Most interior rooms take 1 to 2 days, and a full exterior usually takes 3 to 5 days, depending on weather. Those are our normal ranges. Size, prep and Miami's summer rain change them.
How long does it take to paint a house inside?
It takes about 1 to 2 days for most rooms, and several days to a week or more for a whole house, depending on size and prep. HomeGuide publishes hours for one painter by room.
| Room | Published time |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | 2 to 3 hours |
| Bedroom | 4 to 5 hours |
| Primary bedroom | 5 to 6 hours |
| Kitchen | 4 to 5 hours |
| Living room | 5 to 7 hours |
| Trim and baseboards | add 1 to 2 hours |
Those hours are painting time. Repairs, a second coat and drying between coats add to them.
How long does it take to paint the exterior of a house?
A full exterior usually takes us 3 to 5 days, depending on the size of the house and the weather. HomeGuide's national figure is 4 to 5 days for an average job.
The days go to washing, drying, crack repair, caulking, priming and two coats. In the rainy season a job can stretch, because afternoon storms end the painting day early.
How long should I wait between coats?
Wait as long as the paint can says, which for most water-based wall paints is a few hours between coats. Enamels and oil-based products need longer.
Humidity slows drying. In a Miami summer, keep the air conditioning on for interior work. Outside, damp air and shade can double the wait.
How long before I can put the furniture back?
You can usually put furniture back the day after the last coat, kept an inch or two off the walls. Paint feels dry in hours but stays soft for days.
Wait longer before hanging pictures or pushing a sofa or bed against a wall. Soft paint sticks to whatever leans on it.
How soon can I shower after the bathroom is painted?
Wait at least a full day before you shower in a freshly painted bathroom, and longer if you can. Steam on fresh paint can leave streaks and soft spots.
Run the fan and leave the door open when you do start using it.
How long before I can wash or scrub new paint?
Wait until the paint has cured, which for most water-based paints is about two to four weeks. Check the label for the exact time. Dry and cured are not the same. Paint is dry to the touch in hours, but it reaches full hardness only after it cures.
Until then, wipe marks gently with a damp cloth and no cleaner.
Can I stay in my house while it is painted?
Yes, most people stay in the home during interior painting. We work room by room, so you keep the use of the rest of the house, and modern water-based paints have little odor.
Plan around bedrooms and the kitchen. People who are sensitive to smells, and small children and pets, are more comfortable away from the room being painted until it is dry.
How long does interior paint last?
Interior paint lasts until it is worn or you are tired of the color. No published figure exists for it. Ceilings and low-use rooms can go many years. Halls, kitchens, baths and children's rooms wear much sooner.
In Miami, bathrooms without a fan are usually the first to need repainting.
How long does exterior paint last in Miami?
Exterior paint on stucco lasts 5 to 7 years, by HomeGuide's published figure, and its general figure for exterior paint is 5 to 10 years. Miami's sun, salt and rain put most homes at the demanding end.
Walls facing south and west fade first. Homes near the bay or ocean wear faster than homes inland. Good prep and a top grade paint are what stretch the interval.
How often should I repaint the outside of the house?
Repaint when the wall tells you to, which on Miami stucco is often every 5 to 7 years. The signs are fading, chalk on your hand when you rub the wall, hairline cracks and caulk that has split.
Do not wait for peeling. Paint and caulk are what keep rain out of a block wall, and a repaint before the film fails needs far less prep.
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.