How Much Does It Cost To Paint A Ceiling In 2024? (2024)

The cost to paint a ceiling is usually determined based on the square footage of the surface area being painted. The type of ceiling also plays a role in the pricing as certain ceilings require more paint or are more difficult to paint than others.

By Size

Hiring professional painters to paint your ceilings will cost anywhere from $1 to $2.50 per square foot. Painting services are usually charged by the square foot, and depending on your project, the cost per square foot could decrease as the surface area you are painting increases. For example, painting the ceilings in a 2,500-square-foot home would likely cost $0.50 per square foot less than painting just a single room.

By Type

Most ceilings are just smooth surfaces, but the ceiling type can differ in historic homes or unique rooms. Here is how the type of ceiling affects the cost.

• Smooth Ceiling: Plain and simple, smooth ceilings will cost $1 to $2.50 per square foot to paint. You will typically be charged a contractor’s standard rate if you have smooth ceilings.
• Popcorn or Textured Ceiling: If your ceiling has a popcorn or similar texture, it will require more paint than a smooth ceiling. Expect to pay between $1 and $3 per square foot to paint a popcorn ceiling. If you want to remove your popcorn ceiling texture entirely, it will cost $1 to $2 per square foot for the removal and an additional $2 to $5 per square foot for the painting, as the surface may need to be smoothed out and repaired.
• Ceiling Grid or Drop Tiles: Want to camouflage your drop ceiling tiles with a fresh coat of paint? That will cost you between $1 and $3 per square foot. Painting over the tiles and the grids requires a little more finesse than painting just a smooth ceiling.
• Exposed Basem*nt Ceiling: If you want to paint your basem*nt ceiling, but would rather not install drywall or drop ceiling tiles, consider painting the exposed ceiling as-is. You can have the beams, electrical conduit, ductwork and anything else in your basem*nt ceiling painted one seamless color for between $2 and $6 per square foot.

Painting your own ceiling is a feasible DIY project. Make sure you know how to paint with a roller, and plan to spend between $200 and $600 on supplies. Painting a ceiling requires lots of repetitive motion with an extension paint roller—this type of task is not for everybody.

If you’re not up to the challenge of painting your own ceiling, find a local painter in your area who is. A professional painting team will be able to paint your ceilings in a much shorter time frame and do a quality job with no erroneous paint marks.

It is also good to note that if you want the painting process to go faster and have a better finish, spray the ceiling rather than roll and brush. A professional painter can do this relatively quickly, or you can buy an affordable sprayer. However, be prepared to buy a bit more paint.

Keep these factors in mind when determining how much it will cost to paint the ceiling in your home.

• Labor: Most of the cost to paint your ceiling will be associated with labor. The more hours it takes to complete your job, the more you can expect to pay. Labor costs tend to be higher in urban areas compared to rural ones.
• Prep Work: The prep work needed before painting usually takes longer than the painting itself. Your painter will need to tape off all edges, move furniture around so all areas of your ceiling can be accessed and lay down drop cloths to protect your furniture and floors.
• Ceiling Height: The height of your ceiling is a major factor in painting costs. The average ceiling height is eight feet—if your ceilings are taller, painters will need taller ladders and may have more difficulty accessing them. Expect to pay more for painting taller ceilings.
• Trim and Crown Molding: Painting your trim or crown molding is not included in the base price to paint your ceiling. Having your crown molding painted while your ceilings are being painted will cost between $0.50 and $1.50 per linear foot. If you want just your crown molding painted, it will cost $1 to $3.50 per linear foot, so it is a good idea to have it painted alongside your ceilings.

In some cases, the following additional costs might also apply to your ceiling painting project.

• Project Minimum Fees: If you only need the ceiling painted in a tiny room, you might have to pay a project minimum fee. This fee, usually between $200 and $300, is the minimum amount for which a contractor will complete a job to ensure they still make some profit after labor and material costs.
• Electrical Components: In some cases, your ceiling light fixtures or other electrical components might need to be removed and reinstalled for the painting process. This will result in an added fee for wiring, storing and re-wiring.
• Drywall Repairs: Your ceilings are likely damage-free, but if any locations require drywall repair, include this in the project so all of your ceiling surfaces can be painted. Drywall damage can occur from water leaks, punctures from objects or aging materials.