It's the first question almost every homeowner asks, and the honest answer is it depends — on the size of your home, the condition of your walls, and the finish you're after. That's not a dodge: a fair price for a freshly built condo is very different from a 1970s two-storey that needs real prep. This guide breaks down what actually drives the cost so you can budget with confidence and spot a quote that's too good to be true.
A note on pricing: we don't publish fixed prices, because every home is different and the accurate figure for yours comes from a free, on-site estimate. What this guide does instead is break down what actually drives the cost — so you can budget with confidence and spot a quote that's too good to be true.
What actually drives the price
- Size & number of rooms. More wall area means more labour and paint. Whole-home repaints cost more per visit but often less per room.
- Ceiling height. Vaulted and two-storey spaces need more setup and time.
- Surface condition & prep. Patching, sanding, and priming damaged or previously poorly painted walls is where most of the real work lives.
- Number of colours & accent walls. Each extra colour adds cut-in time and materials.
- Trim, doors, and closets. Detailed work takes longer than open walls.
- Paint quality. Premium, low-VOC paints cost more up front but cover better and last longer.
Why we don't list a flat price
A single accent wall and a whole-home repaint are worlds apart, and between them sits every combination of room count, ceiling height, prep, and finish described above. Any number posted online is a guess until someone has actually looked at your walls — which is why a fixed price list does homeowners more harm than good. A free, on-site estimate gives you a clear written figure built around your home, not an average.
Updating a kitchen often involves cabinet refinishing or popcorn ceiling removal, which are priced separately — see those pages for the details.
Want your project priced accurately?
A free, on-site estimate is the only way to get a real number for your home — clear written pricing, no pressure, same-day response.
Request Your Free EstimateWhy the cheapest quote usually costs more
A lowball quote almost always means something is being skipped — usually the preparation, which is exactly what makes a finish last. Cutting corners on patching, priming, and clean lines is why a cheap job can need redoing in a couple of years, while a properly prepped one looks sharp for far longer. When you compare quotes, ask what's included for prep, how many coats, what paint, and whether the company is insured and stands behind the work.
At Chamos Painting we put our pricing and scope in writing up front, we're fully licensed and insured with WCB coverage, and every project is backed by our workmanship guarantee. You can read more about our preparation-first approach on our interior painting page.
How to get an accurate number
The only way to truly price your project is to see it. A free, on-site estimate takes the guesswork out — we look at the surfaces, talk through your colours and finish, and give you a clear written number with no pressure and no obligation. It helps to have a rough idea of which rooms you want done and any problem areas you've noticed.