Upgrade Your Space: Pro Tips for a Better Home


September 10, 2025

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House in Edmonton? Plus 7 Tips to Find a Great Painter

A fresh paint job makes a home feel new again. In Edmonton, a good painter also solves real problems: sun-faded siding from long summer days, moisture wear from freeze-thaw cycles, and drywall cracks that show up after a cold snap. Pricing varies more than most homeowners expect, because every house tells a different story. This guide breaks down realistic costs for interior and exterior painting in Edmonton, what drives those numbers up or down, and how to hire the right crew the first time.

Depend Exteriors works across Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and nearby communities. The team sees the same patterns on quotes week after week. Use the ranges below as a starting point, then ask for a site visit to confirm your specific scope.

What Edmonton Homeowners Typically Pay

Interior painting for an average single-family home in Edmonton usually lands between $2.50 and $5.00 per square foot of painted area. A 1,800-square-foot home with standard 8-foot ceilings often comes in between $3,500 and $6,500 for walls, with ceilings and trim priced separately. Exterior repaints often range from $2.00 to $5.50 per square foot of substrate, so a two-storey 1,900-square-foot home can run $5,500 to $12,000 depending on material, prep, and access.

Apartments and condos trend lower per job because there is less exterior exposure and fewer rooms, but high-rise rules, elevator bookings, and parking can add time. Bungalows can price well if access is simple and siding is in good shape. Homes in Windermere, Glenora, and Crestwood tend to involve more prep and detail work due to design features and higher trim counts, which raises the total.

Cost by Area: Interior Walls, Trim, and Ceilings

Walls are the base scope for most jobs. Edmonton houses with builder-grade paint and a few nail pops usually take one coat of primer on patches plus two finish coats. A room-by-room estimate often falls between $350 and $900 per room for standard sizes. Large great rooms, stairwells, and vaulted spaces sit higher due to ladder work and cut lines.

Trim and doors change the look more than most realize, but they take time. Expect $1.25 to $2.50 per linear foot for trim and $70 to $150 per door, depending on condition and whether the painter sprays or brushes. Older homes in Highlands or Westmount with original casing and baseboards need sanding and gap filling that adds labour. Newer homes in Chappelle or The Orchards with MDF trim need careful priming to block swelling at cut ends and joints.

Ceilings depend on texture. Smooth ceilings cost less than scraping and refinishing popcorn. Basic repaints often run $1.25 to $2.00 per square foot for smooth, and $2.00 to $4.00 if the crew must mask thoroughly around fixtures and spray. Popcorn removal with re-texture or a full skim coat drives cost up; plan on $3.50 to $6.50 per square foot for removal, repair, and paint, especially in kitchens where grease has bonded to the texture.

Exterior Pricing: Siding, Stucco, and Brick

Alberta weather is tough on exteriors, so prep is the biggest variable. Vinyl siding repaints are uncommon, but color changes with paint formulated for vinyl are possible. Fibre cement, wood siding, and stucco are more common across Edmonton’s older neighbourhoods.

Stucco repaints on a typical two-storey often fall between $2.00 and $3.50 per square foot. Hairline cracks need elastomeric patching, and stained areas from eavestroughs need spot priming. Peeling wood fascia and window trim take scraping and spot priming with oil or bonding primers. That detail work adds hours. Homes with walkout lots in Terwillegar or Cameron Heights can need more ladder set-ups, which affects the bottom line.

Brick painting is a specialty service. Painting porous masonry requires thorough cleaning, mildew treatment, and breathable coatings. Budget $3,000 to $7,000 for small to medium areas, more for full facades. If the brick has efflorescence or spalling, add time for mineral primers and repairs.

Why Quotes Can Vary Widely

Square footage is only a starting point. Painters in Edmonton set pricing based on risk, prep, and finish expectations. Here are the main drivers:

  • Condition of surfaces: Peeling paint, nicotine staining, water damage, and drywall movement increase labour. Water stains on ceilings need stain-blocking primer. Smoke-damaged homes require full-wash and shellac primers.
  • Height and access: Two-storey foyers, stairwells, and exterior peaks slow the work. If a house needs extensive ladder work or a small scaffold, labour hours rise accordingly.
  • Colour changes: Moving from dark to light or switching to deep accent colours can require extra coats. Some reds, yellows, and blues need a grey-tinted primer for coverage.
  • Paint quality: Premium paints from Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, or Dulux cost more per gallon but cover better and last longer. Better paint can reduce coats, but the upfront material cost is higher.
  • Schedule and occupancy: Empty houses paint faster. Occupied homes need careful protection, room-by-room staging, and daily cleanup, which adds time. Rushed timelines can also increase cost because more crew members are needed to meet a deadline.

An Edmonton couple in Summerside recently requested a quick repaint before listing. The house was clean and already a light neutral. Because they could move furniture to the center and had flexible dates, the team finished two floors in three days at the low end of the range. A similar floor plan in Rutherford with deep blues and wall damage took two extra days and an extra 10 liters of primer.

Material Choices That Affect Price and Durability

Paint is not just color. The resin, pigment, and additives matter in Edmonton’s climate. For interiors, eggshell or matte on walls hides imperfections and cleans up well. For high-traffic areas like mudrooms, a washable matte or satin is smart. High-gloss on trim looks crisp but highlights every dent; semi-gloss is a practical middle ground.

For exteriors, acrylic latex remains the standard for stucco and siding. Elastomeric coatings can bridge small cracks on stucco and help resist moisture, but they are thicker and need careful application. On wood elements, a quality bonding primer is key for long-term adhesion, especially on sun-exposed south and west elevations. Edmonton’s UV and freeze-thaw cycles punish cheap coatings. Spending an extra $200 to $400 on premium materials for a whole house often saves a repaint one or two years sooner.

How the Season Changes the Work

Edmonton painters build schedules around weather. Interior work runs year-round, but winter brings dry air and quicker cure times. That speed helps, yet dry air can widen drywall cracks and open trim gaps. Expect a bit more caulking and minor patching in January than in June.

Exterior season typically runs from late May through September, with shoulder seasons used for north-facing elevations and sheltered areas. Paint needs a minimum temperature, and overnight lows matter for curing. If a forecast calls for rain within a few hours of application, the crew will reschedule. South-facing walls can be too hot on August afternoons; painting them in the morning avoids flash-drying and lap marks. Good house painters Edmonton know to pivot with the weather rather than push through risky conditions that lead to adhesion problems.

Local Permit or HOA Considerations

Most interior painting works without permits. Exteriors are straightforward too, unless scaffolding blocks sidewalks or alleys, in which case a simple right-of-way permit may be required. Some Edmonton communities and condo boards limit exterior colour changes, even for door or shutter accents. A quick check with the property manager avoids delays. In new developments around Keswick or Secord, exterior palettes may need approval, especially with masonry accents.

Real Numbers: Common Scenarios and Sample Ranges

A freshening up of a 1,500-square-foot bungalow in Mill Woods, walls only in a light neutral, minor patches, two colors, occupied but cooperative schedule, lands around $3,200 to $4,800. Add ceilings and trim and it pushes to $5,500 to $7,500 depending on trim complexity.

A 2,200-square-foot two-storey in Rutherford with stairwell, feature wall, and kids’ rooms in bright colours often costs $5,000 to $8,000 for walls, ceilings, and trim, rising with deeper color changes and door counts.

A 1,900-square-foot stucco exterior in Ottewell, with typical hairline cracking, wash, minor repairs, one coat of bonding primer on patched areas, and two finish coats, usually quotes at $6,500 to $10,000. Extensive wood trim repair, fascia replacement, or rotten window sills increases spend.

Small jobs like repainting a main-floor powder room, hallway, and front door might be $800 to $1,600. Painters often group small works into a single visit to reduce set-up time.

Seven Tips to Find a Great Painter in Edmonton

The right crew saves money by doing the work once. Finding them is less about glossy brochures and more about straight answers and clean processes.

  • Ask for a written scope that names products, coat counts, and surface prep. “Two coats on walls with Benjamin Moore Regal Select, repair nail pops and minor dings, caulk trim gaps, spot-prime stains” reads better than a one-line lump sum.
  • Check experience with Edmonton substrates. Stucco, parging, fibre cement, and wood trim each need specific prep. Ask for addresses of similar projects in your neighbourhood.
  • Look at insurance, WCB coverage, and safety practices. If a quote is far lower than the rest, it may be missing coverage or proper prep steps.
  • Confirm schedule details: start date, daily working hours, room order, and whether they move and protect furniture. Clear routines prevent surprises in occupied homes.
  • Ask how they handle touch-ups. A good crew labels leftover paint, notes sheen and codes, and schedules a quick return if daylight reveals a miss.

Homeowners in Oliver and Garneau often live in tight spaces while painting happens. A disciplined crew works room by room, seals returns and vents while spraying trim, and keeps walkways open. These habits matter more to comfort than any brand name on a can.

Red Flags That Predict Cost Overruns

Quotes that ignore prep or promise one-coat coverage on dark walls are risky. Low-priced bids that skip washing exteriors or sanding glossy trim often lead to peeling or flashing. If a painter declines a site visit and promises a firm lump sum sight-unseen, expect change orders. Another warning sign is vague language about “standard paint.” In Edmonton, “standard” can mean different things. Ask for the exact product line and sheen. Reputable house painters Edmonton will tell you why they prefer one line over another and when they upgrade products based on substrate or weather.

How to Compare Quotes Fairly

Comparisons work best if each painter bids the same scope. Give all bidders the same color count, mention which ceilings are textured, list door counts, and note if closets and inside of cabinets are in or out. If one quote includes ceiling repairs and two do not, align the scopes before judging price per job.

It also helps to separate labour and materials. Some crews supply everything and pass on contractor pricing, which is efficient. Others ask the homeowner to buy paint, which can complicate primer and sheen choices. Bundled materials usually lead to smoother results, because the crew controls compatibility from primers to caulks and fillers.

Why Invest in Prep in an Edmonton Climate

The freeze-thaw cycle pushes moisture into tiny cracks and forces paint to lift. Proper washing removes chalking on older paint films so new coats adhere. On exteriors, pay attention to caulking around windows and doors, especially on south and west sides. On interiors, taping and sanding joints around ceilings stop hairline cracks from telegraphing through fresh paint. Skipping these steps saves a few hours now and cuts years off the finish.

A homeowner in Laurier Heights skipped exterior washing to shave cost. Within two seasons, south-facing panels showed premature chalking and dull spots. A repeat wash and repaint solved it, but the total spend was higher than doing it right once.

Colour Choices That Work in Local Light

Edmonton has bright sunlight in summer and low, cool light in winter. Greige tones with balanced undertones tend to read well year-round. Warm whites soften long winters without turning yellow under LED lighting. Deep charcoal on exterior trims looks crisp against stucco and stands up to UV better than some mid-tone blues. If testing colours, brush samples on multiple walls and view them morning and evening. Painters can spray sample panels for exteriors to avoid patchwork on the house itself.

Timelines and What to Expect Day by Day

Most interior jobs of an average home take three to seven working days. Day one is protection, minor drywall repairs, and cutting in. Day two and three cover first and second coats. Trim and doors run in parallel or at the end, depending on whether they are sprayed. Good crews assign a lead who walks the space with the homeowner each day to confirm progress and plan furniture moves.

Exterior projects range from three days for a small bungalow to two weeks for a large two-storey with detailed trim. Prep starts with washing and drying time. Painters may pause for wind or rain days. The lead should keep homeowners updated if the schedule shifts. Edmonton weather rewards flexibility; forcing a coat on a wet morning usually backfires.

Budgeting: Where to Save and Where to Spend

Saving money without hurting results is possible. Painting walls in good condition with a quality mid-line paint gives strong value. Reserve premium lines for bathrooms, kitchens, and high-touch areas that benefit from better scrubbability. Keep color counts low to reduce cut lines and leftover partial cans. If trim is in decent shape, leave it for a future phase and focus on walls and ceilings now.

Spend where it prevents failure. Invest in proper stain blocking, bonding primers on glossy or previously oil-painted trim, and elastomeric patching on stucco cracks. Pay for safe access solutions for high areas rather than asking painters to stretch on ladders. Small increases in prep budget protect the overall investment.

Working With Depend Exteriors

Depend Exteriors offers interior and exterior painting across Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, and Fort Saskatchewan. The team provides in-person assessments, written scopes with named products, and flexible scheduling for occupied homes. Quotes explain prep steps, coat counts, and which areas are included. For exterior work, they map elevations and plan around weather. For interiors, they sequence rooms to minimize disruption. The company is familiar with stucco and parging common in older neighbourhoods and the fibre cement and engineered wood trims used in newer builds.

Homeowners searching for house painters Edmonton can request a quick call-back, then book a no-pressure site visit. During the visit, the estimator measures, identifies substrate issues, tests adhesion on suspect areas, and flags any repairs that will avoid callbacks later. After painting, crews label leftover paints with room names and leave a small touch-up kit.

Ready to Price Your Project?

If the home needs a simple refresh, expect the ranges listed above. If it has height, heavy repairs, or a full color overhaul, plan toward the upper end. The fastest way to get a firm number is a site visit. Depend Exteriors will walk through the house, confirm the scope, and deliver a clear quote that makes sense. Edmonton weather and housing styles are https://dependexteriors.com/our-services/exterior-painting familiar territory for the team, and the goal is a finish that still looks strong several winters from now.

Book a consultation today. A short visit answers the price question and sets a plan that fits the home, the schedule, and the budget.

Depend Exteriors provides stucco repair and exterior masonry services in Edmonton, AB. Homeowners and businesses trust our team for stucco installation, repair, and replacement across a range of property types. As experienced Edmonton stucco contractors, we focus on durable finishes, reliable timelines, and clear communication with every client. Whether you need minor stucco patching, complete exterior resurfacing, or full stucco replacement, we deliver results that add value and protection to your property. Licensed and bonded, we stand behind our work and complete projects on schedule with attention to detail. If you are searching for stucco contractors near me in Edmonton, Depend Exteriors is ready to help.

Depend Exteriors

8615 176 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5T 0M7, Canada

Phone: (780) 710-3972

Website: https://dependexteriors.com

Social Media: Facebook | Yelp | Instagram

Map: Google Maps