Quick answer: Across LA, professional apartment painting usually costs $1,200 to $3,000 depending on size and wall condition. TurnOver LA prices are simple: Repainting per room: $395 / room, Paint touch-up only: $200, and Small drywall patch + texture: $150 / patch, all with a 48-hour turnaround. A typical 2 bedroom that needs 5 rooms painted runs $1,975 with us.
If you want a clean, market-ready repaint without drama, plan the job by rooms, not vague square footage. In Los Angeles, most full repaints fall in the $1,200 to $3,000 market range. With TurnOver LA, you can hard-scope it: $395 / room to repaint, plus optional add-ons if you actually need them, and we finish in 48 hours. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What counts as a “room” for painting at TurnOver LA?
A room is any distinct, paintable space with four walls you want repainted to fresh condition. Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms each count if you want them repainted. A studio typically has two paintable spaces: the main room and the kitchen. One bedrooms usually have three to four rooms, and two bedrooms often have five to six rooms. Closets do not count unless you want them repainted. Accent walls each count as a room if you only want the accent wall done. This unit-based method avoids fuzzy per-square-foot pricing and gives you a fast, comparable scope across properties. If you are not sure how to count the plan, send photos through the quote flow and we will map it to rooms for you.
How much does it cost to paint common LA apartment sizes?
Across LA, market rates are typically $2 to $6 per square foot or $1,200 to $3,000 total for a standard unit, driven by prep and wall condition. Our pricing is by room, which usually beats SF pricing for clean turnovers. Examples below use only catalog line items, so you can match what you need and skip what you do not.
| Unit type | Typical paintable rooms | LA market total | TurnOver LA example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2 rooms (main + kitchen) | $1,000 to $1,800 | 2 rooms x $395 = $790 |
| 1 bedroom | 3 to 4 rooms | $1,200 to $2,200 | 3 to 4 rooms x $395 = $1,185 to $1,580 |
| 2 bedroom | 5 to 6 rooms | $1,800 to $3,000 | 5 to 6 rooms x $395 = $1,975 to $2,370 |
| 500 sq ft unit | Often 2 to 3 rooms | $1,000 to $2,000 | 2 to 3 rooms x $395 = $790 to $1,185 |
Optional scope items can apply, such as Small drywall patch + texture: $150 / patch, Medium drywall repair: $240 / patch, or Paint touch-up only: $200 if a full repaint is not needed.
When is a touch-up smarter than a full repaint?
Use Paint touch-up only: $200 when walls have light scuffs, isolated nail holes, and you have the exact paint and sheen on hand. Touch-ups do not hide heavy traffic wear, smoke staining, or sheen mismatches. If touch-ups start to cover more than 20 to 25 percent of any wall, you are better off repainting that room to avoid flashing. For kitchens and baths, water and grease often force a repaint even when bedrooms can be touched up. A quick rule for turns in Koreatown or North Hollywood with steady traffic: bedrooms can sometimes pass with touch-up, living room and kitchen usually require full repaint. If you are between a touch-up and repaint, compare vacancy math against scope. At $80 to $200 per day in vacancy loss, one extra day wasted trying to save paint can cost more than just repainting one room.
How do drywall repairs and trim affect the final price?
Repair before you paint, not after. Small drywall patch + texture: $150 / patch is plenty for doorknob holes and small dings. Medium drywall repair: $240 / patch covers larger tears, failed anchors, and 4 to 8 inch openings. Ceilings and baseboard/trim: $125 is the add-on if you want clean, bright tops and crisp lower lines. Cabinet refresh is available with Sand + repaint cabinets/shelving: $135 when a tenant left sticky shelf bottoms or chipped faces. Keep add-ons targeted. Most 1 bedrooms only need one or two patches to pass a move-in inspection. If you are also scheduling a turnover clean, pair the paint with our Make Ready service so dust and floor detailing happen after final coat and you get a clear photo report.
What does a 2 bedroom repaint cost in Los Angeles right now?
LA market: $1,800 to $3,000 for a straightforward two bedroom, more if ceilings or heavy repairs are included. With us, the math is visible. A common 2 bedroom plan is 5 rooms: living room, kitchen, hallway, and two bedrooms. That is 5 x $395 = $1,975. Add two Small drywall patch + texture: $150 / patch if needed and you are at $2,275. If you want trim refreshed, Ceilings and baseboard/trim: $125 would be added as scoped. We finish in 48 hours so you are not burning $80 to $200 a day in vacancy loss waiting on a painter. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What paint and sheen should landlords use for fast LA turns?
Use low VOC interior paint so you can ventilate and show same day. Eggshell on living areas balances scrub-ability and glare. Satin in kitchens and baths resists moisture and wipes clean. Flat hides flaws but fails move-in cleaning. Semi-gloss is fine on trim and doors. Keep a single, neutral color across your stack so touch-ups are easier between tenants. Label leftover cans by unit and date. For pre-1978 buildings common in Echo Park and Westlake, lead-safe work practices apply for any disturbance. Use containment, avoid open sanding, and vacuum with a HEPA filter especially on baseboards and window trim. A unified spec reduces how many rooms you need to repaint next turn.
Can a landlord charge a tenant to repaint in California?
Only for damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. Under California Civil Code, landlords may deduct from the security deposit for painting if the tenant’s actions caused damage or excessive filth. Ordinary wear from time and sunlight is not chargeable. See California Civil Code §1950.5 and the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide for the full scope. In LA’s rent stabilized units, paint and finish quality are part of housing services you must maintain under the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance. For deposits collected on or after July 1, 2024, AB 12 caps most residential security deposits at one month’s rent, which limits how much you can hold and underscores the need for realistic paint decisions and documentation.
- California Civil Code §1950.5
- California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide
- LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance
- AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap
For chargebacks, match your claim to photos, dates, and invoices. Our Make Ready package includes a 12 point photo report that pairs well with deposit accounting. If you need a refresher, see our guides on normal wear and tear and California’s 21 day deposit return timeline.
How should I scope rooms to control cost without killing the listing photos?
Start in the living room and kitchen since they anchor the first impression and the listing media. If bedrooms pass a daylight test with the door open, you can often defer repainting one of them. Prioritize corners, entry walls, and any surface visible from the front door. In Santa Monica and Pasadena, where daylight can be strong and buyers are picky, sheen mismatches show quickly, so repaint the whole room rather than spot-roll half a wall. If you plan to order the TLA Launch Pad Media Package after paint, lean toward repainting any wall that shows in photos. For walls behind closed doors, touch-up can be fine. If a patch is larger than a card deck or in a focal line, count that room for repaint.
What do I actually get when I hire TurnOver LA to paint?
You get predictable line items and a 48-hour slot. Painting scope starts with Repainting per room: $395 / room. We can add Small drywall patch + texture: $150 / patch, Medium drywall repair: $240 / patch, Ceilings and baseboard/trim: $125, and Sand + repaint cabinets/shelving: $135 as needed. If the unit needs a clean, order Make Ready (deep clean + 12-pt photo report) at Studio $225, 1 Bedroom $255, 2 Bedroom $335, or 3BR or larger $425 so dust and floors are handled after paint. If junk is left, add Unit cleanout / junk haul at Studio $200, 1 Bedroom $310, 2 Bedroom $420, 3BR or larger $420 before we open paint. See the full painting and drywall offering on our Painting and drywall service page.
What makes LA repaints different and how do I avoid delays?
Common LA building traits add small, avoidable delays. Hallways are narrow, so plan staging and dust control to keep housekeeping happy. Many buildings are pre-1978, so assume lead-safe containment if you are sanding trim. Parking can be tight in Westwood and DTLA, which makes access windows matter. Book painter access with your building and confirm elevator pads if required. Use low VOC paint so the unit can be shown same day with windows cracked. TurnOver LA holds a flat 48-hour turnaround, so order cleanouts or handyman work first to avoid wet paint over fresh drywall or dust. A concise pre-list helps. Here is a quick checklist to scope and schedule without missing a step.
- Decide which rooms are in-scope for repaint versus touch-up.
- Count and photograph any drywall holes by size to choose the right patch line item.
- Confirm if trim or ceilings are included.
- Pick a single neutral color and target sheen for walls, trim, and wet areas.
- Slot any cleanout before paint, and schedule Make Ready for after paint.
- Plan access windows and ventilation, especially in busy mid-rise corridors.
- If pre-1978, set lead-safe containment and clean-up protocols.
If you want this planned for you, start the quote and upload three to five photos per room. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Example scopes and totals you can copy today
- Studio in Palms, two rooms, no repairs: 2 x Repainting per room: $395 / room = $790. Add Make Ready Studio $225 if needed.
- 1 bedroom in Silver Lake, four rooms, one small hole: 4 x $395 = $1,580 plus 1 x Small drywall patch + texture: $150 / patch = $1,730. Optional Make Ready 1 Bedroom $255.
- 2 bedroom in North Hollywood, five rooms, two medium repairs and trim: 5 x $395 = $1,975 plus 2 x Medium drywall repair: $240 / patch = $2,455. If trim is in scope, add Ceilings and baseboard/trim: $125 as scoped.
- 500 sq ft micro unit in DTLA, three rooms, touch-up only in bath: 2 x $395 = $790 plus Paint touch-up only: $200 = $990.
If you need handyman fixes before paint, a Half-day handyman punch list: $230 can stabilize doors, knobs, and blinds so your walls are not re-damaged during showings. If you plan to list right after, the TLA Launch Pad Media Package: $399 gives you photos, a floor-to-ceiling set that pairs well with fresh paint.
How long does it take to paint an apartment in LA?
We hold a flat 48-hour turnaround on every job. Most studios and 1 bedrooms paint and dry in one day. Two bedrooms often need a second day for finish coat and cure, especially if drywall repairs were primed same day. Ventilate during and after paint, crack windows, and run bath fans. Low VOC interior paints allow same-day showings in most buildings. Coordinate around elevator bookings in high-rises and secure parking for crews. If you are under a move-out time crunch, lock in paint first, then slot Make Ready for the last day of that 48-hour window so we are not cleaning around wet walls.
For more on total turnover planning and costs, see our guides on the apartment turnover checklist and total turnover cost in LA. Those cover vacancy math, sequencing, and how to avoid rework while staying inside the 21 day deposit return clock.