COST CALCULATOR

How Much Does It Cost To Paint A Bathroom?

Q: How much to paint a bathroom?

The national average cost to paint a bathroom is $250. For small bathrooms with minimal details and using matte-finish, non-designer paint, the cost could be as little as $150. Costs increase from there as you factor in larger spaces, higher ceilings, detail work, textured finishes, and upgraded paint.

Q: How do I know if my old paint is lead-based?

You can order a kit online to test for the presence of lead in your paint. The test will require a small piece of the existing paint, so you’ll need to scrape off a test piece from a hidden or discreet area.

Q: How much paint does one gallon cover?

Typically, a gallon of paint covers 400 square feet. This will be less for textured walls because they have more surface area and take more paint to cover. The amount of extra paint you’ll need to cover textured walls depends on how heavy the texture is.

Q: Is designer paint worth the extra cost?

The biggest benefit of designer paints is that they tend to be far more durable and long-lasting than standard brands. Designer paint finishes are easier to clean, helping you to keep them looking great for longer. The color palette offered by designer paint brands can also be more extensive than less expensive brands, so if you’re set on a specific color, that might be your only option. Painting a bathroom is a high-impact project and can completely change the feel of your space, taking a dingy old bathroom and making it feel fresh and clean. Once you plan out your cost based on the size of your room and the detail work needed, the sky’s the limit for what you can do in terms of color and texture. Let your creativity flow, and in no time, you’ll be enjoying the new look of your updated bathroom.

Typical range: $342-$718

Find out how much your project will cost

Zip Code

cost to paint a bathroom Calculator

For your project in zip code 98109 with these options, the cost to paint a bathroom starts at $2.85-$5.98 per sq ft floor. Your actual price will depend on job size, conditions, finish options you choose.

Painting your bathroom can be the perfect way to refresh your home’s design and bring a whole new feel to your space. When you’re planning a project, it’s important to have a realistic idea of the overall costs, so there aren’t any surprises along the way. Porch’s cost calculators and the info below will help you price out the cost of painting a bathroom so you can confidently embark on your project.

Cost Calculator

Zip Code

Calculations are dependent on where you live

Sq Ft Floor

Standard Services		Quantity	Low	High
What you can expect
Range per sq ft floor:			$2.85	$5.98
Range for this type of project:			$342	$718
Estimate: $530
	Room Painting Cost	128 square feet	$99	$135
	Cost of residential-grade, latex-based dual paint/primer for interior walls and trim. Finish options include flat, satin, or eggshell. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect coverage and occasional touch-ups.
	Room Painting Labor, Basic	7 hours	$236	$576
	Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete project. Surface will be prepared with thorough cleaning, scraping, sanding, and patching (up to 3 hours and 4 surface defects per 100 SF). Edges will be caulked, and spot prime applied as needed. Two coats of paint will be uniformly rolled or brushed on walls or ceiling. Fee is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup.
	Room Painting Job Supplies	128 square feet	$6	$7
	Requisite supplies for the job, including masking tape and paper, materials for surface repair and preparation, primers, and cleanup supplies.
Optional Services
	Option: Prime Surface	2 hours	$53	$128
	Surface will be scraped, sanded, and patched (up to 1 hour and 4 minor defects per 100 SF). One coat of primer will be applied with roller or brush.

Standard services

Room Painting Cost
$99 -$135

128
square feet

Cost of residential-grade, latex-based dual paint/primer for interior walls and trim. Finish options include flat, satin, or eggshell. Rate is inclusive of local delivery, as well as standard excess for perfect coverage and occasional touch-ups.

Room Painting Labor, Basic
$236 -$576

7
hours

Labor cost, under typical conditions, for complete project. Surface will be prepared with thorough cleaning, scraping, sanding, and patching (up to 3 hours and 4 surface defects per 100 SF). Edges will be caulked, and spot prime applied as needed. Two coats of paint will be uniformly rolled or brushed on walls or ceiling. Fee is inclusive of all aspects of the project, such as thorough planning, acquisition of equipment and material, preparation and protection of project site, and meticulous cleanup.

Room Painting Job Supplies
$6 -$7

128
square feet

Requisite supplies for the job, including masking tape and paper, materials for surface repair and preparation, primers, and cleanup supplies.

Optional Services

Option: Prime Surface
$53 -$128

2
hours

Surface will be scraped, sanded, and patched (up to 1 hour and 4 minor defects per 100 SF). One coat of primer will be applied with roller or brush.

What you can expect

Range per sq ft floor:
$3 - $6

Range for this type of project:
$342 - $718

Estimate:
$530

Cost Comparison

YOUR ESTIMATE

$530

NATIONAL AVERAGE RANGE

$321 -$673

YOUR ESTIMATE

Paint a Bathroom: national average cost

The national average materials cost to paint a bathroom is $0.86 per sq ft floor, with a range between $0.73 to $0.98. The total price for labor and materials per sq ft floor is $4.14, coming in between $2.67 to $5.61. A typical 120 sq ft floor project costs $496.87, with a range of $320.95 to $672.80. Your actual price will depend on your location, job size, conditions and finish options you choose.

cost to paint a bathroom
National Avg. Materials Cost per sq ft floor	$0.86
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 120 sq ft floor	$496.87
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 120 sq ft floor	$320.95 - $672.80

Costs to consider when painting your bathroom

When you’re budgeting for your bathroom paint cost, consider a few key elements to help you get an idea of what to expect:

The size of your room – Most professional painters will give you a quote based on the square footage of your room, so larger spaces with high ceilings will cost more to paint.
The complexity of your space – While charging based on square footage is the most common, if you have a small space that’s heavy on details like corners, windows, cabinets, or other characteristics, your painter may charge by the hour.
The area that you live in – The amount you’re quoted depends on your location. For example, expect to pay more for your bathroom paint cost in California than in New Mexico.

Additional costs

Once you have an idea about the size and space of your home, think about the factors that may increase your overall project cost to paint a bathroom:

The type of paint finish you choose – Matte finish paint costs less than glossier finishes. Expect to pay a base price of $20 to $30 per gallon, with an additional $2 to $3 per gallon for each level of gloss. The common paint finishes are flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss.
The brand of paint you choose – While standard paint brands are $20 to $30 per gallon, expect to pay as much as $100 per gallon for designer brands like Farrow & Ball or Benjamin Moore’s high-end lines.
The type of finish on your walls – Textured walls take more paint and are more time-consuming for painters. Some professionals may charge more for textured walls, and you can definitely expect an increase in your materials cost for paint.
Living in a remote or rural area – If you live outside of an urban area, it’s possible that a painter may include an extra charge for their travel time.
Any repairs or patchwork that needs to be done – Cracks, holes, and dents need to be patched in order to achieve a smooth finish on your new paint job. Your painter may include this in their square footage quote or add an hourly charge for the repair work.

Labor costs for painting a bathroom

The average cost of labor is $1 to $4 per square foot or $20 to $50 per hour. Within those price ranges, your actual cost depends on the area you live in, the level of experience your painter has, and the current demand. In some areas, interior painting is more popular in the cooler months, meaning painters are busier and may charge more in fall and winter.

Expect the cost of labor to be as much or more than the paint and materials themselves. This is great if you’re thinking of taking this on as a DIY project.

Material costs for painting a bathroom

A gallon of paint will cover about 400 square feet and costs anywhere from $20 to $100, depending on the brand and finish. Keep in mind this only refers to one coat, and most walls will require at least two coats for a smooth finish.

If you’re hiring a professional painter, they’ll come with their own tools and additional materials. For a successful DIY project, you’ll need to factor in the cost of some additional materials:

Paint tray – $2 to $5
Paint liners – Approximately $1 per liner. However, most are sold in packages of three, five, or 10.
Paint roller – $3 to $15
Paint brushes – Anywhere from $1 to $18. Paint brushes aren’t the place to scrimp on spending – you’ll get a much better finish and save time with a good-quality brush.
Painters tape – $5 to $11
Plastic drop sheeting – $7 to $60, depending on size.

To DIY or not to DIY?

Overall, painting is a great DIY project. Even if you’re not an expert, painting is a perfect beginner project.

Take some time to watch a couple of online tutorials. There are great options from painting companies available on platforms like YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok. These will give you an idea of what you can expect and help you decide if you want to use painter's tape or test your steadiness and use a cutting-in technique.

Painting your bathroom can also be a fun couple or family project. Get someone to paint the edges with a brush while the other person uses a paint roller. You’ll cut down on your overall painting time while spending a day together - it’s a win-win. As long as your bathroom has enough room to allow for more than one person, painting can be a fun and productive indoor activity.

When to hire a pro

DIY-ing your bathroom painting project is a great option, but there are some instances where it’s better to hire a pro. If your bathroom has any of the elements below and you’re not an experienced DIY guru or don’t have the proper safety equipment, it’s best to bring in the professionals.

High ceilings – Professional painters are equipped with scaffolding, ladders, and personal protective equipment, allowing them to paint high walls and ceilings safely. If you don’t have access to or don’t want to rent the equipment needed, it’s best to leave it to the pros.
Lead paint – If you know (or suspect) that your current paint is over 40 years old, there’s a good chance it could be lead-based paint. Lead is toxic and needs to be removed safely to avoid harmful effects, so this is definitely a job for a professional painter.
High-gloss paint – High-gloss paint looks wonderful when it’s well done, but it shows imperfections and mistakes more than matte finishes. Even professional painters need to take extra care with high-gloss finishes and may even opt to spray them on instead of rolling or brushing because of the potential for brush marks.
Significant holes – Small dings, scrapes, and nail holes can be easily fixed with spackle, but any larger holes needing drywall work to replace should be done by a painter or general contractor in your area.