A Detailed and Easy Guide on the Cost of Painting a House per Square Foot in India

Most families get their interiors done when they move into a new house. They do not usually change it unless there is a dire need for renovations. However, painting is an activity that needs to happen once every couple of years. Not only does painting give your home a fresh look, but it also helps maintain the walls of the house. This guide will tell you about the painting cost per square foot in India.

Deriving the cost of painting a house per square foot can end up being a confusing process for many homeowners. To avoid this, we’ve put together a list of everything you need to know about the painting cost for a house.

In this article on the cost of painting a house per square foot in India, you will find out:

• Interior and exterior painting charges
• Cost of painting a house per square foot with new paint versus repaint
• Prices of different types of paints available
• Painting labour cost per square foot 
• Price of putty
• What things to consider before calculating the overall painting cost
• How to calculate overall painting cost for different paint categories for a 2BHK home

*Disclaimer: All costs included in the story are specific to the time of publication. Mentions of costs, budget, materials, and finishes can vary with reference to current rates. Talk to our designer for more details on pricing and availability.

#1: What is the cost of paint per square foot?

Here is a breakdown of the cost of painting your house per square foot in India. We also give you a detailed understanding of why these costs are different and what factors affect the painting cost further in the article.

Cost of interior painting	₹8 to ₹50 per sq. ft.
Cost of exterior painting	From ₹15 per sq. ft. + cost of labour
Cost of fresh paint	₹18 to ₹60 per sq. ft.
Cost of repaint	₹14 to ₹45 per sq. ft.
Cost of distemper	From ₹8 per sq. ft.
Cost of emulsion	From ₹15 per sq. ft.
Cost of texture paint	From ₹80 to ₹250 per sq. ft.
Cost of single colour painting	From ₹14 per sq. ft.

#2: Painting cost per square foot in India: Interior and exterior paints

What is the surface that is being painted? This is the most important question when calculating the painting cost per square foot. When it comes to interior and exterior paints, the cost of painting a house’s exterior is usually less than an interior paint job.

However, the process of exterior painting can be cumbersome as it needs the use of scaffolding or a ladder pulley system. Our service experts say that more coats of paint and an extensive sanding/levelling process are required for exteriors as they are often more affected by the weather. Let’s check the price of interior and exterior paints.

Type	Cost range
Interior painting cost	Ranges from ₹8 per sq. ft. to up to ₹50 per sq. ft. depending on the type of paint
Exterior painting cost	Starts from ₹15 per sq. ft. + cost of labour

#3: Repaint vs fresh paint cost per square foot

The condition of the walls is the next factor that comes into play while determining the painting cost per square foot in India. The cost for a fresh coat of paint can include two coats of putty + one coat of primer + two coats of paint. This, in turn, can further increase the paint cost per square foot for a new coat of paint. 

However, for a repaint job, you may need putty or crack filling + one coat of primer + two coats of paint. Wall punning is recommended for higher-range (luxury) paints as it enhances the look by covering up undulations on the wall. Hence, the cost of painting a house per square foot in India with fresh paint naturally costs more than repainting a home.

Fresh painting cost	From ₹18 to ₹50 per sq. ft. (2 coats of putty, 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint)
Repainting cost	From ₹14 to ₹45 per sq. ft. (1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint)

Also Read: How Often Should You Paint Your House?

#4: Cost of painting a house based on the type of paint

The type of paint being used is the most obvious factor affecting the painting cost per square foot. There is a clear distinction in the prices of the different kinds of paints that reflect on the cost of painting a house per square foot in India. Water-soluble distemper paints are one of the cheapest options. They are usually less durable and can also have a strong odour.

Emulsion paints can be both water- and oil-based; they are one of the most popular options for painting now. They are durable and often washable as well; some of these paints also have anti-fungal/mildew properties.

The cost of emulsion paint can vary a lot depending on the different finishes such as matte, glossy and pearl. Texture paint cost per sq. ft. usually happens to be the most expensive option of them all, and hence is used mainly for accent walls. These paints require a special base preparation, tools and additional cost of labour which can increase your paint cost per square foot.

Price for distemper	From ₹8 per sq. ft. for 2 coats of paint
Pricing of emulsion	From ₹15 per sq. ft. for 2 coats of paint
Texture paint cost per sq. ft	Ranges from ₹80 to ₹250 per sq. ft. for a fresh coat of paint

#5: The number of colours used can also affect your painting cost per square foot

The colour palette for your home also influences the cost. When you use a single colour to paint all the rooms in your home, the cost of painting a house per square foot is invariably less than when you choose to use multiple colours. This is simply because of the economies of scale. The more colours you use, the higher the painting price per sq. foot. 

Moreover, the chances of wastage are also higher when you use multiple colours. If you pick a darker colour for your walls, the painting rate per sq. ft. is usually higher while lighter colours cost less to paint. To pick the right colour palette for your home, you can consult Livspace designers to receive the best bedroom painting ideas with Vastu-approved colours.

Cost of painting a house per square foot in India with a single colour: From ₹14 per sq. ft.

Also Read: 20+ Two Colour Combinations for Bedroom Walls That You Will Love

#6: Labour charges included in the painting cost per square foot in India

Painting labour cost per square foot varies widely from one city to another, depending on the cost of living. Cost may vary even within a city with charges being higher in certain localities. The level of skill required also determines the house painting cost in most cases. Additionally, branded painting services may charge more but also tend to offer better finishes than individual contractors.

The painting labour cost per square foot is usually higher for exterior painting and textured paints. The most important factor here is to find the right resource with the required skills to do the job. Hence, you must always opt for organised players instead of unskilled contractors as the former are a safer bet.

#7: Cost of putty

While calculating the cost of painting a house per square foot, you also need to take into consideration the price of putty. Putty is used to cover the cracks and holes in walls. Generally, a layer of putty is applied before painting to ensure that the wall gets a smooth and even finish once painted. It is also applied to increase the lifespan of the paint. 

For a fresh coat of paint, one to two coats of putty are needed. However, for repainting, only some touch-up putty is required.

Cost of putty: From ₹4.5 per sq. ft. for a single coat

#8: What are the things to be considered before calculating the overall painting price per square foot?

The cost of painting a house depends on several factors which increase or decrease the per square foot cost. The following are a few such factors:

Size of the house: The cost of painting is directly proportional to the size of the house.

Condition of the wall surface: Damaged walls need more putty and primer and, hence, the cost of painting them is higher.

Ceiling height: The higher the ceiling, the more the area of the wall.

Type of paint: The type of paint you choose for your home affects the cost of painting. For instance, textured paint costs more than regular paint.

#9: How to calculate the overall painting cost for different paint categories for a 2BHK home?

You can easily estimate the overall cost of painting your walls. All you need to do is choose the paint of your choice and multiply its cost per square foot by the total wall area of your 2BHK home. How to calculate the area of the walls that need to be painted? Calculate the width and height of each wall in your 2BHK. Multiplying the width and height will yield the surface area of each wall in square feet, and then add up these numbers to get the total surface area.

Let’s consider an example:

Focus	Paint type	Painting price per sq. foot	Total (approximate)
House painting cost for wall area of 1000 sq. ft (excluding the ceilings)	A fresh coat of paint: Single colour	₹10	₹10 per sq.ft x 1000 sq. ft = ₹10,000
House painting cost for wall area of 1000 sq. ft (excluding the ceilings)	New coat of paint: Emulsion	₹15	₹15 per sq.ft x 1000 sq. ft = ₹15,000

Also Read: Calculate 2 BHK Interior Design Cost With This Easy Guide

How can Livspace help you?

We hope you found this guide on painting costs in India useful! If you want beautiful interiors for your home, then look no further. Our team of 3,500+ expert designers bring your vision to life, affordably and beautifully. Book an online consultation with Livspace to get started. 

• Our expert team can custom design your dream home with curated render designs and expert advice
• We have delivered over 75,000 happy homes
• We promise high-quality and durable materials

Looking for our services in your city? Then visit your nearest Livspace Experience Centre.

Disclaimer: All contents of the story are specific to the time of publication. Mentions of costs, budget, materials, finishes, and products from the Livspace catalogue can vary with reference to current rates. Talk to our designer for more details on pricing and availability.