Painting a home is a great way to add value to it while also improving its appearance. However, many homeowners may not be prepared for the cost of painting. The cost of hiring a painting company that charges by the hour may appear huge. In fact, many homeowners may feel cheated by these companies.
It is normal for homeowners to wonder about the cost of hiring a painter. The hourly rates for a painter will depend on a range of factors, including the time is taken, cost of transportation to you, the scope and difficulty of the job, set up time, and cleanup. The painter’s overall cost may also depend on the cost of the painting material to be used. On average, painters charge between $40 to $60 per hour. However, the national average cost is pegged at $50.
Estimating the Cost of your Painting Job
Estimating the cost of your next painting project can help you to budget for it properly. Knowing the factors that contribute to the overall costs can also help you to save more money. While there are painters that charge by the hour, some other painters charge per project. It is definitely worth considering whether to choose the latter or the former. For small projects such as a single room painting, hiring the painter on an hourly basis can help to cut costs. However, a per-project payment is recommended for larger projects like exterior painting.
How Painters Estimate Your Painting Job
Site Visits
If you have settled on a painting contractor to use, the first line of action after the professional has been contacted is a site visit. Most painters like to come to you to see for themselves what they will be working on. A site visit allows for a proper visual appraisal of the project. During this site visit, the painter will note the conditions of the walls to be painted over, measure the areas to be worked on, and discuss paint options with you. Note that the condition of the wall will affect the overall cost of the project. Walls that demand more attention will cost more money whether your painter has agreed to an hourly rate or per-project rate. Walls with imperfections will also require more materials to cover up affected areas.
During or after this site visit, you will be presented with a quote for the project. Be sure to ask whether the painter will be supplying the paints or you’ll be in charge. If you supply the materials, the painter can easily quote an estimate for the expected work hours to finish the project or per-project rate.
Cost of Paint and Other Materials
If your painter has agreed for you to get the paint and other materials, you’ll need to consider the cost of the paint. Depending on the brand and quality, a gallon of paint can cost anywhere between $15 and $80. If you are buying several units, you may be able to strike a bargain with the seller to save you some money. A good way to approach the paint buying process is to seek paint supplier recommendations from your contractor. Your contractor may be able to link you with suppliers that offer big discounts on certain purchases.
The cost incurred on paint and other materials is also dependent on the scope of your project and the condition of your walls. On average, a 1,500 square foot house may require as many as 10 gallons of paint. If you buy each gallon at $40, you’d have spent $400 on paint. Other materials to consider include paint primer cost per gallon, tape, caulking, masking plastics, masking paper, and any other requirement listed by your painter. To save money, compare the market price of paint and other materials to the estimate offered by your painter.
Labor Costs
Your painter is in business to make some profits. This means that they are happy to apply a price markup on their services to reflect the current market trends. The cost of labor for a painting job is determined by a range of factors. Your painter primarily does not want to charge an amount below the average labor cost in your community. Please note that the average labor costs vary from one community to another within a state and from state to state. The cost of labor in an urban area will be significantly higher compared to a rural area. In estimating the cost of labor, you may be offered a flat fee or an estimate based on the height and size of the room, condition of surfaces to be painted on, project scope, and the existing paint color on the walls.
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