How Much Does Commercial Painting Cost?
Painting a commercial space can be a daunting task. After all, there are different factors that go into it, including things like the size of the space and the materials you use. But how much does it cost to paint a commercial building? Understanding this is important for business owners who want to ensure they get their money’s worth when investing in painting services.
We’ve put together some helpful guidelines to give you an idea of what commercial painting costs so you’ll feel more confident about making this major decision for your business.
How much should it cost for commercial painting per square foot?
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay an average cost between $0.50 and $0.80 per square foot for professional commercial painting services that includes primer and two coats of paint. However, this may be higher or lower depending on your exact needs and the scope of the project.
For example, industrial or high-traffic areas may need more robust coatings requiring additional layers and higher-grade paints, resulting in a higher cost per square foot. But businesses may offer discounts if they are consistently hired to complete multiple projects in succession or over a long period.
How much does it cost to paint the exterior commercial building?
Let’s use the following example computation from Business Hue to estimate the painting cost per square foot of a huge warehouse:
A warehouse with four walls, each 80 feet long and 50 feet high, required outside painting.
- 16,000 square feet total measurement
- Estimated labor hours: 53 for the first coat and 53 for the second coat
- The hourly wage is $60.
- Labor costs $6,360, or little about $0.40 per square foot.
- Paint costs $35 per gallon, and one gallon covers 300 square feet or $0.12 per square foot.
- Additional Material Cost: $0.03 per square foot
- $0.55 per square foot = labor ($0.40) + paint ($0.12) + other materials/tools ($0.03)
In terms of square footage, the typical commercial exterior painting cost for two coats of paint is roughly 53 cents per square foot. This is because outside painting jobs are more involved. And commercial painters often paint large warehouses, buildings, and other facilities.
How much does commercial interior painting cost per square foot?
Typically, a gallon of paint covers 250–400 square feet. Painters with high skill levels work swiftly and precisely, covering up to 200 square feet each hour.
Let’s again use an example calculation from Business Hue below:
- An office with four walls, each 20 feet long and 10 feet high, will have it’s inside painted.
- Dimensions in total: 800 square feet
- 4 hours for the first coat and 4 hours for the second coat are the estimated labor hours.
- Pay Rate: $60 per hour
- $480 or $0.60 per square foot for labor costs
- One gallon of paint costs $35 and covers 300 square feet or $0.12 per square foot.
- Cost of other materials: $16 for a surface area of 800 square feet, or $0.02 per square foot
- Workforce ($0.60) plus paint ($0.12) plus additional supplies/tools ($0.02) equals $0.74 per square foot.
If we break this down by square footage, two coats of high-quality paint typically cost around 74 cents per square foot for interiors.
Factors to consider when estimating commercial painting costs
When it comes to estimating the cost of commercial painting, there are several factors to consider.
- How much paint will be needed?
- How much labor will be required?
- How long the job is expected to take?
- What type of paint is being used, and at what cost per gallon?
- Does the area require special preparation or specialized equipment?
For example, if you’re looking into how much it would cost to paint an office. In that case, you should factor in any additional costs for furniture removal and floor covering protection if necessary. You may also need extra ladders or scaffolding to reach high ceilings.
On the other hand, a large exterior project such as painting an apartment building will have different requirements, like power washing before applying any new coatings.
Commercial painting is an investment, not an expense!
In summary, commercial painting is essential to your business success and growth plan. Investing in a quality paint job can make all the difference between a profitable business and one that fails to take off.
With McLean Company by your side, you can be sure you are getting the highest quality materials and a skilled professional team to ensure your projects are completed correctly and on budget. We offer affordable options for commercial painting as well as top-rated customer service.
Whether you need an interior or exterior paint job, we will have solutions tailored to your needs. Don’t wait any longer! Contact us or request a free quote today and see how something so small can make such a significant impact on the future of your business.