All painting quotes were collected and analyzed in May/June 2023.

See our updated survey here.

In May 2023 we approached about 30 NYC painting companies for this survey. All have been given an opportunity to provide a virtual quote for a particular apartment 211 Thompson St APT 4H, Manhattan. We asked for all the walls, ceilings, baseboards & door to be painted, including the closets. While quoted prices alone are not indicative of the level of service, we have also supplemented our table with the number of stars each company received on Yelp. The reviews are a great proxy for overall customer satisfaction and generally include all sorts of factors from overall professionalism to quality of workmanship, hidden charges, etc.

Since the companies above relied on a Streeteasy listing pictures and video to give the quote, some of the quotes used ranges rather than a precise number. We have used the average of the range for the comparison purposes. Please also note that none of the surveyed companies knew anything in advance about this survey. We have excluded companies that do not have any reviews on Yelp or those that did not reply to our repeated attempts to get a quote from them.

While some companies included tax and paint in their quotes, others didn’t. We have roughly estimated the tax by applying 8.875% New York City Sales Tax to the quotes. In reality, the taxes may be slightly less as the tax is supposed to be applied to labor part of the quote only.

How much does it cost to paint an apartment in NYC? We asked ChatGPT

The cost to paint an apartment in New York City can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the size of the apartment, the complexity of the job, the type of paint used, the cost of labor in the area, and whether any repairs or prep work need to be done before painting.

Here are a few general estimates:

1. Paint Costs: The cost of paint can range anywhere from $30 to $80 per gallon, depending on the quality and brand. For instance, premium paints like Benjamin Moore's Regal Select are typically on the higher end of the price spectrum.

2. Labor Costs: In a city like New York, labor costs for painting can be quite high. On average, professional painters might charge anywhere from $2 to $6 per square foot for basic painting jobs. This means that for a 1,000 square foot apartment, you could be looking at $2,000 to $6,000 in labor costs alone.

3. Total Costs: When you add in additional costs for supplies (like brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and painter's tape), prep work, and any necessary repairs, the total cost to paint an apartment in NYC might range from $3,000 to $8,000 or more.

These estimates are quite broad, and the actual cost could be lower or higher depending on the specifics of your project. If you want a more accurate estimate, it would be best to get quotes from a few different painting professionals in your area. They can take a look at your apartment, discuss your needs and preferences, and provide a more accurate quote based on the specifics of your project.

How do painting costs differ for an apartment in Manhattan & Brooklyn?

Painting costs can vary from borough to borough in New York City, with factors such as neighborhood, local demand, and competition among contractors playing significant roles. However, the differences aren't generally drastic enough to account for a large disparity in pricing between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Manhattan, especially certain upscale neighborhoods, may have slightly higher costs due to factors like parking and accessibility, the prestige associated with the location, and higher overheads for contractors operating in those areas.

Brooklyn, while generally a bit less expensive than Manhattan, has also seen significant gentrification in many neighborhoods, leading to an increase in costs that might be comparable to those in parts of Manhattan.

That being said, the cost of painting an apartment is more often influenced by factors such as the size of the space, the complexity of the job, the type of paint used, and whether any prep work or repairs are needed, rather than strictly the location within the city. Furthermore, prices can vary significantly from contractor to contractor, so it's always a good idea to get multiple quotes to ensure you're getting a fair price.

To get the most accurate estimate, you should reach out to local contractors in both areas for quotes. Make sure to provide them with the same information about your project so you can compare the estimates accurately.