Quick answer: Across LA, full apartment repainting typically costs $1,200 to $3,600 depending on size, finish, and wall condition. TurnOver LA charges $395 per room for repainting, $200 for touch-up, plus optional items like ceilings and trim at $125, all with a flat 48-hour turnaround. Example: a standard 1 bedroom at 3 rooms is $1,185.
In Los Angeles, most full apartment repaints land between $1,200 and $3,600 in the general market. TurnOver LA quotes by the room, not by the square foot, so you can price scope without guesswork: repainting is $395 per room, touch-up is $200, ceilings and baseboard or trim are $125, and drywall repairs are $150 per small patch or $240 per medium patch. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
How much does it cost to paint an apartment in LA?
A typical LA 1 bedroom repaint from a general painter runs about $1,200 to $3,600 depending on square footage, paint grade, and wall repairs. With TurnOver LA, the math is simple. Full repaint is $395 per room. Touch-up only is $200. Ceilings and baseboard or trim are $125. Small drywall patching is $150 per patch and medium drywall repair is $240 per patch. Example scenarios: a 1 bedroom with living room, bedroom, and kitchen walls repainted is $1,185. Add ceilings and trim for $125 if you want them refreshed. Add one small patch at $150 if needed.
What does “per room” mean in our painting quotes?
Per room means any walled space we are painting as a discrete area. Common counts in LA rentals: living room counts as one, each bedroom counts as one, and a kitchen counts as one if wall areas are being repainted in more than a minor way. Bathrooms usually do not get a full repaint during a standard turnover unless there is moisture damage or color change requested. Closets piggyback with their parent room unless you want a full repaint inside, which we count as another room. Hallways are scoped based on length and surface area. This per room approach removes the square footage guessing game that slows decisions and creates change orders later.
Should you repaint or just do paint touch-up after move-out?
Touch-up is faster and cheaper when the color matches exactly and walls have only light wear. If the prior tenant used standard landlord white, touch-up at $200 can clean up scuffs and nail holes well. If colors do not match or there is patchwork across many walls, full repainting per room at $395 is the better call. In older Hollywood and Koreatown stock with multiple prior touch-ups, blending often fails under daylight and looks patchy. In those cases, repaint key rooms and reserve touch-up for low-visibility areas. Pair touch-up with a small drywall patch at $150 where needed to avoid flashing.
How much do painters charge per square foot in Los Angeles, and why go per-room instead?
Across LA, the general market quotes $2 to $6 per square foot for interior painting, with higher numbers for taller ceilings or heavy prep. That is fine for large custom homes, but it is slow for turn units. Our per room price of $395 is designed for rental turns where speed and clarity matter more than exact square footage. If you manage units in areas like Silver Lake or Westwood, vacancy runs $80 to $200 per day, so landing a stable, per room quote and a 48 hour finish usually saves more in lost rent than any marginal savings from square foot math. If you still want a square foot compare, a 700 square foot 1 bedroom often lands around $1,400 to $4,200 in the market, while our 3 room example is $1,185 plus any selected add ons.
Can a landlord charge a tenant for repainting in California?
Sometimes, but only within California security deposit rules. Normal wear and tear is not chargeable. Excessive damage or unauthorized color changes can be. See California Civil Code §1950.5 for what is allowable, documentation requirements, and depreciation. LA landlords under the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance should also confirm any local rules that intersect with habitability and maintenance cycles. For deposit timelines, see the 21 day deadline rules. If you need before and after photos to support a charge, pair painting with our Make Ready base service for a 12 point photo report.
- Reference: California Civil Code §1950.5
- Reference: LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance
- Resource: California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide
For related deposit logistics and documentation details, see our guides on normal wear and tear in California and the California 21 day deposit return rule.
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What add ons change an apartment paint quote the most?
Price swings come mostly from prep and extras, not the paint itself. Here are the common add ons we see in LA rental stock:
- Drywall repairs: $150 per small patch or $240 per medium patch. Texture matching adds time.
- Ceilings and baseboard or trim: $125 if you want these refreshed with the walls.
- Cabinets or shelving: $135 to sand and repaint, good for older Venice and Mar Vista kitchens.
- Color changes: switching from dark colors to light often needs an extra coat to hide.
- High traffic scuffs: entry walls in Downtown LA units usually need more prep time.
- Smoke or odor sealing: prime with a sealer before repainting if prior tenants smoked.
- Access and staging: tight halls or furniture left behind slow production.
Pairing with a cleaning helps paint outcomes. Consider our Make Ready service so dust and grease do not compromise adhesion.
Need the walls done before you re-list?
Turnover painting, scuff removal and patching, with a photo record of the condition we left behind.
Get an instant quoteHow long does an apartment repaint take in practice?
TurnOver LA finishes every job in 48 hours, no rush fee. A single room repaint usually completes in one workday with drying, two rooms in a day with two techs, and a 1 bedroom set at three rooms within two days including minor patching. Dry times vary by humidity and airflow. We run exhaust and keep windows cracked if weather allows so you can list photos fast. If you are stacking services, a Make Ready clean pairs well the day after paint, so you can hand keys to leasing with no delay. This timeline matters when vacancy costs $80 to $200 per day in markets like Santa Monica and Pasadena.
Example scenarios and pricing comparison
Below are real world scenarios to help you benchmark market quotes against our line items. Market ranges are general LA painter pricing. Ours are catalog prices with a 48 hour finish.
| Scenario | Typical LA market range | TurnOver LA price breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom, repaint living, bed, kitchen walls | $1,400 to $4,200 | 3 rooms x $395 = $1,185 |
| Add ceilings and baseboard or trim | Included in higher quotes or +$200 to $600 | $125 |
| 2 bedroom, repaint living, 2 beds, kitchen walls | $1,900 to $5,700 | 5 rooms x $395 = $1,975 |
| Touch-up only in a standard color | $300 to $800 minimums | $200 |
| One small drywall hole fixed | $150 to $350 | $150 per small patch |
If you want photos and cleaning bundled for listing, add Make Ready: 1 bedroom is $255 and includes a 12 point photo report that helps document condition for deposit deductions and marketing.
Can I paint my apartment as long as I paint it back?
Not without written approval. Most LA leases require landlord consent for any alterations, including interior paint colors. If a tenant paints without approval, you can charge to restore, subject to normal wear and tear rules under California Civil Code §1950.5. If a tenant wants to paint and restore, put it in writing, specify the color code to restore to, and note that restoration must be to a professional standard before move out. For units under rent control, confirm any local compliance steps with LAHD.
Is the $500 limit for handyman in California relevant to painting?
California requires a contractor license for projects where labor and materials exceed $500. Many repaint scopes pass that threshold. This is why you will see market quotes from licensed painters or maintenance firms rather than individual handymen. Our catalog pricing is straightforward and our teams are built for rental-grade outcomes at speed. For bundled punch list work under the threshold, our handyman and maintenance options are available at half day for $230 and full day for $425.
What paint specs work best for LA rental turns?
Keep it simple and durable. Use a neutral white or off white in eggshell on walls for cleanability. Semi gloss in kitchens and baths for moisture. Flat on ceilings for speed. In LA, many portfolios standardize on a single formula, for example a Swiss Coffee variant, to make touch-ups and color matches predictable. Thin skim of lightweight spackle for nail holes, sand, spot prime if needed, then roll two coats in high traffic rooms. Good prep avoids flashing that shows in strong Westside light.
How do I line up painting with the rest of the turnover?
Here is a simple sequence that usually eliminates rework and gets you to market faster:
- Move-out date plus 1 day: keys and walkthrough, book painting.
- Day 1: drywall patches and masking early, first coat in the afternoon.
- Day 2: second coat and trims, de-mask and tidy.
- Day 2 afternoon or Day 3 morning: Make Ready clean for floors, kitchens, baths.
- Day 3: listing media if needed.
That sequence keeps painters ahead of cleaners and lets you publish photos immediately. If you want the full package, add our TLA Launch Pad Media Package for ready-to-list photos once paint dries. Then publish while the unit still smells like new paint.
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What else should LA landlords know about charging for paint?
Document everything. Save color codes, take before and after photos, and note itemized labor with receipts. If you plan to deduct from a security deposit, follow the 21 day return timeline and provide an itemized statement with copies of invoices. If you are operating under LA rent stabilization, keep your maintenance logs current in case of tenant inquiries. For process checklists and cost planning, see our apartment turnover checklist and our LA turnover cost guide.