What does painting walls cost per m²?

A professional painter charges €10–20 per m² for painting walls in 2026, including materials (paint) and two coats. For an average room with 30 m² of wall surface, this costs €300–600. Additional costs include masking, priming and filling any damaged areas.

What does plastering cost per m²?

Plastering walls costs €18–40 per m² including labour in 2026. This includes applying one or two layers of finishing plaster. For an average room (30 m² of wall surface) you pay €540–1,200. For plastering an entire new-build home (150 m² of wall surface), costs range from €2,700–6,000.

What does painting a ceiling cost?

Painting a ceiling costs €12–22 per m² including materials and labour. A room with 20 m² of ceiling costs €240–440. Ceilings are labour-intensive due to the working position — some painters charge a 20–30% surcharge compared to wall work.

What does a plasterer charge per hour?

A plasterer charges an average of €45–65 per hour excluding VAT in 2026. Including material costs and VAT, this works out to €18–40 per m² for standard finishing plaster. Textured plaster and decorative plasterwork are more expensive.

Can I paint walls myself to save money?

Yes, painting yourself saves €6–12 per m² in labour costs. For materials (paint, roller, brushes, masking tape, filler) you pay around €4–8 per m². However, professional painters work faster and often deliver a better finish. For large surface areas, hiring a painter is worthwhile.

Painting and plastering walls: costs in 2026

Cost overview

Painting and plastering costs — 2026

VerbouwScan calculates the costs for painting and plastering for each room individually based on the wall surface area. The table below provides an overview of current rates.

Work type	Per m²	Room 30m² wall	Entire home (150m²)
Wall painting	€10 – €20	€300 – €600	€1.500 – €3.000
Ceiling painting	€12 – €22	€240 – €440	€1.200 – €2.200
Wall plastering	€18 – €40	€540 – €1.200	€2.700 – €6.000
Ceiling plastering	€20 – €45	€400 – €900	€2.000 – €4.500
Plastering + painting	€28 – €60	€840 – €1.800	€4.200 – €9.000

Prices include materials and VAT. Filling cracks/holes: €30–80 per m² extra. Wallpaper removal: €3–8/m².

Per work type

What does each item involve?

🖌️

Wall painting

€10 – €20 per m²

2 coats of wall paint, including priming, masking and filling small holes. Step 1 after plastering.

🪟

Ceiling painting

€12 – €22 per m²

Labour-intensive due to working position. Painters sometimes charge a 20–30% surcharge compared to wall work.

🏗️

Wall plastering

€18 – €40 per m²

Finishing plaster in 1–2 layers for a smooth surface. Including sanding after curing.

⬆️

Ceiling plastering

€20 – €45 per m²

More expensive than walls due to more complex execution. Acoustic plaster or decorative plasters cost extra.

🔨

Wallpaper removal

€3 – €8 per m²

Before plastering or painting. Sometimes included by the plasterer — check this when requesting a quote.

🛠️

Crack repair

€30 – €100 per m²

For larger cracks or flaking plasterwork. Repair before applying new plaster.

Work sequence

In what order should you work?

Step 1 — Demolition and preparation: remove wallpaper, repair holes and cracks, mask window frames and floor.
Step 2 — Plastering (if needed): have the plasterer come first. Plaster must be completely dry before painting (minimum 7–14 days).
Step 3 — Priming: always prime a new plaster layer, otherwise the paint absorbs unevenly.
Step 4 — Painting: first the ceiling, then walls, then window frames and doors. Minimum 2 coats for full coverage.
Step 5 — Flooring: always install the floor last — this prevents paint damage to the new floor.

Smart savings

Save on painting and plastering

Do the preparation yourself: removing wallpaper, filling holes and masking saves €150–400 per room in labour costs.
Combine painter and plasterer in one job — this way the painter doesn't have to make an extra trip back for painting after plastering.
Paint the walls yourself; let the plasterer handle only the plasterwork — that's the most specialised part.
Schedule painting and plastering in winter — demand is lower and contractors are more available at sharper rates.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Painting and plastering

A professional painter charges €10–20 per m² including materials and 2 coats of paint. A room with 30 m² of wall surface costs €300–600.

Wall plastering costs €18–40 per m² including labour. An entire home (150 m² of wall surface) costs €2,700–6,000. A plasterer charges €45–65/hour.

Ceiling painting costs €12–22 per m² including materials and labour. A room with 20 m² of ceiling costs €240–440. Slightly more expensive than walls due to the working position.

Yes — painting yourself saves €6–12 per m² in labour costs. Materials cost €4–8/m². Plastering is more specialised and is best left to a professional.

At least 7–14 days at normal temperature and ventilation. Faster in summer, longer in winter. Never paint on plaster that isn't dry — this causes moisture problems and paint peeling.

Painting and plastering walls: what are the costs?