How much does a good quality primer cost and do I really need to prime before painting?

Primer is one of the most commonly skipped steps in painting, but it's also one of the most important — especially in Vancouver's damp climate where adhesion and moisture resistance matter enormously.

You absolutely need primer when painting over bare drywall, new wood, patched areas, stains, dark colours being covered with light colours, or any surface that's chalky, glossy, or previously unpainted. Skipping primer in these situations leads to poor adhesion, uneven colour, bleed-through, and premature peeling.

For already-painted walls in good condition where you're applying a similar colour, you can often get away with a quality self-priming paint — many premium latex paints now include primer in the formulation. However, a dedicated primer still gives better results.

Here's what to expect for primer costs at BC paint retailers:

• Basic interior latex primer: $25-$40 per gallon (3.78 litres)
• Premium interior primer/sealer: $40-$60 per gallon
• Stain-blocking primer (shellac or alkyd-based): $45-$70 per gallon
• Exterior bonding primer: $40-$65 per gallon
• Specialty masonry/concrete primer: $50-$75 per gallon

One gallon of primer typically covers 300-400 square feet on smooth surfaces. For a standard Vancouver bedroom (roughly 400 sq ft of wall area), you'd need about one gallon.

The cost of primer is minimal compared to the cost of paint failure. Peeling or flaking paint caused by skipping primer means stripping everything off and starting over — far more expensive than doing it right the first time.

Ask your painting contractor which primer they recommend for your specific surfaces and whether a dedicated primer or paint-and-primer product makes more sense for your project.

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