Most interior rooms take one to two days, and a full exterior usually takes three to five days depending on weather. Old houses and wet weeks stretch that. Here is what to expect.
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.
How long does it take to paint a house inside?
Most rooms take one to two days each, and a whole interior takes from a few days to two weeks, depending on size, repairs and how many painters are on the job. National figures give the painting time for single rooms: 4 to 5 hours for a bedroom, 2 to 3 for a bathroom and 5 to 7 for a living room, with 1 to 2 hours more for trim. Prep and a second coat come on top.
Plaster repair is what adds days in Providence. Filler and primer each need drying time before the next step.
How long does it take to paint the exterior?
A full exterior usually takes three to five days in fair weather. HomeGuide's national figure is 4 to 5 days for an average job. A three-story house with heavy scraping, lead-safe setup and several trim colors can take a good deal longer. Rain days do not count, and Rhode Island gets rain in every month.
How long should I wait between coats?
Follow the label. Most water-based paints can take a second coat after about two to four hours in mild, dry air. Oil-based paints and primers often need overnight. Humid summer days and cool rooms slow drying. A second coat put on too soon can stay soft and peel.
How long before furniture can go back?
You can usually put the furniture back the next day, kept a little away from the walls. Paint feels dry in hours but is still soft. Wait a couple of weeks before hanging pictures on fresh paint or pushing a sofa tight against it. Shelves and window sills need the longest wait, or things stick to them.
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 leave streaks and soft spots. Run the fan or open the window for the first few weeks.
How long before I can wash or scrub new paint?
Wait until the paint has cured. Most water-based wall paints take about two to four weeks to cure fully, and the label gives the figure for each product. Until then, wipe marks gently with a damp cloth and do not scrub.
Can I stay in the house while it is painted?
Yes, you can stay in your home during most interior jobs. We work room by room so you always have somewhere to be. Low-odor water-based paints make this easier. The exception is work that disturbs lead paint in a pre-1978 home. Residents, and children and pregnant women above all, must stay out of the contained work area until it has been cleaned.
How long does interior paint last?
There is no published national figure for how long interior paint lasts, because it depends on the room. Bedrooms and ceilings can look fine for many years. Hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and children's rooms wear faster. HomeGuide's general figure for repainting is every 5 to 10 years.
How long does exterior paint last?
An exterior paint job should last 5 to 10 years on average, by the national figures, with a full range of 3 to 20 years. On wood siding the published figure is 3 to 7 years. Vinyl is 5 to 10 years on its own page, and aluminum is 5 to 10.
In Providence, the south and west sides fade first and the shaded north side grows mildew. Sills, porch floors and the lowest boards fail before the walls. Good prep is what moves a job toward the long end.
How often should I repaint the outside of the house?
Repaint when the paint starts to fail, not by the calendar. As a guide to how often, the national figures suggest every 5 to 10 years, and sooner for wood. Walk around the house each spring. Look for cracked caulk, bare wood, peeling at the sills and chalky color. Touching up trim and the weather sides every few years can put off a full repaint.
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.