When hiring a professional painter to paint a room in your home, one of the most common questions is “How long will it take?”. The time it takes for a painter to complete the job depends on several factors, including the size of the room, the amount of prep work required, the number of coats being applied, and the skill level of the painter.
Size of the Room
The most basic factor that impacts the time it will take to paint a room is the size of the room. The total wall space that needs to be painted is directly correlated to the total time invested in the project. A small 10 x 10 bedroom will take less time to paint than a large 20 x 20 living room. Here is a general breakdown of how room size impacts painting time:
Room Size | Approximate Painting Time |
---|---|
Small room (bedroom, office) – approx. 10 x 10 ft | 6-8 hours |
Medium room (family room, dining room) – approx. 15 x 15 ft | 8-12 hours |
Large room (living room, master bedroom) – approx. 20 x 20 ft | 12-16 hours |
Extra large room (great room, open concept) – approx. 25 x 25 ft or larger | 16+ hours |
As you can see, the painter will need more time to paint larger rooms that have more wall square footage. The time estimates above assume a single coat of paint on previously painted drywall in good condition. Additional coats, wall prep, and repairs will add time.
Amount of Preparation Work Needed
To achieve an attractive, lasting paint job, proper prep work is crucial. The time required for prep will depend on the condition of the walls and if anything needs to be fixed, filled, sanded or primed. Here are some common prep tasks:
- Filling holes, nicks and dents in drywall
- Sanding high spots and textures on walls
- Cleaning walls to remove grease or stains
- Removing old wallpaper or other wall coverings
- Patching cracks or damaged drywall areas
- Sanding down high gloss paint to improve adhesion
- Applying primer to hide color changes or improve topcoat adhesion
In general, expect prep work to add at least 2-4 hours in a typical room. Rooms with significant damage, wallpaper removal or very dirty surfaces may take up to 8 hours or more of prep. Always budget extra time for proper prep work to ensure the paint looks its best.
Number of Paint Coats
The number of coats needed will factor into the total painting time as well. Most rooms require two coats of paint for adequate coverage and an even appearance. Here is how the number of coats impacts time:
- One coat – Best for painting same color over existing paint in good shape. Quick but risks seeing through to base layer.
- Two coats – Recommended for most rooms and situations. Provides good coverage and even color.
- Three coats – Best for painting over stark color differences or creating vibrant colors. Ensures complete opacity.
In general, you can estimate each coat will add 4-6 hours for an average room. Darker colors may require an extra coat to achieve opacity. High contrast colors like painting over red with white are also likely to require a third coat of paint.
Skill Level of Painter
The speed and efficiency of the painter makes a big difference in how long the job will take. Painting requires technique and practice to become efficient. Some factors impacting painter skill and speed include:
- Years of painting experience
- Quality of tools and brushes used
- Familiarity painting the specific surface
- Attention to detail and finishing
- Physical stamina and conditioning
Amateur or inexperienced painters often take 50-100% longer than professionals. They may need extra time for prep, cutting in edges, avoiding drips, and touch ups. Always hire a pro painter for an efficient experience.
Additional Factors
Some additional factors can add time to a paint job as well. These include:
- High or hard to reach areas needing scaffolding or ladders to access.
- Narrow hallways or obstacles requiring cutting around.
- Textured surfaces like popcorn or acoustic ceilings.
- Lots of windows, doors, trim and built-ins requiring taping off and cutting in.
- Dark or bright colors requiring extra coats for opacity and vibrancy.
- High-sheen finishes needing extra time and precision to avoid imperfections.
In general, expect to add at least 2-4 hours for any of these special factors that apply to your room. More complex rooms with multiple challenges could add 8 hours or more.
Conclusion
To estimate how long your room should take to paint, follow these guidelines:
- Assess room size and estimate base time frame.
- Account for prep work like spackling or sanding.
- Factor in time per coat and number of coats needed.
- Add time for painter skill level and experience.
- Include any extra time for high areas, obstacles, textures, windows, etc.
A typical 12×12 bedroom with standard prep, two coats, and a pro painter will often take 14-18 hours. Expect large or complex rooms to run up to 40 hours total in some cases. Acquiring multiple bids can also give you an idea of reasonable timeframes. Keep in mind that most professional painters estimate projects based on both time and materials. The finished cost is not necessarily directly tied to hours invested, but rather the quality of work performed. Patience and allowing adequate time will ensure your paint job gets completed properly from start to finish.
FAQ about Painting Time Estimates
Should I get a time estimate in writing?
Yes, always request a written estimate or contract for a painting project. This should identify prep work needed, estimated hours, number of coats, and any other requirements. However, be aware that the final hours may vary once the work begins. Flexibility is reasonable, but major deviations should be discussed.
How much time should I budget if I paint the room myself?
As an amateur painter, expect the project to take you 50-100% longer than a pro. If a pro would take 15 hours, budget at least 20-30 hours for your first attempt. The learning curve is steep, so be conservative in estimating. An extra day or two is typical for DIYers.
Should I ask the painter to quote the job based on time or a fixed fee?
Most professional painters will provide a bid based on both time and materials as well as a fixed price quote for the entire project. This protects both them and the customer. Time and materials ensure fair compensation for their work, while a fixed fee means you know the final cost upfront.
What if the painter says it will take much longer than I expect?
If the painter’s estimate seems excessive, ask them to break down their prep work requirements, coats, and detail work phase by phase. This line item estimate should help you understand where the time goes. If it still seems too high, consider getting a second opinion from another established pro.
What if the room has high ceilings or cut up layout?
Complex room layouts with tall ceilings, cutouts, accent walls or architectural details will require more time across all phases of the work. Be sure to point out these elements to the painters so they can account for the additional work required when estimating hours.
Key Takeaways
- Room size, amount of prep, number of coats and painter skill impact time frames.
- Estimate at least 6-8 hours per coat for an average room with moderate prep.
- Pros work 50-100% faster than amateurs or DIY painters.
- Factor in extras like high areas, complex layouts, windows and obstacles.
- Get a detailed, line item estimate from painters to understand the full scope.
- Allow flexibility, but major deviations in time should be discussed.