Phone:
+1 (514) 757-1985
Address:
740 Pl. Fortier,
Montréal, H4L 5A9
How much does it cost to paint a room in Montreal?
In 2026, the cost to paint a room in Montreal comes down to labour time plus the paint itself. With us, labour is $60 an hour plus a $50 travel fee per visit, so a standard bedroom with walls only usually lands between $350 and $530 in labour, plus the paint receipt. Ceilings, trim, repairs and big colour changes add time.
What factors affect the cost to paint a room in Montreal?
Room size and surface condition matter most, because they decide how many hours the paint job takes. Here’s what moves the total price of a painting project:
- Room size and ceiling height. More square footage means more wall to cut in and roll. Many Montreal plexes have ceilings of 9 feet or more, and high ceilings need ladders, more paint and more time.
- Repairs and prep work. Cracks in old plaster, nail pops in drywall, and holes from shelves and TVs all get filled, sanded and primed before painting. These are the most common hidden costs.
- Colour changes. Going from dark red to off-white can take an extra coat, or a coat of primer first. Light over light is quicker.
- Ceilings, walls and trim. Walls alone are the fastest. Adding the ceiling, baseboard, door frames, doors and a closet adds hours, since trim is slow brush work.
- Number of coats. Most rooms need two coats for an even finish. One coat only works when the colour and sheen stay the same and the old paint is in good shape.
- Furniture and access. A full room takes time to move and cover.
How much do painters charge for labour?
Painting companies and painters charge in different ways: per room, per square foot, or by the hour, so ask the painter which one a quote uses. We charge by the hour, at $60 per hour with a one-hour minimum, plus a $50 travel fee per visit, and no tax is added to the $60. Here are some examples of labor costs for a single room, depending on the size and condition. They’re estimates, and your room can take more or less time:
- Accent wall: about 2 hours = 2 x $60 + $50 = $170.
- Small bathroom, walls only: about 4 hours = 4 x $60 + $50 = $290.
- Standard bedroom, walls only, two coats, light patching: 5 to 8 hours = $350 to $530.
- Bedroom with walls, ceiling and trim, plus a dark-to-light colour change: about 12 hours over two visits = 12 x $60 + 2 x $50 = $820.
How much does it cost to paint a large room?
A large living room or open-plan space usually takes one to two full days, so you can expect to pay roughly $530 to $1,060 in labour with us, plus paint. A full 8-hour day is $530 (8 x $60 + $50). High ceilings, cathedral ceilings, stairway walls and lots of trim push it toward the top of that range. If you want to paint the interior of a whole home, the interior painting cost works the same way: it’s the hours for each room added up, so send us photos and the room sizes and we’ll give you a free estimate.
How much interior paint do you need for one room?
A standard 3.78 L can (one US gallon) covers about 35 to 40 m² (roughly 375 to 430 sq ft) per coat on smooth, primed walls. Rough texture, fresh patches and dark colours soak up more. To estimate, multiply the room’s perimeter by the wall height, subtract doors and windows, then multiply by the number of coats. As a rough guide for two coats:
| Room (approximate) | Wall area | Paint for two coats (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Small bathroom, 1.5 x 2.4 m, 2.4 m ceiling | About 12 m² | Under 1 can |
| Bedroom, 3 x 3.6 m (10 x 12 ft), 2.4 m ceiling | About 28 m² | 1.5 to 2 cans |
| Same bedroom, ceiling only | About 11 m² | About 1 can of ceiling paint |
| Living room, 4.5 x 5.5 m, 2.7 m plex ceiling | About 46 m² | 2.5 to 3 cans |
What extra costs should I budget for when painting a room?
Beyond labour, the main extra cost is paint and supplies. We buy and bring the paint and supplies, and you pay the store receipt, so you see exactly what was spent on paint. The amount depends on the brand, paint type, quality of paint and sheen you choose. Quality paint costs more per gallon but often covers better, which can save a coat. A higher sheen like semi-gloss is easier to wipe and works well on trim and bathrooms, but it shows every bump in the wall.
Other things to plan for: primer for patches, stains or big colour changes, extra time for drywall or plaster repair, and a second visit if repairs need to dry overnight before the finish coats. You don’t need a permit for interior painting in Montreal.
Is it cheaper to paint a room yourself or hire a professional?
Painting a room yourself is cheaper in cash, since the homeowner only pays for paint and tools. Hiring a painter makes sense when the room has high ceilings, lots of repairs, a big colour change, or when your weekends are already full. A good paint job is mostly prep: filling, sanding, priming and clean cut lines at the ceiling and baseboards. If you’re confident with a brush and the walls are in good shape, DIY works fine. If the plaster is cracked or you want crisp walls and trim, it’s worth getting professional help.
How can I save money when painting a room?
The easiest way to cut the painting cost is to have more done in one visit, since the $50 travel fee is charged per visit, not per hour. A few more tips:
- Empty the room or move furniture to the centre before we arrive.
- Pick your colours ahead of time. Changing your mind after the first coat costs a coat.
- Stay close to the current colour if you’re flexible. Multiple coats mean more hours, so a repaint in a similar shade is faster.
- Group rooms together, like two bedrooms and a hallway, so setup and cleanup happen once.
- Send photos first so we can spot repairs and give a free estimate before the visit.
How do you prep a room for painting?
Clear the walls, take down pictures and curtains, and move furniture away from the walls. We handle the rest: covering floors and furniture, removing switch plates, filling cracks and holes, sanding, and priming bare patches. In winter, dry indoor air can open hairline cracks in plaster, so we fill those properly instead of painting over them. Wash greasy kitchen walls first, or a fresh coat of paint won’t stick well.
How long does it take to paint a room?
A standard bedroom with walls only takes about one day. Adding the ceiling, baseboards, doors and repairs can stretch it to one and a half or two days, because patches and primer need time to dry between steps. A small bathroom is often half a day.
See our interior painting service and drywall and plaster repair pages for what’s included. For our rates on other jobs, read how much a handyman costs in Montreal, and before you book anyone, check our 10 questions to ask a handyman.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a bedroom in Montreal?
With us, a standard bedroom with walls only is usually 5 to 8 hours of labour, so $350 to $530 including the $50 travel fee, plus the paint receipt.
Do you supply the paint?
Yes. We buy and bring the paint and supplies, and you pay the store receipt.
How many coats of paint does a room need?
Usually two. One coat can work if the colour and sheen stay the same and the old paint is in good condition.
Do you paint ceilings and baseboards?
Yes. We paint walls, ceilings, baseboards, door frames and doors. Trim adds time because it’s done by brush.
Do you fix cracks before painting?
Yes. We patch and sand cracks and holes in plaster and drywall and prime the repairs before painting.
How long does it take to paint a bedroom?
About one day for walls only. With the ceiling, trim and repairs, plan for one and a half to two days.
Get a free painting estimate
Send us photos of the room and tell us what you want painted, and we’ll estimate the hours and the paint you’ll need. Call +1 (514) 757-1985, email info@myhandymanmontreal.ca, or use our contact page. We work in English and French, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm.