How much does wall painting cost in Amsterdam?
In Amsterdam, interior wall painting is normally priced per square metre of wall area, by the hour for small jobs, or as a fixed sum once a painter has seen the property. Applying the paint is rarely the expensive part. Preparation is. Two rooms with identical dimensions can be priced very differently purely because of the state of the walls and how hard the building is to work in.
What a quote should cover
A serious quote describes what happens before the first coat, not just the paint. Expect masking and protection of floors, frames and furniture, removal of loose or flaking paint, filling and sanding, dust removal, a primer or sealer coat, and only then the finish coats. Two covering coats is the usual assumption; a strong colour change or a patchy substrate needs more.
Always ask explicitly whether ceilings, window frames, doors and skirting are included or priced separately. That single ambiguity is the most common source of disputes in interior decorating work.
The main stages
- Site visit: measure the area, assess the substrate, agree colours and sheen levels.
- Protection: cover floors, frames, sockets and anything staying in the room.
- Repair: fill holes, treat cracks, strip old wallpaper or failing paint.
- Sand back, remove dust, and reseal corners and junctions where needed.
- Prime, particularly over fresh plaster and repaired patches.
- Apply finish coats, denib between coats, and inspect in both daylight and artificial light before handover.
What the price depends on
- Condition of the surface. A smooth, previously painted wall goes quickly. Old plaster with cracks, wallpaper residue or flaking paint can easily double the hours.
- Number of coats and colour choice. Going dark to light covers poorly, and some deep pigments need extra passes.
- Ceiling height. The tall rooms in nineteenth-century canal-belt buildings mean towers or ladders, so more time per metre.
- Detail. Cornices, mouldings, panelled doors and multiple window frames are hand work that no roller shortcuts.
- Access. Three floors up with no lift, a narrow staircase and limited loading space all feed into the estimate, as does a parking permit for the van.
- Occupied or empty. Working around your furniture adds masking and daily clean-up.
- Damp issues. Single glazing, weak ventilation or a cold external wall produce mould and staining that must be treated before painting.
Questions to ask the painter
- Is this per square metre, per hour or a fixed sum, and how is extra work handled?
- How many coats are included, and which paint system are you using?
- Is preparation included, and to what standard of repair?
- Are ceilings and woodwork inside this price?
- How many days will it take, and can we stay in the property?
- What is guaranteed, and what falls outside that guarantee?
Common mistakes
The classic error is comparing on headline price alone. A quote with no described preparation is almost always cheaper on paper and dearer in reality, because filling and sanding return later as variations.
The second is using paint to solve damp. Mould near windows or behind a wardrobe points to a ventilation or insulation problem; painting over it brings it back within months. Deal with the cause first, then decorate.
Finally, in buildings from before 1994 there may be asbestos-containing material hidden behind old finishes, for example in boarding around ducts or ceilings. Never sand or heat-strip such material yourself. If there is any doubt, have it surveyed and, if necessary, removed by a certified company. That can change both the timeline and the budget, so it is better identified early.
Frequently asked questions
Hourly or per square metre?
Larger open areas are usually per square metre because it is predictable for both sides. Patch repairs and unpredictable preparation are more often hourly. For a whole home you generally receive a total price after an inspection.
Should I buy the paint myself?
You can, but many painters prefer to supply materials so they remain accountable for the result. Ask how consumption is accounted for and what happens to leftovers.
How long does an average room take?
Preparation decides it. A smooth, recently decorated room is a short job. An older room with cracks, wallpaper residue and a lot of woodwork runs to several days once drying time is counted.
Can walls be painted in winter?
Indoors, yes, provided the room can be ventilated and kept at a workable temperature. Drying times stretch in cold, humid conditions, so allow more days in the schedule.
Do I need permission from the building association?
Not for the interior walls of your own apartment. You do for the stairwell, the facade or other shared surfaces. Listed buildings can carry additional rules for anything external, so check before committing to dates.