Painting Cost Calculator
Estimate interior or exterior painting costs including labour, paint, surface prep, trim, and doors. Results are based on current Canadian contractor rates with regional adjustments.
Your Paint Job Details
Cost Estimate
Based on mid-range Ontario painter rates and average paint coverage. Actual costs depend on wall condition, ceiling height accessibility, contractor overhead, and paint brand. Always get 2–3 quotes for larger projects.
Assumptions & Methodology
This calculator uses mid-range rates for professional painters in Ontario, adjusted by provincial labour multipliers.
- Paint coverage: 375 sq ft per gallon per coat. Paint quantities are rounded up to the nearest whole gallon.
- Paint cost: Builder grade $30/gal, Mid-grade $50/gal, Premium $75/gal.
- Labour — walls: $2.25/sq ft base (Ontario). Ceiling height adds a multiplier: 8ft ×1.0, 9ft ×1.05, 10ft ×1.12, Vaulted ×1.25.
- Labour — ceilings: $1.50/sq ft (estimated as same area as wall input ÷ height factor).
- Trim & baseboards: $2.00/linear ft. Perimeter estimated as √(area) × 4 × 0.9.
- Doors: $112/door (both sides, including cutting in frame).
- Surface prep multiplier: Light ×1.0, Moderate ×1.2, Heavy ×1.4 — applied to wall and ceiling labour.
- Regional multipliers: BC ×1.12, AB ×1.08, ON ×1.00, QC ×0.88, Maritime ×0.82.
- Does not include furniture moving, flooring protection, or drywall repair (use the Drywall Repair calculator for that).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint a room in Canada?
A typical 12×14 bedroom (about 468 sq ft of wall area) with 9 ft ceilings costs $600–$1,100 to paint professionally in Ontario, including 2 coats of mid-grade paint, trim, and one door. Add $200–$300 for ceiling painting. Whole-home interiors (1,500–2,500 sq ft) typically run $4,000–$9,000.
How much paint do I need for a room?
One gallon of paint covers about 350–400 sq ft per coat. For a standard bedroom with 468 sq ft of walls and 2 coats, you'd need roughly 3 gallons of wall paint (plus a separate quart or gallon for trim). Always buy a little extra — having leftover paint for touch-ups is very useful.
Should I use a painter or DIY?
Painting is one of the most DIY-friendly home improvement projects. For a single room, most homeowners can do quality work with proper prep and the right roller nap. The savings are significant — labour is typically 60–70% of the total cost. However, for whole-home repaints, vaulted ceilings, or exterior work involving ladders on multi-storey homes, a professional painter is worth it for safety and finish quality.
What's the difference between builder grade and premium paint?
Builder grade paint (e.g. generic flat) hides poorly, scuffs easily, and is difficult to wash. Mid-grade paints like Benjamin Moore Regal or Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint cover better, are washable, and last longer. Premium paints (BM Aura, SW Emerald) offer the best hide, durability, and often true one-coat coverage — reducing labour on re-paints. For high-traffic areas, the premium price is usually worth it over a 10-year horizon.
How long does it take to paint a room?
A professional painter can complete a standard bedroom (walls + ceiling + trim) in about 4–6 hours, including prep and cleanup. DIY takes longer — expect 8–12 hours for the same room if you're not experienced, spread over a weekend to allow proper drying time between coats.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House in Canada?
Professional painting is one of the most impactful renovations you can do — and one of the most mispriced. Homeowners often underestimate what a quality paint job costs and overestimate what a cheap one delivers. This guide covers what drives painting costs in Canada so you can budget accurately and choose the right contractor.
Average Interior Painting Costs (Ontario, 2025)
Painter labour in Ontario typically runs $55–85/hr or $1.75–3.50/sq ft for walls depending on prep level and accessibility. Here's what to expect for common project sizes:
- Single bedroom (468 sq ft walls, 2 coats): $700–$1,200
- Open-concept main floor (1,200 sq ft walls): $1,800–$3,200
- Whole home interior (3,000 sq ft walls): $5,000–$9,000
- Exterior repaint (1,500 sq ft home): $4,500–$9,000+
Factors That Affect Painting Costs
Beyond square footage, several variables move the needle significantly:
- Surface prep: Peeling paint, water stains, or significant patching can double prep costs. Skipping prep to save money leads to poor adhesion and early failure.
- Ceiling height: Anything above 9 ft requires ladders or scaffolding, adding 10–25% to labour time.
- Number of coats: New drywall or dramatic colour changes (especially dark to light) require 3 coats of wall paint plus a primer, adding 40–60% to paint and labour costs.
- Paint quality: Premium paints cost 2–2.5× more than builder grade but often require one fewer coat and last significantly longer.
- Province: BC rates are about 12% above Ontario; Quebec runs 10–12% below.
DIY vs. Hiring a Painter
Painting is the most accessible DIY renovation — you can save $500–$2,000 on a single room by doing it yourself. The key to DIY success is prep: sanding, cleaning, filling, and priming takes as much time as the painting itself and determines 80% of the final quality. Use painter's tape, quality brushes and roller covers, and don't rush the drying time between coats.
Getting Accurate Painting Quotes
When getting quotes, specify: the exact rooms to be painted, current and new colours (colour changes cost more), ceiling height, whether trim and doors are included, the paint brand/line you want used, and whether they supply the paint or you do. A professional painter should supply a line-item quote — material and labour separated — so you can make informed comparisons.