Why is Interior and Exterior House Painting so Expensive?
Let’s be real—high-quality painting services don’t come cheap. But why is that? At Beams and Dreams Painting, we believe in transparency, so let's break down exactly why it is—and why it’s worth every dollar!
1. Proper Prep Work is Everything
There’s no way around it, proper prep work will directly determine the success or failure of the job. We are meticulous with our prep work. We’ll often prep longer than we paint. We carefully clean, repair, and prime every surface to ensure the new paint will adhere perfectly. That means filling holes, sanding rough spots, taping edges, and removing anything that might get in the way of a pristine finish. This is the invisible work that makes the visible difference. All that prep takes time and effort, but it's what separates the professionals from the weekend warriors.
2. The Price of Precision and Experience
Anyone could slap some paint on the wall. But, if that was your goal, you probably wouldn’t have invested so much time into looking all this stuff up. You know there’s more to it than that. Where do you buy it from, how much should it cost, what is sheen, what’s the difference in each level of paint at each store, what are Volatile Organic Compounds, when is primer necessary, when should oil paint be used instead of latex, what are tannins and why would that matter, what’s the acrylic content in this paint? Those are just some of the questions we consider before we make our recommendations. A home transformation isn’t going to happen if the corners aren’t crispy or if the color temperature of the lights doesn’t match the hue of the paint and the floor. Expertise takes time to develop, that’s what you’re investing in. Paint is too expensive these days to DIY it and potentially have to do it again if it wasn’t done right the first time.
3. Cheap paint isn’t Cheap.
It always costs more in the long run and looks terrible in the meantime. It always takes more coats and labor to cover over the old stuff. Check out our Blog on what separates premium paint from the cheap stuff here.
At Beams and Dreams, we only use premium paints and materials. Why? Because faded colors, chipping, peeling, and an uneven finish is anything but dream-like! Premium paint is designed to resist weather, staining, wear, maintain vibrancy, and just hold up to life in general! Materials like paint, make up about 10% of the budget.
4. Good labor isn’t cheap and cheap labor isn’t any good.
It takes years of practice to master the techniques needed to deliver exceptional results. At Beams and Dreams, we pay our painters higher than the industry average so we can always have the best painters in the industry for our customers. Our labor costs are by far our biggest cost. Labor accounts for 38-40% of each job.
5. We leave your home better than we found it in every way.
Every other painter will just pack up their canvases and leave your home in disarray. We clean up every drop, speck, and scrap. We inspect the work with you to make sure it’s flawless. We truly aren’t happy until you are. We won’t pack up until that’s true.
6. Insurance, Licenses, and Safety—We’ve Got You Covered
About 12% of every job goes to “Overhead Cost”. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that many people don’t consider Before we walk into your house, before we even answer your call, email, or text message, we have an army of expenses to pay just as the cost of doing business. We have to maintain office equipment, printers, computers, cell phones, etc. There are vehicle insurance and maintenance costs, liability and workmen's compensation insurance, and employee health insurance to cover. All of this ensures your project is covered no matter what. Insurance and licensing mean we can guarantee our work and protect you and your property, but they do come with costs. We also invest in the proper safety equipment, ensuring our crew can work safely and efficiently on your property. It’s a non-negotiable part of running a responsible painting business—and one more reason why quality painting services cost what they do.
Marketing gets the next 10%. This accounts for all the ads on multiple platforms. Social media, affiliate programs, This includes the cost of all lead generation services, proprietary lead generation methods, and paid-for leads. This includes logos and all phases of sales campaigns. All promotional gear, business cards, and a dozen other software programs to help us get the word out there about the amazing things we are trying to accomplish here!!!
It takes money to make money! That’s very true for the Sales teams and their managers. These guys get 12% of the pie. It’s quite a bit, but they are the lifeblood of the company. Without them, we couldn’t continue forward. It’s their efforts that maximize the Marketing expenses and fuel company-wide expansion.
The remaining 18% gets split in half for profits to the business and profits for the stakeholders. The profits for the business are for things like capital expenses and continued investment to grow or pay down debt. By design, all the employees get a bigger percentage than the stakeholders. On average the stakeholders receive 9% of the income. Keep that in mind when a 10% discount is offered and you think to yourself, “Only 10%!”
The Bottom Line: You Get What You Pay For
Yes, professional painting may cost more, but in the end, it's worth it. When you invest in Beams and Dreams, you’re investing in the best materials, the best people, and the best results. From the moment we start prepping your walls to the final coat, we’re committed to excellence in every detail. The peace of mind, the beauty, and the long-lasting quality you’ll enjoy make the investment one you’ll never regret.