How the estimate works
The calculator works out how much paint the room needs, rounds up to whole cans, and multiplies by the price you pay per can. It adds your supplies to give the cost of doing it yourself. For the painter estimate, it multiplies the room’s floor area by a low and a high price per square foot, which is how most painters quote a room.
Where the default prices come from
Painter prices default to $2 to $6 per square foot of floor area, the 2026 US average range for interior painting reported by NerdWallet. Including the ceiling adds 25%. Paint defaults to $50 per gallon can, a mid-range wall paint; budget lines cost less and premium lines more. Every price is editable, so replace them with your store’s prices and the quotes you receive.
Why painter quotes vary so much
Labour is most of a professional paint job. Quotes rise with ceiling height, the amount of trim, repairs to holes and cracks, dark-to-light colour changes, and how much furniture has to be moved. Prices are usually higher in large cities. Ask at least three painters for a written quote that lists prep, coats, paint brand and what is excluded.
Is it cheaper to paint a room yourself?
Almost always, if you count only money: a typical bedroom costs a few hundred dollars in paint and supplies against several hundred to over a thousand for a painter. The trade-off is time. Most people need a full weekend for one room, including prep and two coats.
Results are estimates. Coverage depends on the product, the tools and the wall; the rate printed on your can wins.