How much does it cost to paint a home interior?

From bright and vibrant to earthy to cosmopolitan, painting the interior of your house is one of the most dramatic changes you can make to your home. And whether you hire someone to paint the interior of your home for you or do it on your own, it's one of the less expensive and more instantly gratifying home improvement projects.

Typical Interior House Painting Costs

• Just the paint: Depending on the quality and type of paint, each gallon can cost $20-$50. A 12x12 room will require about two gallons for full coverage, so you can expect to buy up to $100 worth of paint.

• Painting labor: If you want to leave the messy work to the pros, a painting company will typically charge $1 to $3 per square foot to paint an average 12x12 room.

• Do-it-yourself: Moving furniture and cleaning your supplies are the least fun parts of painting your own home, but it can be a gratifying experience and is definitely less expensive if you have the time. Just be sure take into consideration the type of room you have. Do you have tall ceilings that will require a ladder or a long brush handle? Do you have lots of molding that needs to be painted too? Get some tips on picking paint colors at HGTV.com or watch a quick video about using the right painting tools at DIYnetwork.com.

Low-End Estimate for Interior House Painting

• Just paint: About $40 for a 12x12 room.

• Paint and labor: About $200 for a 12x12 room.

High-End Estimate for Interior House Painting

• Just paint: About $100 for a 12x12 room.

• Paint and labor: About $475 for a 12x12 room.

What to Expect from an Interior Painting Job

• Materials: You'll need paint, primer, brushes, rollers, rolling handles, paint sprayer, buckets, drop cloths, paint pans, caulk, tape, and sandpaper.

• Timing: Painting a single room can take as little as a half-day, but an entire house can take up to a week or more, depending on the size of the home.

• Mess: Reasonable. Most of the paint drips and mess will be contained to clothing and drop cloths. Otherwise, the messiest part of painting is cleaning the brushes at the end of the day and putting back any furniture or other household belongings you may have moved in the process of painting.

• Lead-Based Paint: If you have a home built before the 1980s, you could have lead-based paint on your walls, window frames, etc. This should be checked and removed by a professional. Read more about lead-based paint from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.

Are There Any Extra Costs to Paint the Interior of a Home?

• Dark color coverage: If you are painting over a dark color or a material like dark or bare wood, it requires more primer and paint for a quality finish. Figure this into the cost so there aren't any surprises.

• Furniture moving: Some painting companies will charge extra to move your furniture for you, especially if you have any furniture or appliances that are particularly heavy or need to be disassembled to be moved.

• Detail painting: A painting contractor might charge you extra if there are detail items that will be painted, such as crown molding, baseboards, or specialty designs like stripes or outlining. Ask your painting company about these types of charges up front.

• Organic paints: You may notice when shopping for paints that some brands advertise a lower percentage of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), which have been linked to environmental and health issues. These paints will probably be more expensive, so make sure you do your homework to make sure you get what you pay for in your paint. Learn more about VOC levels in different types of paint on ConsumerReports.org.