What does it really cost to hire a professional painting contractor in New York City?

Professional painting in NYC typically ranges from $3 to $6 per square foot for a full interior job (walls, ceilings, trim).

Some estimates show $5.25 to $10.62/ft² in NYC, especially when including ceilings and trim in high-rent Manhattan.

What Affects Price?

  • Apartment size and ceiling height
  • Wall condition and repair: the amount of prep, patching, primer if needed
  • Quality of paint (mid-grade vs premium or eco-friendly)
  • Scope: painting ceilings, trim, doors adds $500–$1,000
  • Building logistics: walk-ups, high‑rise access, co‑op insurance rules can raise prices 
  • Labor location: Manhattan is typically the most expensive borough

Size is also a key variable. We included estimates based on 3 common home sizes in New York City (750 sf, 1000 sf, 1300 sf), based on standard 8‑ft ceilings, 2 coats of mid ‑grade paint, labor + wall prep.

A grey and blue chart detailing costs of hiring a professional painter to paint an average 750 sq ft, 1000 sq ff, and 1300 sq ft apartment / co-op / condo / house in New York City.

Estimated Cost

750 Square-Foot Apartment

  • At $5.25/ft²: ≈ $3,900
  • At $3–6/ft²: likely ~$3,000–$4,500
  • Including ceilings & trim (add ~$500–$800): Total ≈ $4,400–$5,300
  • Estimated range: $3,000–$5,300 (mid‑range scenario)

1000 Square-Foot Apartment

  • Base: $3,000–$6,000 (at $3–6/ft²)
  • Including ceilings/trim: add ~$600–$1,000 → $3,600–$7,000
  • Estimated range: $3,500–$7,500, depending on complexity

1300 Square-Foot Apartment 

  • Base: $3,900–$7,800 (at $3–6/ft²)
  • With trim/ceiling work: total ≈ $4,500–$8,500
  • Estimated range: $4,500–$8,500

While every home is different, these are typical scenarios of what that work looks like, including size of crew it takes to paint the unit and average time to complete the work.

Please note: This is an example and final estimates will vary by project.

What Factors Into Cost?

750 ft² — 1BR / Studio

  • Walls need light prep, ceilings clean, basic trim included
  • Labor ~2–3 painters for 2–3 days
  • Paint: mid-grade latex, 2 coats
  •  Estimated total: $3,500–$4,500

1,000 ft² — 1.5BR-2BR

  • Moderate nail‐hole and crack repair, ceilings and trim included
  • Crew: 2–3 painters for 3–4 days
  • Estimated total: $4,500–$6,500

1,300 ft² — 2BR+

  • Extensive prep (old wall patching, primer needed), ceilings, crown molding and baseboards
  • Crew: 3 painters, up to a week of work
  •  Estimated total: $6,000–$8,500

On one hand, you’re likely to pay a premium for work done in New York City. But the flip side is access to some of the most reputable companies and experience talent in the industry, many with years of experience.

And there’s no room for poor quality in a city like New York - and while you should always do you due diligence - it can be easier to identify the companies that are honest, reputable, and focused on exceptional customer service.

Why is NYC More Expensive than Other Markets?

While we wish we could answer this in a broader sense, we’ll start from a paint perspective…

  • High labor rates and cost of living
  • Logistics: carrying equipment in walk‑ups, using service elevators, building insurance rules
  • Older buildings built prior to 1978 (which is most) may need plaster/skimming or lead-safe practices
  • Premium paints or multiple accent walls increase both material and labor costs

What To Do Next

Horizontal stripes of red paint overlay a white wall with a roller and paint cans in front on a yellow 2-tier bench 
  1. Identify walls/areas needing more prep (patching, priming, color change).
  2. Decide if ceilings, doors, and trim should be included.
  3. Reach out to local licensed NYC painting contractors to get several detailed quotes.
  4. Compare hourly or per‑square‑foot rates, ask about all included items.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact our team to discuss your project and set up a free in-home estimate.