What affects the price
Every painting quote in Toronto is built from the same handful of things. Once you know what they are, two quotes that look far apart usually start to make sense.
Size of the job
Painters price the surface being painted, not the square footage on your listing. A room with tall ceilings, a lot of trim or several doors takes longer than a bigger, simpler room. Walls, ceilings, trim, doors and closets are usually separate lines in the scope, so you can choose what is in and what is out.
Condition and prep
Prep is where most of the time goes. Filling cracks and nail holes, sanding, repairing drywall, caulking gaps, priming stains and, outside, scraping loose paint all happen before the first coat. A well-kept home costs less to paint than one with water stains, old wallpaper or popcorn ceilings.
Height and access
Stairwells, two-storey foyers, vaulted ceilings and third-floor exteriors need taller ladders, planks or a lift, and more time to set up safely. Tight access, like a semi with a narrow side yard or a condo with booked elevators, adds time too.
Number of colours
One wall colour throughout is the most efficient. Every extra colour means more cutting in and more clean-up, and a big change from dark to light often needs a primer or an extra coat. Accent walls, two-tone rooms and separate colours for trim and doors all add up.
Paint quality
We use Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams. Each brand has several product lines, and the better lines cost more per can but cover more evenly, wash better and hold their colour longer. Because labour is the larger part of the price, the paint is rarely the right place to save.
Season
Exterior paint and stain need dry surfaces and temperatures inside the range printed on the can, so in Ontario the outdoor season is short and fills up early. Interior painting happens all year.
Interior painting costs
Interior jobs are usually priced per room or for the whole interior. For a single room, the walls are the base price and you decide whether ceilings, trim and doors are included. A whole interior is often better value per room, because protection, setup and clean-up happen once instead of room by room.
| Penthouse condo, 1,418 sq ft, Summerhill | 3 days |
|---|---|
| Four-floor house, 2,880 sq ft, Rosedale | 6 days |
| Downtown condo with drywall repairs, wallpaper removal and popcorn ceilings | 10 working days |
| Detached house, 5,500 sq ft, Lawrence Park | 14 working days |
In our interior price, floors and furniture are covered, walls are patched and sanded, primer goes on where it is needed, and two finish coats follow. We clean up at the end of every day and finish with a walkthrough of every room.
Exterior painting costs
Exterior prices swing more than interior ones, because Toronto houses vary so much. The surface matters (wood siding, aluminum, stucco and brick all prep differently), and so does the detail: a Victorian with decorative trim takes far longer than a plain two-storey of the same size. Height, porches, railings and the condition of the old paint make up the rest.
Outside, prep decides how long the job lasts. That means washing, scraping loose paint, sanding edges, replacing failed caulking and spot-priming bare wood before any colour goes on. We back our exterior work with a 3-year written guarantee.
| Smaller house, Forest Hill | 1.5 days |
|---|---|
| Commercial building, Toronto | About 250 gallons |
| Two side-by-side buildings, Vaughan | 3 painters · 6 weeks · 550 gallons |
| Industrial plaza, 80,000 sq ft, Mississauga | 400+ gallons |
Kitchen cabinet painting costs
Cabinets are priced by the number of doors and drawer fronts, plus the boxes, any island and extras like a second colour or painted interiors. The work is closer to refinishing furniture than painting a wall: every door comes off and is labelled, then degreased, sanded and coated with a bonding primer before the finish is sprayed.
If the boxes are solid and the layout works, painting gives you a kitchen that looks new for a fraction of the cost of replacing it. If they are water-damaged, I'll tell you honestly that paint won't fix that.
| Custom home kitchen, South Burlington | Oak cabinets sprayed white, Chantilly Lace OC-65 |
|---|---|
| Lakefront custom home, southeast Oakville | All cabinetry sprayed |
| Cottage kitchen, Ontario | Knotty pine to navy and white, plus chairs and a wardrobe |
Tell Paul what you need. He’ll send your price.
Get Paul's exact priceHow we quote
I'd rather give you one clear number than a low estimate that grows. Here is how a quote from us comes together.
- 01You send a few photos. A text with photos and a line about what you want is enough for me to tell you whether we are a fit and give a rough idea.
- 02I walk through the space. I look at the surfaces, the repairs and the access, and we talk colours and sheens.
- 03You get a free quote. It lists every room and surface, the prep, the exact product, the number of coats and the schedule.
- 04I'm on the job, start to finish. We finish with a walkthrough together and touch up anything you spot.
How to compare quotes
Put your quotes side by side and check each one against this list. A quote that leaves these out only looks cheaper until the extras arrive.
House painting costs: FAQ
How much does it cost to paint a house in Toronto?
It depends on the surface area, the prep needed, ceiling height and access, and the number of colours, so every house is different. A painter should give you a written price after seeing the house. Our quotes are free.
How long does it take to paint a house?
It depends on size and prep. Two of our real examples: a 2,880 sq ft Rosedale home, four floors, painted in 6 days before listing, and a 4,000 sq ft custom home in South Burlington, full interior plus staircase and cabinets, in 3 weeks.
How many coats of paint does a room need?
Two finish coats is the standard for an even colour that holds up. A big colour change, new drywall or stained surfaces may also need a coat of primer first.
Is paint included in a painting quote?
Not always, so ask. A good quote names the brand, the product line and the sheen. We use Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams, and our quote names the products.
When is the best time to paint the outside of a house in Ontario?
Exterior paint needs dry surfaces and temperatures within the range on the can, which in Ontario usually means late spring to early fall. Interior painting can be done any time of year.
What should a painting quote include?
A written scope naming every room and surface, the prep and repairs included, the brand and product line, the number of coats, the schedule, and the warranty. If something is not written down, assume it is not included.
