Paint removal costs around $600 on average, and prices often fall somewhere between $300 and $2,000, depending on square footage and material.
Paint removal costs $600 on average, but there are many factors at play that can leave your total as low as $150 or as high as $80,000. Understanding what affects pricing can help you budget more accurately and find a good deal on professional paint removal services.
In this guide, we’ll explain what affects paint removal costs to help you get a better idea of your total.
Paint removal costs can range widely, with prices falling anywhere between $150 and $80,000. The following factors will have the biggest impact on your total.
The most important factor to consider is the square footage of the material from which you need paint removed. You can expect to spend between $9 and $12 per square foot, so the size of the project will have a significant impact on your total.
Some smaller paint removal projects, like stripping paint from stair banisters, will often be the most affordable. The most extensive and costly projects will be removing paint from wood siding, and mid-range projects like stripping paint from stair steps or windows will have prices that fall somewhere in the middle.
| Project | Paint Removal Cost |
|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | $600-$4,000 |
| Door | $150-$300 |
| Door/window trim | $150-$200 |
| Fencing | $1,500-$3,600 |
| Handrail/banister | $150-$600 |
| Stair runners/risers | $900-$1,200 |
| Wood siding | $10,000-$80,000 |
| Wood window | $150-$500 |
Removing paint from wood averages between $9 and $12 per square foot, while removing paint from metal like a wrought iron fence sits between $2 and $8 per square foot. Wood is porous and more susceptible to damage and discoloration from paint strippers and scraping, and it also holds onto paint more readily, so it requires more labor to remove the paint. Paint sits on top of metal, which is more durable, so removing paint takes less labor.
Removing paint from brick will cost between $4 and $8 per square foot, but prices can rise to around $17 per square foot if the paint tests positive for lead.
If you need other services to rectify painting accidents, like removing paint from tile or vinyl flooring, your total will often include a flat fee of between $150 and $250. However, that can increase depending on how much paint you need to remove.
There are a few ways a professional can remove paint, and the one that works best depends on the material and how smooth the surface is. Your expert can help you determine the best option for your project.
| Removal Method | Cost (per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|
| Paint scraper | $2–$9 |
| Paint stripping chemicals | $2–$10 |
| Sanding | $4–$12 |
| Heat/steam | $6–$12 |
Nearly 100% of your total cost will go toward labor, as the materials to remove paint are affordable and often reusable. Anything that makes the work take longer will drive up your prices.
For example, removing paint from a wood window may require removing the sashes to access the surfaces more easily, which will increase labor costs. Similarly, removing paint from wood shingles will become more expensive if you have multiple floors that require using ladders and safety equipment to reach the materials.
Labor costs often scale based on the cost of living in your area, so more expensive places to live will likely have higher prices for paint removal jobs. You’ll often see the highest prices in metropolitan areas, as they tend to have the highest cost of living, but prices can also vary by state.
| State | Paint Removal Cost |
|---|---|
| California | $860 |
| Florida | $610 |
| Georgia | $550 |
| Illinois | $570 |
| Michigan | $550 |
| New York | $740 |
| North Carolina | $580 |
| Ohio | $560 |
| Pennsylvania | $570 |
| Texas | $550 |
After your professional strips the old paint, you may need to allocate some money to prepare the surface for a new finish, whether that’s a fresh coat of paint, varnish, or something else. Surface prep can add between $1 and $5 per square foot, depending on the project, the material, and the condition of the surface.
Removing paint is a labor-intensive job, but if you tackle it yourself, you could save close to 100% of the total cost or an average of about $600. If you have the time and patience, this could be a worthwhile DIY project, especially because the process is relatively straightforward and requires minimal tools and materials.
However, a paint stripping company near you can get the job done more quickly and save you hours of your time. If you have a small project, like removing paint from a stair banister or a few stair step runners and risers, it’s probably best to do it yourself. If you’re working with a larger surface, like a fence, multiple doors, kitchen cabinets, or wood siding, or the surface requires a lot of prep before refinishing, hiring a pro is definitely the way to go to save time and effort.
If you’re unsure about when your surface was painted or the type of paint involved, hire a professional. It’s possible that the paint contains lead, and experts will have a lead paint test and the proper safety materials to remove the paint safely.
While you’re budgeting for your paint removal job, you may want to consider the cost of some common add-on services that will take your project to the next level.
Cost to paint siding: $600–$7,600
Cost to repaint stairs: $590 on average
Cost to paint or stain a fence: $300–$4,800
Cost to paint trim: $500–$3,750
Lead paint inspection cost: $200–$800
There are a few things you can do to keep your paint removal costs as low as possible.
DIY as much as you can. Since most of your paint removal costs will go toward labor, doing any prep work yourself will help keep costs down. You can take out windows or remove doors to prepare for paint removal, or even consider using mineral spirits, paint stripper, or acetone to remove as much material as you can before your professional takes over.
Tackle the refinishing yourself. Removing old paint is very time-consuming, but applying new paint, stain, or another finish afterward is a much faster process. You can save between $300 and $8,000 by doing this part of the project yourself instead of hiring a painter, depending on the size of the surface.
Consider replacement over refinishing. In some cases, it might be more cost-effective to replace wood material than pay to remove paint and refinish. This is especially true for more intricate paint removal jobs, like windows, doors, and banisters that have a lot of nooks and crannies to treat before refinishing.
Consider just applying new paint. If you confirm that your old paint doesn’t contain lead and it’s in relatively good condition with no flaking, peeling, or other paint problems, you can consider just painting over the surface to breathe new life into it while saving money on paint removal costs.
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Professionals may use a variety of methods to remove old paint from surfaces, often depending on the size and complexity of the surface. Paint scraping in combination with a chemical paint stripper is the most common method, but experts might also use heat or steam to loosen everything before peeling the paint off. Some might just sand off the old paint if the surface is relatively flat and easily accessible.
A high-power pressure washer can quickly remove paint from brick, but it can also damage the brick and leave an unsightly surface behind. The best method to remove paint from brick is a chemical paint stripper followed by brushing with a stiff metal bristle brush. It’s often best to call in a professional to remove paint from brick, as they can use low-stress methods that won’t damage the surface underneath.
Paint removal is a time-consuming job that can take anywhere from an hour for small surfaces, like a single stair banister, to multiple days for larger projects, like removing paint from wood siding. Expect to spend between five and 20 minutes per square foot. You can use chemical paint strippers to speed up the process, but be sure you use proper protective gear and take care to pick a product that’s suited for your material.
The easiest and fastest way to remove paint from a surface is to use a chemical paint stripper to loosen the paint and then remove the paint using a paint scraper. You can also speed up the process by making the area as accessible as possible, which could include removing window sashes or taking doors off the hinges.
