Why do painting quotes for the same room differ so much?

Almost always scope and preparation rather than the paint. Walls only is a different job from walls, ceiling, trim and doors, and filling nail holes is a different job from skim-coating a wall that has had wallpaper stripped off it. Ask any quote to list the surfaces included, the number of coats, and what preparation is priced. Two quotes that look $700 apart are often the same rate for different work.

Is painting worth doing myself?

It is one of the few renovation jobs where DIY genuinely pencils out, because most of the cost is labour and the skill ceiling for a plain wall is low. Materials for one bedroom typically run $150 to $300. The jobs worth handing over are stairwells, ceilings above nine feet, spray finishes, and anything needing real wall repair first, because a bad patch shows through paint permanently.

How much paint will the job need?

Roughly one gallon per 350 to 400 square feet of surface per coat, and paintable surface is usually 2.5 to 3 times the floor area once ceilings and trim are counted. A 150 square foot bedroom needs about 3 gallons for two coats on walls and ceiling. Buy slightly over and keep the remainder for touch-ups.

Do I need a permit to paint?

No. Painting has never required a building permit anywhere in Canada, which is why the permit line in the estimate above is zero. The one thing to check first is whether a textured ceiling or old paint layer predates 1990, because disturbing asbestos-containing material is regulated and is not a painting job.

Planning estimate · Q3 2026 pricing

Interior painting

Painting is the cheapest way to change how a room feels, and the quotes vary more than almost any other trade because they are quoting different amounts of preparation. Set the area and scope below to see a planning range.

Property and size

Location and home age change both cost and how much contingency we recommend.

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Home type

Approximate home age

Floor area to paintsq ft

Not sure of the area? Enter length × width

Length (ft)Width (ft)

For irregular rooms, add the rectangles together and enter the total above.

Floor area of the rooms being painted, not wall area. Painters quote from floor area.

Planning budget

$4,850$4,000–$6,550

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Hidden costs on painting projects

These are included as allowances in the estimate above. Check that any contractor quote covers them too.

Skim-coating walls after wallpaper removal
Primer on bare drywall, patches, and water stains
Trim, door, and closet-interior painting quoted separately
Textured ceiling removal, and asbestos testing on pre-1990 texture
Extra coats for a strong colour change
Staging for stairwells and high ceilings
Furniture moving and floor protection

Questions homeowners ask

Why do painting quotes for the same room differ so much?: Almost always scope and preparation rather than the paint. Walls only is a different job from walls, ceiling, trim and doors, and filling nail holes is a different job from skim-coating a wall that has had wallpaper stripped off it. Ask any quote to list the surfaces included, the number of coats, and what preparation is priced. Two quotes that look $700 apart are often the same rate for different work.
Is painting worth doing myself?: It is one of the few renovation jobs where DIY genuinely pencils out, because most of the cost is labour and the skill ceiling for a plain wall is low. Materials for one bedroom typically run $150 to $300. The jobs worth handing over are stairwells, ceilings above nine feet, spray finishes, and anything needing real wall repair first, because a bad patch shows through paint permanently.
How much paint will the job need?: Roughly one gallon per 350 to 400 square feet of surface per coat, and paintable surface is usually 2.5 to 3 times the floor area once ceilings and trim are counted. A 150 square foot bedroom needs about 3 gallons for two coats on walls and ceiling. Buy slightly over and keep the remainder for touch-ups.
Do I need a permit to paint?: No. Painting has never required a building permit anywhere in Canada, which is why the permit line in the estimate above is zero. The one thing to check first is whether a textured ceiling or old paint layer predates 1990, because disturbing asbestos-containing material is regulated and is not a painting job.

Typical schedule: 1 day for a single room, 3 to 7 days for a main floor. See the full renovation timeline.

Property and size

Hidden costs on painting projects

Questions homeowners ask

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Property and size