This interior painting cost calculator estimates what it costs to have a professional painter paint the inside of a home (low, typical and high, before tax), based on floor area, surfaces to paint, doors and preparation. Reference case, data reviewed in November 2026: painting the walls and ceilings of a 900 sq ft unit costs about $3,400 before tax in Quebec ($2,250 to $4,750), $3,250 before tax in Ontario ($2,250 to $4,700), $3,600 before tax in British Columbia ($2,550 to $5,200), and $3,400 before tax in Alberta ($2,400 to $4,850), or about $3,900 in Quebec, $3,700 in Ontario, $4,125 in BC, and $3,900 in Alberta with five interior doors. Prices currently cover: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. The detailed budget is emailed to you as a PDF.
To receive your detailed budget, use the “Email me this budget (PDF)” form on renoclair.ca.
Free and independent toolBefore tax. With taxes (typical):
Email me this budget (PDF)
The detailed budget (parameters, line-by-line breakdown, estimated paint volume, applicable rules and validity) is emailed to you as a PDF at the address you enter. We keep your email and the calculation parameters for 12 months, then delete them. This information is processed by our hosting and email providers, who may store it outside Quebec. You can request access to, correction or deletion of your information. Person in charge of the protection of personal information: info@renoclair.ca. Privacy policy.
Typical costs by province (before tax)
| Surfaces (labour and paint, 2 coats, per sq ft of floor) | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec: Walls only | $2.00 | $3.00 | $4.25 |
| Quebec: Walls and ceilings | $2.50 | $3.75 | $5.25 |
| Quebec: Walls, ceilings, baseboards and casings | $3.25 | $4.75 | $6.50 |
| Quebec: Interior door, 2 sides and casing (each) | $75 | $100 | $140 |
| Quebec: Full coat of primer (option, per sq ft) | $0.50 | $0.85 | $1.25 |
| Quebec: Plaster repairs or 9 ft+ ceilings (option, per sq ft) | $0.50 | $0.90 | $1.50 |
| Ontario: Walls only | $1.75 | $2.50 | $3.75 |
| Ontario: Walls and ceilings | $2.50 | $3.60 | $5.20 |
| Ontario: Walls, ceilings, baseboards and casings | $3.25 | $4.80 | $6.80 |
| Ontario: Interior door, 2 sides and casing (each) | $65 | $90 | $130 |
| Ontario: Full coat of primer (option, per sq ft) | $0.45 | $0.75 | $1.15 |
| Ontario: Plaster repairs or 9 ft+ ceilings (option, per sq ft) | $0.40 | $0.80 | $1.50 |
| British Columbia: Walls only (2 coats, per sq ft) | $2.00 | $2.85 | $4.25 |
| British Columbia: Walls and ceilings (2 coats, per sq ft) | $2.85 | $4.00 | $5.75 |
| British Columbia: Walls, ceilings, baseboards and casings (per sq ft) | $3.65 | $5.25 | $7.50 |
| British Columbia: Interior door, 2 sides and casing (each) | $75 | $105 | $145 |
| British Columbia: Full coat of primer (option, per sq ft) | $0.50 | $0.85 | $1.30 |
| British Columbia: Plaster repairs or 9 ft+ ceilings (option, per sq ft) | $0.50 | $0.95 | $1.75 |
| Alberta: Walls only (2 coats, per sq ft) | $1.80 | $2.45 | $3.35 |
| Alberta: Walls and ceilings (2 coats, per sq ft) | $2.65 | $3.75 | $5.40 |
| Alberta: Walls, ceilings, baseboards and trim (per sq ft) | $3.40 | $4.90 | $7.00 |
| Alberta: Interior door (both sides and frame) | $70 | $100 | $135 |
| Alberta: Full primer coat (option, per sq ft) | $0.45 | $0.80 | $1.25 |
| Alberta: Plaster repairs or 9 ft+ ceilings (option, per sq ft) | $0.45 | $0.90 | $1.65 |
Before tax, November 2026. Rates cross-checked across verified painting contractors and price guides in Quebec and Ontario. Taxes are applied separately based on province (14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in British Columbia — 7% PST on materials is paid by the contractor and embedded in installed prices, and 5% GST only in Alberta with no PST).
What is included and what is not
Included
- Protection of floors and furniture
- Light preparation (dusting, filling nail holes, light sanding)
- Professional-grade acrylic paint, 2 coats
- Doors and options selected
Not included
- Wallpaper stripping and popcorn ceiling removal
- Drywall replacement
- Spray-painting kitchen cabinets
- Stairwells over 14 ft needing scaffolding
- Asbestos removal
- Taxes (shown separately)
How the interior painting cost calculator calculates your estimate
The amount multiplies the floor area (100 to 3,500 sq ft) by a rate per square foot for the surfaces chosen in your province, then adds interior doors and preparation options. In Quebec, walls and ceilings average $2.50 to $5.25 (typical $3.75); in Ontario, walls and ceilings average $2.50 to $5.20 (typical $3.60); in British Columbia, walls and ceilings average $2.85 to $5.75 (typical $4.00). Paint requirements are calculated at approximately 400 sq ft per gallon per coat. Retail paint prices were surveyed across paint suppliers in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia in November 2026.
Amounts are before tax and rounded ($50 below $10,000, $100 above). The calculator also shows the typical amount with applicable sales tax (14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in British Columbia, 5% GST only in Alberta). Items marked as RénoClair assumptions are listed as such in the PDF.
Rebates and financial aid
Interior painting is not eligible for energy efficiency grants such as Rénoclimat in Quebec or Home Renovation Savings in Ontario. Aid may only apply when repainting is part of eligible municipal repair programs (such as RénoRégion in Quebec) or accessibility adaptations for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Permits, licences and rules
- Alberta (OHS Code & Consumer Protection): Interior painting does not require a municipal building permit in Alberta. For homes built before 1978 (lead paint) or before 1990 (asbestos in drywall joint compounds or textured ceilings), the Alberta OHS Code requires proper assessment before dry sanding or scraping. Under the Alberta Consumer Protection Act, contractors taking deposits must hold a Prepaid Contracting Business Licence, and direct home contracts include a 10-day cooling-off period.
- British Columbia (WorkSafeBC & Consumer Protection): Interior painting does not require a municipal building permit in British Columbia. For residential homes built before 1978 (lead paint) or before 1990 (asbestos in joint compound or texture), WorkSafeBC safety regulations mandate certified testing before dry sanding. Homeowners should verify that contractors carry active WorkSafeBC coverage and at least $2M in commercial general liability insurance. Direct sales contracts signed at home include a mandatory 10-day cooling-off cancellation period without penalty under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA).
- Ontario (WSIB & Consumer Protection): Interior painting does not require a municipal building permit in Ontario. While painters do not require a compulsory provincial trade licence, homeowners should verify that contractors carry Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) clearance and at least $2M in commercial general liability insurance. Under Consumer Protection Ontario, contracts entered into at home for over $50 include a mandatory 10-day cooling-off cancellation period. In homes built before 1990, drywall joint compound or textured ceilings may contain asbestos, and pre-1980 woodwork may contain lead paint: test surfaces before dry sanding.
- Quebec (RBQ): Painting does not require a municipal permit. In Quebec, a contractor painting for pay must hold an RBQ licence (subclass 9.0 finishing work or general contractor). In homes built before 1990, joint compounds and textured ceilings may contain asbestos, and paint on woodwork from before 1980 may contain lead: test before dry sanding.
Which provinces are covered?
Prices currently cover: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta (with province-specific rates, 14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in British Columbia, 5% GST only in Alberta, and provincial regulatory information).
Limitations
This is a planning estimate, not a quote. It does not see the condition of your home, regional price differences or hidden problems; only a written quote after a visit gives the price of your work. The result cannot be printed from the page: the detailed budget is sent to you as a PDF by email, after you enter your address and give your consent.
Sources, review date and data version
- Data reviewed in November 2026; next review planned for February 2027.
- Price sources: published contractor prices in Quebec and Ontario, actual published quotes and retail prices collected in stores, cross-checked across several independent domains. Official sources: Canada Revenue Agency, Ontario Ministry of Finance, BC Ministry of Finance, Government of Quebec, Régie du bâtiment du Québec, WSIB Ontario, WorkSafeBC, and municipal websites.
- Full method: Sources and methodology.
- French version: Calculateur prix peinture intérieure au Québec : estimez votre budget.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does interior painting cost per square foot?
In Quebec, about $2.00 to $6.50 per sq ft of floor area before tax; in Ontario, about $1.75 to $6.80 per sq ft, depending on surfaces (walls only, walls and ceilings, or full trim and doors).
How much does it cost to paint a 900 sq ft condo?
For walls and ceilings, about $3,400 before tax in Quebec ($3,250 in Ontario); with five interior doors, about $3,900 in Quebec ($3,700 in Ontario).
How much paint do I need?
Count about 400 sq ft per gallon (3.78 L) per coat. The calculator shows the estimated gallons required for two full coats.
Does a painter need a licence?
In Quebec, yes: contractors painting for pay must hold an RBQ licence (subclass 9.0 or general contractor). In Ontario, contractors should have WSIB clearance and commercial liability insurance.
How do I get the budget as a PDF?
Calculate your budget, then enter your email and check the consent box in the form under the result: the detailed PDF is sent by email. The result cannot be printed directly from the page.
When are prices updated?
Prices were reviewed in November 2026. The next review is planned for February 2027; the data version is shown on the page and in the PDF.
Which provinces does the calculator cover?
Currently Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. The calculator includes province-specific pricing, local sales tax (14.975% GST+QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in BC) and local regulations.