Planning interior painting: surfaces, preparation and costs
A good finish starts before the first brushstroke. Area matters, but so do surface condition, colour changes and the work surrounding the painting itself. Defining the scope makes prices easier to assess.
Define what needs painting
Painting walls and ceilings differs from refinishing doors, window frames or radiators. List the surface types separately. Removing wallpaper, substantial plaster repairs and external façade work should also be explicitly agreed.
Door leaves and frames are not automatically one item. Specify which sides need painting and whether fittings must be removed. This turns “five doors” into a scope a contractor can understand.
Floor area is not paintable area
A rectangular room measuring 4 × 5 metres with a height of 2.5 metres has 20 m² of floor but 45 m² of wall before subtracting openings. Including the ceiling gives an initial total of 65 m².
This example is not a binding measurement: windows, doors, recesses, sloping ceilings and the agreed billing method affect individual items. You can start a request without knowing every dimension. The contractor needs to establish measurements and scope before confirming a firm price.
Preparation depends on the existing surface
New paint does not reliably stabilise loose layers or remove unevenness. The contractor should assess what is sound and choose compatible preparation. Agree the finish you expect: painting a textured wall does not make it smooth.
| Existing condition | Clarify before agreeing a price |
|---|---|
| Sound old paint | Cleaning, adhesion and necessary preparation |
| Holes or cracks | Extent of repairs and the cause of recurring cracks |
| Water, nicotine or soot stains | Source and suitable treatment to prevent staining through |
| Damp or mould | Investigate and address the cause before repainting |
| New plaster or filled areas | Drying, absorbency and the required smoothness |
Match colour, coverage and durability
Refreshing a light colour and changing a dark surface to a light one require different work. The necessary applications depend on the surface, colour and coating. Specifying two coats in every situation does not replace that assessment.
Frequently used areas need suitable cleaning resistance. Wet-scrub resistance and hiding power describe different properties. Record the product, colour and sheen; viewing a sample in the room can help with the choice.
Environmental and emissions information should apply to the actual product. A general “eco-friendly” label is not a substitute for verifiable details and does not guarantee individual tolerance.
How much does interior painting cost?
One Swiss 2026 example lists CHF 18–25/m² of wall for two coats and protection, excluding paint and VAT. This is an individual labour guide price, not a national average.
Compare the complete scope: preparation, surfaces, materials, protection, travel, access equipment and VAT. A low square-metre figure can become expensive when several of these items are charged separately.
Small jobs cannot be reliably priced in direct proportion to a whole-apartment rate. Setup and travel still apply to a few square metres. Where the surface is uncertain, a site visit can be more useful than an apparently precise online figure.
Prepare rooms and plan a realistic schedule
Agree who moves furniture, takes down pictures and removes delicate belongings. Occupied homes and operating businesses may need phased work. Access and protection for remaining furnishings are part of that arrangement.
Duration includes repairs, drying and recoating intervals as well as painting. Ask when rooms can be used again and when the finish can be cleaned or exposed to wear. Touch-dry does not always mean fully cured.
Older buildings and rented homes
Buildings dating from before 1990 may contain hazardous materials in old plaster or coatings. Before sanding, scraping or other dust-producing work, the contractor must assess the affected materials professionally. Building age alone is neither a diagnosis nor clearance.
For rented homes, clarify the scope, colour changes and responsibility for payment with the relevant party before commissioning work. Moving out does not automatically mean every surface must be repainted.
Compare quotes on the same basis
Give every contractor the same scope. Check whether the quote relies on measurements or assumptions. Unclear additional work should be described and approved before it starts.
- Surfaces and components. Walls, ceilings, doors and frames with agreed sides and quantities.
- Preparation and finish. Repairs, protection, coating system, colour and expected appearance.
- Price and handover. Total cost, exclusions, dates, cleaning and a joint inspection of the result.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have only certain walls painted?
Yes. Identify the walls and desired colours. Touch-ups may leave a difference in colour or sheen; ask whether repainting a complete continuous surface makes more sense.
Do I need the exact square metres?
No. A known paintable area helps with an initial estimate, but it must not be confused with floor area. Missing measurements can be established on site.
Are materials included?
That depends on the quote. Check paint, primer, protective coverings and consumables. A labour rate alone is not the full price.
Can mould simply be painted over?
No. Its extent and the source of moisture need to be established first. A new coat of paint alone does not resolve the cause.
Does the property have to be empty?
Not necessarily. Furnished rooms need more protection and sometimes phased work. Agree who moves furniture and puts it back.
