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Emulsion paint - Walls and ceilings – cost per m² – UK 2026 Rate Guide

Budget rate for supply & lay · typical budget rate before your adjustments

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Emulsion paint - Walls and ceilings
per m² · supply & lay
£8 – £30 / m²
What is it

Preparation and application of emulsion paint to internal walls and ceilings, including standard surface preparation and two finishing coats.

Rate guide
Standard two-coat emulsion to prepared plaster£9 – £14/m²
Mist coat plus two coats to new plaster£11 – £18/m²
Repainting existing sound decorated surfaces£8 – £13/m²
Durable or scrubbable emulsion specification£12 – £20/m²
High-level, stairwell or restricted-access work£18 – £30/m²
Labour output
Open-plan walls with clear access80–120 m²/day
Unobstructed ceilings from podiums55–85 m²/day
Broken-up rooms with regular cutting-in35–60 m²/day
Occupied, restricted or high-level areas20–40 m²/day
Key rate adjusters
Surface condition
Filling, sanding and local sealing beyond light preparation can add £2.00–£6.00/m².
Colour changes
Strong colours, pale-over-dark finishes or low-opacity pigments can increase the rate by 10%–25% through additional coats.
Working height
Mobile towers, podiums or repeated access moves can add £4.00–£10.00/m².
Room geometry
Small rooms, narrow corridors and extensive cutting-in commonly increase unit rates by 15%–35%.
Paint specification
Scrubbable, antimicrobial or premium low-sheen products typically add £2.00–£6.00/m².
Protection and phasing
Enhanced masking, occupied-area controls and out-of-sequence working can add £2.00–£7.00/m².
Quantity surveyor insights
  • Waste and buildability: Material waste is usually modest at 5%–10%, but poor sequencing, incomplete drying and repeated access by follow-on trades can drive substantial repainting and productivity loss.
  • Scope and procurement: Clarify substrate preparation, mist coats, colour changes, protection, access and making good before tender; early agreement of the paint system and colour schedule improves buying leverage and reduces variation risk.

Estimate Anything AI answer · indicative budget rates · updated 31 August 2026

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