Brooklyn is a borough of renters and small businesses. This page covers offices, shops, apartment buildings and rental turnovers.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Brooklyn labor, parking, walk-up access, building rules and the condition of your own walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
The rental rules below are general information, not legal advice.
How much does it cost to paint an office or commercial space?
Commercial interior painting costs $2 to $6 per square foot nationally, and a 2,500 square foot space is listed at $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, and it is the usual way to paint a shop or office without closing. Ask us what schedule we can offer for your space. Your lease and your building may also set the hours when contractors can work.
How much to repaint a rental apartment between tenants?
No published figure exists for a repaint between tenants. For apartments in general, HomeGuide lists a studio at $800 to $3,600, a one bedroom at $1,200 to $4,800 and a two bedroom at $1,600 to $7,200. A turnover repaint in one color on empty rooms sits at the simpler end of the work. We price it after a walkthrough.
How often should a rental be repainted?
In New York City there is a legal answer for apartment buildings. Under section 27-2013 of the Housing Maintenance Code, the owner of a multiple dwelling must repaint occupied apartments every three years. Owner and tenant can agree to put it off for up to two more years.
Rentals in one and two family houses are not under that schedule. Most owners repaint them at turnover or when the walls need it.
Can an apartment be painted while tenants live there?
Yes. Occupied apartments are painted all the time, since the three year rule applies to occupied units. It takes planning: notice to the tenant, furniture moved to the middle of each room and covered, and one room finished before the next begins.
In buildings covered by the city's lead law, work that disturbs old paint in an occupied unit must follow the safe work practices in Local Law 1.
How long does it take to paint a 10-unit apartment building or an office?
It depends on whether the units are empty and how many painters are on the job. As a guide, most rooms take one to two days each including prep. Ten apartments are usually done in sequence, a few at a time, and the halls and stairs are done as a separate phase. We give a schedule with the quote.
Who pays for painting when a tenant moves out?
The landlord pays for normal repainting when a tenant moves out. Under New York General Obligations Law section 7-108, a landlord may not keep any of the deposit for ordinary wear and tear, and faded or scuffed paint after a normal tenancy is wear and tear. Damage beyond that can be charged, with an itemized statement within 14 days after the tenant leaves.
Section 7-108 does not apply to every kind of unit. Tenants who painted walls a dark color without consent may be charged for the extra coats. Read the lease.
Do commercial painters price large jobs differently?
Yes. Large jobs are usually priced by the square foot or by the unit, with one set-up spread over many rooms. The price per square foot on large jobs tends to be lower than on a single room. Building rules, insurance requirements and off-hours work push it the other way.
What paperwork does a Brooklyn building usually ask for?
- A certificate of insurance naming the owner and managing agent.
- The contractor's license details.
- A work schedule and the hours of work.
- Elevator and loading bookings.
- On older buildings, how lead-safe work will be handled.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (917) 746-3274.