How Long Does It Take to Paint a House?
Painting a house sounds simple — grab a roller, open a can, put on old clothes, and transform your space. In reality, the question “how long does it take to paint a house?” is a lot like asking how long it takes to cook dinner. Are we talking instant noodles… or a full Thanksgiving feast?
The honest answer: it depends. On the size of the house, the condition of the walls, the weather (especially in Canada), and whether you’re a motivated professional or a weekend warrior fueled by coffee and optimism.
Let’s break it down in a practical, realistic, and slightly humorous way — without ruining your dreams of a perfectly painted home.
The Short Answer (For the Impatient)
A small house can take 2–3 days to paint.
A medium-sized home usually needs 4–7 days.
A large or detailed house may take 1–2 weeks.
That’s assuming the job is done properly, not rushed, and doesn’t involve sudden discoveries like cracked drywall, peeling paint, or a surprise rainstorm.
Now let’s look at why timelines vary so much.
Interior vs Exterior — Two Very Different Stories
Interior painting is generally faster and more predictable. Exterior painting, especially in places like Calgary, plays by its own rules.
Interior Painting Timeline
For interiors, professionals usually work room by room:
- Small room (bathroom, office): 4–6 hours
- Medium bedroom: 1 day
- Large living room or open space: 1–2 days
- Full interior of a house: 3–7 days
This includes prep work, priming if needed, two coats of paint, and cleanup.
DIY painters often underestimate how long interiors take. What looks like “just one wall” turns into furniture moving, taping, patching holes, waiting for paint to dry, and realizing at 10 p.m. that the second coat is unavoidable.
Exterior Painting — Welcome to the Canadian Reality
Exterior painting timelines depend heavily on weather, surface condition, and access.
A typical exterior house painting job takes:
- Small bungalow: 2–4 days
- Two-story house: 4–6 days
- Large or complex exterior: 7–10 days
In Calgary, weather is a major factor. Temperature swings, wind, and sudden rain can slow everything down. Professional crews plan carefully around explainable weather patterns, while DIY painters often learn the hard way that paint and surprise hailstorms don’t get along.
This is where experience really matters — especially for house painting Calgary projects where timing and materials must match local conditions.
Prep Work — The Invisible Time Thief
Here’s the part most people forget: painting is only about 30–40% actual painting. The rest is preparation.
Prep includes:
- Power washing (exterior)
- Scraping old paint
- Sanding rough surfaces
- Filling cracks and holes
- Caulking gaps
- Masking windows, floors, and trim
- Priming damaged areas
A well-prepped surface makes paint last years longer. Skipping prep saves time today but costs more later. Professionals never rush this stage — and that’s a big reason their results look better and last longer.
The Size and Shape of the House Matter
A 1,200 sq ft bungalow and a 1,200 sq ft townhouse don’t paint the same way.
Factors that add time:
- High ceilings
- Stairwells
- Vaulted spaces
- Detailed trim
- Multiple colors
- Accent walls
- Textured surfaces (stucco, brick, wood siding)
Every corner, edge, and architectural detail adds minutes — which quickly turn into hours.
How Many Coats Are Needed?
Most quality paint jobs require two coats. Some colors — especially whites, reds, and deep blues — may need more.
Drying time between coats can range from 2 to 24 hours, depending on paint type and humidity. Pros schedule this efficiently, often rotating between areas to avoid downtime.
DIY painters usually wait longer than necessary… or not long enough. Both mistakes extend timelines or affect results.
DIY vs Professional — A Timeline Reality Check
Let’s compare two scenarios.
DIY Painting
- Works evenings and weekends
- Learns as they go
- Makes occasional mistakes
- Takes breaks (sometimes long ones)
- Juggles family, work, and life
A full house DIY paint job can easily stretch to 3–6 weeks — or longer.
Professional Painting
- Dedicated crew
- Proper equipment
- Clear schedule
- Efficient workflow
- Predictable results
A professional Calgary painting company can complete the same project in days instead of weeks, with cleaner lines and longer-lasting results.
What About Furniture, Pets, and Daily Life?
Painting also affects how you live during the project.
Professionals minimize disruption by:
- Working room by room
- Protecting floors and furniture
- Cleaning daily
- Keeping clear timelines
DIY projects often turn homes into semi-permanent obstacle courses. There’s always that one couch you keep moving around like a chess piece.
Why Hiring Professionals Saves Time (and Sanity)
Time isn’t just measured in days — it’s also measured in stress.
Professional painters bring:
- Accurate timelines
- Proper surface preparation
- Weather-aware planning
- High-quality materials
- Clean, efficient execution
For homeowners, that means less disruption, fewer surprises, and results that hold up against Calgary’s tough climate.
Companies like Rennewservices understand local conditions, building materials, and what it takes to deliver long-lasting finishes — whether it’s interior refreshes or full exterior transformations.
Final Thoughts — So, How Long Does It Really Take?
If you want the shortest, cleanest, and most reliable answer:
- Professionals: days
- DIY: weeks
- Rushed jobs: months of regret
Painting a house isn’t just about color — it’s about preparation, timing, experience, and execution. While doing it yourself may seem tempting, the time, effort, and unexpected challenges often outweigh the savings.
When you want the job done right, on schedule, and without turning your home into a construction zone, trusting experienced professionals is always the smartest move.