If you do it yourself, the main cost is paint. A typical 12 × 12 ft bedroom with 8 ft ceilings needs about 2 gallons for two coats on the walls, which is roughly $40 to $170 in paint depending on the line you choose, plus rollers, tape and drop cloths. Hiring a painter costs much more because labor is most of the bill: national cost surveys put the average at about $1,100 to $1,200 per room, with most jobs in the $400 to $1,600 range. The sections below show how to estimate your own room.
Start with the paint quantity: the paint calculator takes your room size, doors, windows and coats.
DIY: paint for a 12 × 12 ft room
- Wall area: 4 walls × 12 ft × 8 ft = 384 sq ft.
- Subtract one door (3 × 7 ft = 21 sq ft) and one window (3 × 5 ft = 15 sq ft): 348 sq ft.
- Two coats: 696 sq ft.
- At 350 to 400 sq ft per gallon (Sherwin-Williams’ typical figure), that is 1.7 to 2.0 gallons, so buy 2 gallons.
Paint prices vary by brand and line. Angi’s cost guide lists paint at $20 to $70 a gallon, and premium lines cost more: Benjamin Moore lists Regal Select Matte at $84.99 a gallon (checked November 2026). Two gallons therefore cost roughly $40 to $170. Add primer if you are covering stains, patches or a much darker color (see the primer calculator), and ceiling paint if you are doing the ceiling (see the ceiling paint calculator).
Hiring a painter: what cost surveys say
| Source | Average | Typical range | Other figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angi (2025 data) | About $1,100 | $400 to $1,600 (full range $200 to $2,000) | $2 to $6 per sq ft; 10 × 10 ft room $200 to $600; 12 × 12 ft room $290 to $870; labor 60 to 90% of the total |
| Fixr (updated January 2025) | About $1,200 | $990 to $1,320 | Walls only $1.50 to $3.50 per sq ft; walls, ceiling and trim $3 to $4 per sq ft |
For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $23.75 an hour for construction and maintenance painters (May 2025). That is what employees are paid; a contractor’s hourly rate also covers insurance, travel, equipment and profit, which is why quoted rates are higher.
What changes the price
- Ceilings, trim and doors. Angi notes these are usually priced on top of the walls. Fixr’s walls-only and whole-room figures show the difference.
- Repairs and prep. Patching holes, sanding and caulking take time. See how to repair a hole in drywall if you want to do the prep yourself.
- Color change. Going from dark to light, or to a bold color, can mean primer and a third coat. See how many coats of paint you need.
- Ceiling height and stairwells. More wall area and ladders or scaffolding add cost.
- Paint quality. Premium paint costs more per gallon but can cover in fewer coats.
- Furniture and access. Moving and covering furniture adds time unless the room is empty.
Getting quotes
- Ask at least two or three painters to quote the same scope: walls only or walls, ceiling and trim; number of coats; who supplies the paint and which product.
- Ask whether prep, patching and cleanup are included.
- Compare the quoted price per room with the material cost you calculated, so you know how much of the price is labor.
To compare DIY and hiring a pro side by side, enter your quantities and prices in the project cost calculator. Our guide to paint coverage per gallon explains why textured and porous walls need more.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to paint a room?
For a DIYer, a typical bedroom is a full day for two coats on the walls, longer with patching, trim and ceiling. Plan for the dry time between coats on the paint label; see how long paint takes to dry.
Is it cheaper to paint a room yourself?
In materials, yes: paint and supplies for one room usually cost a few hundred dollars or less. Whether it is worth it depends on your time, the height of the room and how much prep is needed.
Do painters charge by the hour or by the room?
Both are common. Many quote a fixed price per room or per job after seeing it, which is easier to compare than hourly rates.
Sources
- Sherwin-Williams Paint Calculator (coverage per gallon, quart and primer)
- Benjamin Moore: Regal Select Waterborne Interior Paint, Matte (coverage per gallon and list price)
- Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room? (2025 data) (survey-based cost ranges for professional painting)
- Fixr: Cost to Paint a Room (updated January 2025) (survey-based cost ranges, walls only vs whole room)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Painters, Construction and Maintenance (median hourly wage, May 2025)
