Painting - Painting new drywall

I am finishing my basement with drywall and drop ceiling. My son and I don't mind that part of the construction, the problem is neither of us can stand thhe painting that follows. Can you tell me how much is a fair price to pay someone in Ohio to seal and paint the finished walls? I have called two painters for estimates both are no-shows after a week of waiting. I have a friend that will paint but doesn't know how much per ft sq to charge me.

Labor costs vary for many reasons.

Per foot may apply for large jobs, flat price for small ones. Painting around furnishings in a home may cost more than painting a room with nothing in it.

Thanks, I should have expected it to be more difficult than a standard sq ft rate.
I still need to know how much to pay, obviously my local paint contractors are very busy or they would have responded to my requests by now.
I have the room empty right now, it will be about 2000 ft sq of area to be painted with no trim and only three windows.

Is there a sq ft rate that would be used for new construction that would be fair for both of us?

I think, and I repeat, I THINK, that new construction around here goes for about .20 per square ft. (labor)

So, I would say labor + materials + overhead + profit should come in about $650-$750.

This is all guestimate.

My price for priming then painting this area would be close to $900+.

Hope that helped.

WOW. I helped with the mudding and sanding of the drywall in my basement. NEVER AGAIN!! You did that and can't stand the thought of painting? Thats easy compared to the mudding and sanding!

Costs? What matters is the square footage of the walls, not the basement. My basement (and several neighbors) is finished, but open. A friend has his divided into 4 rooms. All about 900-1000 sq. ft. Now do you really expect the last guy to pay the same as the others?

I'd guess there are two factors involved in the no-shows.

1. Similar to what prowall said, they'd have to charge way more than you'd think was fair. Its a 3 half-day job at only $300/day.
Primer and paint alone would run $200-400 depending on the wall dimensions.

2. Given that they are charging so much, you'd blame them for the imperfections left from your drywalling/mudding/sanding. They don't want that hassle. I know you have good intentions, but we've all been burned by that before. Hold a bright light at a sharp angle to the wall. Every tiny pitmark and wrinkle will show up. If left alone, that is magnified by the paint job. And who would you blame?

Try this instead - call a handyman. In some parts of the state there are groups of semi-retired craftsmen that woul be happy to take on this job.