Quick price summary: Painters in Singapore (2026)
- Low end: SGD $400 – $800 (single room or basic HDB flat)
- Mid-range: SGD $950 – $1,500 (standard 3–4 room HDB or condo unit)
- High end / enterprise: SGD $1,650 – $3,500+ (premium finishes, large homes, exterior or commercial jobs)
Prices in Singapore Dollars (SGD). Last updated 2026.
Hiring a professional painter in Singapore covers a wide range of jobs, from refreshing a single bedroom wall to repainting an entire HDB flat, landed property, or commercial space. Services typically include interior wall and ceiling painting, exterior repainting, feature wall treatments, anti-mould coatings, surface preparation, minor plastering, and repair work on peeling or damaged areas. Some painters also offer add-on services such as door repainting, bathroom and toilet wall painting, and special effects finishes for modern design aesthetics.
Costs vary considerably depending on the size of the property, the type and brand of paint chosen, the condition of existing walls, the number of coats required, and whether any surface preparation or repair work is needed before painting can begin. A fresh coat on well-maintained walls in a 2-room HDB flat is a straightforward job. A full interior repaint of a 5-room flat with mould issues, extensive plastering, and premium water-based or odour-less paint will naturally cost more. Understanding what drives pricing helps you plan your budget and compare quotes fairly.
What Do Painters Cost in Singapore?
For a standard interior painting job on an HDB flat, most homeowners in Singapore pay between SGD $950 and $1,500 for a 3 to 4-room unit using mid-range paint from brands like Nippon or Dulux. A basic 1-room or 2-room flat repaint starts from around SGD $400 to $700, while premium packages for larger homes with quality workmanship and top-grade paints can reach SGD $1,800 or more. Exterior painting for landed properties is priced separately and typically starts from SGD $1,300, rising to SGD $3,500 or higher depending on the facade size, access requirements, and paint specification.
Feature wall painting, which is increasingly popular in living rooms and bedrooms, is often quoted as an add-on at SGD $100 to $300 per wall depending on the finish. Painting a single room independently, such as a kitchen or bathroom, generally starts from SGD $111 to $200 depending on wall area and condition. Rates quoted by painting companies in Singapore usually include labour, standard materials, and basic surface preparation, but it pays to confirm exactly what is and is not included before accepting any quote.
Price Breakdown by Service Level
| Service Level | What You Get | Typical Price Range (SGD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Single room or 1–2 room HDB flat, standard paint, one to two coats, minimal surface prep | $400 – $800 | Small spaces, tight budgets, rental properties |
| Standard | 3–4 room HDB or small condo, walls and ceilings, water-based or odour-less paint, basic plastering included | $950 – $1,500 | Most homeowners refreshing an existing home |
| Premium | 5-room HDB or condo, premium paint brands, anti-mould coating, feature wall, thorough surface preparation, workmanship warranty | $1,650 – $2,500 | Quality-focused homeowners, new interior designs |
| Enterprise / Custom | Landed property, exterior painting, commercial spaces, special effects finishes, full project management, extensive repair and plastering | $2,500 – $3,500+ | Large homes, businesses, complex or multi-surface projects |
What Affects the Cost of Painters in Singapore?
Property size and number of rooms
The total wall and ceiling area to be painted is the single biggest driver of cost. A 1-room flat has far less surface area than a 5-room HDB unit or a condo with high ceilings. Painters typically calculate their quotes based on square footage or by room count, so larger properties will always attract higher prices. Doors, bathroom walls, kitchen walls, and ceilings are often quoted separately if not included in the base package.
Type and brand of paint
Paint choice affects both cost and finish quality. Standard water-based emulsion paints are the most cost-effective option, while odour-less paints, anti-mould formulas, and premium brands such as Nippon Paint or Dulux carry a higher price per litre. Special effects paints and textured finishes for feature walls are priced at a premium and require more skilled application. Using genuine, made-in-Singapore products from established brands also ensures better adhesion and durability over time.
Surface condition and preparation required
Walls with peeling paint, mould growth, hairline cracks, or damaged plaster require remedial work before any new coat can be applied. Plastering, sanding, mould treatment, and crack repair all add to the total project cost. Properties where paint peeling is extensive or where adhesion has failed across multiple surfaces will need more preparation time and materials, which pushes the price up. A wall in good condition needs far less preparation and will cost less to repaint.
Number of coats required
Most professional painting jobs require a minimum of two coats, a primer or base coat followed by one or two finishing coats. Dark colour changes, heavily stained walls, or surfaces with significant colour bleed may need three or more coats to achieve a clean, even finish. Each additional coat adds both materials and labour to the final price. Some packages advertise a fixed number of coats, so confirm this detail when comparing quotes.
Interior versus exterior painting
Exterior painting is more involved than interior work. It requires weather-resistant paint products, access equipment for higher facades, and more thorough surface preparation to handle the effects of Singapore’s humidity and UV exposure. Exterior jobs on landed properties or commercial buildings with large facades are priced significantly higher than interior HDB repaints. The scope of exterior projects also tends to be less predictable, as the full extent of surface damage is not always visible until preparation begins.
How to Get Accurate Quotes
- List every surface you want painted, including walls, ceilings, doors, bathrooms, kitchen, and any feature walls. The more specific you are, the more accurate the quote will be.
- Note the current condition of your walls. If there is peeling paint, mould, or cracks, tell each painter upfront so they can include surface preparation and repair costs in their estimate rather than adding them later.
- Request at least three quotes from different painting companies or independent painters. Compare them on the same scope of work, paint brand, number of coats, and what is included in surface prep.
- Ask specifically about the paint brand and product being used, including whether it is water-based, odour-less, or anti-mould, and whether the price includes primer coats.
- Confirm whether the quote includes furniture protection, reinstatement of items moved during painting, and any workmanship warranty. A 12-month warranty is a reasonable expectation from established providers.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- Quotes with no site visit or photos requested. A painter who quotes without assessing wall condition, room size, or surface type cannot give you a reliable price.
- Unusually low prices that exclude surface preparation. Skipping sanding, priming, or mould treatment will cause the new paint to peel within months.
- No clarity on the paint brand or product being used. Some cheaper quotes substitute low-quality or diluted paints, which affect adhesion, coverage, and finish quality.
- Pressure to pay a large deposit before work begins. A reasonable deposit for a standard painting job is typically 20 to 30 per cent, not 50 per cent or more upfront.
- No written quote or contract. Any professional painting service should provide a written breakdown of scope, materials, price, and timeline before work starts.
- Vague timelines with no commitment to a completion date. Singapore painting jobs for a standard HDB flat should typically be completed within one to three days. Open-ended timelines with no accountability are a risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do painters cost in Singapore on average?
For a standard 3 to 4-room HDB flat, most homeowners pay between SGD $950 and $1,500 for a full interior repaint including walls and ceilings. Smaller jobs such as a single room start from around SGD $111 to $300, while larger or more complex projects involving premium paints, feature walls, exterior surfaces, or extensive repair work can reach SGD $2,500 to $3,500 or more.
Why are some painters prices so much cheaper?
Lower prices often reflect shortcuts in surface preparation, fewer coats of paint, lower-quality or diluted paint products, or painters who are not licensed or insured. Some cheap quotes also exclude plastering, mould treatment, or primer coats and add these costs later as extras. A budget-friendly quote is not always a bad deal, but it is worth verifying exactly what is included and checking reviews or past work before committing.
Is it worth paying more for painters in Singapore?
In most cases, yes. Paying for genuine premium paint products, proper surface preparation, anti-mould treatment, and experienced applicators produces a finish that lasts significantly longer than a cheap job that starts peeling within a year. The cost difference between a basic and standard package is often SGD $300 to $600, which is modest compared to the inconvenience and expense of repainting a flat again 12 months later. For a home you plan to live in for several years, quality workmanship is a worthwhile investment.
Getting painting done well in Singapore comes down to knowing your scope, choosing the right paint for your home’s conditions, and working with a provider who is transparent about what the price covers. Whether you are refreshing a single bedroom, repainting an entire HDB flat, or tackling an exterior repaint on a landed property, comparing at least three quotes on an equal basis gives you the clearest picture of fair market pricing and helps you avoid the most common pitfalls in hiring a painter.
