Most interior rooms take one to two days. A whole apartment takes several days to two weeks, depending on prep and on your building's work hours.
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.
How long does it take to paint a house or apartment inside?
Most rooms take 1 to 2 days with prep and two coats. A full apartment can take from a few days for a studio to a couple of weeks for a large pre-war home with plaster repair.
By HomeGuide's figures, the painting itself takes 4 to 5 hours for a bedroom, 5 to 7 for a living room and 2 to 3 for a bathroom, plus 1 to 2 hours for trim. Repairs, skim coating and drying time between steps are what stretch that into days.
Do building work hours make the job take longer?
Yes, they can. Many co-ops and condos allow contractors only on weekdays within set hours, and some close for work in summer or around holidays.
A shorter working day means more days for the same job. Booking the service elevator and getting the certificate of insurance approved also take time before the start. Tell us your building's rules early.
How long does it take to paint the exterior?
A full exterior usually takes 3 to 5 days, depending on weather, and the national figure for an average house is 4 to 5 days. Doors, trim and railings alone take less.
Rain, cold and humidity stop outdoor work, so the calendar time is often longer than the working time. Setting up safe access on a tall townhouse adds time too.
How long should I wait between coats?
Most latex wall paints can take a second coat after about 2 to 4 hours. Oil-based and some enamel paints need a full day. The label on the can gives the exact time.
Cool or humid rooms slow drying. Recoating too soon can leave the finish soft and prone to peeling.
How long before I can put the furniture back?
You can put the furniture back the day after the last coat in most cases. Keep it an inch or two off the walls for the first couple of weeks.
Paint that is dry to the touch is still soft. Bookcases, headboards and picture frames pressed against it can stick and leave marks.
How soon can I shower after the bathroom is painted?
Wait at least 24 hours before you shower, and longer if you can. Steam on fresh paint can cause streaks and surfactant runs down the wall.
In a windowless bathroom, run the fan and leave the door open during those first days. If you have only one bathroom, tell us, and we plan the timing with you.
How long before I can wash or scrub new paint?
Wait about two to four weeks. Paint dries in hours but takes weeks to cure, which means to reach its full hardness.
Until then, wipe marks gently with a soft damp cloth and no cleaner. After it has cured, a good paint stands up to normal washing.
Can I stay in my home while it is painted?
Yes, most people stay in their home while it is painted. We work room by room so you always have somewhere to sleep and a usable kitchen or bathroom.
It is harder in a studio or one bedroom, where everything is in one space. Some people go away for those days. Homes with lead paint work, heavy sanding or strong primers are different: young children and pregnant women should be out of the work area.
How long does interior paint last?
There is no published figure for how long interior paint lasts, and it varies a lot by room. Ceilings and adult bedrooms can look fine for many years. Halls, kitchens, bathrooms and children's rooms wear much sooner.
Good prep and a washable finish add years. For rental apartments, New York City's code sets its own repainting schedule. See our commercial and rental page.
How long does exterior paint last?
Exterior paint needs redoing every 5 to 10 years on average, by HomeGuide's figures. By surface it lists 3 to 7 years on wood, 5 to 7 on stucco and anything from 3 to 20 on brick, depending on the coating.
In New York, front doors, stoop railings and anything near the sidewalk wear fastest, from sun, salt and constant use.
How often should I repaint the outside of the building?
Plan to look closely every year and repaint when the paint starts to fail, usually somewhere inside that 5 to 10 year range. How often you repaint depends on exposure.
Touching up railings, sills and door bottoms as soon as they chip or rust keeps water out and puts off the full repaint.
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.