How the paint cost calculator works
The three paint tiers, decoded
Budget (~$25): fine for low-traffic spaces but often needs a third coat. Mid-range (~$40): the sweet spot — one-coat coverage over similar colors, washable finishes. Premium ($65+): better leveling, stain resistance, and one-coat claims that mostly hold over same-color repaints. The cost curve is convex; mid-range is where dollars meet performance.
The supplies you actually need
Per project: 3–4 roller covers (one per finish change), an angled 2.5" brush for cutting in, painter's tape (one roll per room), a tray with liners, and drop cloths (canvas pays for itself by job three). The standard kit price covers it; the full kit adds pole extenders, edge tools, and specialty brushes for trim-heavy rooms.
When hiring out pencils out
Pro labor typically runs 2–3× the paint cost for full rooms — worth it for tall walls, heavy furniture, banisters, or time-poor households. The honest comparison: your weekend × 2 (prep + cleanup) against the labor line. Painters earn their rate in prep; the painting is the easy part they make look easy.