How much does painter & decorator cost in Canada?
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Key takeaways
- Most painter & decorator jobs in Canada land between CA$350–CA$13,000 — known locally as painting contractor.
- Canada regulates painters unevenly: Quebec requires contractors to hold an RBQ licence, while most other provinces need only a business licence plus workers' compensation coverage — making insurance and WCB checks the practical vetting step. Health Canada advises lead-safe practices for homes painted before the early 1990s, with pre-1960 homes at highest risk.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Painter & Decorator prices by job size in Canada
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single room (walls and ceiling) Standard bedroom, two coats, minor prep | CA$350 | CA$600 | CA$1,000 |
| Whole interior (3-bed home) Walls throughout, standard prep, two coats | CA$3,000 | CA$5,500 | CA$10,000 |
| Exterior repaint (detached house) Siding and trim, wash and prep, two coats | CA$4,000 | CA$7,000 | CA$13,000 |
| Kitchen cabinet repainting Degrease, sand, prime, sprayed finish | CA$2,000 | CA$3,500 | CA$7,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour (labour) | CA$40 | CA$60 | CA$90 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Canada typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a painter & decorator pro in Canada
- In Quebec, check the RBQ licence — contractors there must hold one; elsewhere check municipal business licensing and WCB/WSIB coverage
- Ask for proof of liability insurance ($2M is standard)
- For pre-1990 homes, ask how they handle potential lead paint — Health Canada flags homes painted before the early 1990s, especially pre-1960
- Get 3 itemised quotes on the same scope: prep, coats, paint line, and whether GST/HST is included
- For exterior work, confirm the weather window and what happens to the schedule when rain hits
- Agree stage payments with a modest deposit and holdback until a daylight walkthrough
Red flags
- No RBQ licence in Quebec
- No insurance or WCB coverage (you can be exposed if a worker is injured on your property)
- Cash deal with no tax and no paper trail
- One-coat bid without disclosure
- 50%+ deposit demanded
- Exterior bids in shoulder season with no weather contingency
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to CAD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Extrapolated from US HomeGuide/Angi rates at CAD exchange plus Canadian labour premium; RBQ licensing framework (Quebec).
Frequently asked questions
Do painters fix cracks and holes before painting?
Good ones do — prep is most of the job. Standard prep includes filling small cracks and holes, sanding, caulking gaps, and spot-priming. What's usually excluded: major plaster repairs, water-damage remediation, and wallpaper removal, which are quoted separately. Ask the quote to state the prep level explicitly; 'paint over as-is' versus 'fill, sand, and prime' can be half the price difference between two quotes.
How many coats of paint do walls need?
Two topcoats is the professional standard for a proper finish, plus a primer or sealer coat on new plaster, stains, or strong colour changes. Be suspicious of quotes that assume one coat — it rarely covers evenly and is the classic way a cheap quote wins then disappoints. Dramatic colour changes (dark to light) can need a tinted primer plus two coats.
How long does it take to paint a room or a whole house?
A standard bedroom (walls and ceiling, minor prep) takes a professional 1-2 days including drying time between coats. A whole 3-bedroom interior typically runs 4-7 working days for a two-person crew, longer with heavy prep, woodwork, or wallpaper removal. Exterior repaints depend on weather windows — expect 3-7 days of actual work spread over a longer calendar period.
Does a painting quote include paint and materials?
Not always — this is the biggest source of quote confusion. Some painters quote labour-only with you supplying paint; others include mid-range trade paint and itemise upgrades. Materials typically add 15-25% to a labour-only price. Always ask: is paint included, what brand and line, and how many coats? Two quotes can differ mostly because one includes premium paint and the other assumes you buy it.
What do painters cost in Canada?
Hourly rates run roughly $40-$90 depending on province and crew, a standard room costs about $350-$1,000, and a full 3-bed interior repaint typically lands between $3,000 and $10,000. GST/HST adds to quoted prices unless stated — always confirm whether tax is included.
When is exterior painting season in Canada?
Roughly May through September in most provinces — exterior coatings need sustained temperatures above about 10C and dry surfaces, which rules out much of the year. Book exterior work by early spring; crews' summer calendars fill fast, and late-fall paint jobs risk curing failures in cold snaps.
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