Buying guide
Cost of Painting a Home: DIY vs Hiring a Pro
A useful DIY-versus-pro comparison starts with the same scope on both sides: surfaces, repairs, coats, products, access and cleanup. This worksheet gives St. George homeowners a defensible quantity and a better way to compare complete contractor quotes.
Build the DIY material quantity first
Measure each wall's width and height, total the square footage, and subtract large openings if you want a tighter estimate. Divide that paintable area by the coverage printed on the exact product label, multiply by the planned number of coats, and round up to whole containers. Sherwin-Williams' public calculator uses an estimate of 350 to 400 square feet per gallon, but texture, porosity, application method and colour change can all reduce real coverage.
Price the chosen paint and primer at the store on the day you plan to buy; product lines, sheens, container sizes, tint bases and promotions make a fixed internet price unreliable. Then add only the tools the project actually requires: brushes and roller covers, trays or buckets, masking materials, floor protection, patching and sanding supplies, ladders or access equipment, respirator cartridges where the product label calls for them, and disposal.
Do not assume every project needs a full primer coat or that none does. Follow the coating manufacturer's instructions for the existing surface and condition. Bare repairs, stains, glossy coatings, chalking stucco and unknown oil-based trim create different preparation requirements. The guide on this site includes a simple alcohol test for identifying older oil-based trim before buying a bonding primer.
Compare contractor quotes on the same scope
A low total is not comparable to a higher total unless both include the same work. Ask each painter to identify the surfaces included, preparation and repairs, primer, product line and sheen, number of finish coats, protection and masking, access equipment, cleanup, excluded work, schedule and written warranty. For exterior work, confirm how the quote treats failed caulk, cracks, chalking and weather delays.
Ask whether the painter supplies the coating and whether any product warranty depends on that choice. A contractor may have trade pricing and already own access, spray and containment equipment, but those advantages vary by company and project. The written scope—not a generic price per square foot—is the reliable basis for deciding.
Use a simple decision worksheet
- DIY materials: paint, primer, sundries, protection, repairs, access or equipment rental, and disposal.
- DIY time: shopping, moving and masking, preparation, application, dry time between coats, cleanup and touch-ups.
- Professional scope: the complete written quote plus clearly excluded repairs or access work.
- Risk: working height, heat exposure, occupied rooms, overspray, uncertain coating compatibility and who corrects a failure.
A small, reachable room with sound surfaces can be a reasonable DIY project. High exteriors, extensive coating failure, difficult containment, cabinets, vaulted areas and tight schedules are stronger reasons to price professional execution. No contractor can honestly guarantee a flawless result in every condition, so judge the preparation plan and warranty language rather than the adjective.
Coverage source: Sherwin-Williams Paint Calculator. Always use the label and product data sheet for the coating you actually buy.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to buy my own paint and hire a painter for labor?
Not automatically. Ask for the contractor's material-inclusive price and the labour-only price using the same specified product and quantity. Include tax, delivery, unused material, warranty responsibility and who handles a shortage before comparing the totals.
How much paint do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house?
The home's floor area does not determine paint quantity. Measure the actual wall area, subtract major openings if useful, divide by the selected product's label coverage, multiply by the number of coats and round up. Estimate ceilings, trim and doors separately because they use different measurements and often different products.
Should I tip my house painters?
Ask the company because practices differ. A clear work area, agreed access, and water during hot-weather exterior work are practical courtesies; the contract price should still cover the promised scope without relying on a tip.