Offices, shops, apartment buildings and rental units make up a large share of painting work in Manhattan.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Manhattan labor rates, building rules, access and the state of your walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
This page is general information for New York City owners, tenants and landlords. It is not legal advice. The agencies named here decide how the rules apply to your building.
How much does it cost to paint an office or commercial space?
Nationally, commercial interior painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot. A 2,500 square foot space is listed at $5,000 to $15,000.
| Paintable area | National range |
|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $3,000 to $7,200 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $4,000 to $12,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $6,000 to $18,000 |
HomeGuide publishes no separate figures for offices, shops or warehouses. It lists commercial labor at $60 to $100 per hour. Building rules, freight elevator hours and insurance requirements all affect a Manhattan price.
Can painters work nights or weekends so the business stays open?
Many commercial jobs are done outside business hours, and whether nights or weekends are possible depends on the building as much as the painter. Ask us what schedule can work for your space.
Check your lease and building rules first. Some buildings require after-hours work for anything with odor or noise. Others charge for freight elevator and staff time outside normal hours.
What do Manhattan buildings require from a painting contractor?
Most ask for a certificate of insurance naming the owner and managing agent, a booked freight or service elevator, and protection for lobbies, halls and elevator cabs.
Some also want a work schedule and a list of workers in advance. Send us the building's contractor rules when you ask for a quote.
How much to repaint a rental apartment between tenants?
No published figure exists for a repaint between tenants. The nearest national figures are for apartments in general: $800 to $3,600 for a studio, $1,200 to $4,800 for a one bedroom and $1,600 to $7,200 for a two bedroom.
A turnover repaint in the same color over sound walls sits at the simple end. Repairs, stains, smoke and color changes add to it. We price each unit or agree unit rates for a building.
How often should a rental be repainted?
In New York City there is a rule for how often a rental must be repainted. The Housing Maintenance Code, section 27-2013, requires owners of multiple dwellings to repaint occupied apartments every three years.
Owner and tenant may agree to defer it for up to two more years. Common areas must be painted as needed. Many owners also repaint at each turnover.
Can an apartment be painted while tenants are living there?
Yes. Occupied apartments are painted all the time, since the three-year rule applies to tenants in place. It takes planning: notice to the tenant, furniture moved to the center and work done room by room.
In buildings from before 1960 where a young child lives, work that disturbs old paint must follow the city's lead-safe work rules.
Do lead paint rules apply at apartment turnover?
Yes, in older buildings. HPD says owners of pre-1960 rental buildings must remove lead paint from doors and windows when an apartment becomes vacant, and must fix lead paint hazards using safe work practices.
This is the owner's legal duty, and it has its own paperwork. See our page on lead paint rules, and get advice on your building's obligations.
How long to paint a 10-unit apartment building or an office?
It depends on the scope, so no honest single number exists. A 10-unit building could mean halls and stairs only, which is days, or every apartment, which is weeks.
For an office, how long it takes turns on whether it is empty or furnished and on the hours the building allows. We give a schedule with the written quote.
Who pays for painting when a tenant moves out?
The landlord normally pays. Repainting after a tenant moves out is ordinary upkeep, and paint that has simply aged is normal wear and tear.
New York law lets a landlord keep security deposit money only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, with an itemized statement. Unapproved dark colors or real damage to walls may be charged. This is general information. Tenants and owners with a dispute should get advice.
Do commercial painters price large jobs differently?
Yes. Large jobs are usually priced by the square foot or by the unit, not by the room, and the rate per foot tends to fall as the job grows.
Repeated layouts, empty spaces and a single color scheme all make the work faster. Access costs can push the other way. HomeGuide lists scaffolding or lifts at $500 to $1,500 or more per day nationally.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (917) 970-7431.