At Fresh Paint Inc. we’re always excited to talk about paint, so we love questions of all ilks. There’s one query that doesn’t have an easy answer, though: What does it cost to paint a building? Uh… well… we’re going to have to ask you a few questions before we can respond to that one. We could tell you that a square foot costs between $20 and $60, but those numbers are hardly precise. We might as well ask you to plan your budget by throwing random dollar notes at a dustbin and spending whatever lands inside. Let’s take a closer look at how we can determine your costs.

Pricing Paint

Satin finish paint can cost $60 to $100 a gallon, while high-gloss paint often hits a maximum of $220. It takes around 10 gallons of paint to coat 1,500 square feet and 25 gallons to coat 4,000 square feet. That’s easy enough to calculate, so we wish that was the end of the story. Unfortunately, coatings require tools and preparation.

A simple roller and a little basic masking will give you a satisfyingly-low price, but if your perfect finish demands more expensive tools, your budget will need to grow. If you need a spray application, our workers will breeze in and out of your building before you can say “hello”, and that comes with significantly cheaper labor costs. Intricate masking will weigh more heavily on your pocket for the same reason: it takes time. So do complex textures. The average homeowner spends between $2,800 and $3,400 on a professional paint job of their home’s exterior and interior – and that’s just a home. A commercial or industrial property involves many more pieces in the puzzle that affect price:

  • The number of team members required to complete your project.
  • Whether your ceiling needs to be tacked as well.
  • The level of weather-resistance your exterior needs.
  • The paint brand you choose.
  • The condition of your walls.
  • The size of your space.
  • and more…

Prepping Your Surface

Even the highest quality paint can break down if your walls are poorly prepped. If your surface is riddled with cracks and chemicals, they need to be dealt with, and that costs money. Primer will seal in stains, but it’s not always enough. Drywall repair can cost up to $380 a room, and hole patching can add $10 per square foot to your costs.

The Long-term Expense of the Modern Building

“You get what you pay for” is a maxim that applies as much to paint as it does to anything else. If you consider your costs without looking into the ongoing expense of keeping your walls beautiful, you risk paying far more than you’re bargaining for. A latex paint, for example, is far more durable than a cheap oil-based product, so you can expect your “expensive” coating to outlast lesser products. Washable surfaces like satin paint are easy to clean and thus last longer. The lifespan of your paint can quickly turn a high cost into a rock-bottom expense. Even the shade you choose can reduce your long-term budget. A timeless shade that suits a wide range of palettes is likely to last longer than that trendy Pantone hue that will be out of fashion within three months.

At Fresh Paint Inc, we like our clients to enjoy their walls for as long as possible, but we also pay attention to your wallet. Together, we’ll find the perfect balance for your needs. Just give us a call and we can start discussing your project today!