What do Ottawa painters typically charge per room for interior painting?

Ottawa painters typically charge between $350 and $750 per room for a standard bedroom or living room, including labour and materials. That range covers a room roughly 10x12 to 12x14 feet with standard 8-foot ceilings, one window, one door, and walls in reasonable condition.

Here's a more detailed breakdown by room type that reflects what Ottawa homeowners are actually paying in 2026:

• Small bedroom (10x10, 8-ft ceilings): $300 to $500
• Standard bedroom (12x12): $400 to $600
• Master bedroom (14x16): $550 to $800
• Living room (14x18): $600 to $900
• Open-concept living/dining (400+ sq ft): $900 to $1,500
• Bathroom: $250 to $450 (smaller but more cutting-in around fixtures)
• Kitchen (walls only, no cabinets): $400 to $700
• Hallway and stairwell: $400 to $800 (awkward angles, height, lots of cutting)

These per-room rates typically include two coats of finish paint on walls, minor patching (small nail holes, hairline cracks), and basic masking/protection of floors and fixtures. They usually do not include ceilings, trim, or major repairs unless specifically quoted.

Adding ceilings bumps each room by roughly $150 to $300. Trim — baseboards, window casings, door frames — adds another $150 to $400 per room depending on how much woodwork there is. In older Ottawa homes, particularly in areas like The Glebe, Old Ottawa South, and the Sandy Hill Heritage Conservation District, you'll find substantial crown moulding, picture rail, chair rail, and wide baseboards that require careful hand-brushing. This heritage trim work is beautiful but time-consuming, and painters rightfully charge more for it.

Ottawa's per-room rates are roughly 10–15% lower than Toronto and the GTA. A room that costs $600 here might quote at $700–$750 in Vaughan or Mississauga.

Several factors can push a room toward the higher end of the range:

Wall condition: Heavily damaged drywall or old plaster with cracks and loose sections needs skim-coating, patching, and extra primer. Significant prep on one room can add $200 to $500.

Colour change: Going from dark to light (or light to very saturated) often requires tinted primer plus two finish coats instead of just two finish coats. Add $100 to $200 for the extra coat.

Ceiling height: Many newer homes in Kanata, Barrhaven, and Riverside South feature 9 or 10-foot ceilings, which increase wall area by 12–25% compared to 8-foot standard.

Paint quality: Most painters include a mid-range paint (like Benjamin Moore Ben or Sherwin-Williams ProMar) in their standard per-room quote. Upgrading to premium lines like Benjamin Moore Advance for trim or Aura for walls adds $10 to $30 per gallon, which translates to roughly $50 to $150 per room in material cost.

Access issues: Stairwells, cathedral ceilings, and rooms with lots of built-in shelving or complex angles take longer.

When comparing per-room quotes, ask your painter to clarify:

• How many coats are included?


• Are ceilings included or extra?


• Is trim/baseboard painting included?


• What brand and product line of paint is being used?


• What prep work is covered?

A suspiciously low per-room quote often means one coat, cheap paint, or minimal prep — which shows within months as poor coverage, lap marks, or peeling.

Any professional painter in Ontario should carry WSIB coverage and a minimum of $2 million liability insurance. Don't skip asking for proof — it protects you.

To compare rates from local professionals, check out Ottawa Paint Contractors listed on the Ottawa Construction Network directory. Getting three quotes for the same scope gives you a clear picture of fair market pricing for your specific home.