Asking for a painting quote should be simple: square metres, multiply by a number, done. But anyone who has tried knows it does not work that way. Two professionals can present completely different values for the same property, and the difference rarely comes down to profit margins. It lies in what each one saw, measured, or assumed about the actual condition of the surface.
Price per square metre does not tell the whole story
The market offers values ranging from 5€ per square metre, when considering only labour for new, smooth walls, to 30€ or more per square metre when surface preparation of degraded facades, scaffolding, treatments, and specialist paints come into play. In between sit the most common cases: apartments between 10€ and 15€ per square metre with materials included, houses that may reach 18€ to 20€ if they have high ceilings or exterior areas.
But starting with the price per square metre is starting from the wrong end. Two rooms of 12 square metres each can have quotes separated by 300€, depending on what the walls are hiding. Cracks, damp stains, old peeling paint, changing from dark to light colour - each of these factors changes working time and materials needed. This is why quotes calculated on area alone are always indicative, never definitive. The real price can only be confirmed after assessing the actual condition of the surfaces, and sending photos and videos of the walls helps anticipate that assessment before an in-person visit. Our platform always requests these images before finalising any quote, precisely to avoid surprises during the work.
Walls, ceilings, and facades do not cost the same
When it comes to painting a home, not everything is equal. Interior walls in good condition represent the most straightforward work: cleaning, protecting the floor and furniture, applying primer if needed, two coats of paint. The labour cost without materials usually runs from 5€ to 8€ per square metre. If the quote includes mid-range quality paint, protection, and final cleaning, the price rises to 8€ to 12€ per square metre.
Ceilings are always more expensive. They require more physical effort, greater care to avoid drips and roller marks, and often need three coats instead of two to look uniform. Here the price can range between 8€ and 18€ per square metre, depending on condition and height.
Exterior painting is another matter. Facades are exposed to sun, rain, wind, and pollution. They need more resistant paints, more careful preparation, and in many cases scaffolding. The cost starts at 15€ per square metre for simple work, but can reach 35€ or more when the wall has structural problems, water infiltration, or requires damp-proof treatment. A house with 150 square metres of facade can cost between 2,500€ and 5,000€, depending on the preparation needed.
Materials included or separate: what changes in the quote
A quote may or may not include the cost of paint, and that choice changes everything. When the client provides materials, the painter charges only for labour. It seems cheaper at first glance, but it requires calculating the correct amount of paint, choosing the right type, ensuring there is primer, filler for cracks, protective tape, sandpaper. If something is missing or if the paint is not suitable for that surface, the work is delayed or the result is compromised.
When materials are included in the quote, the professional handles everything: paint compatible with the wall type, the number of coats needed, space protection, final cleaning. The total cost goes up - materials can represent 20% to 40% of the quote - but the solution is complete and without surprises. Most work follows this model, especially for contracts covering entire apartments or houses.
As for payment, the most common scheme divides the amount into two parts: 50% at the start to reserve the date and purchase materials, and the remaining 50% at the end after the work is verified. This model protects both parties and ensures the client only pays the second half when the work is complete.
Surface preparation: the invisible part of the quote
The biggest difference between a quote of 800€ and another of 1,400€ for the same two-bedroom apartment often lies in preparation. Filling cracks, sanding uneven walls, applying levelling filler, treating mould, removing old peeling paint - all of this takes time and requires specialist materials. And all of this can increase the final cost by 30% to 60%.
A wall that looks fine can hide problems that only become visible when you start sanding or applying the first coat. Moisture from condensation, infiltration, or rising damp requires treating the cause before painting, otherwise the stain returns within weeks. Changing from dark to light colour may require three or four coats instead of two. Ceilings stained by smoke or moisture need blocking primer, otherwise the mark shows through the new paint.
This is why visiting the property - or at least receiving detailed photographs - is part of any serious quote. Calculating only by area, without seeing the actual condition of the surface, is a sure way to generate conflicts during the work. Our platform always confirms that the professional is properly registered as self-employed or has an established company before presenting them as an option, to ensure that whoever makes the quote has the credentials to stand behind the service provided.
What does not appear on paper but weighs on the price
Beyond the area and condition of the walls, there are logistical factors that influence the final quote. Access to the property: an apartment on the fifth floor with no lift requires carrying buckets, paint, and ladders up the stairs. Protection: a room full of furniture that cannot be moved requires more preparation time and care. Height: ceilings above three metres need scaffolding or platforms. Number of rooms: painting five small bedrooms is more work than painting two large living areas with the same total area, because there are more skirting boards, doors, windows, and corners.
Travel also counts. Most painters charge a minimum of between 50€ and 80€, regardless of the size of the job. In major cities, prices tend to be 15% to 25% higher than the national average, because demand is greater and operational costs are also higher. In smaller towns or rural areas, prices drop, but the availability of qualified professionals may be lower.
Finally, time. A room of 15 square metres in good condition takes one working day. If there is preparation needed, it can stretch to two or three days. A complete two-bedroom apartment can take between three and seven working days, depending on complexity. And the longer the professional is on site, the greater the labour cost.
How to ask for a quote that reflects reality
Asking for three quotes remains the basic rule, but it is not enough to compare the final value. You need to confirm what each proposal includes: labour only or materials too? How many coats? Does it include ceilings? Is floor and furniture protection included in the price or is it extra? Is there a warranty? How long does it take?
If the three quotes are very different, be cautious. Either one professional saw something the others did not, or someone is assuming a scenario that does not match reality. The lowest quote is not necessarily the best deal, especially if it leaves out preparation, primer, or a second coat.
Sending photos of the walls, indicating if there are visible problems (cracks, stains, peeling), specifying whether you want ceilings painted too, and whether materials should be included - all of this helps you receive proposals that better match reality. And confirming that the professional is registered and able to issue an invoice is a step that protects you in case of any issue.
