Baseboards, Trim, Doors - Painting Estimate

[dm0506]

We just got a quote and it's our first one. Need to schedule additional estimates.

Is this reasonable: $4,500

• Approximate 3400 sq ft, 2 story
  
• All baseboards, trim, interior doors 
  
• 2 full bath & 1/2 bath paint walls in addition to baseboards, doors, trim
• Paint 2 bedrooms in addition to baseboards, doors, trim
  
• Includes stairway trim and spindles
• Contractor buys paint
  

[TBM]

We've had good luck using the cost calculators on www.homewyse.com/, where they give you a range that should cover whatever is good for your area. You may have to plug in each of the things separately though...I think they list everything individually.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Without knowing your COL and how fancy your trim is, I have to say that sounds reasonable to me, mostly because this covers all trim, doors, and the stairway spindles, which, IMO, are a giant PITA to paint. In fact, all of these things are legit my least favorite things to paint - I'd rather do another 25 cabinets than even consider doing stairway spindles, and I've been putting off painting the trim in my kitchen for (literally) years.

[moolarkey]

I hate painting bathrooms, having to paint around the toilet, etc. Takes longer than just a regular room.

[lilac05]

I agree with mrs.jacinthe. Depending on your COL, it sounds reasonable.

We asked a painter once about doing trim & baseboards in a 4bdrm, 3 bath house. Painting cheap orange oak trim white. He basically laughed at us & said, "You really don't want to know. All I can tell you is that it's not worth it. It's expensive and won't change your home value at all." (We live in an area where oak trim is still the standard.) We had carpet, too, which made things more difficult. He said we'd probably be better off just putting all new trim in the house.

It's expensive, but you'll feel like it's a brand new house after all of that new paint!

[penguingrrl]

That sounds right, possibly low. We just painted the natural wood trim in our house white and it was a lot of work and a lot of time. My mom says painters are roughly $1,500 a day (she's in the building industry) and just the three bedrooms were over 4 days of work.

[redheadk]

I think that sounds like a good price. We have some 2-story rooms and are looking at probably around $1000 to have them come just paint walls in a couple rooms and retexture some walls and they will probably be here for 2 days. Considering that I get to pay actual cost (their day rate and for the materials, with my dad's SW discount), $4500 to do all you are having done sounds like a good price. Having trim painted is $$$.

[dm0506]

Thanks everyone! 2nd contractor is coming out today. Anxious to see how close they are to the first estimate.

[littlemisssunshine]

I'd be curious to hear what the second estimate was. I just had a 3/2, 1400 sq foot rental painted, all interior walls, trim, doors and baseboards for $2200 which included the paint. However it was one coat of paint, and a straightforward job. The flooring was being replaced in most of the home so they didn't even have to worry about protecting the floor. 

I'd say that's good price. Does it include patching holes, prepping the walls etc?

[sweetcheeks]

I just got an estimate for 2BRs/2 bathrooms/sunroom/small hallway. Ceilings, walls, trim/doors. Removal of wallpaper borders in 4 rooms; minor wall repair. 2 coats of paint. $2,000 labor + $650 materials. I live in NJ.

[adhdfashion]

Seems reasonable with that size of home.

[dm0506]

We live in a LCOL city and the trim is just plain, nothing intricate. The quote did include prep and patching. But my mistake - we buy paint.

2nd contractor came by. He is an independent painter, no crew. $4,800 and he forgot to include the two bedrooms we want painted. So pretty close to the 1st estimate.

It's a little more than we wanted to spend right now so we may cut the 2 bathrooms off the list and the master. Our master bedroom is huge and we plan on replacing the carpet with hardwoods so we might as well wait on the trim if it saves us some $ for now. Plan to update the master bath too so it makes sense to wait.

Now off to figure out what color white to use!

Thanks everyone!