Painting Work - Painting & Wallpapering - All Services & Costs
A new coat of paint changes every room – from a fresh living room wall to a completely redesigned apartment. But before you grab a brush or hire a professional, you probably want to know: What does a painter in Switzerland really cost?
Prices vary depending on room size, substrate, paint, condition of the walls and the actual amount of work. In this guide, you will find clear guidelines for the most common painting work as well as helpful tips for realistic calculation and avoiding unnecessary additional costs.
How much does a painter cost?
The costs for painting work in Switzerland are usually calculated per area – i.e. according to square meters of the floor or facade area. Small rooms seem cheaper at first glance, but often contain more masking and preparation work. The substrate, desired color and whether it needs to be painted once or twice also significantly influence the price.
Prices for Interiors (Walls and Ceilings)
The following prices refer to typical living rooms with approx. 2.5–3 m room height, including material, masking and standard color (e.g. RAL 9010). The price may increase for dark pre-colors or special coatings because a second coat is necessary.
Cost List – Walls and Ceilings:
● 1-room apartment up to 40 m²: from CHF 890
● 2-room apartment up to 55 m²: from CHF 1,290
● 3-room apartment up to 70 m²: from CHF 1,790
● 4-room apartment up to 100 m²: from CHF 3,490
● Detached house up to 160 m²: from CHF 4,590
● Single room up to 20 m²: from CHF 490
Prices for Exterior Areas (Facade & Wood Components)
The house facade is heavily exposed to wind and weather. Therefore, there are additional costs for cleaning, preparation and often scaffolding.
Typical Price Ranges – Exterior:
● Clean & paint facade: CHF 25 – 30 per m²
● Paint wooden roof underside: approx. +15% surcharge
● Facade preparation (cleaning, repairs): from CHF 600
● Mixing colors (if necessary): approx. CHF 150
● Scaffolding / scaffolding rental: strongly project-dependent, often several thousand CHF
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The most important price factors for painters
Painting work seems simple at first glance – but depending on the condition of the rooms and the desired result, prices can vary greatly. The following factors determine how high the effort really becomes.
Room Height & Hard-to-Reach Areas
The higher a room is, the more effort is required – both when covering and when working with a ladder or scaffolding. Stairwells, roof slopes or high old building rooms are particularly time-consuming. This is reflected in higher square meter prices or additional flat rates.
Costs:
● Standard room height 2.40 – 2.60 m: Standard rate
● High rooms / stairwell: +10 – 30% surcharge
● Temporary mini-scaffolding: CHF 200 – 300
Substrate & Damage
Cracks, holes, chipped plaster or old emulsion paints must be professionally repaired before painting. This is often the reason why a wall becomes unexpectedly more expensive than planned – especially in older buildings. Clean preliminary work is crucial for a perfect finish.
Costs:
● Remove small holes / dowels: CHF 5 – 15 per point
● Fill larger cracks: CHF 20 – 50
● Completely smooth heavily damaged wall: CHF 15 – 25 per m²
Color Type (Standard Colors, Special Colors, Dark Tones)
Standard colors such as RAL 9010 are included in the price – special colors cost more because they are more expensive and often more difficult to cover. Particularly dark shades or high-quality mineral paints often require a second or even third coat.
Costs:
● Standard color (white): included
● Special / brand / mineral color: + CHF 0 – 5 per m²
● Dark color (second coat necessary): +5 – 10% surcharge
Access & Furniture / Covering Work
The more furniture in the room or the more difficult the access, the higher the time required. Covering work is one of the biggest hidden cost drivers in painting work – and is underestimated by many clients.
Costs:
● Moving / covering furniture: according to effort
● Difficult access (e.g. narrow areas): +10 – 15% surcharge
Number of Coats
A wall cannot always be painted in one pass. Depending on the substrate, color or desired finish, two or even three coats may be necessary. This affects material and labor costs.
Costs:
● 1 coat: Standard
● 2 coats: +10 – 15%
● 3 coats (rare): +15 – 30%
Regional Price Differences
In cities like Zurich, Basel or Geneva, wages and operating costs are higher – accordingly, painting costs are also above average. It is usually cheaper in rural areas. The proximity of the painter to the place of work also plays a role.
Costs:
● Rural regions: CHF 70 – 80/h
● Agglomeration: CHF 80 – 90/h
● Major cities: CHF 90 – 100/h
Condition of the Rooms (Smoker's Apartment, Mold, Nicotine, Moisture)
Smoker’s apartments or rooms with nicotine contamination often require a sealing special coating so that stains do not come through. In the case of mold, the cause and infestation must first be professionally treated – simply painting over it is not an option.
Costs:
● Nicotine barrier primer: CHF 5 – 10 per m²
● Mold treatment: CHF 100 – 400 per affected area
● Odor neutralization: CHF 100 – 200 per room
Removing Old Wallpaper
Removing wallpaper is one of the most complex preliminary tasks of a painter – especially with multiple layers or strongly glued substrates. Afterwards, the wall often has to be repaired and smoothed.
Costs:
● Remove wallpaper: CHF 5 – 10 per m²
● New wallpapering (standard woodchip): CHF 10 – 20 per m²
● Special wallpapers: + CHF 10 – 20 per m²
Preliminary Work & Final Cleaning
Preparation work such as covering, masking, substrate testing or fine sanding often accounts for up to 30% of the total costs. The final cleaning is also included in the offer (for reputable painters).
Costs:
● Covering & masking: CHF 0 – 5 per m² floor area
● Final cleaning: CHF 10 – 30 per room
Windows, Doors & Radiators – What do these painting jobs cost?
Painting Windows (1-, 2-, 3-leaf)
Window frames are particularly stressed by UV radiation, moisture and temperature changes. A regular coat of paint prevents the wood from becoming brittle or moisture from penetrating. Depending on the window size and number of leaves, the effort varies significantly – especially if old paint layers have to be removed or fittings have to be masked.
Costs:
● 1-leaf window inside & outside: approx. CHF 160 – 250
● 2-leaf window inside & outside: approx. CHF 250 – 350
● 3-leaf window inside & outside: approx. CHF 350 – 450
● Paint window sill: approx. CHF 10 – 20 per running meter
Doors & Frames
Doors are heavily used surfaces – especially in the entrance and living area. A professional coat of paint protects the wood, ensures a uniform appearance and prevents later damage. The effort increases if door frames are damaged or several layers are necessary.
Costs:
● Door + frame (standard size): approx. CHF 150 – 200
● Complex profile frames: approx. CHF 200 – 250
● Wooden baseboards: from CHF 10 – 15 per running meter
Heaters & Radiators
Radiators yellow over time due to heat and dust – especially in older buildings. A new coat of paint is visually very effective and relatively inexpensive. It is usually painted with heat-resistant paint; hard-to-reach fins increase the effort.
Costs:
● Standard radiator: approx. CHF 70 – 100
● Large / hard-to-reach radiators: approx. CHF 100 – 150
● Spraying (instead of painting): +10 – 30% surcharge, depending on effort
Painter vs. Painting Yourself – What is really worth it?
Many house and apartment owners consider whether they can do certain painting work themselves to save costs. In fact, there are simple tasks that you can easily do yourself. At the same time, there are areas where a professional is absolutely necessary – be it for safety, quality or cost reasons. Here you will find a clear decision-making aid.
What you can do yourself
You can do simple, easily accessible painting work yourself in many cases. This includes painting small walls, painting over surfaces that remain similar in color or repairing small scratches. The prerequisite is that the substrate is in good condition and you have enough time for careful preparation.
Typical DIY work: painting individual accent wall, small room areas (up to approx. 10 m²) and slight repairs (small holes, scratches)
Savings: approx. CHF 100 – 300, depending on room size.
When a painter is mandatory
As soon as the substrate is damaged, damp or heavily soiled, the job belongs in professional hands. High rooms, complex geometries or strongly covering color changes (e.g. dark → light) also require specialist knowledge. A painter not only ensures a perfect finish – he also recognizes damage such as moisture or mold that would otherwise have remained hidden.
Painter is mandatory for dark pre-colors → lighter new paint, heavily damaged or uneven walls, mold infestation or moisture, high rooms, stairwells or facades and wallpapering work, resp. removing old wallpaper
Typical costs: CHF 600 – 1,500 depending on room & effort.
Risk & Cost Comparison DIY vs. Professional
Painting yourself seems cheaper at first glance, but can become expensive if preliminary work is done incorrectly or materials are used incorrectly. Errors such as uneven color areas, visible approaches or incorrectly prepared substrates can significantly increase the cost of a later renovation. A professional, on the other hand, delivers a clean, long-lasting result – and is often faster than you think.
Risks with DIY: visible transitions & stripes, wrong color or unsuitable substrate, “staining” with too little masking, expensive rework by the professional
Conclusion Cost Comparison:
Painting yourself is only worthwhile for small, uncomplicated areas.
For medium and large projects, the professional is almost always cheaper in the long term.
Painting Work – Small Measure, Big Effect
A professional coat of paint not only improves the appearance of a room, but also protects the building fabric in the long term. Whether interiors, facades or individual components: A painter ensures clean preparation, perfect surfaces and long-lasting results. Especially with heavily used walls, difficult substrates or mold problems, the professional is always worthwhile – and prevents expensive rework.
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