How Much Does Wall Painting Cost per m² — Prices and What Drives the Quote
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The first question almost every client asks about a wall painting: "how much per square metre?" A fair question, but the answer is harder than it seems — because a square metre of plain background and a square metre of detailed imagery differ in labour by a factor of five.
Below I break down what actually makes up a quote, what ranges exist on the market, and why the same wall can cost either €40 or €200 per metre.
Why a Single Figure Isn't Possible
Wall painting isn't a finishing trade with a fixed rate per square metre. It's hand painting, and the time per metre depends on what's depicted on that metre.
A simple example. A wall of 20 m²:
- A gradient background with clouds — roughly 3 days of work
- The same area with a cityscape, architecture, reflections in water — 10–14 days
The materials are almost the same. The price difference is fourfold, because the time difference is fourfold.
That's why the price per m² is always a range, and the exact figure emerges once I see the reference or the sketch of what you want.
Ranges by Type of Work
Indicative market prices for artistic wall painting (not roller painting, not stencilling, not printed wallpaper):
Plain background, gradient, abstract shapes €30–60 per m². One or two colours, soft transitions, no detailing. Often used as a base for something else or as a standalone solution in a minimalist interior.
Stylised graphics, ornament, large silhouettes €50–90 per m². Logos, geometry, botanical motifs, typographic compositions. Work with clear outlines, but without light-and-shadow or volume.
Landscape, interior scene of moderate detail €80–140 per m². Sea, forest, a city in the distance, moderate trompe-l'œil. Here perspective, light-and-shadow, and volume come into play.
Realistic subject, portraits, complex compositions €130–250 per m². Human figures, animals, architectural detail, drapery, water with reflections. Maximum detailing, where every metre has to be worked out.
Façade (exterior painting) €60–150 per m². The range is wide because it depends on the subject just as indoors, but additional factors come in: surface preparation, weather-resistant materials, working at height, dependence on weather.
What Else Affects the Quote
Surface preparation. If the wall is even and primed — work begins immediately. If filling, levelling, or removal of old coatings is needed — that's a separate line item or a separate contractor before me.
Height and access. Painting up to 3 metres is standard work. Higher — scaffolding, a lift, extra time for repositioning. A façade at height requires a separate calculation including equipment.
Materials. Acrylic for interiors is cheaper than façade paints. For damp areas (bathroom, pool, kitchen splashback) special systems and protective coatings are needed — that adds to the quote.
Protective coating. A matt or gloss varnish over the painting — essential in areas where the wall will be cleaned or touched. It adds to the cost but extends the life of the work by years.
Timing. The standard pace is comfortable for quality. If a hard deadline must be met (a venue opening, guests arriving), the work runs more intensively and that's reflected in the price.
Logistics. If the site is in another city — travel and accommodation are calculated separately.
How a Complex Subject Is Calculated
In practice, a whole wall is rarely of uniform complexity. There's usually a central zone with detailed work and simpler areas around it.
I calculate not by an average figure but by zones. Example of a 25 m² wall:
- 8 m² of central composition with figures — at the upper rate
- 12 m² of landscape background — at the middle rate
- 5 m² of gradient transition to the ceiling — at the lower rate
This approach is fairer to the client: you don't pay for detailing where there isn't any.
Three Sample Quotes with Real Figures
The ranges above are a guide. It becomes clearer on three actual walls, broken down by zone. The figures are rounded, but the proportions between zones reflect real practice.
Example 1. Child's room, clouds and balloons — 14 m²
A soft background with clouds, a few balloons, a city skyline along the bottom. Moderate complexity, little fine detail.
- Gradient background with clouds, 9 m² × €50 = €450
- Balloons and skyline, 5 m² × €90 = €450
- Matt protective varnish — included
- Total around €900, 5–6 working days
Example 2. Restaurant wall, Mediterranean landscape — 22 m²
An arch with columns, the sea, boats, greenery. Moderate trompe-l'œil with a detailed central zone.
- Central composition with architecture and sea, 12 m² × €130 = €1,560
- Sky and distance, 7 m² × €80 = €560
- Transition to the ceiling, 3 m² × €50 = €150
- Total around €2,270, 10–12 working days
Example 3. House façade, decorative panel — 18 m²
Exterior painting, weather-resistant materials, working at heights up to 4 metres.
- Surface preparation and priming — separately, or by builders
- Subject of moderate detail, 18 m² × €110 = €1,980
- Varnish with UV filter — included
- Scaffold or tower hire — at cost, usually €100–200
- Total around €2,100 plus equipment, 10–14 days depending on weather
With a similar area, these three works differ in price per square metre by more than double. The whole difference lies in what is on the wall: clouds paint quickly, architecture with reflections in water takes time.
Price With and Without Materials
The question most often comes from clients comparing with a decorator: are materials included in the price?
Materials are already included in my quotes. Paints, primer, varnish, protective sheeting, masking tape — all of it is part of the work and never appears as a separate line. You pay for a finished wall, not for tins of paint.
Why this matters when comparing: a decorator often quotes labour only, and the client buys the paint. Artistic wall painting isn't priced that way — pigments, varnishes and supporting materials are chosen for the specific subject and surface, and can't be swapped for your own.
The only things charged separately are those outside the painting itself: repairing a crumbling wall by builders, scaffold hire for height, and travel and accommodation if the site is in another city.
What One Square Metre Costs
In short, as a single figure — artistic wall painting costs between €30 and €250 per square metre, and where a job falls within that range is decided by the complexity of the subject and nothing else.
I can't give an honest price per metre before I know what is going on the wall. The same square metre costs €40 as a gradient and €200 as a fully worked portrait. So the order is: you send a photo of the wall and your idea — I give a range, and after the sketch the figure is fixed.
Minimum Order
Most artists have a lower threshold — usually from 5–8 m² or a fixed minimum sum. The reason is simple: every visit involves measuring, preparing a sketch, transporting materials, covering furniture. On two square metres those costs don't pay off.
If the area is small, it's often better value to commission a painting on canvas — comparable in price, and you can take the work with you when you move.
How the Quoting Process Works
- You describe the task — send a photo of the wall, the dimensions, and the idea or references for what you want.
- I give a preliminary range — from a photo and description the bracket can be given fairly accurately.
- On-site measurement (for larger works) — we confirm the real area, the state of the wall, and access.
- Sketch — a digital mock-up of what will be on the wall. After that the quote is fixed.
- Contract and deposit — usually 30–50%, covering materials and the start of work.
The preliminary assessment from a photo is free and commits you to nothing.
FAQ — Questions About Wall Painting Prices
Can you quote from a photo, without a site visit?
Yes, a range — certainly. For a final figure you need either a sketch or a measurement: from a photo it's hard to judge the real area and the condition of the surface.
Is printed wallpaper cheaper?
In money terms — often yes, especially on large areas. But printed wallpaper is an edition: the same print may hang in a hundred flats. A painting exists in a single copy, follows the geometry of your particular wall (wrapping around corners, working around switches, continuing onto the ceiling), and doesn't peel at the seams after three years.
How long does the work take?
It depends on area and complexity. As a guide: 15–20 m² of moderate detail is about a week to a week and a half. Plus time for the sketch beforehand and for drying and varnishing afterwards.
Does wall painting deteriorate over time?
With the right materials and a protective varnish — no. Interior painting lasts decades, façade work years, depending on climate and which side of the building it's on. My work can be cleaned if varnish has been applied over it.
Can it be painted over if we get tired of it?
Yes, with ordinary paint in two or three coats. The painting doesn't create relief that would have to be removed.
How to Get a Quote
Write to me: send a photo of the wall, give approximate dimensions, and tell me what you'd like to see — in words or with references. I'll reply with a price range and a timeline.
If the idea hasn't taken shape yet — write anyway. Often the client knows the mood ("I want the room to feel larger" or "the blank wall in the hall needs life"), and we find the subject together.
Need a quote for wall painting? Write to me — send a photo of the wall and the dimensions. I'll reply with a price range and a timeline. The preliminary assessment is free.