Painting a business or a rental is mostly a scheduling problem. The work has to fit around customers, staff or tenants, and a vacant unit earns nothing while it waits. This page covers cost, timing and the questions landlords and managers ask.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does it cost to paint an office or commercial space?
Commercial painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot, by the national figures. A 2,500 square foot space is published at $5,000 to $15,000.
| Paintable area | National range |
|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $3,000 to $7,200 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $4,000 to $12,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $6,000 to $18,000 |
HomeGuide publishes no separate figures for offices, shops or warehouses. Commercial labor is published at $60 to $100 per hour, and exteriors that need scaffolding or lifts at $5 to $10 or more per square foot.
Can painters work nights or weekends so the business stays open?
Many commercial painters work nights or weekends, and it is the usual way to paint a shop, restaurant or office without closing. Whether it is possible depends on the building and the schedule.
Ask us about timing when we look at your space. Tell us your opening hours, any days you are closed and which areas cannot be blocked.
How much does it cost to repaint a rental apartment between tenants?
No national figure is published for a repaint between tenants as such. For apartment painting in general, HomeGuide gives $2 to $6 per square foot.
| Unit | National range |
|---|---|
| Studio (400 to 600 sq ft) | $800 to $3,600 |
| 1 bedroom (600 to 800 sq ft) | $1,200 to $4,800 |
| 2 bedrooms (800 to 1,200 sq ft) | $1,600 to $7,200 |
| 3 bedrooms (1,200 to 1,500+ sq ft) | $2,400 to $9,000 |
A turnover repaint in the same color on sound walls is at the simple end. Smoke, heavy wall damage and color changes add work. We price units after a walkthrough, and repeat work in one building is easier to price once we know it.
How often should a rental be repainted?
There is no fixed rule for how often a rental should be repainted. Most landlords repaint when a tenant leaves if the walls need it, and touch up when they do not.
Paint in general is redone every 5 to 10 years by the national figure, but rentals with frequent turnover are painted more often. Using the same color and sheen in every unit makes touch-ups possible and keeps costs down.
Can an apartment be painted while tenants are living there?
Yes. An occupied apartment can be painted, with planning. The work is done room by room, furniture is moved to the center and covered, and the tenant keeps the use of the kitchen and a bathroom.
The landlord needs to give the tenant proper notice of entry under California law. In buildings from before 1978, work that disturbs old paint in an occupied unit comes under the federal lead rule. See our lead paint page.
How long does it take to paint a 10-unit apartment building or an office?
It depends on the crew size and whether the units are empty, and no national figure is published for a 10-unit building. The published room times give a starting point.
A one-bedroom unit has a bedroom at 4 to 5 hours, a living room at 5 to 7, a kitchen at 4 to 5 and a bathroom at 2 to 3. That is 15 to 20 painting hours per unit, so 150 to 200 hours for ten units, before prep, repairs, hallways and drying time. A larger crew shortens the calendar. An office is usually painted in sections over several evenings or a weekend. We give a schedule with the quote.
Who pays for painting when a tenant moves out?
In general, the landlord pays for repainting due to ordinary wear and tear, and the tenant can be charged for damage beyond it. Under California's security deposit law, a deposit cannot be used for ordinary wear and tear.
Faded paint and a few small nail holes after a long tenancy are normally wear. Crayon, large holes, unapproved colors and smoke damage are normally not. This is general information, not legal advice. Landlords and tenants with a dispute should read the state's guidance or get advice.
Do commercial painters price large jobs differently?
Yes. Large jobs are usually priced from a measured takeoff of each surface, with a production rate for the crew, not by a simple price per room.
Large jobs can bring a lower rate per square foot because setup is spread over more area. They also bring costs a house does not have: lifts, off-hours labor and work around staff or stock. Nationally, scaffolding and lifts are published at $500 to $1,500 or more per day.
What paint holds up in a business or rental?
A scrubbable paint in eggshell or satin holds up best on walls that get touched. Semi-gloss suits doors, frames and restrooms. Flat is fine on ceilings.
For rentals, pick one neutral color and keep a record of the product. Then a wall can be touched up without repainting the unit.
Do HOAs and multi-unit buildings need anything special?
Usually an approved color scheme and a clear notice plan. Associations and owners decide colors, and residents need to know when their building, doors and parking will be affected.
In buildings from before 1978, check for lead paint before exterior scraping. We work with managers on the notices and the order of the work.
For a walkthrough of your building, call or text (209) 231-7078.