What is a reasonable price to paint small room

Question

I need a room painted 9 by 10 roughly. My contractor wants $350 is this reasonable? Materials and labor
Thank u

Randy F. · Answer

To get a sound opinion, you need to provide adequate info.
 
Is this low, med, high end?

Did kids use markers or crayon on the walls? Paint with primer wont seal it.

Is there wall patching to do? Caulking? If trim needs caulking will this job require two trips to allow caulk to set up before painting?

Is ceiling same paint or flat white?

Is the closet being painted?

Is trim being painted? How many doors? How many windows? Vinyl windows or wood?
Is trim a different color/sheen? Will trim take two coats as well?

Between paint and primer, there could be as many as four cans. Depending on the answers to all these questions, $350 could be a great deal!!

Why is the knee jerk reaction always that the contractor wants too much money? Take your chances with the hacks on Craigslist is good advice? When there is not even near enough info to make that judgement? Wow!

Can you tell im feelin ornery today? :c)

Scott W. · Answer

throw it on craigslist & ask 'em how long to paint it & rate per hour & then cap it by saying you'll pay the a flat rate (ie, $17/hr x 3 hours = $51 labor only by the job). make sure you include in your post you will be buying the material.

here's the trick to figure out if they're a good painter or not (not guaranteed but nothing is when you're trying someone new) - "do you need tape?"

if they say yes, they probably aren't a pro.

Randy F. · Answer

Yer funny!!

Yeah, I do use tape! Those stupid round disc things dont fit in my 8-track player!!

Pat L. · Answer

We had the entire house painted in Florida for $625.
Walls only, same color. We used that primer & paint mix.
Found the guy @ Lowes picking up paint.
We had 3 quotes but this guy was hungry.
He dropped off 3 guys & it was done in one day & they moved the furniture.

David A. · Answer

@emily dixon it's not about being cheap but considering  that I am giving him steady work $200 I think it is a good price for the room size. Like I said I can do it myself and most likely will since he is busy doing other work for me. I agree that going the cheap route there is a high probability that the work will not be as good.

Emily Dixon · Answer

you guys are so cheap! Contractors licenses and insurance and all that jazz cost money! He won't be able to squeeze another job! You are lucky he is willing to do the job!
Painting is not difficult it is just precise. If you are too lazy to do it yourself then at least cough up the money for someone who will be precise and not just slambang it! Yeah you can get a day laborer to do it for 100 bucks but he will just whambamthankyouforthemoneyman it. It won't look as good!

David A. · Answer

I understand that painting only one room might not make his worth while and he needs to charge a higeher rate for one room. The room is a patient room in a medical clinic. Hes not the cheapest around but his work is excellent and he pays attention to detail. I could very well do it myself but i wanted him to make some extra $$ since he is going through a time financially. I am good at painting and dont even tape most of the time. He told me that just taping would take a while lol. I told him no that it would only take at least 10 minutes. Really it's not that time consuming if you move quick. He then lowered the bid to $200. I am giving him a big contract coming up in the next few days which will help him financially. He's a really good guy with lots of experience and great references just not to bright in the business management aspect.

Randy F. · Answer

Hi Dawn,

First... Im jealous! I could go for Conejuitos mexican food, or Oakland gyros, followed by some blues at the Up & Under on Brady !!!!!!

And then theres tape. On windows, you might try just cutting them in by hand and if need be run paint an eigth or so onto glass and after a day or two go around with a new razor blade and clean it up. Makes for a cleaner job than tape. Everybody has their own way. Thats just how I do it.

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

When I was first starting painting, I used tape.  However I quickly learned and no longer use tape unless I'm painting something extremely precise (e.g. around windows and mirrors).

Scott W. · Answer

Rob K  i always try to think like you.

so add that to your upcoming book & give me a small % of the sales.

What is a reasonable price to paint small room

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