Interior Painting: It’s 80% Prep and 20% Paint

Painting is the final step that ties your entire renovation together. Unfortunately, it’s also the step where many homeowners try to cut corners. A professional paint job isn’t just about rolling color onto a wall; it’s about meticulous preparation, caulking, patching, and using high-quality materials. For full-home or basement projects in the GTA, painting is typically estimated per square foot of floor space (which assumes painting walls, ceilings, baseboards, and standard doors).

Pricing per Square Foot (Floor Space)

• Below Market ($1.40 – $2.80/sq. ft.): “The Splash and Dash.” This price point usually means minimal to no prep work. The painter will arrive, put a quick coat or two of cheap, contractor-grade paint over whatever is currently on the walls, and leave. The Risk: Nail holes aren’t filled, trim isn’t caulked, and the paint will likely scuff or wash off if you try to clean it. Paint splatters on your new floors are also a common “bonus.”
• Market Range ($2.80 – $4.80/sq. ft.): “The Professional Finish.” The standard for a high-quality GTA renovation. This price includes covering floors and furniture, fixing minor drywall dings, sanding the walls before painting, and caulking all baseboards and door casings for a seamless look. It also covers two coats of premium paint (like Benjamin Moore Regal Select or Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint) that is durable and washable.
• Above Market ($4.80 – $7.50+/sq. ft.): “Custom & Architectural Finishes.” This tier is for luxury homes or highly complex spaces. It kicks in if you have vaulted ceilings requiring scaffolding, intricate wainscoting, crown molding, or if you are using ultra-premium paints (like Farrow & Ball or Benjamin Moore Aura). It also covers specialized work like spray-finishing kitchen cabinets, staircases, or interior doors for a factory-smooth look.

What Drives the Cost?

• The Prep Work: A Market Range painter spends the first day just fixing imperfections, sanding, taping, and laying drop cloths. If a wall isn’t smooth before the paint goes on, the paint will only highlight the flaws.
• Paint Quality: Premium paint costs $80 to $120+ per gallon in 2026. Cheap paint costs $30. Good paint covers better, lasts longer, resists fading, and allows you to scrub off dirt without removing the color.
• Trim and Doors: Rolling a flat wall is fast. Cutting in around ceilings, carefully painting six-panel doors, and producing razor-sharp lines on baseboards takes immense skill and time.

---

Expert Insight: Premium paint cannot hide bad drywall taping, and cheap paint will ruin a perfect drywall job. Invest in the Market Range to ensure the materials and labor match the quality of the rest of your renovation.