Interior painting delivers the highest visual impact per dollar of any Ontario home improvement. Here is a complete guide to costs and quality results.
DIY vs Professional
DIY saves 60-70% of total cost but results depend almost entirely on prep quality. Most DIY paint jobs look amateur because of skipped prep, not cheap paint. Professional painters deliver faster results with cleaner lines and include prep in their process.
Contractor Rates Ontario 2026
Full room walls + ceiling (12x12): $300-$600 labour. Full main floor open concept: $1,500-$3,000. Full house interior (1,500-2,000 sq ft): $4,000-$10,000. Full house trim and doors: +$1,500-$3,500. Kitchen cabinet painting: $1,500-$4,000.
What Drives Costs Up
Ceilings over 9 ft: +20-30%. Popcorn ceiling removal: +$2-$5/sq ft. New drywall requiring extra prime coats: +15-25%. Dark colour correction: +$0.50-$1.00/sq ft per added coat.
Paint Selection for Ontario Homes
Premium acrylic for kitchens and bathrooms (moisture and mildew resistance). Eggshell or satin for living areas (wipeable). Flat for low-traffic ceilings. Buy quality — labour cost of repainting failed cheap paint far exceeds savings.
Prep Is 70% of the Job
Skim coat imperfect drywall. Sand after primer. Caulk all trim gaps. Fill nail holes and screw pops. Ask contractors explicitly what their prep process includes.
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