The first question most people ask before hiring is simple: what’s the real house painting cost in Dublin? The honest answer is that it depends — on the size of the rooms, the condition of the walls, how many coats you need and whether it’s interior or exterior work. But “it depends” isn’t much use when you’re trying to budget, so below are the real Dublin rates we work to, with €/m², per-day and whole-house figures you can actually plan around.
These are current 2026 market rates for the Dublin area. They’re a guide, not a fixed quote — every house is different, and the only accurate number is one based on your actual rooms. For that, a free quote takes five minutes and we reply within one working hour.
House painting cost Dublin: the quick numbers
Most professional painters in Dublin price a job one of two ways: by the square metre of wall to be painted, or by the day. As a rough guide:
- Interior painting: roughly €12–€22 per square metre, two coats, walls prepped.
- Exterior painting: usually €15–€28 per square metre, because of extra prep, weatherproofing and access.
- Day rate: a skilled Dublin painter charges around €180–€320 per day, depending on the job and how many trades are on site.
Exterior work costs more per metre because surfaces have to be washed, repaired and protected against Irish rain and wind before any paint goes on. Skipping that prep is the most common reason paintwork fails early.
What it costs to paint a house in Dublin
These tables cover whole-house interior and exterior jobs by property size. Ranges reflect the difference between a quick refresh on sound walls and a full job with filling, repairs and trim.
Interior house painting — estimated cost
| Property | Price range | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment (1–2 bed) | €1,000–€2,200 | €1,450 |
| Small house (2–3 bed) | €1,400–€3,200 | €2,300 |
| Medium house (3–4 bed) | €1,800–€3,900 | €2,800 |
| Large house (4–5 bed) | €2,400–€5,200 | €3,600 |
| Very large house (5+ bed) | €3,000–€7,500 | €4,900 |
Exterior house painting — estimated cost
| Property | Price range | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment (1–2 bed) | €750–€2,400 | €1,150 |
| Small house (2–3 bed) | €1,000–€2,900 | €1,550 |
| Medium house (3–4 bed) | €1,300–€3,400 | €1,950 |
| Large house (4–5 bed) | €1,800–€4,200 | €2,600 |
| Very large house (5+ bed) | €2,300–€5,800 | €3,400 |
For a typical Dublin 3-bed semi, you’re usually looking at around €2,000–€2,800 to paint the interior and €1,500–€2,200 for a full exterior — before any major repairs. Our interior painting and exterior painting pages explain what’s included in each.
Cost of common painting jobs
Not every job is a whole house. Here are typical Dublin prices for the smaller pieces people ask about most:
| Job | Price range | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Hallway, stairs and landing | €400–€900 | €650 |
| Small room (around 12 m²) | €150–€350 | €240 |
| Door, both sides | €30–€130 | €65 |
| Kitchen cabinets, hand-painted (small kitchen) | €600–€3,500 | €1,200 |
| Wallpapered feature wall | €50–€220 | €120 |
| Painted feature wall | €60–€220 | €110 |
| Ceilings, per m² | €4–€12 | €9 |
| Woodwork, per m² | €6–€20 | €13 |
Repainting kitchen cabinets is one of the best-value jobs going — a fraction of a new kitchen, with a hard-wearing factory-style finish. The wide range above reflects the difference between a small set of doors and a full hand-painted kitchen with fitted units.
What drives the price up or down
Two identical-looking houses can quote very differently. These are the things that move the number:
- Wall condition. Sound, clean walls paint fast. Cracks, damp patches, flaking paint or old wallpaper to strip all add prep time — and prep is most of the labour.
- Number of coats. Going darker, covering a bold colour, or painting new plaster usually needs an extra coat.
- Ceilings, woodwork and trim. Painting just the walls is cheaper than walls plus ceilings, skirting, architraves and doors.
- Access and height. Stairwells, high ceilings and tall exterior walls may need scaffolding or towers, which adds cost.
- Paint quality. Better paint costs more up front but covers in fewer coats and lasts longer — usually the cheaper choice over time.
- Exterior surface type. Pebbledash, render and previously-painted surfaces all behave differently and change how much paint and prep a job needs.
The biggest single factor is almost always preparation. A tidy, well-prepped job costs a little more on the day and saves you a repaint years sooner.
How to get an accurate painting quote
The figures above will get you in the right ballpark, but the only number that matters is the one for your house. To get an accurate quote:
- Be specific about the scope — which rooms, walls only or walls plus ceilings and woodwork, and any colour changes.
- Flag the condition — damp, cracks, wallpaper to strip, or surfaces that have never been painted.
- Send photos or book a quick visit — a few pictures of each room let us price it properly instead of guessing.
We give fixed, written quotes — so the price you agree is the price you pay, with no surprises at the end. Dublin Deco Painting has been painting homes and businesses across Dublin since 2017, we’re fully insured, and we cover Dublin city and county plus the Kildare, Meath and Wicklow fringe.
Painting cost FAQ
How much do painters charge per day in Dublin? A skilled painter in Dublin typically charges between €180 and €320 per day. Experience, the size of the crew and the complexity of the job all affect the rate.
How much does it cost to paint a 3-bed house in Ireland? For a standard 3-bed, expect roughly €2,000–€2,800 for the interior and €1,500–€2,200 for a full exterior repaint, before any significant repairs.
Is exterior painting more expensive than interior? Usually, yes — per square metre. Exterior surfaces need washing, repair and weatherproof coatings, and often scaffolding or access equipment, all of which add to the cost.
Does the quote include paint? Ours does. A fixed Dublin Deco Painting quote covers labour, materials and prep, so there are no add-ons at the end. Always check whether a quote is materials-included before you compare.
How can I keep the cost down? Paint walls only rather than every surface, keep the existing colours where you can, and book interior and exterior work together so prep and set-up are shared across the job.
Get a fixed quote for your Dublin home
Every house is different, so the figures above are a starting point — not a final price. For a real number based on your actual rooms, get a free, no-obligation quote. Send a few photos or book a quick visit, and we’ll come back within one working hour with a fixed price and a realistic timeline.
