The short answer
In Ottawa in 2026, professional painting typically costs about $3–5 per square foot of floor area for an interior (walls, ceilings and trim), $2.75–5 per square foot of wall for an exterior, and $110–175 per door or drawer front for kitchen cabinets. In whole-job terms, that’s roughly:
- $4,500–8,500 for a typical three-bedroom interior;
- $5,500–15,000 for an exterior, depending on size and height;
- $3,500–6,500 for a sprayed kitchen of cabinets.
Those ranges are wide because painting is mostly labour, and the amount of labour depends on the condition of your surfaces far more than their size. Our estimator lets you try your own numbers.
Costs by job
| Job | Typical rate | Typical job |
|---|---|---|
| Interior, whole house | $3–5 / sq ft of floor | $4,500–8,500 (three-bedroom) |
| Exterior | $2.75–5 / sq ft of wall | $5,500–10,000 bungalow; $8,500–15,000 two-storey |
| Kitchen cabinets | $110–175 / door or drawer | $3,500–6,500 |
| Drywall repair | $100–200 / repair, batched | $500–1,600 |
| Commercial interior | $2.25–4.50 / sq ft | $4,500–9,000 (small office) |
| Brick & stucco | $3.50–6.50 / sq ft of wall | $5,000–10,000 |
Interior costs by room
If you’re only painting a room or two, these ranges are a better guide than a per-square-foot rate, because setup, protection and cleanup cost about the same whether the room is big or small.
| Room | Walls only | Walls, ceiling & trim |
|---|---|---|
| Small bathroom | $350–600 | $500–850 |
| Bedroom (about 12 × 12 ft) | $450–800 | $700–1,200 |
| Living room | $600–1,100 | $900–1,700 |
| Kitchen (walls around cabinets) | $500–900 | $750–1,300 |
| Stairwell or two-storey foyer | $800–1,800 | $1,200–2,500 |
Interior doors usually add about $100–175 each, both sides and the frame, and baseboards are often priced by the linear foot when they’re done on their own.
Where the money goes
On most residential jobs, labour is the largest share by far, and paint is a smaller share than people expect. That’s why the cheapest quote is rarely cheaper because of the paint. It’s usually cheaper because of what’s left out:
- Protection and setup: moving furniture, covering floors, removing switch plates and masking.
- Prep: filling, sanding, spot priming, caulking, washing and, outside, scraping and priming bare wood.
- Painting: cutting in by hand and rolling two full coats.
- Cleanup and touch-ups: daily tidying, the final walkthrough and disposal.
Upgrading from a contractor-grade paint to a premium line adds relatively little to a whole-house job and usually saves a coat, washes better and lasts longer.
What adds to the price
- Repairs. Nail pops, cracks, dents and old anchor holes. A few are part of normal prep; a wall full of them is a separate line.
- Big colour changes. Dark to light, or a deep new colour, often needs a tinted primer and sometimes a third coat.
- Height. Stairwells, vaulted ceilings and second-storey siding need staging.
- Old finishes. Glossy oil-based trim needs sanding and a bonding primer before modern paint will stick.
- Lead and asbestos. Pre-1960s paint may contain lead and some older textures contain asbestos. Testing and safe practices add cost but aren’t optional when surfaces are sanded or scraped.
- Exterior condition. Peeling wood siding takes far longer than sound vinyl that only needs washing.
Reading a painting quote
Two quotes for the same house can be thousands apart. Before comparing prices, check that they describe the same job:
- Which rooms and surfaces are included: walls, ceilings, trim, doors, closets?
- What prep is included, and is drywall repair a separate line?
- Which paint brand and line, which sheens, and how many coats?
- Are furniture moving, floor protection, daily cleanup and disposal included?
- Is there a written warranty, and proof of insurance and WSIB coverage?
Our guide lessons on comparing quotes and what a contract should include go into more detail.
Ways to save
- Paint several rooms at once to share setup and cleanup.
- Leave ceilings and closets that still look fine.
- Clear the rooms yourself before the crew arrives.
- Choose a colour close to the current one if you’re on the fence.
- Book exterior work in winter for the best dates.
Want a real number? Call or text 613-806-4000 for a free visit and an itemized quote.
The Ryan's Painting crewPrices are typical Ottawa ranges for 2026, before HST. Your quote depends on your surfaces, repairs, access and the products you choose.
