Did you get more than one estimate? Ask for a name at the local paint store too just to get some other names. Maybe if you specify non-BM paint, the cost will come in lower. I know that made a big difference in our costs.

Not high to me at all, but I'm in Boston.

What does the $2800 cover? All of the painters we got quotes from first quoted either 2 coats or primer + 2 coats. That money doesn't seem high at all for 2 coats or primer + 2 (at least it wouldn't be in our area-- NY metro), but it might be high for just one coat.

That seems like a lot to me. Around here it's about 50.00 per hour and up. How many hours could that take, even at 100.00 per hour?

I just paid $4,800 for a complete repaint by a professional who lives here and goes to NYC as a paint foreman on huge commercial jobs. Neat, tidy, and oh so nice! He painted ceilings, doors, and walls. He charged us $200/day and it took about a month because it's slow for one man to do a 2,000 sq ft home. Two coats plus primer on everything. He wouldn't even consider one coat even though he was painting over white. He is a perfectionist to the umpth degree. Our home turned out beautiful!!

Good idea, BKW. We were going to take the easy way out and let the RE guy take care of all the prep but this just offends me. And not just because he wants to cover up my green kitchen hehe.

I can let the green go but I sure don't want to pay for primer and 2 coats when (really) all that needs doing is some scuff marks. Or one coat of the same color.

Thanks for the reality check, guys. I'll have to get a detailed quote and see if I can pay for just one coat. I think the stagers can work with the colors I have (except the green of course)(which means they aren't very good)(or that they are?).

I'm sad to hear that the green was a no-go, though....that doesn't bode well for our kitchen when we eventually sell! *sigh* (Of course, our bigger problem right now is that the green clashes with the gold in the next room, so maybe if I finally get around to painting the dining room red, it will be all good...)

But, yes, that sounds about right for what I've heard from friends in the East Bay who've had professional painters for similarly sized homes. *But* all of them had prep involved (primer + 2 coats) and I think all of them got the names from their respective realtors, so the bigger take-home may be to try calling around if you want it professionally done outside of realtor world!

i was quoted $1980 to prime and paint a 11x13 kitchen. price from N. CA area of the country. i am doing the work myself...

It depends on a lot of things but I don't think it sounds outrageous. I paid $7000 for a 1200 sf apartment (vacant), but the paint was in terrible condition, I live in a pretty expensive, and the house has a lot of moldings and trim. I typically expect to pay about $500 for a 10x10-ish bedroom.

Are you painting ceilings and walls, or just walls? What about trim? Sometimes just the wall color needs touching up, which can save a lot. Make sure your bids are on equal footing--# of coats, primer/no primer, walls/ceiling/trim.

Depending on when the house was painted last, you may need to wash the walls before painting, especially in the kitchen. And spot patching and priming will be required for those nail holes, even if the whole wall doesn't get primed.

Is the realtor also doing the painting? That sounds like someone who is not very professional in either regard. If you are looking to hire a painter, hire a painter. If the real estate agent is any good, they do not have the blocks of time to devote to your project to get it done in a timely manner. If you saw my house, months after starting to paint it myself, you'd see what I mean. Besides, they should be earning enough as a realtor to not need to moonlight, if they are any good, that is. I'd be concerned you are getting a semi pro in both categories.
If it is not the realtor doing the painting, you should be speaking directly to the person who would do it. I think for one coat, with no remedial work needed, that sounds high, and I am used to NY type pricing.

Thanks everyone. After viewing the "detailed" quote, I think I'll call the guy who did my kitchen. :)

It calls for two coats, walls and ceilings, trim, closets, and my #@*&% brick fireplaces!!??? No mention of paint brand.

Dianalo, no the RE isn't the painter, he's just been in the business forever and his office is happy to bring in all the contractors needed and hand you the quote. He has a pretty good record in the neighborhood. Apparently from painting brick. Tell me, Dianalo, will I lose a sale if I don't paint brick fireplaces? I have been told there is a very special place in hell for people who do that and I believe it!

I'd have to see pix to see if it merits doing.
If your paint is in good condition, it may only need touching up. Having a green kitchen does not mean it is bad unless it does not match. If you entire house is in decent condition, you may only want to paint a room or 2. It may be better and easier to accept $2k less and let the buyers paint and pick colors. That is assuming it is in nice condition as you have said. Poor paint jobs hurt a sale. If you are concerned about buyers wanting new paint, offer a $1k credit at closing for paint. Most buyers would prefer that to having to repaint what a seller just chose that they don't love.

My 1450 square foot home was $4900 to paint a few years ago and that includes the cost of the BM paint. There are cathedral ceilings in the living room & family room and 12 foot ceilings in the master bedroom. The cost included the plantation shutters on 22 windows. We are in a beach community in so. cal.

Woah. Couldn't get me to do 10 plantation shutters for $4900!