In Switzerland, interior painting carried out by a professional generally costs between 20 and 50 CHF per m² of painted surface area. For a flat, the surface area of the walls and ceilings is often 3 to 4 times the floor area: this is the figure you should use to estimate the budget.
How much does a painter cost in Switzerland?
| Work | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Interior painting (walls, ceilings) | approx. 20 to 50 CHF/m² painted |
| Tradesperson’s labour | approx. 50 to 150 CHF per hour, depending on the region |
Source: Neho. The price per m² is lower for large, simple surfaces, and higher for rooms with lots of nooks and crannies, high ceilings or walls requiring repair. These figures vary depending on the canton, town and access to the site: only quotes are binding.
How do you estimate the area to be painted?
The price is calculated based on the painted area, not the floor area. For a room:
- Add up the length of the walls (the perimeter).
- Multiply by the ceiling height.
- Subtract the area of doors and windows.
- Add the ceiling if you’re having it painted.
Example: a bedroom measuring 4 × 3.5 m with a ceiling height of 2.5 m gives 15 m × 2.5 m = 37.5 m² of walls, minus approximately 4 m² of openings, plus 14 m² of ceiling, totalling approximately 47 m². At 20 to 50 CHF/m², expect to pay around 950 to 2,350 CHF.
Factors affecting the price
- The condition of the walls: holes, cracks and stains require filling and sanding.
- The number of coats: a significant change in colour often requires an extra coat.
- Ceiling height and other features: high ceilings, staircases and stairwells take longer to paint.
- Woodwork and radiators: doors, frames, skirting boards and radiators are charged for separately.
- Protection: a furnished property requires more time to protect than an unfurnished one.
- Type of paint: standard emulsion paint, washable paint, mineral paint or eco-friendly paint.
The stages of a painting project
- Clear out or group together the furniture and protect everything (with tarpaulins and masking tape).
- Prepare the walls: fill any holes, sand and remove dust.
- Apply an undercoat if the surface is new, stained or very dark.
- Apply two coats of paint: ceiling first, then walls.
- Paint the woodwork if required.
- Remove the protective coverings, clean up and check the work with the tradesperson.
Have an empty property painted, just before you move in or between tenants: the job will be quicker, and therefore cheaper.
Choosing your paint
- Emulsion paint: the most common choice for walls and ceilings, and easy to apply.
- Washable paint: for the kitchen, hallways and children’s bedrooms.
- Anti-mould paint: for poorly ventilated bathrooms, to complement good ventilation.
- Mineral or natural paints: permeable to water vapour, popular in older buildings.
Tenants and letting agents: who pays for the paint?
In French-speaking Switzerland, reference is often made to the joint depreciation table drawn up by ASLOCA and the Fédération romande immobilière. It is not mandatory, but conciliation authorities use it as a reference. According to this table, emulsion paint has a lifespan of 8 years.
Normal wear and tear is not the tenant’s responsibility. In the event of damage, the tenant only pays for the non-depreciated portion. Example: a coat of paint costing CHF 1,000 that is damaged after 6 years is 75 per cent depreciated; the tenant would pay approximately CHF 250 (Juriup). This information is not a substitute for legal advice.