Providence has a great many rentals, most of them in older multi-family houses, along with offices, shops and converted mill buildings. These are the questions owners and managers ask.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Local labor, paint prices and the condition of your own walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
The tenant and landlord points below are general information, not legal advice.
How much does it cost to paint an office or commercial space?
Commercial painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot, by HomeGuide's national figures. A 2,500 square foot space runs $5,000 to $15,000. No separate figure is published for offices, shops or warehouses. Exterior commercial work that needs scaffolding is listed at $5 to $10 or more per square foot.
Can painters work nights or weekends so the business stays open?
Many commercial painters do work nights or weekends, because it keeps a business open and customers away from wet paint. Ask us about scheduling for your space when we walk the job. Hours depend on the building, the neighbors and the work. Tell us your opening hours and any days that must be avoided, and we will tell you what we can offer.
How much to repaint a rental apartment between tenants?
No national figure is published for a repaint between tenants. For apartments in general, HomeGuide gives $2 to $6 per square foot, with $1,200 to $4,800 for a one-bedroom and $1,600 to $7,200 for a two-bedroom. An empty unit in the same color, with little repair, sits toward the low end. A unit with smoke stains, wall damage or peeling window paint does not.
How often should a rental be repainted?
Most owners repaint a rental when a tenant leaves, or every few years for a long tenancy. How often depends on wear. In Rhode Island there is a second reason to keep paint intact. Most rentals built before 1978 need a Certificate of Lead Conformance, and peeling or chipping paint puts that at risk.
Can an apartment be painted while tenants live there?
Yes, an occupied apartment can be painted, with planning. Tenants need notice, furniture has to be moved and covered, and work goes room by room. In a building from before 1978, any work that disturbs old paint must follow the lead-safe rules, and tenants must be kept out of the contained work area. Empty units are faster and cheaper to paint.
How long does it take to paint a 10-unit apartment building or an office?
It depends on the scope, so we give a schedule with the quote. As a way to reason about it, an empty apartment often takes a small crew one to three days. Ten units done one after another, plus halls and stairs, take weeks, not days. More painters shorten it. An open office is quicker per square foot than a floor of small rooms, and working around staff and desks slows it.
Who pays for painting when a tenant moves out?
The landlord normally pays for repainting due to ordinary wear when a tenant moves out. Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act lets a landlord deduct from the security deposit for physical damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. Faded paint and a few nail holes are ordinary wear. Large holes, unapproved colors and smoke damage may not be. Read the statute or ask a lawyer about a specific case.
Do commercial painters price large jobs differently?
Yes. Large jobs are usually priced from measured areas and production rates, not by the room. The price per square foot tends to fall as the job grows, because setup is spread over more area. Access equipment is priced on its own. National figures put scaffolding or lifts at $500 to $1,500 or more per day. Old mill buildings with high ceilings and brick or timber need that kind of access.
A free on-site estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (401) 414-4566.