The hardest walls in the house
The U.S. Census Bureau counted 114,428 people in Odessa city, Texas in the Census of April 1, 2020. In a house of any size, the stairwell and the tall entry are often the spaces left for last. They're the walls nobody can reach with a roller pole from the floor, they collect handprints and scuffs along the stairs, and painting them means working above a drop. That's why painters price them separately, and why they cost more per square foot than an ordinary bedroom.
What makes a stairwell slow
Height over a slope. On the stairs, the floor isn't level, so a regular stepladder won't sit flat. Crews use adjustable ladders, ladder levelers, stair planks or a small scaffold built to fit the stairs. Setting up safe staging takes time before any paint goes on, and it has to be moved as the work goes along.
Tall walls in the entry. A two-storey foyer has walls that run from the ground floor to the ceiling above the landing. Rolling them takes long poles, scaffolding, or both, and cutting in at the top needs someone up at that height.
Ceilings. Stairwell and foyer ceilings are often the highest in the house and may carry a hanging light fixture that has to be worked around or taken down.
Corners and angles. Walls meeting at the landing, the slope of the stair stringer and the angled ceiling under the next flight all mean extra cutting-in.
Prep along the stairs
Stair walls take a lot of wear: hands on the wall, furniture moved up and down, bags swung against the paint. Expect:
- Washing off handprints and scuffs, which can stop new paint from bonding.
- Filling dents, gouges and nail holes, and sanding them flush.
- Spot-priming patches so they don't show.
- Caulking gaps at the stringer and baseboard.
Our guide to drywall repair and surface preparation covers patching and priming.
Railings, spindles and trim
Handrails, balusters, newel posts and stair trim are slow detail work. A painted railing with dozens of spindles can take as long as the walls. If the rail is stained wood and you're keeping it, it has to be masked carefully. If it's painted, it needs cleaning, scuff-sanding and a hard-wearing enamel. Ask whether railings and spindles are included and how they're counted.
Choosing a finish that holds up
Stairwell walls get touched more than most walls, so a washable finish is worth it. An eggshell or satin cleans more easily than flat. Trim and railings usually get satin or semi-gloss enamel. The paint sheens and finishes guide explains the options.
Protecting the stairs and the rest of the house
Carpeted or wood stairs need protection that won't slip underfoot, which rules out loose plastic. Crews use non-slip drop cloths or runners, and tape them down. The stairs often stay in use during the job, so ask how the crew will keep a path open and safe for your household.
Light fixtures and smoke alarms
High fixtures may need to come down for painting behind them, or be wrapped. Some painters do this; others will ask you to arrange it. Smoke alarms and other devices on high walls are masked rather than painted.
Older homes and lead
If the house was built before 1978, scraping and sanding old paint on stair walls and railings can release lead dust indoors, right on the main route through the house. Under EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, anyone paid to do work that disturbs paint in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978 must hold RRP certification, firms included, even sole proprietorships, and their workers must be trained in lead-safe work practices. Containment and cleanup on a stair are fiddly and take time. You can ask whether the firm holds RRP certification.
Comparing stairwell quotes
Check how each painter will reach the high walls, what's included (walls, ceilings, railings, trim), the prep, the products and coats, protection for the stairs and how long the stairs will be disrupted. The interior painting page and the pricing guide explain more.