How Long Does Painting Take? A Homeowner’s Guide to Timelines and Expectations

Painting your home can feel like a big commitment. Whether you’re freshening up a single room or taking on a full exterior painting project, one of the first questions you probably have is: how long does painting take?

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re juggling work, family, and a to-do list a mile long. You want your home to look amazing, but you also don’t want to live in a construction zone forever. The good news? With a little planning and the right expectations, painting doesn’t have to be a never-ending project.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the average painting timelines based on project types, room sizes, and other key factors—so you know exactly what to expect.

• Understand realistic painting timelines so you can plan your schedule with confidence, whether you’re tackling one room or the entire house.
• Learn how different factors like room size, weather, and prep work affect project duration, helping you set accurate expectations and avoid frustration.
• Get a breakdown of time commitments for common painting jobs, from accent walls to full exterior repaints, so you can choose the right scope for your needs.
• Discover tips to speed up the process without sacrificing quality, saving you time and effort whether you’re DIYing or hiring help.

For a standard 10×10 bedroom, here’s the general breakdown:

• Preparation (moving furniture, taping, laying drop cloths): 1 hour
• Cutting in (edges and corners): 1 hour
• Rolling the walls: 2 hours
• Touch-ups and cleanup: 1 hour

Total: 4-6 hours

Larger rooms like living rooms or master bedrooms (15×20 or bigger) can take 8-10 hours. Ceilings and trim add more time, so be sure to factor that in if you’re going for a full refresh.

Pro Tip: If you’re working with textured walls or dark colors that require extra coats, add an hour or two.

Painting an entire house interior is a bigger job, but it doesn’t have to take weeks. On average:

• Apartment or small home (under 1,200 sq. ft.): 3-4 days
• Medium-sized home (1,200-2,500 sq. ft.): 4-6 days
• Large home (2,500+ sq. ft.): 6-7+ days

Factors that affect timing:

• Furniture and clutter: The more items you have in a room, the more time it will take to move or cover them. This includes not just large furniture, but also wall hangings, electronics, and decor. An empty room is always quicker to paint than one that’s fully furnished.
• Wall condition: Walls with imperfections like cracks, holes, or peeling paint require patching, sanding, and priming before the paint can go on. Neglecting this step may lead to an uneven or short-lived finish, so don’t skip it.
• Number of coats: If you’re changing from a dark color to a lighter one—or using bold shades like red or navy—you may need two or even three coats to get full, even coverage. This adds drying time between each layer, extending the overall timeline.
• Drying time: Most latex paints need about 2-4 hours to dry between coats, but high humidity or low temperatures can extend that window. Oil-based paints often need even longer. Always follow the paint manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid issues like bubbling or peeling.

Working with a professional crew? They can cut that time nearly in half, thanks to experience and better equipment.

Exterior jobs are a different beast altogether. Here’s what to expect:

• Small home or single-story (1,000-1,500 sq. ft.): 3-4 days
• Medium home (1,500-2,500 sq. ft.): 5-7 days
• Large or multi-story home (2,500+ sq. ft.): 7-10+ days

Why the longer timeline?

• Weather: Rain, wind, or extreme heat can significantly delay painting projects. High humidity can affect drying times, and sudden weather changes may require rescheduling. It’s important to plan for at least a few clear, dry days to ensure quality results.
• Surface prep: Proper preparation is key to a long-lasting paint job. This can include scraping off old, flaking paint; sanding rough areas; washing surfaces to remove dirt and mildew; and applying primer to ensure good adhesion. Each of these steps adds time but dramatically improves the final outcome.
• Safety measures: When painting multi-story homes, crews often need to set up ladders, scaffolding, or even harnesses for safe access. This setup and takedown take time, and working at height requires more careful, deliberate work to avoid accidents or mishaps.

Heads up: Exterior paint also needs longer drying and curing times—so while the work might finish in a week, it could be another few days before it’s fully weatherproof.

Not all painting projects are created equal. Here’s a quick look at various project types:

• Time: 2-3 hours
• Great for a quick refresh without a full-room commitment.

• Time: 2-4 days
• Involves cleaning, sanding, priming, and multiple coats.

• Time: Add 1-2 hours per room
• Smaller areas, but require precision and more prep.

• Time: 1-3 days
• Outdoor surfaces need special paint and prep.

If you’re in a hurry, here are a few ways to keep things moving:

• Use fast-drying paint: Some paint formulas are designed to dry in under an hour, allowing you to move quickly between coats. This can significantly shorten the overall timeline, especially in multi-room projects or during colder months when drying times typically increase.
• Paint during optimal hours: Aim to paint between late morning and early afternoon when the temperature is stable and humidity is low. Avoid painting early in the morning or late at night, when condensation and cooler temperatures can slow drying and compromise the finish.
• Work top to bottom: Always start with ceilings, then move to walls, and finish with trim and baseboards. This approach ensures that any drips or splatters don’t ruin freshly painted lower surfaces, and it helps you work more efficiently.
• Hire professionals: Experienced painters bring skill, speed, and professional tools to the job. While a DIY project might take you an entire weekend, a professional crew can often complete the same work in a single day with a polished, consistent result.

Here’s the bottom line: The answer to “how long does painting take?” depends on your space, your goals, and your schedule. But with the right plan—and maybe a little help from the pros—you can transform your home in just a few days.

If you’re ready to give your home a fresh new look without the guesswork, Apex Coating Company, LLC. is here to help. Our team of experienced painters can walk you through the process, help you choose colors, and get the job done quickly and beautifully.

Call us today at 888-313-1991 for a free estimate and personalized timeline!