DIY Painting vs Hiring a Painter: What You Save, What You Risk, and Where to Draw the Line
Painting one room yourself is a reasonable weekend project; painting a two-story exterior, kitchen cabinets, or anything with old paint in a pre-1978 house is where hiring usually pays off. HomeGuide puts the DIY cost of a room at roughly $150 to $300 in supplies, against $300 to $1,000 for a pro (walls only, national figures).
Good DIY Jobs
- A bedroom or office in a similar color
- Touching up walls with leftover paint
- Painting a fence or shed
Where Pros Earn Their Price
- Height: second-story walls and foyers mean extension ladders, planks and fall risk.
- Prep-heavy exteriors: washing, scraping, wood repair and caulk take skill and time.
- Cabinets: degreasing, priming and spraying a durable finish is unforgiving.
- Dark-to-light changes and accent lines: crisp lines take practice.
- Pre-1978 homes: sanding or scraping old paint can create lead dust. Homeowners may work on their own homes, but EPA lead-safe practices still protect your family; paid work requires a certified firm.
The Hidden DIY Costs
Brushes, rollers, trays, tape, drop cloths, caulk, patching compound, sandpaper, primer, ladders, and your time. A full interior can take a homeowner several weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save money doing the prep myself?
Moving furniture and clearing walls helps. Exterior scraping on older homes is best left to a lead-safe crew.
Is it safe to DIY on a ladder?
Single-story work, yes, with care. Two-story walls are where many accidents happen.
Will a pro finish faster?
Usually much faster, because of experience and crew size.
Can I hire a pro for part of the job?
Yes. Many homeowners hire out exteriors or cabinets and do bedrooms themselves.
Want Help With the Hard Parts?
We take on whole houses or just the parts you would rather not do. See interior painting or contact us.