Much of the painting in the Bronx is for owners and managers: apartments between tenants, hallways and lobbies, shops, offices and restaurants. This page answers their common questions.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. New York City labor, building rules, access and the state of your own walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
This page is general information for owners and tenants in New York City. It is not legal advice. For your own case, check with the agency named or with a lawyer.
How much does it cost to paint an office or commercial space?
Commercial interior painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot, by the national figures. A 2,500 square foot space is listed at $5,000 to $15,000.
| Paintable area | National range |
|---|---|
| 1,500 sq ft | $3,000 to $7,200 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $4,000 to $12,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $6,000 to $18,000 |
No separate figures are published for offices, shops or warehouses. Ceiling height, how much has to be moved or masked, and the hours the work can be done all move the price.
Can painters work nights or weekends so the business stays open?
Often yes, but it depends on the building and the job, so ask us when you call. Work outside opening hours is a common request from shops, restaurants and offices.
Three things decide it: the hours your lease or building allows contractors, noise rules for any neighbors upstairs, and drying time before you reopen. We plan the schedule with you before we quote.
How much does it cost to repaint a rental apartment between tenants?
No national figure is published for a repaint between tenants. The nearest published figures are for apartment painting in general: $800 to $3,600 for a studio, $1,200 to $4,800 for a one bedroom and $1,600 to $7,200 for a two bedroom.
A turnover repaint in the same color on walls in fair shape sits at the simple end of the work. Heavy patching, smoke, strong colors left by the tenant, or lead related work on doors and windows add to it.
How often should a rental be repainted?
In New York City the law answers how often a rental must be repainted. The Housing Maintenance Code requires owners of multiple dwellings to repaint occupied apartments every three years.
Owner and tenant can agree in writing to delay that by up to two years. Public halls and stairs must be repainted when needed to keep them sanitary. Most owners also repaint at every turnover, since an empty apartment is the easiest time.
Can an apartment be painted while tenants live there?
Yes. An occupied apartment can be painted with planning. We work one or two rooms at a time, cover belongings and leave the kitchen and bathroom usable each night.
In buildings from before 1960, and before 1978 where lead is known, any work that disturbs old paint in an occupied apartment has to follow the city's safe work practices under Local Law 1, as well as the EPA's RRP rule. That means containment and cleanup, and extra care where a child under six lives.
How long does it take to paint a 10-unit apartment building or an office?
It depends on what is being painted. One empty apartment usually takes a few days. Ten empty units done in sequence take a few weeks with one crew, and less with more painters.
Hallways and stairwells of a 10-unit walk-up are often a job of about a week. A small office is commonly done over a few days or a weekend. These are general ranges, not promises. We give dates in writing after a walk-through.
Who pays for painting when a tenant moves out?
The landlord normally pays. Repainting after a tenant moves out is treated as ordinary wear, and in New York City the owner has a duty to repaint on a cycle anyway.
Damage beyond normal wear is different. A landlord may be able to charge a tenant for that from the security deposit, within the limits of New York's security deposit law. That is a legal question between landlord and tenant, and the state Attorney General's office publishes a guide to tenants' rights.
Do commercial painters price large jobs differently?
Yes. Large jobs are usually priced by the square foot or by the unit, not by the room. A set of identical apartments gets one price per unit type.
Volume brings the unit price down because setup, paint orders and travel are shared. The national figure for commercial painter labor is $60 to $100 per hour.
Do you paint hallways, lobbies and stairwells?
Yes. Public areas take the hardest wear in any building. We use scrubbable finishes and plan the work so tenants can still get in and out.
By the national figures, hallways are listed at $3 to $5 per square foot.
What does a building need from a painter before work starts?
Most Bronx co-ops, condos and managed rentals ask for a certificate of insurance naming the building, and they set the hours when contractors may work.
Some also want protection on hallway floors and elevators and a deposit against damage. Ask your managing agent early, and send us the requirements so the paperwork does not hold up the start.
For a walk-through and a written quote, call or text (718) 866-3263.