Painting Cost Guide 2026
Painting & home finishing cost estimator
Real 2026 pricing from a licensed Lowcountry contractor serving Beaufort, Hilton Head, Charleston and Savannah. From a single-room refresh to a full waterfront estate — premium materials, designer-quality finishes and honest ranges with no hidden fees. Use this guide to budget your project, then get your exact number with a free on-site estimate.
Interior Painting — $2.50 to $6/sq ft
| Project Size | Approx. Area | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small bathroom | 50–80 sq ft | $350–$700 |
| Standard bedroom | 100–150 sq ft | $550–$1,100 |
| Master bedroom | 180–250 sq ft | $850–$1,500 |
| Living room / open area | 250–400 sq ft | $1,000–$2,200 |
| Whole-home interior | 1,800–2,500 sq ft | $7,500–$15,000+ |
Walls only run $2.50–$4 per sq ft; add ceilings and trim and most projects land at $3.50–$6 per sq ft. Every price includes full prep, furniture and floor protection, premium coastal-grade paint (Benjamin Moore / Sherwin-Williams) and a spotless cleanup.
Learn more about interior paintingExterior Painting — $3.50 to $7/sq ft
| Home Size | Typical Sq Ft | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single-story home | 1,200–1,500 sq ft | $5,500–$9,000 |
| Mid-size home | 1,800–2,000 sq ft | $7,000–$12,000 |
| Two-story home | 2,200–2,500 sq ft | $9,000–$14,500 |
| Large / waterfront home | 3,000+ sq ft | $12,000–$20,000+ |
Lowcountry sun, salt and humidity are brutal on exteriors — that's why every job includes pressure washing, scraping, caulking, priming and two full coats of coastal-grade paint built to last. Two-story and waterfront homes trend toward the upper range.
Learn more about exterior painting
Real project photoCabinet Refinishing — $3,500 to $12,000
| Kitchen Size | Doors & Drawers | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom vanity | 4–8 pieces | $650–$1,200 |
| Small kitchen | 15–25 pieces | $3,500–$5,500 |
| Average kitchen | 25–40 pieces | $5,500–$8,500 |
| Large kitchen + island | 40+ pieces | $8,500–$12,000+ |
A sprayed, factory-smooth finish at roughly a third of the cost of new custom cabinets. Includes degreasing, sanding, bonding primer and a durable professional-grade topcoat that holds up to daily kitchen use — the single highest-impact upgrade per dollar in your home.
Real project photoDrywall Repair — from $250
| Repair Type | Typical Scope | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small holes | Up to 4 inches | $250–$450 |
| Medium patches | 4–24 inches | $400–$700 |
| Water damage / large sections | Per damaged area | $600–$1,200 |
| Ceiling repairs | Per damaged area | $450–$950 |
Holes, cracks, dents and water damage patched and blended so you'd never know they were there. Texture matching (orange peel, knockdown, smooth) is always included — the repair disappears once painted.
Learn more about drywall repair
Real project photoDrywall Installation — $2.00 to $3.75/sq ft
| Scope | Unit | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard walls, finished | Per sq ft | $2.00–$3.75 |
| Per 4'×8' sheet — hung, taped & finished | Per sheet | $75–$125 |
| Ceilings, finished | Per sq ft | $2.50–$4.00 |
| Single room (12'×12') | Full room | $1,500–$2,600 |
| Garage / addition | Full space | $3,000–$7,000+ |
New drywall hung, taped, mudded and sanded to a Level 4 paint-ready finish. Whether you price it per sheet or per square foot, the number includes materials, labor and cleanup — no surprises.
Real project photoTexture Removal — $2.50 to $6/sq ft
| Project Size | Ceiling Area | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single room ceiling | 150–200 sq ft | $450–$1,100 |
| Living areas | 300–500 sq ft | $900–$2,800 |
| Whole home | 1,500+ sq ft | $3,800–$9,000+ |
Dated popcorn and heavy textures scraped clean, skim-coated and sanded to a smooth, modern finish — fully prepped and ready for paint. Containment and cleanup are included, so your home stays dust-free.
Real project photoWallpaper Removal — $350 to $900/room
| Room Type | Typical Scope | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room / bathroom | Single layer | $300–$550 |
| Bedroom | Single layer | $400–$750 |
| Large room or multiple layers | Vinyl / stubborn glue | $650–$1,100+ |
| Per square foot | Walls | $1.00–$2.25 |
Careful, damage-free stripping of old wallpaper plus full adhesive cleanup and wall prep, so the surface is ready for a flawless new coat of paint. Multiple layers or vinyl papers take longer and trend toward the top of the range.
Real project photoPool Deck & Concrete Coatings — $4.50 to $10/sq ft
| Finish Type | Price / Sq Ft | Estimated Total (500 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete paint / broom finish | $4.50–$6.50 | $2,250–$3,250 |
| Slip-resistant textured coating | $6.50–$8.50 | $3,250–$4,250 |
| Premium decorative / epoxy | $8.50–$10+ | $4,250–$5,000+ |
Slip-resistant, UV and salt-resistant coatings for pool decks, patios, driveways and garage floors — engineered for the coastal Lowcountry climate. All pool deck pricing includes a non-slip additive for safety.
Vinyl Flooring (LVP) Installation — $4.50 to $8.50/sq ft installed
| Scope | Unit | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Labor only | Per sq ft | $2.00–$3.50 |
| Material (waterproof LVP) | Per sq ft | $2.50–$5.00 |
| Installed total | Per sq ft | $4.50–$8.50 |
| Standard bedroom | ~150 sq ft | $700–$1,300 |
| Whole home | ~1,000 sq ft | $4,500–$8,500 |
Durable, 100% waterproof luxury vinyl plank installed with precision — perfect for coastal homes. Pricing includes subfloor prep, underlayment and trim/transition pieces.
Real project photoWhat affects your price?
Project Size
Larger projects have a lower per-square-foot cost — fixed setup costs get spread across more area.
Surface Condition
Peeling paint, water stains, heavy textures or damaged drywall need extra prep before the finish coat.
Ceiling Height & Access
Vaulted ceilings, stairwells and two-story exteriors require ladders, lifts and more labor time.
Coastal Protection
Salt air and humidity call for moisture-resistant primers and premium coastal-grade paints.
Trim & Detail Work
Crown molding, wainscoting, built-ins and multiple accent colors add precision hand work.
Extras
Drywall fixes, texture removal or minor carpentry discovered during the walkthrough are quoted upfront.
What's included in our price
Free on-site estimate
We measure, discuss options and hand you a detailed written quote — no cost, no pressure.
Full surface preparation
Cleaning, sanding, patching, caulking and priming — the step cheap painters skip.
Premium materials
Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams and pro-grade coatings chosen for the coastal climate.
Protection of your home
Furniture, floors, landscaping and fixtures covered and masked before we open a can.
Expert crew
Experienced, detail-obsessed painters — the owner checks every project personally.
Full cleanup
Your home is left spotless. The only evidence we were there is the finish.
Color guidance
Not sure about the shade? We help you land the perfect color — and you can preview it with our AI Color Visualizer.
Licensed & insured
General liability coverage for your complete protection.
An investment your home shows off every day
Our clients are homeowners who care about their home — from growing families refreshing their first house to waterfront estates on Hilton Head. What they have in common: they want it done once, done beautifully, and done by a crew they can trust inside their home.
That's what these prices buy: meticulous prep, premium coastal-grade materials, designer-quality finishes and a licensed, insured team that treats your home like their own. A finish that still looks flawless years later is always the better investment.
Pricing questions, answered
Yes. We come to your home, measure the space, talk through options and give you a detailed written quote — completely free, no obligation.