Painting a ceiling costs $250 on average
You might not always think to look up, but the state of your ceiling can have a major impact on the look and feel of a room. A brand-new paint job on your ceiling can refresh the space and make the color of your walls pop all while covering up unsightly marks, water spots, and other blemishes. Are you ready to hire a pro to ensure there really is no place like home? Here’s what your cost to paint a ceiling could look like.
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $150 | $250 | $550 |
Ceiling Painting Cost Factors
As with most projects you’ve probably taken on, many factors can impact your cost to paint a ceiling. Here are the most common variables that will affect your budget.
Ceiling Size
Painting a ceiling costs anywhere from $0.50 to $5 per square foot on average. For a small project like a single room, expect the price to be $1 per square foot or more if you hire a professional painter. Smaller jobs done by pros tend to cost more per square foot due to overhead costs such as fuel, insurance, travel, and supplies other than paint (think ladders, rollers, edgers, painter’s tape, etc.).
Ceiling Height
Most ceilings are about 8 feet tall and accessible with a basic ladder or extendable pole. If you have to paint higher ceilings or vaulted ceilings, this can mean increased labor costs to account for a bigger ladder, more risk, and increased difficulty.
Type of Ceiling
The type of ceiling you have can impact the cost, too. Most styles will go for $1 to $3 per square foot, while exposed basement ceilings and tongue and groove ceilings are specialty jobs that can cost anywhere between $1.50 and $6 per square foot.
Materials
One gallon of ceiling paint typically costs between $20 and $60. Usually, one gallon will cover around 350 to 400 square feet of ceiling space. Be sure you’re opting for ceiling paint rather than standard wall paint. Yes, it costs more, but it’s more durable and much better at covering up flaws.
Labor
Professional painters charge between $25 and $75 per hour on average. While this can seem costly at a glance, you’ll be getting the skills and expertise of a pro, plus they’ll get the job done much quicker. Hiring a painter will save you tons of time and likely a bit of backache, letting you get to other home DIYs as soon as the next day.
Trim and Crown Molding
If you’ve recently installed some trim or crown molding on your ceilings (or had a pro do it for you), keep in mind that some painters may charge extra to paint these aesthetic add-ons.
Ceiling trim adds another entire layer of complexity to the job, so budget a bit extra if you have trim or crown molding you want your pro to paint. Most pros charge between $0.50 and $1.50 to paint crown molding while they’re already working on your ceilings.
Prep Work
Unless your ceiling is in pristine condition, you’ll also want to budget extra materials and labor costs for cleaning your ceiling, sanding where needed, and adding a coat of primer. Doing all these steps beforehand will help disguise any blemishes, fingerprints, water stains, and uneven areas, plus it’ll help get the job done in fewer coats.
Cost to Paint/Remove Popcorn Ceiling
Popcorn ceiling, the cottage cheese-like ceiling texture that was popular from the mid-1940s to the 1990s, can complicate a ceiling painting project. If you’re only looking to paint over the popcorn ceiling, you’ll pay the basic cost of $1 to $3 per square foot, but you’ll likely need to purchase additional paint to cover every surface and crevice.
If you’re looking to get rid of the popcorn and start with a smooth surface, this is where it can become a pricey (and potentially hazardous) job. Popcorn ceiling removal alone costs $925 to $2,960 on average, but for ceilings that were installed before 1980, there’s also the hazard of asbestos to consider.
Whether you’re removing your own popcorn ceiling or calling in a pro, you’ll need to budget extra to have the ceiling tested for asbestos. Should any asbestos be detected, you’ll likely pay anywhere from $5 to $20 per square foot to cover the cost of asbestos removal prior to your paint job.
Additional Costs to Consider
Every project is different, and there may be variables that will drive up your cost to paint the ceiling. Here are a few more costs to consider when you’re getting ready to revamp your space.
Repairs
Ceiling repairs cost anywhere from $440 to $1,500. Unfortunately, a fresh coat of paint won’t cover up cracks, holes, or peeling paint, so these repairs will tack on extra costs to your budget. For mysterious water stains or sagging ceilings, you should consider bringing in a local plumber to inspect for leaks.
Project Minimum Fees
To ensure a profit after covering overhead expenses, many paint contractors charge a minimum fee for projects—typically around $200 to $300. If you’re only painting the ceiling in your bathroom, for example, costs per square foot likely won’t be an accurate picture of how much your pro will charge for the job. Be sure to ask about minimum fees when shopping around for quotes.
Tipping
If you’re wondering whether to tip your painter, know that tipping isn’t expected (but it’s always appreciated). Anywhere from 10% to 15% of your project total is a generous amount to stick to if it’s within your budget, but you can also show appreciation with refreshments and a positive review for a job well done.
Cost to Paint a Ceiling Yourself
If you want to paint a ceiling yourself, you’ll typically spend between $100 and $200. This price will cover paint supplies such as a roller and extension pole, paint trays, drop cloths, primer, and paint. If you need to purchase a ladder, your DIY ceiling painting costs will go up another $200 to $400. Aside from that, you’ll be investing a decent bit of your free time and effort. Ceilings are more of a challenge to paint than walls, so be sure to factor this into your cost considerations. Your time is very valuable, after all.
Cost to DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor
If you don’t already have the supplies you need, hiring a local interior painting company may not cost much more than taking on the project yourself. DIYing costs roughly $100 to $200, while hiring a pro costs around $250 on average. You’ll also save considerable time and effort by investing in the expertise of a pro, plus you’ll get a smooth, even, and flawless finish.
Cost of Common Add-Ons for Painting a Ceiling
When you’re having a ceiling painted, it’s always a good idea to bundle up your various painting projects and get as much done at once as you can. This will help save you in minimum project fees, plus you might be able to get a price break for larger projects. Here are a few add-ons to consider when painting a ceiling:
Cost to paint crown molding: $0.50–$1.50 per linear foot
Cost to paint a room: $150–$2,000
Cost to paint the interior of a home: $950–$3,000
7 Ways You Can Save Money When Painting a Ceiling
If you’re trying to make this project as budget-friendly as possible, here are some ways to save money on the cost to paint a ceiling when DIYing or hiring out for this project:
Purchase your own paint, as some painters might mark up prices for providing the paint.
Opt for high-quality ceiling paint for even, durable coverage that will save you in future repainting costs.
Use primer to disguise flaws and help you get the paint job done in fewer coats.
When hiring a professional painter, get at least three quotes to find the best deal.
Protect your furniture and flooring with drop cloths or plastic sheets to prevent paint spills or splatters that might require costly cleaning or repairs.
Properly clean and store your brushes and rollers so you have them handy for your next painting project.
Avoid wasting paint and only pour the amount you need on the paint tray. Less is more!
Frequently Asked Questions
It's important to carefully review and compare painting quotes from different professionals to ensure you have a clear understanding of the scope of work, costs, and terms before making a decision. If anything is unclear or if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask the painter for clarification.
Here are the main details the quotes should cover:
A breakdown of material and labor costs
A detailed description of the scope of work
An estimated timeline for the project
Costs of any prep work
Payment terms
Warranty or quality guarantee
In general, it’s good practice to apply at least two coats of ceiling paint for the best results. However, the actual number of coats you’ll need for optimal coverage varies based on the ceiling’s condition, the paint quality, and whether or not you use primer. If you’re moving from a dark to a light color, you may need to add extra coats of paint.
This may come down to personal preference, but it’s generally best to paint the ceiling before you paint the walls. Why? Painting the ceiling can be more physically demanding, and painting the ceiling last may result in drips or splatters that would mess up freshly painted walls. By painting the ceiling first, you’ll avoid having to touch up walls after any painting accidents.
