We are looking for approximate cost for basic painting of a one bedroom duplex -- about 850 square feet. The walls are in good shape, modest amounts of basic trim, and one color on walls. Thoughts on cost for painting in Chelsea with licensed contractor?

Max 2k. Why do you need a contractor rather than a painter? No skim coating. Minor sanding of picture holes etc.

my guy would do it for about $500. he's a painter so he does not have a license to carry a brush or a roller.... it amazes me that putting a coat of paint on the wall requires a license and insurance

To 300_Mercer, I meant "contractor" generically ... I meant a painter who is licensed/insured per coop rules. Thanks, any other thoughts on pricing by others would be welcome.

ab, I also am in need of a painter. How can I contact you?

for some reason pushing paint up and down costs 10x as much in Manhattan. I am guessing because people are stupid enough to pay it.

I have gotten a one bed room painted for $1000 but doors and trim did not get a wood paint. Paint itself would cost 250 or so. Do not see how $500 would work with trims involved. Ab11218, curious where you live and what quality you are talking about? I can see some one using the cheapest paint and quick one coat without much prep for $500.

That is correct. Had gotten my rental repainted. Woodwork got the same paint as walls. Moldings as well. Insurance should only add 250 to a two day job.

Truth

That's funny

As far as the price of painting, painting is so very subjective. Some believe that just throwing a coat of paint on the wall is all it takes. Which is fine if that's what your expectations are. There are some one bedrooms that could very well cost $5,000.00, that does include a lot of prep but it really depends on what you want. If one elected to you can go to Janovic grab a guy or two and they will paint for $150.00 a day.

I had my 975 sq ft one bedroom painted last year for $1700. Didn't include bathroom, kitchen, doors or trim. I have 12 foot ceilings, so that probably added some. Also, walls were in perfect shape as they had been painted white by the seller right before I moved in. The painter used Benjamin Moore paint.

he did an UWS rental recently. it was around $350, paint not included. the owner wanted a close match to current paint color and just do a refresher. took approx 10 hrs or so. for someone slapping paint on $35 per hr is not too shabby.

he does this full time, mostly in brooklyn. he does have about 20 or so clients in manhattan.

I agree with Primer, it all depends on what your expectations are. We had our 1,250 sq.ft. 1 BR w/home office painted, including all trims, prep, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, all doors and 12 ft. ceilings in two rooms for $3,500 excluding materials, which added another $500 or so. 4 different paint colors...6 including ceilings and trims/doors/baseboards. All BM Aura. We paid him directly, no contractor, but he piggy-backed on contractor's insurance so it worked for our building. Quote we got from a GC was $7k+ for painting.

This was a real pro-job, took 7 full days of work in an empty apartment (1 guy).

Just to give you a frame of reference...

nyc, 1250 sq ft with 12 ft ceilings with all different paints, etc etc... you can see that the contractor just wanted to make $3.5K on making a single phone call and the use of his insurance. just goes to show you that putting in a faucet can cost $50 from a handyman/super or $500 from a licensed plumber.

you need to chose the right person for the right job.

Yup, precisely...that's why it pays to be flexible and be your own GC when you can. However, not everyone either has that time or is resourceful enough to do it...everything is a trade-off. And the cost of operating in NYC for a legit operation 'aint cheap, Primer05 will opine to that...

I got a guy off Craigslist for about $200 to paint my 1 br rental in the west village. I bought the supplies and he did it in a day. Walls were already fresh rental white so primer was not needed nor applied. High quality job. Seriously he did a great job.

I didn't think to look for a license. And don't really give a damn anyway.

I just checked my email and the painter was actually $175, not $200.

I wish we can do a high quality paint job in one day but it simply cannot be done. We just started a project in which we had to paint one master bedroom, hallway, 2 bathrooms including doors and all base moldings throughout the 2 bedroom apartment.
We did not paint the 2nd bedroom and the living room. My 2 men have men there for two days and are going back this morning to finish up. We did prime all the walls prior to painting. Either we are very slow or we take our time and do it right

the men want to get paid for as much time as possible as their business is slow. with 2 guys, they should've done it in less than 2 days with priming and trim. after priming the rooms, they would prime the doors. by the time the doors are primed, the rooms are dry and they can work on them. first coat of paint should've been on the rooms and door/trim prior to 1st end of day. next day, paint the rooms and trim/doors with 2nd coat. do a quick review before leaving at 2 pm.

doing it right and milking it are 2 different things.

AB,

I assure you i am anything but slow right now. My painters are not subs. Did you fit the time in for protection and how about prep work on the walls?

AB, how is your painting business going? You seem like you really know just about everything there is to know

When will people learn? For some NEVER obviously...SMH
There's NO such thing as "Good AND Cheap" !!!

You get what you pay for, PERIOD.

Ballpark estimate for a GOOD paint job, 1 bed in NYC: $1,500 - $2,500
Anything below, and good luck. Anything more and your needs are different.

vslse65,
It can't be said better than you did.

I totally agree with vslse65!

U gotta be kidding me with question....it's a 1 bedroom apt....paint it yourself....lol..

I don't even think you could buy all the supplies and paint it yourself for $500, so whoever scored that deal really made out.

My apartment is 800 sq ft and I've painted about half of it so far (myself) and spent close to $300. There's a lot more than just paint you have to buy, I spackel all of the holes and sand everythign down first. Then there's primer, the paint, rollers, rolling trays, nice brushes, mineral spirits, drop cloths, ladder, etc. And if you're like me you will need several samples made up so you can be sure the color is right. They add up really quickly but are worth it so you don't make a costly mistake.

I would imagine a professional would charge a huge markup for the labor and insurance so probably in the thousands depending on what shape everything is in, how high your ceilings are and how long it will take him.