based paints. The type of finish chosen for a room also impacts the final cost. The glossier the finish, the higher the price. Matte paint doesn’t reflect light and is also difficult to rid of stains. A satin paint finish is highly recommended due to it’s durability and ease of cleaning. Semi gloss and high gloss finishes are usually used to paint accessories and doors.

4. Primer
A coating of primer is often advised before the paint is applied. A primer helps to protect the wall as well as help the paint stick to the wall. A gallon of primer costs between $20 and $70 depending on the type of primer used. Latex based primers are usually the cheapest and are often used for brick and concrete surfaces. Oil based primers come in handy for metal surfaces and shellac primers are a good option for wood surfaces.

5. Paint supplies
Paint supplies include the equipment needed for a painting project, things like brushes rollers and ladders. Different sizes of brushes are needed depending on the area being painted. The price of a brush ranges from $3 to $20. Painter’s tape is needed to protect surfaces from stray drops of paint and costs $3 to $10 dollars. Paint trays, rollers and ladders are other supplies that are needed for a painting project.

6. Prep work
Painting a room requires a lot of preparation. Furniture has to be moved and the floor as well as unmovable pieces have to be covered up. The walls also have to be prepared. Cracks in the wall will have to be filled up and dust and grease has to be cleaned off it. The use of a primer is also considered prep work. A primer can be important to cover up smoke stains or if the wall colour will be changing from a dark one to a lighter one.

7. Customizations and add-ons
Additional costs may crop up due to some customizations. Using different colours for example will increase the cost of the project. Murals will also add to the overall cost. The use of textured walls can drive up the amount of paint needed by up to 60%. Painting your ceiling also adds to cost of the project.

8. Labour
Although you can choose to paint your bedroom yourself, it is advisable to hire the services of a professional. This ensures that the job is done right and less mistakes are made. The time taken to complete a painting project depends on the size and layout of the room. It will often take double the time needed by a professional to finish painting if you decide to go the DIY route. A professional painter may decide to charge per hour or per square foot. Despite the higher cost involved with hiring a professional as opposed to doing the job yourself, hiring someone helps you get a better looking job done in a shorter period and at no risk of harm to yourself.

9. Additional costs
You may need to spend extra money on repairs to damages walls. This may cost anywhere from $70 to $300 depending on the extent of the damage. Removal of wallpaper or paint is another added expense to your repainting project. It also costs money to cleanup. Disposal of waste may cost an extra amount per ton.