Painting an office or commercial space costs $2 to $6 per square foot in 2026, by national published figures. For businesses and landlords the schedule usually matters as much as the price.
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?
Nationally, commercial painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot, and a 2,500 square foot space costs $5,000 to $15,000. HomeGuide publishes one commercial figure. It does not split out offices, retail and warehouses.
| 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 |
Commercial labor is published at $60 to $100 per hour, and scaffolding or lifts at $500 to $1,500 or more per day. Exterior work that needs scaffolding is listed at $5 to $10 or more per square foot.
Can painters work nights or weekends so the business stays open?
Many commercial painters do work nights or weekends, and it is a fair thing to ask for. Whether we can do it for your job depends on the building, the schedule and the building's own rules, so ask us when you request the quote.
Other ways to keep a business open are painting in sections, starting with the back rooms and using low-odor paint.
How much does it cost to repaint a rental apartment between tenants?
No published figure exists for a repaint between tenants. The nearest national figures are for apartment painting in general: $2 to $6 per square foot.
| Apartment | 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 or more) | $2,400 to $9,000 |
A turnover repaint in the same color over walls in fair shape sits at the simple end of any such range. We price each unit after seeing it, or set a rate per unit type for a landlord with several.
How often should a rental be repainted?
A rental should be repainted when the walls no longer look clean after washing, which for most units means at a change of tenant every few years. We know of no Florida rule that sets a repainting schedule for private rentals.
Kitchens, baths and halls wear first. A durable, washable paint in one standard color across all units makes touch-ups between tenants quick.
Can an apartment be painted while tenants are living there?
Yes, an occupied apartment can be painted, with planning. The tenant needs notice, furniture has to be moved to the middle of each room and covered, and the work goes room by room.
Florida's landlord and tenant law covers a landlord's entry to a unit, so the landlord or manager should give the tenant proper notice. An empty unit is faster and cheaper to paint.
How long does it take to paint a 10-unit apartment building or an office?
It depends on the size of the units, the prep and how many painters are on the job, and no published figure covers it. As a guide, HomeGuide lists 4 to 5 hours for one painter to paint a bedroom and 5 to 7 hours for a living room.
Empty units go quickly because a crew can work through them in a row. Hallways, stairs and the exterior are scheduled as their own phases. We give a written timeline with the quote.
Who pays for painting when a tenant moves out?
The landlord normally pays for repainting due to ordinary wear when a tenant moves out. Faded paint, small nail holes and light scuffs after a normal tenancy are wear. Damage beyond that, such as large holes or unapproved dark colors, may be charged to the tenant.
Florida's security deposit law is section 83.49 of the Florida Statutes. It sets how and when a landlord must give notice of a claim on a deposit. The lease also matters. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do commercial painters price large jobs differently?
Yes. Large jobs are usually priced from measured areas and production rates, not by the room, and the price per square foot often falls as the job grows because set-up is spread over more area.
Large jobs also carry costs that houses do not: lifts, night work, phasing around tenants and insurance paperwork. Ask for those to be listed.
Do you paint condo buildings and common areas?
Yes, we paint multi-unit buildings, hallways, stairwells and common areas. In Miami-Dade, condo and HOA boards usually want proof of insurance and a work plan first. Call (786) 745-7109 to talk through the building.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (786) 745-7109.