Category: Interior Painting

Cost to Paint a House Interior: Complete Bay Area Pricing Guide

Introduction

You're ready to repaint your Bay Area home's interior. You call for estimates and get quotes ranging from $3,000 to $12,000 for what seems like the same job. The variation is confusing. Why such different prices? What's reasonable? What should you expect to pay?

At Lamorinda Painting, we've been providing transparent interior painting estimates to Bay Area homeowners since 2003. We're based in Lafayette and serve Lamorinda, the East Bay, and the greater Bay Area. We've priced thousands of interior projects and understand exactly what drives costs—and what doesn't.

The truth is that interior painting costs vary significantly based on home size, wall condition, paint quality, labor rates, and project scope. A straightforward repaint of a well-maintained home costs far less than painting a neglected home with extensive prep needs. Bay Area labor rates are higher than national averages, and our cost of living affects every aspect of pricing.

In this guide, you'll learn realistic Bay Area interior painting costs, what factors drive price, how to compare estimates intelligently, and where you can (and can't) save money. This isn't marketing—this is honest cost information. And if you'd like a detailed estimate for your specific project, we're always happy to provide one free.

Average Bay Area Interior Painting Costs (2025)

These are typical costs for professional painting in the Bay Area.

Cost Per Square Foot

National average: $2-6 per square foot Bay Area average: $3-8 per square foot

Why higher: Higher labor costs, higher cost of living, higher insurance and licensing costs, higher business overhead

Cost by Room Type

Bedroom (12' x 14', 8' ceiling, including closet):

Basic repaint (good condition): $500-900
Standard project (minor repairs): $700-1,200
Extensive prep needed: $1,000-1,800

Living room (15' x 20', 8' ceiling):

Basic repaint: $800-1,400
Standard project: $1,100-1,800
Extensive prep: $1,500-2,500

Kitchen (walls only, 12' x 14'):

Basic repaint: $600-1,100
Standard project: $800-1,400
Extensive prep: $1,200-2,000

Bathroom (full bath, 8' x 10'):

Basic repaint: $400-700
Standard project (with prep): $600-1,000
Extensive prep/mold remediation: $900-1,500

Hallway and stairwell:

Per linear foot: $15-35
Complexity matters (two-story stairwells cost more)

Whole-House Interior Painting Costs

Small home (1,000-1,500 sq ft, 2BR/1BA):

Basic repaint: $3,000-5,500
Standard project: $4,500-7,500
Extensive prep: $6,500-10,000+

Medium home (1,500-2,500 sq ft, 3BR/2BA):

Basic repaint: $5,000-8,500
Standard project: $7,000-12,000
Extensive prep: $10,000-16,000+

Large home (2,500-4,000 sq ft, 4BR/3+BA):

Basic repaint: $8,500-15,000
Standard project: $12,000-20,000
Extensive prep: $16,000-28,000+

Very large home (4,000+ sq ft):

Expect $20,000-40,000+ depending on condition and finish level

Bay Area note: These costs assume professional painters, licensed and insured, using quality materials, in Contra Costa County and surrounding areas.

What's Included in Professional Interior Painting

Understanding scope helps compare estimates.

Standard Interior Painting Scope

Surface preparation:

Moving furniture to center, covering with protective plastic
Protecting floors with drop cloths
Cleaning walls
Filling holes and cracks
Sanding repairs smooth
Priming repairs and stains

Painting:

Two coats of premium paint on walls
One coat on ceilings (if included)
Trim/baseboard painting (if included—often separate line item)
Clean, crisp cut lines at edges

Cleanup:

Returning furniture to position
Removing all protective coverings
Cleaning floors
Removing all painting debris
Touch-up paint left with customer

Factors That Increase Interior Painting Costs

Not all projects cost the same. These factors add expense.

Wall Condition

Good condition (minor touch-ups only): Standard pricing Moderate condition (holes, cracks, previous repairs): Add 15-25% Poor condition (extensive damage, texture mismatches, major repairs): Add 30-60%

According to our project data, older Bay Area homes (particularly Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Oakland, Berkeley) often need more prep than newer homes.

Ceiling Height

Standard 8-foot ceilings: Standard pricing 9-10 foot ceilings: Add 10-20% Vaulted/cathedral ceilings: Add 30-60% Two-story great rooms: Add 50-100% (requires scaffolding)

Bay Area housing note: Newer homes in San Ramon, Danville, Walnut Creek often have higher ceilings than older homes.

Color Changes

Light to light: Standard pricing (two coats usually sufficient) Medium to light: Add 10-15% (often requires extra coat) Dark to light: Add 25-40% (requires primer plus multiple coats)

Paint Quality

Standard quality (Behr Premium Plus, SW ProMar): Included in base pricing Premium quality (SW Duration, BM Regal Select): Add $300-800 per house Top-tier quality (SW Emerald, BM Aura): Add $500-1,200 per house

Specialty Finishes

Textured walls: Add 15-25% (requires thick nap rollers, more paint) Popcorn ceilings: Add 30-50% (difficult application) Decorative finishes: Price varies widely based on technique

Project Complexity

Occupied home painting: Add 10-20% (requires careful furniture management, working around occupants) Rush timeline: Add 15-30% (requires additional crew) Access challenges: Add cost for difficult-to-reach areas

Labor Costs in the Bay Area

Labor is the largest component of painting cost.

Bay Area Painter Rates

Licensed professional painters: $60-100/hour Unlicensed painters: $35-60/hour Handyman painting: $40-70/hour

Why Bay Area rates are high:

High cost of living requires higher wages
Expensive insurance (liability, workers comp)
Licensing fees and business costs
Transportation and parking costs
Competition for skilled labor

Labor vs Materials Breakdown

Typical interior project cost breakdown:

Labor: 70-80%
Materials (paint, supplies): 20-30%

This explains why cheap paint doesn't save much money overall.

Material Costs

Understanding material costs helps interpret estimates.

Paint Costs per Gallon

Budget paint (Behr Premium Plus, basic lines): $25-35/gallon Mid-tier paint (Behr Marquee, SW SuperPaint): $40-55/gallon Premium paint (SW Duration, BM Regal Select): $60-75/gallon Top-tier paint (SW Emerald, BM Aura): $70-95/gallon

Coverage: One gallon covers approximately 350-400 sq ft (smooth walls), 250-300 sq ft (textured walls)

Other Materials

Primer: $30-50/gallon Supplies (tape, drop cloths, sandpaper, caulk, patching materials): $100-300 per project Equipment usage (sprayers, scaffolding if needed): $50-200 per project

How to Compare Painting Estimates

Not all estimates are equal. Here's how to compare intelligently.

Red Flags in Estimates

Unusually low price: Often indicates:

Unlicensed contractor
Poor quality materials
Inadequate prep work
Inexperienced painters
Missing insurance/licensing costs

No detailed scope: Estimate says "paint house" without specifying:

Number of coats
Paint quality
Surface preparation included
What's excluded

Cash-only requirement: Suggests:

Avoiding taxes
No business license
No insurance
No recourse if problems arise

What Good Estimates Include

Detailed scope of work
Specific paint brands and product lines
Number of coats specified
Prep work described
What's included and excluded clearly stated
License number
Insurance verification
Written warranty
Timeline estimate
Payment schedule

Where You Can (and Can't) Save Money

Smart Ways to Save

Do your own prep work: Save 15-25% by cleaning walls, moving furniture, doing minor repairs yourself Paint yourself, hire for difficult areas: DIY main walls, hire for ceilings, stairwells, trim Choose mid-tier paint: Premium isn't always necessary; mid-tier often performs well Do project in stages: Paint a few rooms at a time to spread cost

False Economies

Hiring unlicensed painters: Saving 30% isn't worth it if:

Work is poor quality
Damage occurs with no insurance
Contractor disappears mid-project
No warranty or recourse

Using cheap paint: Budget paint often requires extra coats, negating savings. Poor durability means repainting sooner.

Skipping prep work: Poor prep causes paint failure, requiring complete redo within 1-2 years.

Bay Area Regional Pricing Variations

Costs vary slightly within Bay Area.

Highest costs: San Francisco, Marin, Palo Alto/Peninsula High costs: Lamorinda (Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga), Berkeley, Piedmont, Danville, Los Gatos Moderate costs: Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Concord Lower costs (but still high compared to national average): Antioch, Pittsburg, eastern Contra Costa County

Why variation exists: Cost of living, average project size, competition level, client expectations

When to Hire Professional Painters vs DIY

Cost comparison helps decision-making.

DIY Costs

Materials only (2,000 sq ft home):

Paint: $600-1,200
Supplies: $150-300
Equipment rental (optional): $100-200
Total: $850-1,700

Time investment: 80-120 hours for inexperienced DIYer

Professional Costs

Same 2,000 sq ft home: $7,000-12,000

Value of professional:

Quality results
Saves 80-120 hours
Warranty on work
No equipment purchase/storage
Proper prep and technique

Break-even: If your time is worth $50-80/hour, professional painting costs roughly equal to your time value plus materials.

Questions to Ask When Getting Estimates

"What's included in surface preparation?" "How many coats, and what paint brand/line?" "Are you licensed and insured? Can I verify?" "What's the timeline?" "What's your warranty?" "What's not included?" "What happens if I'm not satisfied?" "What's your payment schedule?"

When to Hire Lamorinda Painting

We've been providing fair, transparent pricing to Bay Area homeowners since 2003. Our estimates are detailed, our scope is clear, and we're fully licensed and insured. We use premium paints, do thorough prep work, and stand behind our work with solid warranties.

We're not the cheapest option—we're the fair value option. We charge what quality work costs in the Bay Area, and we deliver quality that justifies that cost.

Your satisfaction is our top priority, and estimates are always free. If you're in Lafayette, Lamorinda, or anywhere in the East Bay, contact us today for a detailed estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does it cost to paint the interior of a 1500 sq ft house?

In the Bay Area, expect $5,000-9,000 for professional interior painting of a 1,500 sq ft home (3BR/2BA typical). Range depends on wall condition, ceiling height, paint quality, and color changes. Basic repaint in good condition: $5,000-6,500. Standard project with moderate prep: $6,500-8,000. Extensive prep: $8,000-9,000+.

Q: How much does it cost to paint one room?

Bedrooms: $500-1,200. Living rooms: $800-1,800. Bathrooms: $400-1,000. Costs depend on room size, condition, and paint quality. Bay Area rates are 20-40% higher than national averages due to higher labor costs.

Q: Is it cheaper to paint yourself or hire a painter?

Materials-only DIY costs $850-1,700 for typical home. Professional painting costs $7,000-12,000. You save $5,000-10,000 doing it yourself but invest 80-120 hours and accept amateur-quality results. If your time is worth $50+/hour, professional painting is cost-competitive and delivers better results.

Q: How much does paint cost per gallon in Bay Area?

Budget paint: $25-35/gallon. Mid-tier: $40-55/gallon. Premium: $60-75/gallon. Top-tier: $70-95/gallon. Professional painters typically use premium paint, which adds $300-1,200 to whole-house project cost versus budget paint.

Q: How long does interior painting last?

Quality interior paint professionally applied lasts 5-7+ years in most rooms. Bathrooms and kitchens may need repainting every 4-6 years due to moisture and wear. Hallways and high-traffic areas show wear sooner. Low-quality paint or poor application may require repainting in 2-3 years.

Conclusion

Interior painting costs in the Bay Area range from $3,000-40,000+ depending on home size, condition, and project scope. Typical 2,000 sq ft home costs $7,000-12,000 for professional painting with quality materials. Higher Bay Area labor rates, licensing requirements, and insurance costs drive prices above national averages.

Get detailed written estimates, verify licensing and insurance, and understand exactly what's included. Don't choose based solely on price—quality matters significantly for longevity and appearance.

At Lamorinda Painting, we provide transparent, detailed estimates for every project. We're based in Lafayette and serve Lamorinda, the East Bay, and the greater Bay Area.

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External Links:

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Images Needed:

Bay Area pricing chart by room size
Cost breakdown pie chart (labor vs materials)
Before/after showing value of professional painting
Sample detailed estimate
Regional pricing comparison map

Need Professional Painting Services?

Lamorinda Painting has been serving the Bay Area since 2003 with high-quality painting services at affordable prices. Contact us for a free estimate.

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Call us today: (925) 890-0361