The honest answer to 'how much does it cost to paint a house in Vancouver?' is: it depends on square footage, ceiling height, prep condition, paint quality and number of colours. But 'it depends' is not helpful when you are trying to budget. Below are the real 2026 price ranges we quote across Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and the North Shore, plus the five factors that actually move the number up or down.
Interior painting cost in Vancouver (2026)
Most Vancouver interior repaints fall between $3 and $7 per square foot of floor area, including two coats of premium low-VOC paint, standard prep, and one wall colour per room. A single bedroom typically runs $600–$1,200. A one-bedroom condo runs $2,500–$4,500. A two-bedroom condo runs $3,500–$5,500. A 2,000 sq ft three-bedroom house runs $5,500–$9,500. Cathedral ceilings, feature walls, multiple colours, heavy patching and cutting around crown moulding all push the number toward the higher end.
Exterior painting cost in Vancouver (2026)
Exterior painting in Vancouver runs $4 to $10 per square foot of siding, depending on substrate and access. Stucco is the cheapest to coat, cedar is the most expensive because of tannin-blocking primer and prep, and Hardie board sits in the middle. A typical 2-storey 2,500 sq ft Vancouver home runs $8,500–$16,000 for a full exterior. Two- or three-tone colour schemes, elastomeric coatings, extensive scraping of failed paint, and second-storey work reachable only by lift add cost.
Kitchen cabinet painting cost in Vancouver
Cabinet refinishing in Vancouver runs $2,800–$6,500 for a standard kitchen (25–35 doors and drawers), sprayed off-site in a dust-free booth with urethane-acrylic enamel. Larger custom kitchens, glazed finishes, and re-facing of exposed cabinet boxes push the number to $7,500–$10,000. Cabinet painting is one of the highest-return investments in a Vancouver home — a $4,500 refinish typically adds $12,000–$18,000 to a condo's resale value.
Condo & apartment painting cost in Vancouver
Condo painting in Vancouver is priced tighter than detached homes because access is standardized. A studio runs $1,200–$2,000, a one-bedroom $2,000–$3,500, a two-bedroom $3,000–$5,000 and a two-bedroom-and-den in Yaletown, Coal Harbour or the West End $3,500–$6,000. Ceilings, accent walls and cabinet doors are quoted separately. Strata Certificates of Insurance, elevator booking and low-VOC paint are included on every 4C condo quote — never a surcharge.
The five factors that actually move the price
1) Square footage — the biggest single driver. 2) Number of colours — every extra colour adds cut-in time and paint minimums. 3) Prep condition — patching, sanding, drywall repair and stain-blocking primer can add 20–40% for a home that has not been repainted in 15+ years. 4) Ceiling height — 9-, 10- and 12-foot ceilings need scaffolding or extension work. 5) Paint quality — premium Benjamin Moore Aura or Sherwin-Williams Emerald costs $85–$110 per gallon vs $45–$60 for builder-grade, but doubles the lifespan of the finish.
How to get an accurate written quote
Nobody can give you an accurate Vancouver painting quote over the phone or by email photo. Real numbers come from a 30-minute on-site walkthrough where we measure walls, check substrate condition, discuss colour count, and confirm access. Every 4C Painters Vancouver quote is fixed-price, written, itemized by room or elevation, and free — with no obligation and no pressure. Call (604) 561-5305 or request a quote online and we will usually visit within a couple of business days.
Painting in Vancouver?
Vancouver's wet Pacific climate demands premium primers and weather-rated exterior coatings — exactly what we specify on every job.