--- title: "Painting cost calculator" description: "What drives the cost of a painting project and how fresh paint affects home value" url: "https://craftwork.com/painting-cost-calculator" source: "Craftwork" --- > **About Craftwork:** Craftwork is a professional painting company offering interior painting, exterior painting, and cabinet refinishing for homes and businesses, with free estimates, premium Sherwin-Williams paint, and a 3-year workmanship guarantee. > > **Markets currently served:** Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC. > > **More from this site:** [Index of every page as Markdown](https://craftwork.com/sitemap.md) · [llms.txt](https://craftwork.com/llms.txt) · [Get a free estimate](https://craftwork.com/estimate) ![Professional exterior painting on a home](https://craftwork.com/images/exterior-design/s/services-hardie-board.webp) Home Investment Guide # How Much Does It Cost to Paint Your Home? Understand real pricing ranges, what drives cost, and why painting is one of the highest-ROI home improvements you can make. ## Estimate Your Project Select your painting type and adjust the details to see typical cost ranges. Number of rooms 3 Average room size Small = bathroom/closet, Medium = bedroom, Large = living room, XL = great room What to paint Select one or more surfaces to include in your estimate Estimated Cost Range $900 – $1,800 Estimated Value Added $900 – $2,100 Typical ROI: 100-115% Materials Included Labor Included ROI 100-115% [Get Your Free Estimate](https://craftwork.com/estimate?from=/painting-cost-calculator) Want real numbers for your home? Takes about 2 minutes. Ranges reflect typical residential projects in major metro areas. Actual costs depend on condition, materials, and project scope. ## Painting Is One of the Highest-ROI Home Improvements National data consistently shows fresh paint delivers outsized returns relative to cost. 107% Average ROI on Interior Painting Source: NAR Remodeling Impact Report 2-5% Home Value Increase from Fresh Paint Source: Angi / HomeLight Agent Surveys 50% of Realtors Recommend Painting Before Listing Source: NAR 2025 Remodeling Impact Report ![Freshly painted exterior of a home](https://craftwork.com/images/v3/exteriors/large/exteriors_2_1800.webp) Typical Exterior Paint Project Cost to Paint $3k-$8k Value Added $8k-$15k - Power washing and surface prep - Spot priming and caulking - Two finish coats - Trim and full cleanup - Multi-year warranty [Get Your Quote](https://craftwork.com/estimate?from=/painting-cost-calculator)Call the Experts Free, no-obligation estimate ## What Factors Affect Painting Costs? Understanding these variables helps you plan accurately. ### Home Size & Layout Square footage, room count, and ceiling height directly impact the scope of work and total cost. ### Surface Condition Prep work like patching, sanding, and priming can account for 40-50% of total labor on a quality job. ### Paint Quality Premium paints cover better, last longer, and look noticeably different. The material cost difference is often $300-$600. ### Accessibility Multi-story homes, vaulted ceilings, and steep rooflines require specialty equipment and more time. ### Color Complexity Each additional color means more masking, cutting in, and cleanup. A two-color scheme costs less than five. ### Local Market Labor rates vary by metro area. Cost of living and demand for painters both affect pricing in your region. ## Common Questions About Painting Costs Everything you need to know about pricing, ROI, and what to expect. ### Explore Our Guides [Interior Painting](https://craftwork.com/interior)[Exterior Painting](https://craftwork.com/exterior)[Cabinet Painting](https://craftwork.com/cabinetry) ### Does painting your house increase its value? Yes. Interior painting returns an average of 107% ROI, meaning a $5,000 paint job can add over $5,000 to your home's resale value. Fresh exterior paint can increase sale price by 2-5%, and homes with strong curb appeal sell for 7-14% more than comparable properties with worn paint. ### How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house? Interior painting costs $2-$6 per square foot for walls, with the national average project running $2,000-$5,000 for a standard home. Costs vary based on square footage, ceiling height, surface preparation needed, paint quality, and how many rooms are included. ### How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a house? Exterior painting typically costs $3,000-$7,000 for a single-story home, or $2-$4 per square foot of paintable surface. Two-story homes run $3.50-$6.50 per square foot due to additional equipment and safety requirements. ### How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets? Professional cabinet painting costs $2,000-$7,000 for a standard kitchen, depending on cabinet count, door style, and finish quality. This is significantly less than a full cabinet replacement ($10,000-$25,000+) while delivering strong ROI. ### Is it worth painting your house before selling? Professional painting is one of the highest-ROI improvements you can make before listing. Interior paint returns roughly 107% of its cost, and strategic exterior painting can shorten time on market. Neutral, modern colors appeal to the widest buyer pool. ### What factors affect the cost of a professional paint job? The biggest cost factors are total square footage, surface preparation (patching, sanding, priming), paint quality tier, number of coats, ceiling height, and trim or detail work. Homes needing significant prep work or with complex architectural features cost more. ### How long does a professional paint job last? Quality interior paint lasts 7-10 years in most rooms and 3-5 years in high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways. Exterior paint lasts 5-10 years depending on climate, sun exposure, and paint quality. Professional preparation and premium paint extend longevity significantly. ### Should I paint my house myself or hire a professional? DIY painting saves on labor but takes 3-5x longer and typically produces a lower-quality finish. Professional painters bring proper preparation, commercial-grade equipment, and expertise with challenging areas. For ROI and resale purposes, professional work is strongly recommended. ## Get your painting estimate in hours, not days - Answer a few quick questions Tell us about your home and the project. - Review your estimate We calculate pricing based on your project details. - Schedule your paint job Choose a time that works best for you. No home visits required. Just answer a few quick questions to receive your personalized estimate. Once you're ready, you can schedule your project and manage everything through our customer portal. [Start your estimate](https://craftwork.com/estimate?from=/painting-cost-calculator) Rated 4.9/5 from 300+ reviews ## How to get a free estimate Estimates are free and carry no obligation. To request one, go to [https://craftwork.com/estimate](https://craftwork.com/estimate) and fill out the short form. The form checks that the address is in a market Craftwork serves (currently: Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC). The form walks through five steps: 1. Choose the project type: interior, exterior, or cabinets. 2. Describe the project's size (skipped for cabinets). 3. Pick when you'd like the work to start. 4. Enter the address of the property to be painted. 5. Enter your first name, last name, and phone number, then submit. After submitting, you can pick a time for an estimate visit. To preselect the project type, link with a `projectType` parameter: [https://craftwork.com/estimate?projectType=interior](https://craftwork.com/estimate?projectType=interior), `exterior`, or `cabinets`.