How Much Will It Cost to Paint My NYC Apartment?

January 11, 2023

Increasing property value is at the top of the list for most homeowners. However, before embarking on an extensive project like knocking down walls and adding extra joists, remember that the things in life that add the most value are the simplest ones. 

Painting jobs are living proof of that! 

Adding a fresh coat of paint to your interior space is the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way to increase property value. The reason for this is simple – the cost to paint the interior of a house or apartment is smaller, but significantly boosts visual appeal. 

Read on to discover everything you need to know about painting your NYC apartment, from questions like, “How much do painters cost?” to price differences between neighborhoods. 

How Much Does It Cost to Get an Apartment Repainted?

The national average price for a painting job is around $1,900, with a usual scope between $950 and $2,900. But unfortunately, there is no universal cost to paint a room and an apartment, as many factors influence the outcome. 

One of the major aspects is your location. Whether your apartment is in Texas or New York affects how much you will spend. Not only that but the city and neighborhood play a major role as well. 

Another crucial factor is your apartment’s square footage. Of course, the larger the area you want to paint, the higher the cost. 

Other factors that influence the cost to paint the interior of a house or apartment are:

• The painter’s rates;
• Accessibility to walls;
• Occupancy and apartment’s age;
• Surface type (brick, stucco, concrete, fiber cement, drywall, etc.);
• The needed amount of surface preparation;
• Room type (bathroom, kitchen, balcony, etc.);
• Paint quality, type, and amount;
• Your preferred design.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint The Interior in NYC?

Everyone knows that NYC is a little pricier than other places. This is also reflected in the cost of a painting job. So, when you paint an apartment in NYC, budget wisely and expect a higher price.

For instance, the average cost of repainting an NYC apartment varies between $2,000 and $5,000. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t spend less of that or more. As previously mentioned, everything depends on your specific circumstances. 

To determine the total cost beforehand, start by researching how much do painters cost in NYC. Painters in the USA either charge per hour, square footage, project, or day. Their average rates in NYC are $50 per hour, $5.25 per square foot, or $400 per day. 

Can I Reduce the Price?

Of course, you can. A popular option is to supply the paint and tools yourself. In this case, expect to pay a few hundred dollars for supplies (paint brush, ladder, roller, tape, drop cloth, etc.) and from $20 to over $100 for a gallon of paint. 

It’s important to know which tools to purchase and the amount of paint required. Typically, two gallons can cover a surface of 800 square feet. However, this will depend on the design and the paint product.

Other ways to cut costs include preparing the surface and room as much as possible before the project starts. For instance, you can move the furniture to another room, fix wall cracks and bumps, and remove the artwork from the walls. 

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Small Apartment?

Because everything is costly in this part of the USA, you can seriously drain your budget when you paint a house in NYC. However, painting a small apartment can be pretty cheap. 

There’s no clear definition of a small apartment. Usually, all spaces under 550 square feet fall into this category. Based on the factors we mentioned above, below are the approximate costs for painting a small apartment in NYC.

Paint 

Remember, two gallons of paint can cover an 800 square feet apartment. This means you can provide the required amount of paint for one coat for a minimum of $40. That is, in case you decide to provide paint and supplies on your own. 

Keep in mind that darker colors need more coats than light ones and that costlier paints are of higher quality. In addition, you would also need to purchase primer, which typically comes for $20 per can. 

Labor

A small apartment painting job can last from 2-3 hours to an entire workday. If your painter charges $50 per hour, you can spend from $150 to over $450 for labor, depending on the time required. However, this is the cost per painter. So, if three painters do the job, multiply the labor cost by three. 

Don’t forget that painters determine their final price by combining the cost of labor with the cost of materials. In addition, most paint projects involve prep work which adds more to the labor time and cost. 

Apartment Size

Let’s say your apartment has 550 square feet. The usual cost per square foot in NYC is $5.25. In this case, the final price would be $2,887 – with both labor and material included. 

On the positive side, many painters charge much less per square foot; some even charge only  $2. However, before jumping into the project, decide whether you want to hire an amateur or a high-end professional. 

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Two-Bedroom Apartment?

The average size of a two-bedroom apartment in NYC is around 500 square feet. But those considered large two-bedrooms have a size of over 900 square feet. 

Let’s say your apartment is 900 square feet. This means it will cost you nearly double to paint it than a small apartment would.

When it comes to labor, expect a few days of work and a cost of well over $2,000. If you want to supply the paint yourself, you will have to purchase at least four gallons of paint for applying two coatings. Remember, if the shade is darker, you might need to add one or two extra coats. 

The price also depends based on the apartment’s features. Interior design NYC is known for chic design elements such as crown moldings. But these can up the cost of a painting job. 

Differences Between Painting a Room/Home: Manhattan vs. Brooklyn

As mentioned before, pricing varies depending on your location. So, you can get a cheaper deal in Brooklyn than in Manhattan. For instance, the average cost of painting per square foot in Manhattan is $6.79, while in Brooklyn, it’s $5.71. However, it’s up to the painters whether they will increase their rates. 

Is Painting Your Apartment Worth It?

Yes, painting your apartment is worth it, especially if you plan to resell or rent the place. Neat and clean walls make great first impressions on buyers and increase the overall appeal. 

However, painting your apartment is not only beneficial for aesthetic reasons; it also has health and safety-related advantages. How? Most walls absorb moisture, which eventually results in mold and other types of damage. Repainting them reduces this absorption, acting as a protective layer against dampness. 

In addition, a fresh coat of paint can purify your indoor air. However, note that some paints release toxic gases. To avoid this, look for those with low or no VOC. By repainting your NYC apartment with newer and safer paint products, you will be investing in your future health and safety. 

Painting your apartment can be a challenging task, so if you want help with painting your NYC apartment – feel free to reach out to us at any time!