How Much Does Painting Cost in Metro Detroit? [2025 Price Guide]
- paint2lifellc
- Aug 29, 2025
- 5 min read
One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: “How much does it cost to paint my house?” The answer depends on many factors — from the size of your home and the type of surfaces to the prep work required and the quality of paint you choose. At Paint to Life, we believe in transparency, so this guide shares realistic price ranges for interior, exterior, and cabinet painting projects throughout Metro Detroit. Whether you’re in Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield, Plymouth, or Northville, this pricing guide will give you a clear starting point for your budget.
Average Cost to Paint Interior Walls in Michigan
Most Metro Detroit homeowners can expect to pay between $400–$1,200 to paint a single room depending on size and prep work. On a wall square-foot basis, interior painting typically runs between $1.5–$2.5 per square foot. Factors that increase cost include ceiling height, trim, and color changes.
Example: In Royal Oak, painting a 12×12 bedroom usually costs $650–$750 with standard prep and two coats of quality paint.
Cost of Painting Trim, Baseboards, and Doors
Trim, baseboards, and doors are priced separately from walls. Trim is usually calculated per linear foot, ranging from $1.50–$3 per foot. Doors typically cost $75–$150 each to paint depending on style and finish. Spray finishes in a furnished home usually add to the price compared to brush-and-roll methods.
Cost of Painting Ceilings
Ceilings are also priced separately from walls. Ceilings are calculated by the square foot and typically range from $1-$2 per square foot. Some factors that affect cost are texture, condition, height, colors and numbers of coats.
Example: In Royal Oak, painting a 12×12 bedroom usually costs $150-200 with standard prep and two coats of quality paint.
How much to paint ceilings and trim alone?
It's important to remember that the above price ranges are based on the economies-of-scale involved when painting the walls in a room. Due to the setup and prep already done, painting the trim and ceilings will take less time than if walls weren't being painted.
That means that the cost for painting trim and ceilings alone will cost more than the alternative. Expect to pay an around additional $.50 a linear foot for trim and $1 per square foot for ceilings
How Much Does Exterior Painting Cost in Metro Detroit?
Exterior painting projects vary widely, with most Metro Detroit homes falling between $3,000 and $15,000+. The size of the home, number of stories, condition of paint, difficulty of access, and surface type all affect pricing.
Real Metro Detroit Painting Cost Examples
Example 1: Modern Colonial-Craftsman in Birmingham
There are a lot of 2.5-story Colonial-Craftsman style homes in Birmingham. These homes tend to have many windows, awkward roof pitches, metal roof accents and cement board siding. Here's an average breakdown of what it would cost to paint the exterior of one of these homes using a high quality paint like Sherwin Williams Emerald Exterior with regular prep (caulking, sanding, scraping, priming if necessary)
Cost Estimate:
Siding only: $7,500 – $9,000
Trim alone: $4,000-5,000
Siding + trim: $11,000 – $13,000
Why higher than “average” guides:
There are a lot of home service guides on the internet (we won't name names) that vastly underestimate the costs of painting in Metro Detroit. Here are some examples of how they can misrepresent our market
Taller (2.5 stories) with steep gables = more ladder/scaffolding time.
Multiple siding textures + architectural trim (porch posts, railings, fascia, gables).
Premium Duration and Emerald paints ensure better coverage and long-term durability.
This type of home is common in Birmingham and Bloomfield neighborhoods. Homeowners investing in long-lasting curb appeal should expect higher project costs compared to smaller ranch homes.
🏡 Example 2: 1,300 Sq Ft Ranch Home in Royal Oak
Home Type: Single-story ranch
Location: Royal Oak, MI
Scope: Siding + trim, two coats of Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior, standard prep
Cost Estimate:
Siding only: $1500 – $2000
Trim only: $1500-$2000
Siding + trim: $2500-$3500
Why costs are lower:
Single story = faster access, no scaffolding needed.
Simpler roofline and fewer trim details.
Ranches often have less total surface area than two-story homes, especially homes with brick.
Ranch-style homes are very common in Royal Oak. Their simpler design makes them quicker and more affordable to paint, while still benefiting from premium paint coverage.
Cabinet Painting Prices (Per Door/Drawer)
Cabinet painting usually is priced per door or drawer front, usually between $180-200 per door and $100-120 per drawer. This includes cleaning, sanding, priming, and finishing with durable coatings.
Example: A 30-piece kitchen in Bloomfield averages $5,000-$6,000. Cabinet painting remains one of the most cost-effective ways to refresh your kitchen without a full remodel.
Factors That Affect Painting Prices
Surface Prep work: Drywall repair, caulking, sanding, priming, skim coating, scraping, etc
Protection Prep work: Protecting floors, protecting and moving furniture, taking off hardware, etc.
Paint quality: Premium products like Sherwin-Williams Duration and Emerald cost more but last longer, along with 1k and 2k kitchen cabinet coatings such as Centurion and Novalk
Seasonal demand: Exterior painting costs can be higher in peak summer; while winter often brings discounts on interiors.
Complexity: Vaulted ceilings, built-ins, difficult access, and multiple colors increase labor time and cost.
DIY vs Professional Painting Costs
Many homeowners consider DIY painting to save money, but materials alone can add up quickly. A DIY project requires brushes, rollers, tape, drop cloths, ladders, and quality paint — often totaling several hundred dollars per room. More importantly, professional painters bring experience, efficiency, and warranties that ensure a lasting finish. Hiring professionals often saves time, stress, and the cost of fixing mistakes.
Getting a Custom Estimate in Metro Detroit
While these ranges provide a helpful starting point, every home is unique. The best way to know your exact cost is with a professional estimate tailored to your project. At Paint to Life, we proudly serve Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield, Plymouth, Northville, and surrounding areas.
📞 Call or text us today: 248-974-7862
Pricing FAQ
How much does it cost to paint a 12×12 bedroom?
In Metro Detroit, a typical 12×12 bedroom usually costs $650–$750 with standard prep and two coats of quality paint.
How much does it cost to paint a two-story house?
For a two-story neo-colonial in areas like Birmingham, budgets commonly range $11,000–$13,000 with two coats of premium exterior paint. Extensive prep or wood repair can increase the total.
What is the cost to paint kitchen cabinets per door?
Most cabinet painting projects run $180-200 per door and $100-120 per drawer , including cleaning, sanding, primer, and durable topcoats.
When is the most affordable time to paint interiors in Michigan?
Winter is often less busy for painters, so homeowners can sometimes find better scheduling and pricing for interior work compared to peak summer months.
© 2025 Paint to Life • Metro Detroit, MI • painttolifemi.com