How much does it cost to have a professional painter do a room or two?

Question

Our new house has vaulted ceilings in the kitchen and living room. We could probably paint all walls but the two walls that go all the way up. Also, the stairwell has high walls. I have NO clue what it costs to hire a painter. Anyone have a ballpark?

Answer 1

$29.53 per hour is the national hourly rate for a painter.  Now this is what I charge per man hour as a contractor.  The square footage rate you should consider is .363 per CSF or 100 square feet, calculating in two coats of paint being applied.Now with the high work you've described, defined as "High Time Difficulty Factors", there will need to be scaffolding and considerable prep in home protections implemented.

I'll provide you with the following formulas being I don't know the actual heights; and from the aforementioned square footage calcs and he following percentages you should be able to estimate this to the dollar and know what you should pay:

"Add 30% To The Area For Heights From 8 To 13 feet (Multiply by 1.3)"

"Add 60% To The Area For Heights From 13 To 17 Feet (Multiply By 1.6)"

"Add 90% To The Area For Heights From 17 To 19 Feet (Multiply By 1.9)"

"Add 120% To The Area For Heights From 19 To 21 Feet (Multiply By 2.2)"

Be sure to verify any painter you considers reputation and work ethic if your not familiar with them or they're well known.  Also choose your preferred brand of paint and product number and don't allow any painter to choose or use an alternate.  Painters buy and use contractors/builders lines of paint products and THEY ARE of a lesser quality.

Mike Lonergan

TradesProfessional, Inc.

http://tradesprofessional.com

Answer 2

That is a hard question to answer without seeing the area to be painted. More than likely if you only want someone to paint the high walls and ceilings you are looking at paying at least $20 an hour (per person) if you furnish all materials. How long will it take? That's the tough part to answer. It depends on the painter and his (or her) skills, exact room size etc. My guess would be at least 4 to 6 hrs for an average room doing only the high part.