Whole House Interior Painting Cost by Home Size
| Home Size | DIY Cost | Professional Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 800 sq ft | $300–$700 | $1,200–$3,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $400–$900 | $1,500–$3,800 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $600–$1,200 | $2,500–$5,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $800–$1,600 | $3,500–$7,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $1,000–$2,000 | $4,500–$9,000 |
How to Reduce Whole House Painting Cost
Use one colour throughout. Using the same wall colour in all rooms eliminates colour change prep, reduces total cans needed, and allows bulk buying in 5-gallon buckets at lower per-gallon cost.
Buy in 5-gallon buckets. For a whole house job you will need 10+ gallons of wall colour. Buying in 5-gallon buckets saves 10–15% per gallon and guarantees colour batch consistency.
Do prep yourself when hiring professionals. Moving furniture, washing walls, and filling nail holes yourself before the painter arrives can reduce the quote by $200–$500.
Paint in spring or autumn. Professional painters are often less busy in shoulder seasons — you may negotiate a better rate compared to peak summer demand.
What Does a Whole House Paint Job Include?
A complete whole house interior paint job typically includes all walls, ceilings (flat white), and trim/baseboards in each room. Doors, closet interiors, and built-in shelving may or may not be included — always confirm in writing before the job starts.
Related Paint Calculators
- Whole House Paint Calculator →
- Paint Cost Calculator →
- How Much Paint for Interior of House? →
- How Much Paint for a 2000 Sq Ft House? →
- Cost to Paint Exterior of House →
- How to Calculate Paint for a Room →
- Free Paint Calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint the interior of a whole house?
A 1,500 sq ft home costs $2,500–$5,500 professionally and $600–$1,200 DIY. A 2,000 sq ft home costs $3,500–$7,000 professionally and $800–$1,600 DIY.
How long does it take to paint a whole house interior?
A professional crew of two takes 3–5 days for a 1,500 sq ft house. A solo DIYer should budget 7–14 days to complete the job properly.
How many gallons of paint for a whole house interior?
A 1,500 sq ft home needs 15–20 gallons total — 9–12 for walls, 4–5 for ceilings, and 2–3 for trim. Use the whole house paint calculator for your exact estimate.
Is it cheaper to paint the whole house at once?
Yes — painting all rooms at once allows bulk paint buying, one contractor mobilisation cost, and a single prep and cleanup phase, reducing per-room cost by 15–25%.
What type of paint for whole house interior?
Eggshell for living areas and bedrooms, satin for kitchens and bathrooms, flat white for all ceilings, and semi-gloss for all trim and baseboards.
Should I paint the whole house one colour?
Using one main neutral colour throughout with white ceilings and trim is the most cost-effective approach and creates a cohesive, spacious feel throughout the home.