Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire a handyman, changing the color of a room or adding an accent wall is a small way to make a big impact on your home. Learning how to paint a room isn’t necessarily hard, but it can be time-consuming. Having the right tools and the right tips is essential for a successful painting project.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to paint a room to get the best results. We’ll also discuss how long it takes to paint a room and how much it costs to paint a room in California. 

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How Long Does It Take to Paint a Room?

The time it takes to paint a room depends on a number of factors. Someone who has more experience will be able to complete the job much quicker than someone painting for the first time. Additionally, the size of the room as well as the complexity of the job will affect the time to complete the project. Finally, the climate you’re in can affect how long it takes. California is generally hot and dry, which makes for faster paint drying times compared to more humid areas.

For a professional or handyman to paint a small to medium room, it might take a total of 4 to 6 hours. This includes 1 to 2 hours of prep work like taping, covering furniture, and patching holes, 2 to 3 hours of cutting in and painting the walls, and about 1 to 2 hours of drying time between coats. Clean-up can take about 30 minutes. 

On the other hand, if you’re going to do it yourself, you can expect one small to medium room to take anywhere from 6 to 10 hours. That includes 2 to 3 hours of prep time (possibly more if this is your first time), 3 to 5 hours of painting, and 1 to 2 hours between coats. Clean-up may take between 30 minutes to an hour. 

The room condition will also affect the time to paint a room. For example, if the walls need repairs or if you need to remove old wallpaper, the process will take longer. The type of paint you use will also affect the time. Latex paints dry quickly, which can reduce the time spent between coats, but oil-based paints take longer. If you need to use a primer, that will add at least an hour to the prep time as well as an hour to dry. Additional coats also add more time to the project.

How Much Does a Handyman Charge to Paint a Room?

A handyman is a skilled worker who is hired to perform various small-to-medium home repair, maintenance, and improvement tasks. They have a wide skill set and are generally knowledgeable on how to paint a room. Hiring a handyman to paint is often more affordable than hiring a painting contractor. But how much does a handyman charge to paint a room? 

Many handymen (and handywomen) in California charge hourly rates for their work, while some may charge a flat rate to complete a project. The average rate for a handyman in California is $28 per hour, but depending on the area, that rate can go up to $60 an hour or more. Typically, you would be responsible for purchasing the paint, but some handmen will charge a markup of 20% to 50% to purchase the paint for you. So if the room takes 4 hours to paint, you might pay between $112 to $240 plus the cost of paint for a handyman to paint a room in your home.  

Another factor to consider is whether the handyman is self-employed or works for a corporation. A self-employed handyman will usually have lower rates. However, hiring a corporate handyman may be pricier, but that often comes with the benefit of their work being insured and guaranteed. 

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How Much Does It Cost to Paint a 12 x 12 Room?

A 12 x 12 room is a fairly standard size for a bedroom, so how much does it cost to paint one? If you decide to paint the room on your own, you’ll need to pay for paint and supplies. A 12 x 12 room is 384 square feet (unless the ceilings are higher or lower than standard). The average can of paint covers between 350 to 400 square feet for a single coat. To paint a 12 x 12 room, you’ll need 1 to 2 cans of paint, which might cost you between $20 to $60 per gallon. Painting supplies, like rollers, brushes, drop cloths, and tape will cost between $30 and $100. So to paint a 12 x 12 room, you’re looking at $70 to $300 for all the materials and paint. 

A handyman will usually take around 4 to 6 hours to prep and paint the room. With a rate of $28 to $60 per hour, the handyman might charge you anywhere from $112 to $360 to paint a room this size. If your room needs a lot of repairs or has complex features like trim, crown molding, or textured walls, this might take even longer. On top of the hourly rate, you’ll have to factor in the cost of the paint. In total, hiring a handyman to paint a 12 x 12 room may cost you upwards of $480. 

When deciding between hiring someone and doing it yourself, there are some things to take into consideration. You may pay less to paint the room yourself, but unless you already know how to paint a room, you may end up using more materials if mistakes occur. Plus, even though you save money, you pay for it with your own time and labor. Hiring a professional may cost more, but you’re paying for their labor, skill, and efficiency. 

How to Paint a Room

If you’ve never painted a room before, you’re probably wondering where to even begin. Painting isn’t necessarily hard, but it does take time, effort, and proper preparation. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to paint a room: 

Tools and materials:

• Paint: 1-2 gallons, depending on the size of the room
• Primer: While primer isn’t always necessary, it does help the paint adhere better to the wall. Plus, it can help cover dark colors with fewer coats of paint.
• Paint brushes: 2-3 inch angled brushes for cutting in
• Rollers: Use a heavier nap for textured walls and a shorter nap for flat surfaces
• Paint tray and liner
• Painter’s tape
• Drop cloths or plastic sheeting
• Putty knife and spackling compound 
• Sandpaper: 120-220 grit for smoothing walls
• Step ladder
• Stir sticks
• Paint can opener or screwdriver

Steps:

1. Prepare the room: 
   1. Preparation is one of the most important steps for painting a room. Clear the room of furniture or move it to the center and cover it with plastic or drop cloths. 
   2. Lay down drop cloths to cover the floor and tape around windows, door frames, and baseboards with painter’s tape. Press firmly on the tape when you apply it. This helps keep paint from seeping under. 
   3. If your walls have any cracks or holes, patch them with a spackling compound. When that dries, sand the repaired area down so that it’s smooth and level. 
   4. Finally, use a damp cloth or sponge with mild soap and water to remove dirt and dust from the walls. For tough stains or grime, use a heavy-duty degreaser. Allow the walls to dry completely. 
2.  Apply primer (optional):
   1. If you’re painting over dark colors, new drywall, or stained or porous surfaces, you should consider using primer. 
   2. Use a roller to apply the primer evenly. Cut in around the edges with a brush. Roll the primer in a “W” pattern until all areas are filled in. Allow the primer to dry according to manufacturer instructions (usually 1 to 2 hours). 
   3. When the primer is fully dry, sand it down lightly with 220-grit sandpaper. Use a wet cloth to wipe away dust. 
3. Paint:
   1. Begin by cutting in around the ceiling, baseboards, corners, and window/door frames. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle for better control and precision. This creates a clean edge before using the roller.
   2. Work in small sections so the edges don’t dry before you can blend them with the roller. Painters call this keeping a wet edge. 
   3. Pour paint into the tray, then roll the roller into the paint, making sure it’s evenly covered but not dripping. 
   4. Start at the top of the wall and work your way down, using a “W” pattern. Continue filling in the gaps with up and down strokes. 
   5. Allow the first coat to dry (usually 1 to 2 hours) before applying a second coat if needed. 
4. Paint trim and details:
   1. Use a small brush to paint the baseboards, window frames, and door frames if needed. 
   2. When painting baseboards, you can use a small piece of cardboard or red rosin paper under the trim to keep paint off the flooring. 
5. Clean up:
   1. Remove painter’s tape before the paint dries completely. If left on too long, the tape can leave a residue or pull off some of the paint, leaving an uneven line. 
   2. Clean brushes and rollers with warm water and soap for latex paints or paint thinner for oil-based paints. 
   3. Remove drop cloths and put furniture back in place once the paint is fully dry. 

More tips on how to paint a room:

• Ensure good ventilation while painting and drying. Open windows or use fans if needed. California has strict laws about VOC content in paint, but you’ll still want to be careful when doing it yourself. Plus, the ventilation will help the paint dry faster.
• Don’t rush, but keep a steady pace to avoid noticeable lap marks. 
• Don’t overload the roller with paint. Always maintain a wet edge while rolling. 
• For textured walls, use a thick nap roller of at least ¾ inch to better cover the texture. Press more firmly when rolling to push paint into the grooves. You will likely need more paint due to the uneven surface. 
• Use a high-quality roller to avoid streaks. 
• Paint in consistent strokes rather than switching between different motions. 

How to Paint a Room Summary

Painting your room doesn’t just change the color. It can create a whole new ambiance and refresh your space. Now that you know how to paint a room, you can upgrade your home like a pro. 

If you’ve read this guide and decided it’s too much work, don’t worry! LNL Construction has you covered. We’re a family-owned business, and we stand behind our work. Our honest and skilled contractors will help you transform your room for a result you’ll love. 

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