Cost to Repaint Bathroom 🛠️: Real Prices, Pro Tips, and a No-Stress Plan
- Riley Thorne
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Fresh paint is the fastest, cheapest way to make a bathroom feel new. But what’s the cost to repaint a bathroom—materials, labor, prep, and the sneaky extras like ceiling, trim, and moisture repairs? Below is a clear, homeowner-friendly breakdown (DIY vs. hiring), plus time-saving tips, humidity-proof products, and a simple checklist so you can budget with zero guesswork. 🛠️
A good bathroom paint job is 70% prep, 30% paint. If you nail surface prep and moisture control, the finish lasts years—saving you both money and rework.
Quick Answer: What Most Homeowners Pay
DIY cost to repaint a bathroom: $80–$250 (paint, primer, supplies).
Hire a handyman/solo painter: $250–$600 for a small bathroom.
Licensed painting contractor: $400–$900+ (more for large rooms, repairs, or specialty finishes).
Add-ons you might forget: ceilings (+$60–$200), trim/doors (+$50–$180), drywall patching (+$50–$200), mildew treatment (+$10–$40).
If you want broader room-painting benchmarks (to sanity-check your quotes), see our guide on whole-room pricing here: How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room?
Bathroom-Specific Cost Factors
1) Size & surface area
Paint is sold by gallon (typically covers 300–400 sq ft). A small 5' x 8' bath has less wall area but lots of cut lines (corners, tile edges, fixtures), which adds time.
2) Humidity & ventilation
Bathrooms trap moisture. Poor ventilation can blister paint and feed mildew. If your fan is weak or missing, fix that first. We’ve got an easy, step-by-step fan install here: Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installation.
3) Paint & sheen
Use bathroom-rated latex (matte/eggshell for walls; semi-gloss for trim/doors). Expect $30–$70 per gallon for premium, mildew-resistant paints. Cheaper paint often needs extra coats—false economy.
4) Prep & repairs
Degloss glossy areas, sand rough patches.
Prime stains and patched drywall.
Spot-treat mildew (1:3 bleach solution or a dedicated mildewcide) before you paint.
5) Edges & obstacles
Mirrors, vanities, towel bars, and tile edges mean more cutting-in (labor time). Removing hardware (instead of taping around it) improves finish and can reduce billable hours.
The Bathroom Repaint Budget Table (DIY vs. Hiring)
Line Item | DIY (Small Bath) | Pro/Handyman (Small Bath) | Notes |
Wall Paint (1 gal) | $30–$70 | Included/Pass-through | Bathroom-rated, mildew-resistant |
Primer (qt–gal) | $15–$40 | Included/Pass-through | Stain-blocking for patches/mildew |
Ceiling Paint (qt–gal) | $12–$40 | +$60–$200 | Flat or specialized ceiling paint |
Trim/Door Paint (qt) | $15–$30 | +$50–$180 | Semi-gloss, durable |
Tools (rollers, trays, tape, plastic) | $20–$50 | Included | Reusable—lowers future jobs’ cost |
Patching/Repair Materials | $10–$30 | +$50–$200 | Depends on damage |
Labor | $0 | $200–$500+ | 4–8 hours typical for small bath |
Estimated Total | $80–$250 | $400–$900+ | Complexity drives the spread |
Pro move: reduce “cutting-in” time by temporarily removing switch plates, towel bars, and the toilet tank lid (tape off the tank). Faster for you—cheaper if you hire out.
Step-by-Step: The Fast, Clean Bathroom Repaint Plan
1. Fix ventilation first
If the fan is weak, upgrade it. A working fan protects your new paint (and your drywall). See the bath fan install walkthrough above for guidance.
2. Deep clean + degloss
Wash walls and ceilings with a degreaser, especially near the vanity and shower. Lightly sand glossy paint so the new coat sticks.
3. Mildew & tiny insects in bathroom check
Brown or black spotting? Treat with mildewcide before priming. Also address tiny insects in bathroom — often drain flies or gnats that thrive in damp biofilm. If you see them, clean drains and overflows thoroughly to avoid contamination on fresh paint (and fix the moisture problem).
For exact dry-time spacing to avoid trapping moisture, see how long to wait between coats of paint.
4. Patch & prime
Fill nail holes, skim small dings, sand smooth. Spot-prime patches and any stained areas with a stain-blocking primer.
5. Cut in, then roll (two coats)
Start at the ceiling and wet walls. Use a 2–3" angled brush for edges and a 3/8" nap roller for walls. Maintain a wet edge to prevent lap marks.
6. Ceiling & trim
Paint the ceiling first (flat), then the walls (bath-rated), then trim and doors (semi-gloss). Let each coat dry per label to avoid soft, scuff-prone finishes.
7. Cure & ventilate
Run the fan and crack a window to speed curing and discourage mildew regrowth. Avoid hot showers for 24–48 hours.
Don’t rush your second coat. Most latex paints want 2–4 hours between coats; oil-based can need 12–24 hours. When in doubt, follow the can—or our timing guide above.
Timing & Drying: How Long Will This Take? ⏱️
DIY small bath: 1 evening prep + 1 day paint (2 coats walls + ceiling), trim optional next day.
Pros: often same-day walls/ceiling with a return for trim/touch-ups.
Dry times: Latex typically recoat 2–4 hours; full cure 1–2 weeks (be gentle with scrubbing during cure).
Save Money Without Regrets
Buy better rollers/brushes once—reuse them.
Color strategy: Similar color = fewer coats. Drastic color change? Prime first; it’s cheaper than a third coat.
Ventilation = longevity: A $100–$200 fan upgrade can save you repainting a year from now. Guide here: Bath fan install (and sizing/sones tips).
Reality-check quotes: Compare with whole-room norms in our room painting cost post.
Common Add-Ons (and What They Cost)
Accent wall: +$25–$60 DIY (paint sample + quart) / +$50–$150 labor.
Door + trim refresh: +$50–$180 pro; $20–$40 DIY.
Vanity touch-ups: Mask well or remove the top drawer/doors to paint behind hardware cleanly.
Ceiling stains (from past leaks): Oil-based stain-blocking primer ($12–$20/qt) before ceiling paint.
Moisture, Bugs, and Lasting Results
If you’ve battled tiny insects in bathroom (like drain flies), you likely have biofilm and humidity issues. Paint won’t fix moisture; it only hides it. Scrub drains, verify traps have water, run the bath fan 20–30 minutes after showers, and choose paint labeled “mildew resistant.” That combo keeps bugs, odors, and peeling at bay—and protects your paint investment.
Cost to Repaint Bathroom: Example Scenarios (All-In)
Powder room (no tub/shower):
DIY: $80–$180
Pro: $300–$550
Why cheaper: fewer moisture zones, smaller ceiling.
Full small bath (5' x 8'):
DIY: $120–$250
Pro: $450–$900
Adds time for steam-exposed walls, extra cutting around tile/fixtures.
Large primary bath with repairs:
DIY: $180–$320
Pro: $700–$1,200+
Includes patching, ceiling stains, door/trim, possibly fan upgrade.
Internal Resources You’ll Actually Use
Room-by-room price sanity check: How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room? (benchmarks & supply list).
Exactly how long to wait between coats: How Long to Wait Between Coats of Paint (latex vs. oil, humidity effects).
Ventilation that protects your paint: Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installation (sizing, ducting, wiring).
Conclusion
The cost to repaint a bathroom ranges from $80–$250 DIY to $400–$900+ professionally, driven by size, humidity management, surface repairs, and finish choices. If you clean, degloss, treat mildew, and wait proper dry times between coats, you’ll get a durable, wipeable finish that still looks new years later. Add solid ventilation, and your paint job won’t just look great—it’ll last. 🎯
FAQ
What’s the cost to repaint bathroom? The typical cost to repaint a bathroom is $80–$250 DIY or $400–$900+ if you hire a pro, depending on size, prep, and moisture repairs.
How long should I wait between coats in a bathroom? Latex usually needs 2–4 hours; oil-based 12–24 hours—follow the can and factor in humidity.
Do I need special bathroom paint? Yes—choose mildew-resistant latex; semi-gloss for trim/doors for better scrubbability.
Should I paint the ceiling too? If you see stains or peeling, prime and repaint the ceiling (+$60–$200 when hiring; $12–$40 DIY for paint/primer).
What about tiny insects in bathroom—will painting help? Painting won’t eliminate them; clean drains, improve ventilation, and treat moisture first, then paint for lasting results
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