In Montreal, a standard-quality painting renovation runs $2,883 to $6,975, prices below the Canadian average (index 93). A budget version starts around $2,017 and premium work reaches $11,160.
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| Line item | Range | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Paint | $260 – $651 | 13 % |
| Primer | $130 – $326 | 7 % |
| Trim & Doors | $195 – $521 | 10 % |
| Ceilings | $195 – $456 | 9 % |
| Prep Work | $260 – $651 | 13 % |
| Labour | $977 – $2,279 | 47 % |
Included
Not included
| Line item | Range | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Paint | $372 – $930 | 13 % |
| Primer | $186 – $465 | 7 % |
| Trim & Doors | $279 – $744 | 10 % |
| Ceilings | $279 – $651 | 9 % |
| Prep Work | $372 – $930 | 13 % |
| Labour | $1,395 – $3,255 | 47 % |
Included
Not included
| Line item | Range | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Paint | $595 – $1,488 | 13 % |
| Primer | $298 – $744 | 7 % |
| Trim & Doors | $446 – $1,190 | 10 % |
| Ceilings | $446 – $1,042 | 9 % |
| Prep Work | $595 – $1,488 | 13 % |
| Labour | $2,232 – $5,208 | 47 % |
Included
Not included
In Montreal, Quebec, a standard-quality painting renovation typically costs between $2,883 and $6,975 in 2026 — prices are below the Canadian average, with a local cost index of 93%. Expect around 1 to 3 days per room of work and a 100–150% return on investment at resale. Schedule finish work for late spring through early fall — heating a jobsite in January adds 5–10% to labour and slows paint cure times considerably.
Same job in Laval: $2,759 – $6,675 at standard quality, about 4 % cheaper than Montreal on our cost index.
Painting a plex is mostly prep: high ceilings, plaster walls that need patching, original mouldings, and a lot of trim. Health Canada says a home built before 1960 probably contains lead-based paint and one built up to 1990 may on the exterior, which covers most of the Plateau and Mile End stock: no sanding or heat guns on old paint without a test first. Recyc-Québec's éco-centres take leftover paint at no charge.
Authority: Ville de Montréal, your borough’s permit counter
Guide: Renovating in Québec: licences, taxes, permits and programs (2026)
Interior painting offers the highest ROI of any renovation at the lowest cost. For professional results, preparation is 70% of the work — proper patching, sanding, priming, and taping make the difference between amateur and professional finishes. Use paint with primer built in for previously painted surfaces; use dedicated primer for new drywall, stains, or dramatic colour changes. Plan for two coats minimum on walls and trim.
Paint quality ranges from $25–40/gallon (builder grade) to $60–90/gallon (premium like Benjamin Moore Regal or Sherwin-Williams Emerald). Professional painters charge $2–6/sq ft depending on ceiling height, trim complexity, and the number of colours. Wallpaper removal before painting adds $2–4/sq ft. Lead paint remediation in pre-1978 homes costs $8–15/sq ft.
Pro tip
Don't cheap out on paint quality — premium paint ($60–80/gallon) covers better in fewer coats, lasts longer, and is easier to clean. On a typical room, the cost difference between builder-grade and premium paint is only $50–100, but the finish quality and durability are dramatically better.
Montréal's renovation market is a plex market: duplexes and triplexes with shared walls, common elements and a syndicate when the building is a divided co-ownership. A large, bilingual pool of RBQ-licensed contractors serves it, and the cost index sits between Québec City and Toronto.
Cold winters, hot humid summers and repeated freeze-thaw: insulation, air sealing and materials rated for it matter more than in milder cities. Snow load is a design factor for roofs, and ice dams are common on older homes without proper attic ventilation.
In 2026, a painting renovation in Montreal costs between $2,017 (budget) and $11,160 (premium). The average standard cost ranges from $2,883 to $6,975.
A painting renovation typically returns 100–150% at resale in Canada. The exact figure depends on material choices, the current state of the Montreal housing market, and quality of execution.
The three most common options in Canada: a variable-rate HELOC against your home equity, a fixed-rate renovation loan from your bank (5–10 year terms), or a mortgage refinance if you have substantial equity. For projects under $15,000, a 0% balance-transfer credit card can bridge 12–18 months. Avoid contractor-offered financing — those rates often exceed 12%.
Always get three itemized quotes, check provincial licensing (RBQ in Quebec, HCRA in Ontario, equivalent elsewhere), and confirm general liability insurance. Read Google and HomeStars reviews, but weight direct references more heavily — call two past clients. Serious Montreal contractors typically have a 4–8 week backlog; be wary of anyone who can start tomorrow.
A standard painting renovation typically takes 1 to 3 days per room. Premium projects or surprises (structural issues, delivery delays) can extend it. Always get a written schedule from your contractor before signing.
Complete guide
Read our complete national guide to painting costs