The short version: the paint is the cheap part. For a standard 12 × 12 room you'll spend roughly $70–$120 on two coats of decent paint — but if you hire a pro, it usually lands between $300 and $800.
Labor vs. materials — where the money goes
| Cost component | Rough share of a pro job |
|---|---|
| Labor (prep, cutting in, rolling, cleanup) | 70–85% |
| Paint & primer | 10–20% |
| Supplies (tape, rollers, plastic, etc.) | 3–8% |