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How much do house painters in Pasadena cost for apartments?

Looking for Pasadena apartment painters with clear pricing and fast turns? Market rates are $2-$4 per sq ft or $450-$1,100 per room. TurnOver LA is $395 per room, ceilings and trim $125, touch-up $200, with 48-hour turnaround. Practical guidance for landlords.

By the TurnOver LA Editorial Team·Reviewed by Jason Farone, Owner·Published June 30, 2026·Updated June 30, 2026·8 min read
Pasadena apartment repaint in progress with neutral walls, original trim, and drop cloths, showing professional house painters setup for an LA rental turn

Quick answer: Across Pasadena and greater LA, apartment repainting usually lands at $2 to $4 per square foot, or $450 to $1,100 per room depending on prep and trim. TurnOver LA prices are fixed: repainting per room is $395, ceilings and baseboard or trim are $125, touch-up only is $200, and small drywall patches are $150 per patch. Every job is a 48-hour turnaround with no rush fee.

Pasadena apartment painting costs vary by unit size, surface condition, and whether you include ceilings, trim, and cabinets. In the local market you will see per-room or per-square-foot quotes with adders for repairs. TurnOver LA uses a flat per-room model at $395 with clear add-ons for ceilings and trim at $125 and cabinet refinishing at $135, scheduled for a 48-hour turn. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

What do house painters in Pasadena charge for apartments?

Most Pasadena and LA-area painters estimate interior work at $2 to $4 per square foot, or a per-room rate that often ranges from $450 to $1,100 depending on prep, height, and trim complexity. You may also see minimum-day charges, typically one full day at $500 to $750, plus materials. If you need repairs, add $100 to $300 per patch and another $150 to $300 for trim and baseboards per room. By contrast, TurnOver LA’s pricing is fixed and built for multifamily turns: repainting per room is $395, ceilings and baseboard or trim are $125, sand and repaint cabinets or shelving are $135, and drywall repairs are $150 per small patch or $240 per medium patch.

Kitchen cabinet repaint and drywall patch detail during a Pasadena apartment turnover, with sanded doors, taped edges, and textured patch drying
Image created with AI

How does TurnOver LA price painting for Pasadena units?

We price to the room so landlords can plan vacancy days and deposit accounting without guesswork. The core rates are simple: repainting per room is $395, ceilings and baseboard or trim are $125, paint touch-up only is $200, sand and repaint cabinets or shelving are $135, and small or medium drywall repairs are $150 or $240 per patch. You combine items based on scope, then we schedule a 48-hour start-to-finish window that aligns with your turn. For a typical 1 bedroom in Pasadena, expect two or three paint rooms plus one ceiling and trim add, with optional cabinet refinishing in an older kitchen. For full turnover flows, pair paint with a Make Ready clean so you close out quickly and relist. See our painting details on the Painting service page, or book directly for a guaranteed calendar slot. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

  • Repainting per room: $395 per room
  • Ceilings and baseboard or trim: $125
  • Paint touch-up only: $200
  • Sand and repaint cabinets or shelving: $135
  • Small drywall patch and texture: $150 per patch
  • Medium drywall repair: $240 per patch

For adjacent scope, you can add a Make Ready clean, a half-day handyman punch, or a media package after paint. See our pages for apartment painting services and our Make Ready cleaning.

How much does it cost to paint a 500 sq ft apartment in Pasadena?

Across the market, a 500 sq ft 1 bedroom often ranges $1,000 to $2,000 to repaint walls, with ceilings and trim extra, driven by prep needs and wall condition. Using TurnOver LA’s catalog, here are two common scenarios:

  • Light refresh: living room and bedroom walls only (2 rooms at $395 each), touch-up in kitchen and bath ($200), one small drywall patch ($150). Total from catalog items: $1,140.
  • Full cosmetic repaint: living room, bedroom, kitchen walls (3 rooms at $395), ceilings and trim in both main rooms ($125 x 2), sanding and repainting built-in shelves ($135), and one medium drywall repair ($240). Total from catalog items: $1,915.

Both examples schedule on a 48-hour turnaround. You can add Make Ready cleaning for a 1 bedroom at $255 to finish the turn and stage for media.

Do landlords have to paint between tenants in California?

There is no statewide law that requires a landlord to repaint automatically between tenants. What California does require is adherence to habitability and fair deductions from the security deposit for damage beyond normal wear. See the state’s guidance in the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide and the deposit accounting rules in California Civil Code §1950.5. In short, paint may need replacement if it is damaged or unsanitary, but faded or lightly scuffed walls are usually normal wear. Pasadena is not under the City of LA’s RSO. For LA City properties, review the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance. For more on wear versus damage, see our guide on normal wear and tear in California.

Can a landlord charge you for painting after you move out in California?

Yes, but only for damage or excessive filth, and only for the reasonable, depreciated cost that is properly itemized. Landlords cannot charge for ordinary wear, like minor scuffs that come from normal living, and must return the balance of the deposit within statutory deadlines. See the rules in California Civil Code §1950.5 and the timing in our guide to the 21-day deposit return. Recent law also caps most residential deposits at one month’s rent, which makes accurate paint scoping more important. Review AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap for current limits.

What should be included in a Pasadena apartment repaint?

Older Pasadena buildings in Bungalow Heaven, Madison Heights, and the Playhouse District often mix plaster walls with original wood trim, so scopes should reflect materials and condition. A solid turn paint includes these elements:

  1. Wall repairs sized correctly, then primed. Hairline cracks on plaster need flexible filler, not spackle alone.
  2. Cut-in at ceiling lines and trim for clean edges, then consistent roller finish.
  3. Bathroom and kitchen moisture areas set in satin or semi-gloss for cleanability.
  4. Ceilings and baseboards addressed in the same window if they show aging.
  5. Cabinet fronts degreased, sanded, and coated if the kitchen reads tired.
  6. Color reset to a durable neutral that photographs well for relisting.
  7. Final walk plus Make Ready clean to remove dust before photos.

We can pair paint with handyman punch work where needed to tighten hardware, adjust doors, and swap plates in the same 48-hour window.

How does painting tie into vacancy loss and scheduling in Pasadena?

Vacancy loss in LA County runs about $80 to $200 per day depending on submarket. The way to cut this is to stack trades into a tight window, start early in the day, and publish a hard relist date. Our model is set for that. Painting and repairs are scoped to catalog line items, we coordinate a Make Ready clean for dust-out, and we deliver a 12-point photo report so you can post your listing. In Pasadena, parking and access can add minutes if you are near Old Pasadena or the Colorado corridor, so we stage materials the afternoon prior when possible. The goal is two calendar days from keys to photos. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

Market rates vs TurnOver LA painting prices: how do they compare?

Here is a simple comparison you can use in deposit planning and owner updates.

Scope Typical Pasadena or LA market pricing TurnOver LA price
Paint touch-up only $150 to $350 per visit $200
Repainting per room $450 to $1,100 $395 per room
Ceilings and baseboard or trim $150 to $300 per room $125
Small drywall patch and texture $100 to $300 per patch $150 per patch
Medium drywall repair $200 to $450 per patch $240 per patch
Sand and repaint cabinets or shelving $150 to $400 $135

The market column reflects broad local averages. TurnOver LA pricing is fixed and scheduled for 48 hours, with no rush fee.

How do you scope rooms and avoid surprise adders?

Define a room as a walled, doorable space such as a living room, bedroom, dining room, or kitchen. Bathrooms and closets are often handled within touch-up unless they require a full repaint. Note unusual ceiling heights or crown that needs detail. If there is visible water damage or significant settlement cracking, count the repair patches in advance so they are priced from the start. For many Pasadena 1 bedrooms, a realistic scope is two to three rooms with one ceiling and trim add and one or two patches. If you are turning a unit in a courtyard or garden-style building, allow a few extra minutes for set up and haul out between rooms to keep floors protected.

What is the best sequence to prep a paint-ready Pasadena unit?

Here is the practical order that cuts wasted steps and vacancy days:

  1. Cleanout and remove any bulky items to clear walls and floors.
  2. Complete repairs and patching so they are dry for paint day.
  3. Paint walls, then ceilings and trim, then cabinets or shelving.
  4. Swap plates, tighten hardware, and adjust doors during dry times.
  5. Run a Make Ready deep clean, including floor detailing and a 12-point photo report.
  6. Shoot listing media the morning after dry time.
  7. Publish listing and start showings the same day.

You can book paint, Make Ready, and handyman as a single turn window. See apartment make-ready service and the Painting service page.

Pasadena specifics: codes, deposits, and rent control context

Pasadena is its own city and is not covered by the City of LA’s RSO. If you operate in Los Angeles proper, consult the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance for timelines that can affect scheduling and access. For Pasadena units, follow California’s general rules on security deposits and itemization in California Civil Code §1950.5, and review the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide for wear and tear standards. If you operate multiple buildings across LA and Pasadena, align your painting scopes with our flat catalog so your deposit letters match actual line items by address.

We work throughout Pasadena, including Bungalow Heaven, Madison Heights, Playhouse District, and South Lake. See our Pasadena service area for coverage. When the paint dries, our TLA Launch Pad Media Package is $399, which gets your relist live quickly.

What else should you pair with paint on a Pasadena turn?

The most common bundle on a Pasadena 1 bedroom is paint plus Make Ready cleaning and a small handyman punch. Prices are fixed: Make Ready is $255 for a 1 bedroom, a half-day handyman punch list is $230, and a full day is $425 if you want to knock out a deeper scope. If the unit needs a cleanout first, a 1 bedroom haul is $310. Rekey front and deadbolt after paint for $110, or a full apartment rekey up to two locks for $150. These add-ons close gaps that cause rework, reduce showing delays, and produce a cleaner deposit trail. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

For definitions and scope clarity, see our guide, What is a Make Ready? and our walkthrough on move-out cleaning in Los Angeles.

Frequently asked questions

How much do painters charge for apartments in Pasadena?

Most Pasadena and LA painters run $2 to $4 per square foot or $450 to $1,100 per room depending on prep and trim. TurnOver LA is fixed at $395 per room, with ceilings and baseboard or trim at $125, touch-up at $200, and small drywall patches at $150 each.

Do landlords have to paint between tenants in CA?

No California law requires automatic repainting between tenants. Landlords must keep units habitable and may only deduct for damage beyond normal wear. See California Civil Code §1950.5 and the DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide for rules on deposits and reasonable charges.

How much does it cost to paint a 500 sq ft apartment?

Market pricing is usually $1,000 to $2,000 to repaint walls in a 500 sq ft 1 bedroom, with ceilings and trim extra. With TurnOver LA, build from the catalog: $395 per room, $125 for ceilings and trim, $200 for touch-up only, and $150 to $240 per drywall patch.

Can a landlord charge for painting after move-out in California?

Yes, but only for damage or filth beyond normal wear, and only a reasonable, depreciated amount with itemization. Normal scuffs and fading are usually wear and cannot be charged. See California Civil Code §1950.5 and the 21-day deadline for deposit returns.

How fast can TurnOver LA complete a Pasadena repaint?

Every job books on a 48-hour turnaround with no rush fee. We can stack paint, Make Ready cleaning, and a handyman punch so you can relist with photos immediately after dry time. Use our booking flow for an exact slot and instant quote.

Sources & references

  • linkCalifornia DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide
  • linkCalifornia Civil Code §1950.5
  • linkLAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance
  • linkAB 12 (2023) security deposit cap

Editorial note: This article was drafted with AI assistance and substantively edited by Jason Farone, Owner of TurnOver LA. Pricing claims are verified against our live service catalog as of June 30, 2026. For verification methodology see our fact-checking process and editorial policy.

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