Pricing painting work: per-m² rates and a worked example (2026)
6 min read
In 2026, going rates for painting work sit between € 10 and € 15 per m² for walls, € 12 to € 18 per m² for ceilings and € 35 to € 50 per m² for exterior frames - materials included, excluding VAT. A painter's hourly rate runs € 45 to € 65. Here's how those prices are built up and applied.
What are the per-m² rates for painting in 2026?
For interior work, common 2026 rates are € 10–15 per m² for walls, € 12–18 for ceilings and € 85–125 per frame or door. Exterior work runs higher: € 35–50 per m² for frames and € 25–40 per m² for facades, due to preparation and weather dependency.
| Item | Price per unit (excl. VAT) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Walls, 2 coats of emulsion | € 10 – 15 / m² | Materials included, smooth substrate |
| Ceilings | € 12 – 18 / m² | Higher due to overhead work |
| Interior frame or door | € 85 – 125 / unit | Sand, prime, 2 top coats |
| Exterior frames, complete | € 35 – 50 / m² | More prep, weather-dependent |
| Timber facade or fascia | € 25 – 40 / m² | Excluding scaffolding |
| Painter's hourly rate | € 45 – 65 / hour | Depends on region and specialisation |
Ranges based on common Dutch rates, 2026. Poor substrates, strong colour changes or rush work justify the top of the range.
How do you build up a per-m² price?
A per-m² price is labour time × hourly rate + materials + a markup for overhead and profit. Example: painting walls takes about 10 minutes per m² (2 coats). At € 55/hour that's € 9.17 labour + € 1.50 materials + 15% markup ≈ € 12.25 per m².
- Standard time: how many minutes does 1 m² really take, including prep and cleanup?
- Hourly rate: your cost per hour (wages, van, insurance, tools) plus profit margin
- Materials: paint usage per m² × purchase price, plus consumables (tape, film, filler)
- Markup: 10–20% for overhead, warranty and risk
- Calibrate standard times with post-calculation: did your estimate hold up?
Worked example: from request to quote price
A client asks: living room (walls 48 m², ceiling 24 m²) and 6 frames/doors, house built in 1995. Using the table above you arrive at € 600 + € 336 + € 570 + € 180 preparation = € 1,686 excl. VAT.
This is exactly the build-up from our example-quote article. The devil is in the assumptions: is the substrate sound, is there wallpaper, how many colours? Every assumption you don't ask about is risk you give away. That's why it pays to standardise those questions - on paper, or directly on your website with a calculator the client fills in.
Margin checklist: does your price hold up?
- Do you include travel and setup time (covering, masking) in your standard times?
- Are paint prices rising? Recalibrate material costs at least twice a year
- Is warranty/service in your markup, or are you giving it away?
- Does your region command higher rates? Urban areas sit structurally above average
- Compare quote price with post-calculation per job - structural losses on ceilings mean the standard time goes up
These prices as a calculator on your site
In this example the client calculates with your per-m² rates: enter the area, pick a quality, see an indication instantly.
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Frequently asked questions about painting prices
What does wall painting cost per m² in 2026?
Typically € 10 to € 15 per m² including materials, excluding VAT, for two coats of emulsion on a smooth substrate. Repairs, strong colour changes or textured finishes raise the price.
What is a painter's hourly rate?
Between € 45 and € 65 excluding VAT in 2026. Sole traders often charge € 45–55, companies with staff € 50–65.
Why is exterior painting more expensive per m²?
More preparation (sanding, repairs, priming), weather dependency, access (ladders or scaffolding) and higher demands on the paint system. That puts the per-m² price 2 to 3 times above interior work.
Should I discount large areas?
A tiered rate is common: large uninterrupted surfaces paint faster per m² than fragmented work. Build that into your standard time rather than giving visible discounts - it keeps your pricing explainable.
Dennis - Founder of Quotira
Dennis builds Quotira, the quote calculator for trade businesses, and writes these guides based on the pricing logic from hundreds of calculator configurations.
Published on July 9, 2026
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Use the painting template, enter your rates and let your website deliver requests with the price indication attached.
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