Commercial painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot in 2026 by national published figures. The planning matters as much as the price: when the work happens, how the space stays usable and how long each area is closed.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own surfaces move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to paint an office or commercial space?
Nationally it costs $2 to $6 per square foot of painted surface to paint a commercial interior, or $5,000 to $15,000 for 2,500 square feet. HomeGuide does not publish separate figures for offices, shops or warehouses.
| Paintable area | National range |
|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $3,000 to $7,200 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $4,000 to $12,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $6,000 to $18,000 |
Exterior commercial work that needs scaffolding is listed at $5 to $10 or more per square foot, and lifts or scaffolding at $500 to $1,500 or more per day.
Can painters work nights or weekends so the business stays open?
Many commercial painters do work nights or weekends, and it is a fair thing to ask for. Whether we can do it for your job depends on the size, the building and the schedule, so ask us when we visit.
Other ways to stay open are to paint in sections, to close one area at a time and to use low-odor, fast-drying paint. We set out the plan in writing before work starts.
How much to repaint a rental apartment between tenants?
No national figure is published for a repaint between tenants. The closest is HomeGuide's general figure for painting an apartment: $2 to $6 per square foot, with a one-bedroom of 600 to 800 square feet at $1,200 to $4,800 and a two-bedroom at $1,600 to $7,200.
A turnover repaint in the same color, in an empty unit with sound walls, is quicker than those general figures assume. Smoke, heavy wall damage or a color change slow it down. We price rentals after seeing the unit, and several units together as one job.
How often should a rental be repainted?
How often a rental needs paint depends on wear, not the calendar. Many landlords repaint or touch up at each change of tenant and do a full repaint every few years.
Using the same color and sheen in every unit makes touch-ups possible and turnovers faster. A washable finish in kitchens, baths and halls stretches the time between repaints.
Can an apartment be painted while tenants live there?
Yes, an occupied apartment can be painted, with notice and planning. The tenant needs to know the dates, move small items and allow access.
It is slower than painting an empty unit, because furniture has to be moved and covered and rooms are done one at a time. Give notice of entry as your lease and Utah law require. In a pre-1978 building, tenants must get the lead pamphlet before work that disturbs paint.
How long does it take to paint a 10-unit apartment building or an office?
It depends on the scope, so there is no honest single number. A 10-unit building could mean the exterior only, the halls and stairs, or every unit inside, and each is a different job.
As a guide, national figures put one bedroom at 4 to 5 hours of painting and a living room at 5 to 7, before prep and drying. Empty units go quickly and occupied ones do not. For an office, the number of rooms, the ceiling height and how much must stay open decide the schedule. We give a written schedule with the quote.
Who pays for painting when a tenant moves out?
In general the landlord pays for repainting that is due to normal wear and tear, and the tenant can be charged for damage beyond that. Faded paint, small nail holes and light scuffs after a long tenancy are normally wear. Large holes, unapproved colors, smoke staining and drawings on walls are normally damage.
Utah law sets rules on what a landlord may deduct from a deposit and how it must be itemized. This is general information, not legal advice. Read the lease, keep move-in and move-out photos, and see the Utah Courts self-help pages or a lawyer if there is a dispute.
Do commercial painters price large jobs differently?
Yes. Large jobs are usually priced by measured area and production rate, not by the room. The price per square foot tends to fall as the area grows, because setup, masking and travel are spread over more wall.
Height, lifts, work outside business hours, special coatings and the state of the surfaces push it back up. HomeGuide lists commercial painting labor at $60 to $100 per hour nationally. Ask for the quote to show area, coats, products and access equipment.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (801) 618-4881.