Cost to Paint Stained Wood

Find the average cost to paint stained wood yourself compared with hiring a painter. Use your ZIP Code to adjust the cost to where you live so you can decide to do it yourself or hire a pro to do the job.

If you want to change the look of a room with dark stained molding and trim, consider painting it a lighter color. We find many older homes still have the original dark finish on woodwork, which dates the rooms and their furnishings. The job of painting the woodwork is no one-step process, but the reward is a fresh new appeal that's worth the time and effort it takes.

That process involves first washing the woodwork with a household detergent solution so it's clean and free of any dirt or grease, and then rinsing it with clear water. The next step is to sand down any rough surfaces or imperfections and scuff sand the varnish to create some texture before priming and painting.. Then apply a stain killing primer like Bulls Eye 1-2-3 or Kilz Complete followed by a high quality alkyd or latex enamel paint to finish the wood and protect the surface for years to come.

A painting contractor will charge $792 to clean, prime and paint 300-square-feet of woodwork in a house with good quality material. You can do it yourself for $120, the cost of the primer and paint, and pocket a 85 percent saving. Use plenty of masking tape and drop cloths to protect the surrounding surfaces and furnishings. All these steps require drying time in between, so it's a good project for a homeowner who has to schedule the different applications around an otherwise busy lifestyle.

National Average Cost
to
Paint Stained Wood

Hours

  • Pro
  • DIY
  • 18.81
  • 25

Money

  • Pro
  • DIY
  • $792
  • $120
Adjust Cost to
Your ZIP Code.

Would You Do This Project?

Poll Results

  • DIY    62%
  • PRO  38%