Short answer. Interior painting in Los Angeles in 2026 runs $3 to $7 per sq ft for walls only, $4 to $9 per sq ft for walls plus ceilings, and $6 to $12 per sq ft for full repaint (walls, ceilings, doors, trim). A typical 2,000 sq ft home runs $6,000 to $24,000 depending on scope.
2026 pricing by scope
| Scope | $/sq ft of floor area | 2,000 sq ft home |
|---|---|---|
| Walls only, neutral refresh | $3 to $5 | $6,000 to $10,000 |
| Walls only, color change | $4 to $7 | $8,000 to $14,000 |
| Walls and ceilings | $5 to $9 | $10,000 to $18,000 |
| Full repaint (walls, ceilings, doors, trim) | $7 to $12 | $14,000 to $24,000 |
| Cabinet painting (per cabinet door) | n/a | $80 to $150 per door |
What is included in a professional paint job
- Furniture protection (move and cover).
- Floor protection (drop cloths, plastic).
- Wall prep (patching nail holes, sanding, caulking).
- Primer where needed (color change, fresh drywall, water stains).
- Two full coats of finish paint.
- Trim, doors, and casing painted as specified.
- Cleanup and minor touch-up after furniture replacement.
What adds to the cost
- Ceilings over 9 feet (scaffolding or specialty ladders).
- Heavy texture removal or skim coat to smooth.
- Wallpaper removal (often $1.50 to $4 per sq ft).
- Water damage repair before paint.
- Premium paint (Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin-Williams Emerald) versus mid-tier.
- Color change requiring extra coats.
- Detailed trim work (chair rail, wainscoting, crown molding).
How to compare painting bids
- Identical scope on each bid (rooms, walls, ceilings, doors, trim).
- Brand and product line of paint and primer specified.
- Number of coats specified (always two for finish coats).
- Prep work detailed (patching, sanding, caulking, masking).
- Insurance and CSLB license verified.
For exterior pricing and process, see best way to paint exterior stucco. For paint product selection, see best paint for stucco. For painting services, see our painting page.
