You’ve found a building to run your business out of. The problem is that it needs a little bit of TLC before you can allow customers to come in. One of the things you need to do is paint the place.

You’ve already spent so much money on the office space. How much will it cost to hire a painter? Can you afford the expense?

We can help you find out. We’ve got a complete price breakdown that will help you figure out what you need to budget for. Check out this guide to learn what you can expect to pay.

What’s the Average Cost to Paint a Commercial Property?

There are three ways that commercial painters will charge you to work on your property. The first is per hour. You can expect to pay a flat fee of about $60 an hour.

The other way they’ll charge you is per square foot. In most cases, you’ll spend around $6 per foot. This price may jump up a bit if you need your door frames and trim painted as well.

It’s not common, but some companies will charge you per day. You’ll spend $200 or so for every day the job goes on.

Keep in mind that any setback can cause you to dish out more. A simple rainy day can put a huge wrench in your budget.

Painting the Exterior of Your Building

Painting the exterior of your office can be a bit more expensive than the interior, depending on how tall your building is.

For example, let’s say that it’s three stories. The painters will need to use special equipment to get the job done. That means you’ll spend more money on labor costs.

Length of the Job

If you need to paint a single hallway in your building, most commercial painters will be able to tackle that in a single day.

If you need the entire exterior of your building painted, that will require hoists and other complex equipment. It could take several days to get the job done, which costs more per hour.

Time of Day

Sometimes, the commercial painting cost goes up because of the time of day you need the workers to come in and do their job.

For example, the only time you can let them in is super early in the morning before your employees arrive. Unfortunately, the commercial painting company isn’t open bright and early.

The painters have agreed to handle the job, but since you’re asking them to work outside of their scheduled hours, they’ll charge you more for labor.

Surface Area

Again, some painters charge per square foot. They can’t give you an accurate estimate of how much their commercial painting prices will cost unless you can tell them the surface area of your building.

To calculate it, you’ll need to multiply the length of a room by the width. After you get that number, you’ll have to subtract the measurement of your windows from it, since they won’t be painted.

The Type of Paint

The next thing you need to think about is the type of paint you want to use. A 2-coat paint may cost more to use than a single-coat option, but it can cover more ground.

If the contractor charges you by square foot, the 2-coat option will be better for your wallet.

You also have to consider the quality of the paint. If you want something that’s not going to chip on you within a year, you’ll pay more. On the upside, you won’t have to hire another painter for a while.

Lead Paint Testing

If the building you bought is on the older side, you should consider having it tested for lead. The last thing you want is for your employees and clients to get sick from being in the office.

The test will cost a few hundred dollars, and you’ll have to wait several days for the results. If it comes back positive, the painters will need to strip the current paint job. It will cost about $13 per square foot.

The Condition of Your Building

Lead paint isn’t the only thing that can raise the cost of hiring a painter. If the contractor comes across a surface that will need repairs before they can slap a coat of paint on it, that will make the price of labor jump up.

Nail holes will need fixing, and if there are cracks in your drywall, the painter will have to fill them before they can do anything else.

If you’ve got equipment lying around that’s obstructing the contractor’s ability to paint, they’ll have to move it. That’s additional labor.

Wall Texture

It takes more paint to cover a textured wall than a regular smooth surface. Since the contractor will be using several gallons of paint to take care of the job, you’ll have to pay more for those resources.

If you want to add some texture or visual effects to your walls to attract more customers, you can do that, but it’s going to increase your bill.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Painter for Your Business?

If you want your employees to be proud to work in your office building, you’re going to have to put some thought into the appearance of your business.

While you might be able to save some money by painting the building yourself, it’s much better to eat the cost and hire a painter. They have all the skills and expertise necessary to make sure your office looks its best.

For more tips that will improve the appearance of your building, visit the Business section of our blog.