How much does a painter cost in 2026?
A painter charges €35 to €50 per hour in 2026, or between €20 and €45 per square metre for wall work. Having the exterior of an average terraced house painted costs €1,500 to €3,600. These are guide prices: the state of the surface and the number of coats strongly determine what you end up paying, and that follows from the quote.
How much does a painter cost per hour in 2026?
Painters charge either by the hour or by the square metre, and which one you get depends on the job. Loose doors and window frames are usually priced per unit, a whole facade per m² or as a project price. Below are the guide prices Dutch cost guides list for 2026.
| Painting work | Guide price 2026 | What drives the difference |
|---|---|---|
| Interior painting, per hour | 35 to 40 euros per hour | No scaffolding and no weather dependency indoors, so this is the cheapest rate |
| Exterior painting, per hour | 40 to 50 euros per hour | Ladders, scaffolding and the need for dry weather make outdoor work more expensive |
| Painting a wall | 15 to 25 euros per m² | A smooth plastered wall takes two coats; a rough or dark surface needs a third |
| Painting a ceiling | 18 to 30 euros per m² | Working overhead takes longer, and cracks or stains have to be dealt with first |
| Painting exterior woodwork | 25 to 45 euros per m² | Sanding, filling and replacing rotten wood account for most of the hours |
| Painting a window frame, indoors | 35 to 75 euros per frame | The size of the frame and whether glazing beads and a casement are included |
| Painting a window frame, outdoors | 50 to 100 euros per frame | Outdoors adds a primer coat and sometimes wood repair, and the height decides between a ladder and scaffolding |
| Lacquering an interior door | 85 to 180 euros per door | A door that is only touched up sits at the bottom, stripping it bare and re-lacquering at the top |
| Painting a staircase | 180 to 550 euros per staircase | The number of steps and whether the risers, handrail and spindles are included |
| Apartment exterior, complete | 1,000 to 2,500 euros | Usually only frames and the front door, so it comes down to the number of windows |
| Terraced house exterior, complete | 1,500 to 3,000 euros | Around 50 m² of facade; three sources independently land on the same range |
| Detached house exterior, complete | 5,500 to 12,000 euros | Homedeal assumes 180 m² of facade and therefore goes higher than Trustoo, which stops at 7,500 euros |
Guide prices for the Netherlands in 2026, collected on 15 August 2026. These amounts include VAT and usually include paint and materials, because that is how Trustoo, Homedeal and Schilder Nu quote them. Painting work on a home older than 2 years carries 9% VAT, and for painting that reduced rate covers the paint as well. What you pay follows from the quote, because the condition of the surface and the number of coats decide most of it.
Hourly rate
€35 - €50per hour
Call-out charge
€0 - €35
not every painter charges travel costs; this varies strongly per professional
What makes up the price?
Labour
the largest part of the bill, painting is mostly labour-intensive
Materials
paint and surface preparation, a relatively small share of the total
Call-out charge
often not billed separately, some painters charge per kilometre
Painting a home that is older than 2 years falls under the reduced VAT rate of 9%, and for painting that covers labour as well as materials, so the paint is included. For new builds or homes under 2 years old the rate is 21%. The Dutch tax authority publishes the conditions that apply.
What determines the price?
- Inside or outside: exterior painting costs more due to scaffolding or ladder work and weather dependence
- State of the surface: sanding, filling or removing mould takes extra time
- Number of coats of paint needed
- Colour change: going from a dark to a light colour often needs an extra coat
- Accessibility: a high facade requires scaffolding
- Season: in winter many painters give discounts of up to 30%
What will your job cost exactly?
These are indicative market prices, not a quote. Post your job for free and get replies from painters near you, so you know exactly where you stand.
Post your job for freeFrequently asked questions
How much does a painter charge per hour?
Expect €30 to €55 per hour. Interior painting is often at the bottom of this range, exterior painting at the top because of scaffolding and weather conditions.
How much does painting a whole house exterior cost?
For an average terraced house expect €1,500 to €3,600, on average around €2,550. A terraced house with three outer walls often comes out at €2,000 to €4,000.
How much does painting window frames cost?
Inside you usually pay €35 to €75 per frame, outside €50 to €100 per frame, including paint and materials.
When is the best time to have painting done?
In winter it is quieter and many painters give discounts of up to 30%. For exterior painting, dry weather matters, so preferably plan it in a quieter, dry period.
How much does painting an interior wall cost per m²?
Usually €20 to €45 per m², depending on the state of the wall and the number of coats needed.
Is the paint included in the price?
For most all-in quotes, yes, but that is not a fixed rule. Always ask before comparing quotes.
Is there a reduced VAT rate for painting?
Yes, and in this trade it makes a real difference. If your home is older than 2 years, the painter charges 9% VAT. Unlike wallpapering or insulation, that rate covers the materials too, so the paint is included. If the home is under 2 years old or it is a new build, you pay 21% on the whole bill.
Where these amounts come from
The amounts on this page come from the Dutch price guides below and from the Belastingdienst, accessed on 5 August 2026. Prices go up, so check at the source before you decide anything. Spotted something that is out of date? Email info@jouwpro.nl and we will fix it.
Do you work as a painter yourself?
Anyone can look at the open job requests on JouwPro. Replying costs nothing and you only pay once you win a job and finish it.
See the open jobs for paintersAre you allowed to do this yourself?
Before you compare prices it helps to know what the law allows and who is liable for what.
Guides that go with this one
Work that tends to come up in the same project.