How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Painter in Edmonton?
Painting prices in Edmonton vary, but they follow patterns that make sense once you see how pros build estimates. Whether you manage a retail plaza off Whyte, an office in Downtown Edmonton, or a light-industrial bay in Nisku, the math hinges on surface prep, substrate, height, schedule, and coatings. Residential pricing shares some mechanics, yet commercial work brings lifts, traffic control, and specifications that tighten tolerances and add cost. If you want a quick answer: most homeowners in Edmonton pay between $2.00 and $4.50 per square foot of paintable area for interior repaints, while commercial spaces range from $1.50 to $6.00 per square foot depending on scope. Exterior jobs tend to sit higher due to access and weather windows.
That range is wide for a reason. Below, I break down real Edmonton pricing drivers, what you should expect in a professional quote, and how commercial painters Edmonton will approach your site. I also include ballpark numbers for condos, retail units, offices, warehouses, and multi-family exteriors, based on day-to-day project realities in our climate.
How Edmonton Painters Build a Price
Painters price by square foot, by room, or by hourly rate. For residential interior, price per square foot remains the most predictable. For commercial work, square footage plus line items for access, protection, and specialty coatings is more accurate. Here’s how the calculation usually forms: measure the paintable surface, review the condition, confirm colours and number of coats, select product systems, determine access and staging, calculate labour hours, and plug in materials and overhead. That path prevents surprises for both sides.
Many Edmonton contractors reference these typical inputs:
- Labour: often 60 to 70 percent of the total cost on interior work. Skilled crews move faster and reduce rework.
- Materials: 15 to 25 percent for standard acrylic systems; more for elastomerics, epoxy, and dryfall.
- Overhead and mobilization: lifts, masking, containment, parkade ventilation, and waste disposal can add 5 to 20 percent on commercial projects.
Interior Residential Pricing in Edmonton
For most homes, professional interior repaint pricing lands between $2.00 and $4.50 per square foot of paintable area. Paintable area usually means wall and ceiling surfaces, not the floor footprint. If you want a quick mental calculation using square footage of your house, multiply by 1.5 to 2.2 to approximate paintable interior surface area, then apply the rate. That shortcut brings you close enough for planning.
Here’s how that rate shifts:
- Basic repaint, same colour, low repairs: $2.00 to $2.75 per square foot of paintable area.
- Colour change, accent walls, moderate repairs: $2.75 to $3.75.
- High ceilings, feature finishes, significant wall patching: $3.75 to $4.50+.
A 1,200 square foot condo in Oliver with 9-foot ceilings and minimal damage often costs $3,500 to $5,500 for walls and ceilings using mid-grade acrylic. Include trim and doors, and that may rise to $5,000 to $7,000. A two-storey home in Terwillegar with stairwell height and a few feature colours often comes in between $6,000 and $10,000 depending on prep.
Ceilings are a separate driver. Flat ceilings cost less than textured ceilings. Popcorn removal and skim coat add time and sanding dust control, which can double ceiling pricing compared to a simple repaint. Line items for ceiling repaint often fall between $1.00 and $2.50 per square foot depending on condition and whether stains need blocking primer.
Exterior Residential Pricing in Edmonton
Our freeze-thaw cycle, snow load, and spring dust change how exteriors get priced. Exterior repaint windows usually run May through September. Peak season means tighter schedules, and access can be tricky in mature areas like Strathcona and Westmount where shrubs and trees crowd siding.
Typical ranges by material:
- Stucco repaint with elastomeric or high-build acrylic: $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot of wall area.
- Vinyl or aluminum siding repaint with approved products: $2.25 to $3.75.
- Wood siding and trim (more prep, scraping, priming): $3.00 to $6.00.
- Soffits, fascia, doors, and railings get itemized. Expect $50 to $120 per door, $10 to $20 per linear foot for trim, and $8 to $14 per linear foot for railings depending on rust treatment or stripping.
A typical two-storey stucco home in Terwillegar or Glenora might cost $6,500 to $12,000 for walls, with trim and doors adding $800 to $2,000. If wood siding needs scraping and priming, labour increases and the price climbs.
Commercial Interior Pricing: Offices, Retail, and Clinics
For commercial spaces, commercial painters Edmonton build pricing by surface type, ceiling height, schedule, and coatings. Weekend or overnight work, which is common for retail along Whyte Avenue or in South Edmonton Common, increases cost due to premium labour hours and staging.
Common ranges:
- Office repaint, walls only, 8 to 10-foot ceilings, minimal patching: $1.75 to $3.00 per square foot of wall area.
- Offices with acoustic ceiling grid (T-bar) and walls, including ceiling repaint with dryfall where appropriate: $2.50 to $4.25.
- Retail units with feature walls, brand colours, and accent framing: $2.75 to $4.50.
- Healthcare clinics, daycare, or food service spaces with scrubbable coatings and higher prep: $3.50 to $5.50.
For a 5,000 square foot office in Downtown Edmonton with 10-foot ceilings, two colours, and light drywall repair, expect $12,000 to $22,000 for walls and doors. Adding ceilings and exposed structure with dryfall might push that to $18,000 to $35,000 depending on obstructions and protection requirements.
Commercial Exterior Pricing: Warehouses, Plazas, and Parkades
Exterior commercial pricing adds equipment. Lifts and scaffolding, lane closures, and substrate repairs will shape the number. Edmonton’s wind and temperature swings prompt tighter weather windows and often require quick-cure or low-temperature primers to hit schedule.
Typical ranges:
- Concrete tilt-up warehouse repaint: $2.00 to $3.50 per square foot of wall area with acrylic systems. Add for cracks, control joint sealant, and elastomerics.
- Metal cladding repaint with DTM acrylics or urethane systems: $2.25 to $4.00.
- Stucco strip mall facades with sign band repairs and brand colours: $3.00 to $5.00.
- Parkade ceilings and columns with dryfall and line striping: $3.50 to $6.00 for coatings, plus separate unit rates for traffic markings.
As an example, a light-industrial bay in Edmonton’s Southeast with 12,000 square feet of exterior wall surface might price at $30,000 to $48,000, with an additional $3,000 to $8,000 for lift rental and traffic management depending on site access.
What Drives the Price Up or Down
Surface condition sets the pace. Freshly built drywall under a builder’s flat paint takes paint well and covers quickly. Old, glossy, oil-based enamel on trim demands sanding and bonding primer. Cinder block in a warehouse drinks primer, while repaints over previous acrylics go faster.
Other factors that change the rate:
- Number of colours and coats: A colour change from dark to light often requires an extra coat or a high-hide primer, adding 15 to 35 percent.
- Height and access: Stairwells, vaulted ceilings, and racking areas need ladders, planks, or lifts. Expect a lift surcharge for areas above 16 feet.
- Occupied spaces: Working around staff, equipment, and customers slows production. Off-hours work may add 10 to 30 percent in labour premiums.
- Level of finish: Residential feature walls that need razor-sharp lines, or clinics with scrub-class coatings, require more time and product.
- Environmental controls: Low-VOC or zero-VOC paints are common in offices and homes. Specialty low-odour products can cost more per gallon but reduce downtime.
Materials: What Painters Use and Why It Matters
Mid-grade acrylics work for most interior walls. Entry-level paints tempt budgets but often stretch coverage and reduce washability, which creates callbacks. In offices and homes with kids or staff traffic, eggshell or satin finish on walls balances cleanability and glare. For trim, a waterborne enamel holds up better to impact and repeated cleaning.
In commercial settings, dryfall paint for exposed ceilings reduces cleanup because overspray turns to dust before it hits the floor. Epoxy or urethane systems appear on floors, kitchens, bars, and handrails. Those products raise material cost but deliver the hardness and chemical resistance those spaces need.
Expect a typical condo repaint to use 10 to 20 gallons of wall and ceiling paint depending on coverage and coats. Offices vary widely. A 5,000 square foot office might draw 25 to 50 gallons across walls, doors, and ceilings.
Edmonton-Specific Considerations
Humidity in summer and dry winter air impact dry times and sheen levels. Painters schedule primers and finish coats with these conditions in mind to prevent flashing and lap marks. Exterior work gets planned around frost and wind. On the shoulder seasons, crews use quick-dry primers when morning dew lingers and start on sun-facing elevations first to hit temperature requirements.
In mature neighborhoods with tight lots, expect extra time for access, plant protection, and containment. On commercial streets like Jasper Avenue or Whyte, city permits and off-peak work often form part of the plan. For industrial sites in Nisku or the west end, lift certification, safety orientations, and confined-space rules may add a mobilization day.
Example Scenarios With Realistic Ranges
A two-bedroom condo in Garneau, 900 square feet, 9-foot ceilings, two colours, minimal patching, walls and ceilings: $3,200 to $5,200. Add trim and doors: $800 to $1,500.
A single-family home in Windermere, 2,100 square feet, stairwell, three colours, walls, ceilings, trim, and doors: $7,500 to $12,500 depending on prep.
A downtown dental clinic, 2,400 square feet, scrubbable coatings, accent walls, off-hours schedule: $9,500 to $16,000.
A retail unit on Whyte Avenue, 1,600 square feet, high walls, exposed ceiling with dryfall, weekend work: $10,000 to $18,000.
A tilt-up warehouse exterior in Northwest Edmonton, 14,000 square feet of wall area, modest crack patching, two colours: $32,000 to $52,000, plus equipment.
These numbers assume standard access and average conditions. If your space has heavy patching, nicotine staining, or old oil-based paints, plan for more prep and a higher total.
What a Professional Quote Should Include
Quotes that read cleanly help you compare apples to apples. Ask for line items so you can see where the money goes. A practical, transparent estimate should include surface areas measured or a clear room-by-room breakdown, number of coats, product lines and sheen, scope notes for prep and repair, inclusions and exclusions, start and completion windows, and warranty term. For commercial jobs, add safety plan, lift or scaffold plan, and any off-hours premiums. If you receive a one-line lump sum with no detail, you lack clarity on scope and are more likely to face change orders.
Hourly Rates in Edmonton
Most homeowners want fixed pricing, yet hourly rates help when scope is unknown. Edmonton painters typically charge $45 to $75 per hour per painter for residential interior work, and $55 to $95 for commercial, depending on certification and equipment. Add equipment fees when lifts, sprayers, or HEPA sanders are required. If a contractor proposes hourly billing, ask for a not-to-exceed number and daily progress updates. Hourly billing suits small repairs, occupied-unit touch-ups, or insurance-driven work where scope changes mid-stream.
How To Keep Your Painting Budget Under Control
You can influence cost without sacrificing results. A few practical steps go a long way.
- Limit colour count and sheen changes. Fewer transitions mean faster production and cleaner edges.
- Confirm product lines. A solid mid-grade paint saves re-coats and labour hours compared to entry-level alternatives.
- Clear access. Empty rooms or reduced furnishings speed up prep and protect your belongings.
- Decide on patching standards. Minor dings are quick fixes. Large repairs or wall flattening take time; be explicit on what you want.
- Schedule smart. Shoulder season bookings or weekday daytime windows may reduce premiums, especially for commercial spaces.
Even one of these steps can trim 5 to 15 percent, mainly by reducing labour friction. In commercial settings, staging and access planning usually delivers the biggest savings.
Hiring Commercial Painters in Edmonton: What Sets Pros Apart
Commercial painters Edmonton deal with specs, safety, and schedule pressure daily. The difference shows in three places. First, surface protection and containment are tighter. Plastic, paper, and tape go down fast and clean so crews can spray or roll without overspray risk. Second, documentation matters. MSDS, lift tickets, COR or SECOR safety certifications, and warranty documents are standard. Third, production rates hold under pressure because crews are familiar with off-hours work and live environments.
If you manage a plaza in Mill Woods or oversee a fit-out on 124 Street, look for a contractor ready to coordinate with your flooring and millwork teams, sequence coats around inspections, and keep your tenants trading while work proceeds.
Warranty and Maintenance
Most residential projects come with a one to three-year workmanship warranty. For exteriors, stucco and siding repaints often have a two-year standard with product warranties tied to the manufacturer. Commercial warranties vary by coating system. Epoxies and urethanes often carry multi-year product warranties when applied under controlled conditions. Read the fine print. Warranties typically exclude damage from leaks, substrate movement, or abuse.
Maintenance extends coating life. For exteriors, plan gentle washing every year or two to remove dust and salts. For commercial interiors, a touch-up kit with labelled cans and the exact colour codes saves time. Quick fixes keep a space looking good without a full repaint.
Red Flags That Signal Extra Cost Later
The cheapest quote sometimes costs the most after changes. Watch for missing prep details, no mention of primer, vague language like “paint as needed,” and no site visit before pricing. Also be careful if a contractor suggests painting over oil-based trim with water-based enamel without a bonding primer. That shortcut looks fine at first and then chips within months. In commercial jobs, missing equipment plans or no off-hours allowances usually leads to mid-job add-ons.
How Long Will It Take?
Timelines track with scope and crew size. A 900 square foot condo can wrap in two to four days. A 2,100 square foot home with trim and doors, four to seven days. A 5,000 square foot office, three to seven nights for walls only if properly staffed, longer with ceilings and doors. Exterior timelines depend on weather. A single façade on a mixed-use building might need two to five good weather days plus setup. If you have a hard deadline — store opening, tenant possession, or listing date — mention it early so the team sizes the crew correctly.
Why Quotes Can Differ for the Same Space
Two painters can walk the same site and price within 10 percent of each other, or they can differ by 40 percent. The big drivers of disparity are assumed prep levels, product standards, and production rates. One contractor may price for two coats everywhere, while another plans one coat plus touch-ups. One may include premium washable paint in kids’ rooms; the other uses entry-grade. Ask both to align on coating count and product line, then compare again. Price gaps usually shrink once specs match.
What You Get When You Hire Depend Exteriors
Depend Exteriors handles both residential and commercial painting across Edmonton and surrounding areas. We measure, specify, and stage projects so they run without friction. You will get clear scope notes, defined products that match your space, https://dependexteriors.com/our-services/commercial-painting/ honest prep standards, and a clean site at the end of each day. Our crews work days, nights, and weekends for retail, office, and clinic projects. For warehouses and parkades, we bring the right access gear and containment plans to keep your operations moving.
If you need commercial painters Edmonton who can meet brand standards and tight timelines, we will build a schedule that fits. If you are a homeowner planning a refresh before listing in Summerside or renovating your Westmount character home, we will give you product guidance that tracks with your goals and the age of your walls.
Ready for a Precise Number? Here’s How to Get It
Ballparks help with planning, but the most reliable price comes from a quick site visit. We’ll measure, note access and condition, confirm colours and coatings, and give you a fixed quote with a clear timeline. Most visits take 20 to 40 minutes for homes and under an hour for typical offices or retail units.
Request a consultation today. Tell us your address, a few photos if you have them, and your target dates. If your project needs after-hours work or lift access, mention that too. We service Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Beaumont, Spruce Grove, and nearby areas.
Quick Reference: Edmonton Painting Cost Ranges
Use this as a sanity check while you plan. These are common ranges for our region assuming average conditions and mid-grade products.
- Interior residential repaint, walls and ceilings: $2.00 to $4.50 per square foot of paintable area.
- Condo repaint, 800 to 1,200 square feet: $3,200 to $7,000 depending on trim and ceilings.
- Exterior stucco repaint, two-storey home: $6,500 to $12,000.
- Office repaint, walls only: $1.75 to $3.00 per square foot of wall area.
- Warehouse or plaza exterior: $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot of wall area, plus equipment for access.
These figures give a grounded starting point. Your exact number depends on condition, height, colours, schedule, and coatings.
Book your estimate with Depend Exteriors. You’ll get clear pricing, steady communication, and crews who respect your space and schedule. Whether you need a tidy condo refresh, a full home repaint, or a phased plan for a multi-tenant plaza, we’re ready to help.
Depend Exteriors provides commercial and residential stucco services in Edmonton, AB. Our team handles stucco repair, stucco replacement, and masonry repair for homes and businesses across the city and surrounding areas. We work on exterior surfaces to restore appearance, improve durability, and protect buildings from the elements. Our services cover projects of all sizes with reliable workmanship and clear communication from start to finish. If you need Edmonton stucco repair or masonry work, Depend Exteriors is ready to help.