The amount of time that it takes to paint a room can depend on many different factors, as different steps in the process will slowly add up to the overall.
It could take from just a couple of hours to several days, depending on things such as the size of the room, the amount of preparation needed, the number of paint layers being applied, the clean-up…plus how fast or slow the painter is working, of course!
However, according to the National Home Builder Association, the average bedroom is about 432 square feet, and it takes around 4 to 6 hours to fully clean, with preparation and clean-up included in the estimation. Which is pretty fast, all things considered!
Bigger rooms, such as a living room, can take an average of 2 days or so, and bigger rooms can take even more. It all depends!
Here are some of the factors that can affect the time it takes to paint a room:
Preparation:
Preparation is vital for any type of paint job, as it can determine whether the outcome is professional and successful, or whether the entire process is chaotic and a succession of issues appearing out of nowhere.
The amount of time the preparation takes will depend on the condition of the room, and the condition of the surfaces that need to be painted. The space in the room needs to be cleared, and everything needs to be clean and prepped. Surrounding surfaces also need to be protected from the paint, with the use of sheets and painter’s tape.
The size of the room:
The size of the room is a pretty obvious factor that directly affects the amount of time it takes to paint. The bigger the room, the more time it will take to paint because the more surface area there is to cover!
The type of paint used:
Different types of paint will have different application techniques and different drying times, and this can directly affect the amount of time that it takes to complete the paint job.
Paints that are faster to dry will allow the painter to continue with the next layer of paint, in less time. While paints that take longer will inevitably prolong the process in regards to time.
The number of layers of paint being applied:
Applying a single layer of paint should be pretty fast. However, in most cases, rooms require at least two layers of paint for a more professional end result. This means that you need to do the job twice, which is double the time, but also, you need to add the waiting time while the first layer of paint dries!
Plus, most painters will first apply a base coating of primer, which also needs to be left to dry before the painting begins. And then, of course, there are also sealers that can be applied over the paint as a finishing layer, which also add on extra time to the entire process!
Clean-up:
Painting doesn’t end when the entire surface is painted. Painters are very aware of the importance of cleaning up behind them, as you can’t exactly leave everything a mess!
Paintbrushes need to be cleaned immediately, then the protective sheets and masking tape have to be removed, with any stains cleaned and fixed up, before you rearrange furniture pieces and others to put everything back as it was before painting began.
However, this can’t be done until the paint has completely dried! So always account for that drying time.
The painting technique and experience of the painter:
Different painting techniques will speed up or slow down the process in a significant manner, so they can really affect the overall amount of time it takes to paint a room. For example, if you’re spray painting, it will be done in a breeze, while using a small paintbrush would take forever.
This is also where the experience of the painter comes in. A professional painter will be a lot more acquainted with the process and will be able to fly through the steps without a second thought. An amateur or DIY painter, on the other hand, will be a lot slower as everything will be new and unfamiliar.
As you can see, painting takes its time, and there are many factors and steps that influence the overall process. At the end of the day, it’s worth taking your time and being patient, rather than rushing through everything and risking mistakes or a less professional result!
How long does it take to paint trim?
Painting trim can help enhance the color and appearance of a room’s walls, and the good news is that it is a lot faster than painting.
To paint trim, it is true that you need quite a lot of preparation, so that will be the main bulk of time. But when it comes to the paint trim itself, the average amount of time required is between half an hour and an hour per coat. Pretty fast!
(Of course, this can vary from room to room, depending on the size and other factors!)
How long should it take to paint a 12×12 room?
It can depend on many factors. But on average, a 12×12 room will take around 5 hours to paint. (Without including doors, windows, and others).
How long does it take to paint a 15×15 room?
It can depend on many factors. But on average, a 15×15 room will take around 6 hours or so, without including doors, windows, and others.
