Painting a house may seem like a straightforward way to refresh your space, but estimating the true cost requires more than just picking out a paint color. Whether you’re painting the interior or exterior, understanding the square footage, materials, and labor involved will help you budget realistically—and avoid surprises. (I know this is an article for DIYers, but exterior and interior painting is literally all we do, see what our customers have to say here.) Shameless plug, now back to the content. 

The first step is calculating the paintable area. For interiors, measure the perimeter of each room and multiply by the ceiling height to determine wall square footage. For exteriors, measure the home’s perimeter and multiply by its height, subtracting space for windows and doors. A lot of homes in Round Rock, Georgetown, and Cedar Park have a partial-brick facade, so don't forget to account for that. Most paint covers between 250 and 400 square feet per gallon, and most projects require two coats. Dividing your total square footage by average coverage (about 350 square feet per gallon) gives you a rough estimate of how much paint you’ll need.

Paint prices vary widely. Budget options may cost $25–$40 per gallon, while premium brands can exceed $70 per gallon, but do a better job of protecting your home. In addition to paint, you’ll need primer (on any bare substrate, especially outside) and supplies like brushes, rollers, drop cloths, painter’s tape, trays, extension poles, ladders, and possibly scaffolding for exterior work. These materials alone can add several hundred dollars to a project. 

If you hire professionals, labor is typically the largest expense. Interior painting often ranges from $3 to $7 per square foot (of paintable surface), while exterior jobs may fall between $3.50 and $6 per square foot (of paintable surface).

While DIY painting can appear to save money, it’s important to consider what it truly involves. Painting a house is physically demanding and time-consuming. Proper surface preparation—cleaning, sanding, patching holes, repairing drywall, scraping old paint—is essential for a durable finish. Achieving clean lines, even coverage, and smooth finishes requires technique and experience. Many homeowners underestimate the tools needed, such as quality brushes and rollers, tall ladders, safety equipment, and possibly power sanders or sprayers (to clean the outside of the home). Mistakes can lead to uneven coats, visible brush marks, peeling paint, or the need to repaint sooner than expected. For an exterior paint job, this could also lead to damage form the harsh central Texas elements. 

In short, estimating the cost of painting a house means accounting for materials, labor, preparation, and the value of your own time and skill. It takes a lot of work to get right, even if you do already have a basic understanding of paint and labor pricing. 

P.S. If you want to skip this headache, or you just need someone to talk through it with you, or you don't even know where to start then give us a call or click the link above. We perform quality residential painting, with the right materials and processes to protect your investment. Get a free estimate today: (512) 578-9172.