Ask a few Massachusetts painters for a ballpark and some will answer with a per-square-foot rate. The trouble is that the same-looking rate from two painters can describe two completely different jobs — measured differently, prepped differently, and finished with different paint. This post explains what's behind the number so you can compare quotes on what actually matters.
First question: square feet of what?
Painters don't all measure the same thing, so check the basis before comparing anything.
| Service | How it's often measured | What pushes the cost up |
|---|---|---|
| Interior painting | Floor area, wall area, or per room — ask which | Ceilings and trim added, high or vaulted ceilings, dark-to-light color changes, plaster or drywall repair, lots of doors and windows to cut around |
| Exterior painting | Floor area of the house or actual siding area | Wood siding vs vinyl, peeling paint that needs scraping and priming, rotted trim, height and access, pre-1978 lead-safe work |
| Cabinet refinishing | Per door and drawer front, not per square foot | Open-grain wood like oak that needs grain filling, glossy factory finishes that need more sanding, island and pantry add-ons, extra coats |
| Deck staining | Horizontal deck area, with railings often added separately | Stripping old film-forming stain, sanding gray boards, balusters and stairs, board replacement |
Two quotes measured on different bases can't be compared rate-to-rate. Compare the total written price and the written scope instead.
Why two rates for the "same" job are far apart
A low rate and a high rate are usually both honest — they just describe different work.
What a low-scope interior quote often looks like
- Contractor-grade paint, with no brand or product line named
- One coat over the existing color
- Minimal prep — a quick spackle on visible holes
- No written warranty
- No EPA RRP lead-safe work practices on pre-1978 homes
- Homeowner expected to move all the furniture
What a complete interior scope should include
- Paint named by brand, line and sheen — e.g. Benjamin Moore Regal Select or Aura, Sherwin-Williams Emerald
- Two finish coats, with primer where needed
- Full prep: sanding, drywall and plaster patching, caulking, masking
- A licensed and insured crew
- A written workmanship warranty with stated terms (see what ours covers)
- EPA RRP lead-safe practices on pre-1978 surfaces — see our lead-safe painting page
- Furniture moved and covered by the crew, daily cleanup
- A final walk-through and touch-ups before the last invoice
On day one, both jobs can look the same in photos. The difference shows a few years later when the thinner job starts chalking, peeling at trim joints, or showing roller marks under raking light.
What moves the price down (legitimately)
- Repainting the same or a similar color, so fewer coats are needed
- Walls in good shape with little patching
- Leaving out ceilings or trim that were painted recently
- Clearing small items and moving light furniture yourself, if the painter agrees in writing
- Grouping several rooms into one visit, so setup and protection are done once
How to use a per-square-foot rate without getting burned
- Get a fixed total price in writing, not just a rate.
- Ask what the rate is measured on — floor area, wall area, or per room or door.
- Ask what's included: number of coats, paint brand + line + sheen, prep depth, who moves furniture.
- On a pre-1978 home, ask for the lead-safe scope as its own line item. If it isn't mentioned at all, ask why.
- Compare scope, not just the bottom line. The lowest number is only a deal if it covers the same work.
Get a number for your house
No rate on a web page can tell you what your house will cost — wall condition, access, and the age of the paint matter too much. AJ Painting Services is licensed and insured, based in Ashland, and offers a free on-site visit followed by a written estimate that lists the scope, coats and products. Call (508) 258-4325 or request a visit online.
For more on what shapes each type of job, see our Massachusetts painting cost guide and the interior, exterior, cabinet, and deck cost pages.