Homeowners rarely think in “buckets of paint.” Professional contractors price trim work by the linear foot because it captures every running inch of baseboard, crown, casing, and chair rail in one clear metric. When you know the cost to paint interior trim per linear foot, you can:
• Compare multiple bids on an apples-to-apples basis
• Spot overpriced allowances before signing a contract
• Forecast project cash flow with confidence
CountBricks brings extra clarity to this calculation by pairing real-time voice capture with live material databases, turning jobsite walk-throughs into instant, line-item estimates.
Across the Front Range and most U.S. metros, professional trim painting averages $1.20 – $3.50 per linear foot. The spread looks wide because residential projects vary in complexity, access, and finish level. CountBricks projects completed in the last 12 months landed at a median of $2.15 per foot for standard white semi-gloss on MDF trim.
• Trim profile complexity – ogee crown requires more masking and brush work than a square edge baseboard
• Existing condition – raw wood absorbs more primer; previously coated trim may need de-glossing
• Color change – switching from dark stain to white paint adds priming passes
• Access – 12-foot ceilings and stairwells trigger ladder time or scaffolding
• Occupied vs. vacant – protecting furniture and flooring increases prep hours
All five drivers are automatically factored into every CountBricks estimate, giving both contractor and homeowner a transparent breakdown before a single drop cloth is rolled out.
1. Open the CountBricks mobile app and start a voice walk-through. 2. Call out each room; the AI converts speech to scope notes in real time. 3. Upload or photograph floor plans for blueprint takeoff. 4. The platform traces every trim run and totals linear footage automatically. 5. Current material pricing pulls from our live supplier feed. 6. Labor rates adjust to your ZIP code and crew size. 7. The result: an itemized cost to paint interior trim per linear foot, split by room and trim type.
The Carters bought a 2,400 sq ft 1990s colonial in need of a cosmetic refresh. Using CountBricks, their GC captured 680 linear ft of baseboard, 320 ft of door casing, and 140 ft of crown in under 15 minutes. The system returned:
• Prep & prime: $1.10 / ft
• Finish coat: $0.85 / ft
• Consumables & cleanup: $0.20 / ft
Total cost to paint interior trim: $2.15 / ft — within 1% of the final invoice.
Every homeowner wants showroom trim on a starter-home budget. Here’s how CountBricks pros keep costs in line without sacrificing finish:
• Select a durable enamel that covers in one coat over primer
• Bundle trim painting with wall work to share masking and mobilization costs
• Schedule around flooring installation to avoid double protection
• Opt for spray application in vacant homes to cut labor hours
Accuracy – AI blueprint takeoffs remove human measuring errors.
Speed – A complete interior trim quote is ready before you leave the walk-through.
Current Pricing – Material and labor databases update nightly, so your numbers stay profitable.
One-Click Documents – Convert the estimate into a branded proposal or invoice directly from CountBricks.com/services.
Yes. CountBricks default pricing rolls primer, finish coat, and sundries into the per-foot number. You can swap products in the app to see cost impacts instantly.
The platform groups casing with other linear trim. For slab or panel doors, CountBricks calculates a separate per-unit price so your bid stays crystal clear.
Absolutely. Visit CountBricks.com/settings to set crew hourly rates, productivity factors, and overtime rules.
Ready to quote with confidence? Create a free account at CountBricks.com/consultation, walk your next project with real-time voice capture, and let our AI show you the exact cost to paint interior trim per linear foot — before the paint can is even opened.
Labor often makes up 60 % of the cost to paint interior trim per linear foot. CountBricks field data highlights three proven tactics for shaving hours while maintaining premium results.
• Ordering MDF or finger-joint pine pre-primed removes an entire on-site pass. • If schedules allow, spray one finish coat in the garage before installation; on-site touch-ups are faster than full brushing.
• CountBricks pros mask floors with reusable 24-inch poly runners instead of single-use rosin paper. This switch cuts cleanup time by 18 % in typical ranch layouts. • Align masking paths with airless sprayer moves to reduce stop-and-start inefficiencies.
• Paint crown before ceilings whenever possible. Gravity helps settle overspray, and crews avoid double ladder climbs. • Schedule trim spraying ahead of cabinet install dates; unobstructed walls shorten setup and teardown.
A CountBricks GC trimmed a 600 sq ft addition with 280 linear ft of custom poplar. By prefinishing off-site and sequencing work as above, labor dropped from an estimated 32 hours to 24 — a savings of $320 at local rates. The homeowner gained faster occupancy, and the contractor protected margin without touching the per-foot rate.
Login at CountBricks.com/services to integrate these labor factors into your next AI estimate. The platform’s “Productivity Overrides” let you model each tactic’s impact on the final cost to paint interior trim per linear foot, giving you the power to bid aggressively while staying profitable.
