Hire professional painters for large or high-stakes projects
For whole-house painting, rooms with high ceilings, complex trim work, or situations where quality matters significantly (selling a home, newly built spaces), hire a professional painting crew. Professional painters handle all preparation (patching, sanding, taping, covering), apply paint with consistent technique, and clean up completely when finished. They bring their own equipment including sprayers, scaffolding, and commercial-grade drop cloths.
Why It Works
Professional painters have thousands of hours of practice cutting in, rolling, and spraying. They know how to prep surfaces for maximum paint adhesion, select the right products for each surface, and work efficiently to minimize lap marks and drips. For a homeowner, painting a single room might take an entire weekend; a two-person crew typically completes the same room in 4-6 hours with a better result. They also carry insurance, so damage to your home or belongings during the project is covered.
Tips
- Expect to pay $200-500 per room for a professional paint job (walls and ceiling, standard size room) depending on your market; this typically includes labor and materials
- A whole-house interior (2,000 sq ft, 3 bed, 2 bath) typically costs $3,000-7,000 depending on region, paint quality, and complexity
- Get at least three written quotes that specify: number of coats, paint brand and sheen, what is included in prep work, and timeline
- Ask if the quote includes moving furniture -- some painters require you to clear rooms in advance; others include it
- Verify the contractor is licensed, insured, and willing to provide references from recent jobs
- Request that the painters use the specific paint brand and color you want -- some contractors substitute cheaper paint to increase their margin
- The best time to schedule painters is during their slow season (late fall to early spring in most regions), when scheduling is easier and some contractors offer discounts
- Common mistake: choosing the cheapest quote without checking references -- a low price often means fewer coats, poor prep, and a paint job that looks good for 6 months then fails