A paint job may be just what your home needs for a fresh new look. But before you can get started, you’ll need to know the average painting cost per square foot and determine the scope of the project. In Ontario, interior painting typically costs $2 – $3 + HST per square foot.

Using a 1,200 square foot house as an example, you can expect to pay an average of $3,000 – $5,000 + HST for interior painting. Exterior painting would cost between $4,000 and $9,000 + HST, depending on the size of the exterior and materials.

Disclaimer: The prices mentioned here are average estimates based on industry research. These are not our prices. Actual costs can vary depending on your home’s size, condition, and specific requirements.

How Much Does it Cost to Paint a House in Ontario?

On average, interior painting in Ontario costs between $2 and $3 per square foot plus HST, while exterior painting typically runs $2.50 to $3.75 per square foot plus HST. Looking at the table below, this means smaller homes (around 1,200 sq. ft.) may cost as little as $7,000 for both interior and exterior, while larger homes (4,000 sq. ft.) can reach up to $30,000 depending on size, materials, prep work, and finishes.

Home Size	Interior Painting	Exterior Painting	Whole House Average
1,200 sq. ft.	$3,000 – $5,000	$4,000 – $9,000	$7,000 – $14,000
2,000 sq. ft.	$4,000 – $6,000	$5,000 – $11,000	$9,000 – $17,000
2,500 sq. ft.	$5,000 – $7,500	$6,500 – $12,500	$11,500 – $20,000
3,000 sq. ft.	$6,000 – $9,000	$8,000 – $15,000	$14,000 – $24,000
3,500 sq. ft.	$7,000 – $10,500	$9,500 – $16,500	$16,500 – $27,000
4,000 sq. ft.	$8,000 – $12,000	$11,000 – $18,000	$19,000 – $30,000

Cost of Painting an Average Room In Ontario

You may be interested in only painting a room in your home and not necessarily your entire home. So knowing a breakdown of what the cost may be for specific areas of your home is important. This is especially beneficial if you have a tight budget and need to make an informed decision about which rooms to prioritize for your paint job. Remember, you don’t have to get your whole house painted all at once. Here are the average costs of painting different rooms in Toronto.

Cost of Painting a Bedroom

Like other rooms in your home, the size of the bedroom plays a huge role in determining how much the paint job will cost. On average, $500–$700 is about how much it will cost to paint a small bedroom. For master bedrooms, the painting cost can increase to about $900–$1,200.

Cost of Painting a Hallway

In Toronto, the average size of a home is about 1,500 ft². If your hallway is larger, extends well into the home and has extensive trim work, your painting estimate will be higher. But on average, the cost would be between $3,500 and $4,500.

Cost of Painting a Living Room, Dining Room & Kitchen

These rooms in your home are relatively smaller in size than open spaces like hallways. Therefore, the average cost of painting these rooms is about $600–$800. But this depends on the size and shape of the room. If you have a larger living room, kitchen or dining room area, expect to pay about $1,000–$1,400, on average.

Cost of Painting a Bathroom

Painting a small bathroom will cost about $300–$400 since there isn’t much wall space in these rooms. For larger bathrooms, the cost can go up to about $500–$700. You can expect to pay about the same to paint a laundry room.

How Much Does Different Paint Cost?

Estimating how much paint you will need and how much to set aside for it can be a little tricky; however, it is safe to go with estimating about 15 to 25% of the cost for the paint job. How much you will spend on the paint depends heavily on the type and grade of paint you are using.

For mid-grade paint, you can expect to pay about $30–$45 per gallon. Other types of paint are good quality but cost less.

While spending less on paint may seem like a good way to keep your costs down, spending anything under $20 per gallon can be problematic. Cheap paint is hard to apply and deteriorates quickly over time.

On the higher end, premium paints such as Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams can cost $50–$70 per gallon. Exterior paint options are usually priced about 25% higher because they are designed to withstand weather.

Latex Paint

Latex paint is the most widely used option for interior painting, chosen for over 70% of residential projects. It dries quickly typically 1 hour to touch and 4 hours between coats making it ideal for large rooms or jobs requiring multiple layers. It’s best suited for walls and ceilings in dry areas like living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Latex paint is also low in VOCs, making it a more eco-friendly choice, and cleanup is simple with soap and water.

The average cost ranges from $30 to $60 per gallon, depending on the brand and finish.

Oil Based Paint

Oil-based paint, while less common in Canada due to higher VOC content, is still favored for certain applications. It provides a durable, long-lasting finish that resists moisture and wear, making it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, baseboards, and trims. However, it dries much slower, usually 6 to 8 hours to touch and up to 24 hours between coats, and requires mineral spirits for cleanup.

Oil-based paint typically costs between $35 and $55 per gallon, with premium options reaching higher.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Paint a House

Besides the paint price per square foot, there are other factors that come into play when determining the cost to paint a house.

1. Type of Room

Different rooms in the house will typically have a different painting cost, even when they share a similar square footage. This is because although rooms may be the same size, there’s less surface area that needs painting. For example, the tiling in bathrooms and kitchens means that less paint is used than in bedrooms.

Additionally, certain paint products and finishes are appropriate for different rooms. If there are special elements (ceiling, trim, doors, closets, etc.) that need painting as well, that will also add to the total cost, ranging anywhere from $75 – $1,300 + HST per element.

Such a wide range also accounts for the presence of specific features that require additional attention. For example, a popcorn ceiling costs more to paint than a smooth one.

2. Prep Work Needed

The condition of your walls is another factor that determines the final painting cost due to the preparation work needed. This work may include surface cleaning, sanding, filling, caulking, drywall repair, and more. Also, the number of layers you’ll need to paint depends on the condition of the walls, plus the colour and quality of the existing paint. If there is more preparation work to be done, it adds to the painting labour cost per square foot.

4. Interior vs. Exterior Painting

Whether you’re doing interior or exterior painting also determines the final cost, with exterior painting costing more. This is due to the paint products and preparation work needed. Exterior paint has to be durable enough to contend with the elements, so special weatherproof paint is needed. In terms of preparation work, the exterior walls often need extra steps, such as power washing and scraping, before the painting can begin. During the painting process, there are also weather conditions that can slow down the process.

5. Complexity

The complexity of the house is a consideration when determining the final cost of painting. Whether it’s the layout of the room being painted or the accessibility of your home. In the case of exterior painting, the harder the areas needing painting are to access, the more you can expect to pay.

Always get a quotation for the painting labour cost per square foot. Take note that the amount of furniture you have may be another factor influencing labour costs. The more items you have that need to be moved before painting, the higher the labour cost will be

FAQ

How much can I expect to pay for the paint?

Premium paints are more durable but cost more, usually around $120 per gallon. Mid-grade paints are typically about $45-90 per gallon. There are lower-grade paints available, but these are generally not recommended for durability and smooth application. Try to avoid paint that costs less than $25 per gallon. Generally, prepare to set aside 15-25% of your painting budget for the paint.

What is the cost to paint a 1,500 sq ft house interior in Canada?

Painting a 1,500 sq ft house in Canada typically costs $4,000 to $6,500. This includes labour, materials, and minor preparation.

Can I paint my house myself?

DIY is certainly an option. You have to decide if you can do all the preparation work yourself or if you’d like to outsource this aspect and focus on the main painting. Just be aware that it’s a time-consuming process, and you need good practice for even application. For exterior painting, we recommend hiring a professional painter to make sure adequate weatherproofing has been done.

Ready to Refresh Your Home? Let’s Talk Paint Selections.

Painting your home is an investment that depends on size, finishes, and preparation. Use these averages as a guide, and always request a detailed quote for accurate pricing in Toronto.

Ready for a fresh, expertly painted home? Get a quote from Prestige Painting & Contracting today! We service all of Toronto and the GTA.