Painting work: a guide to costs, colours & more
Your home occasionally needs a fresh coat of paint. What should you watch out for when painting the walls? When is it better to hire a painting company? Comparis provides the answers.
11.02.2026
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1. When should I repaint?
According to the service life table of the Homeowners’ Association, wall paints have a lifespan of 8 to 15 years – depending on the paint.
However, whether your home needs a fresh coat of paint generally depends on the wear and tear on the walls, ceilings, doors and windows. For example, in heavily used rooms such as hallways and children’s bedrooms, you will need to repaint the walls sooner than in less used rooms.
Discolouration, yellowing and blemishes impair the look and feel of your home. A fresh coat of paint improves its appearance and helps to preserve the value of the building Repainting is particularly recommended for:
Moisture damage on the walls
Efflorescence (salt deposits) on the masonry
Cracks in the wall
open joints
nicotine discolouration
general wear and tear
Important: if walls are damaged, have a professional clarify the cause of the damage before applying a new coat of paint. This applies, for example, to moisture damage, efflorescence and cracks.
As a homeowner you can decide for yourself, when a new coat of paint makes sense.
The recommended guideline value according to the service life table:
Interior: Repaint every 8 to 15 years
Outdoor areas: Repaint every 20 to 25 years
The guideline value depends on which paint you used when painting.
Tenants can expect from their landlord or landlady that the walls and ceiling are are in an acceptable condition. They must also comply with what is agreed in the tenancy agreement.
As not acceptable are in particular:
Yellowed walls caused by nicotine
Walls smeared with paint
Peeling paint
In this case, tenants can demand a professional repainting.
Do you live in a rented apartment yourself? If the condition of the walls and ceilings corresponds to normal wear and tear, you do not usually have to repaint the walls when you hand over your apartment.
If the wear and tear is excessive, the landlord can demand a financial contribution towards the repainting. You may incur the following costs:
Pro rata for the general repainting depending on the age. You don’t need to pay anything if the lifespan of the paintwork has expired.
Full cost of additional work due to excessive wear and tear.
Example: You move out of your rented apartment after seven years. The wall paint has a service life of eight years. The walls are yellowish due to nicotine and require a nicotine barrier.
Having the walls painted by a painting company Professional painting by a painting company costs 1’300 francs. 800 francs is for the general paintwork, and 300 francs is for the nicotine barrier.
You have to pay 400 francs pay:
100 francs is your share towards the general painting work.
300 francs is due to the excessive wear and tear .
May I paint a rented apartment?
Painting the walls in a rented apartment is considered a structural alteration to the rental property – particularly if the choice or type of colour differs from the original wall colour. Pursuant to the Code of Obligations the landlord must give their consent in writing to the painting work. A verbal consent is not sufficient.
If no written consent is available, the landlord may demand upon moving out restoration of the original condition.
For the general paintwork, you only need to bear the proportionate costs based on the service life. If additional coats of paint are required due to the wall colour you have chosen, you must bear the additional costs.
2. Painting yourself: what do I need to bear in mind for painting work?
If you are going to paint the walls yourself, you should be well prepared. You will need the appropriate tools. You should also thoroughly check the condition of the surfaces you plan to paint.
What painting equipment do I need?
You usually need the following equipment:
A sufficient quantity of paint in your chosen colour
Paint roller, paint stirrer, angled paintbrush, telescopic rod (e.g. for painting ceilings)
Dust sheets or other protective covering
Painter’s tape
Paint tray and paint grid
Stepladder
Protective equipment (especially for solvent-based paints) or old clothes
Screwdriver to remove skirting
Filling compound for Dowel holes and uneven areas
Brush for priming
Something for stirring paint
Particularly suitable for painting is Painter’s tape. This has been developed to meet the needs when painting. For outdoor areas, the following is suitable: UV-resistant adhesive tape.
Comparis tip: After applying the masking tape, paint over the edge of the tape once with the base colour. This will close any remaining gaps for the new paint. This will give you clean edges.
Remove the adhesive tape also promptly after painting. Otherwise, there is a risk that it will adhere more strongly to the surface over time.
How do I check the condition of the surface?
First, prepare the surface: with a scratch test, an abrasion test, an absorbency test and the repairing of the surfaces. This ensures that the fresh paint will adhere perfectly after repainting. If in doubt, seek advice from a professional.
Scratch test: run a coarse brush over the surface. If the old paint starts to come off, you should remove it completely before repainting.
Abrasion test: rub the surface with a dark cloth. Do you see any dust residue? If so, you should clean the surface with water before painting. To do this, moisten some household paper or a rag. Important: the paper or cloth should be damp, not wet.
Absorbency test: run a wet sponge over the surface. If it absorbs moisture, primer is necessary before painting.
What do I need to consider if the walls are damaged?
Check walls and ceilings for cracks, holes and unevenness before painting. You can repair using filler. If in doubt, it’s worth having the defects professionally assessed and remedied by a professional painter and decorator.
3. Which paint do I need?
There are numerous types of paint available, such as emulsion paints, silicate paints or lacquers. The choice of interior paint affects the room climate. If you are doing the painting yourself, get detailed advice in a specialist shop or DIY store.
Water-based acrylic paints and solvent-based synthetic resin paints are particularly hard-wearing. They are suitable for window frames, doors, fences and shutters. When using a solvent-based paint, always wear a respirator mask and safety goggles.
Emulsion paints are the most commonly used paints.As a rule, they do not contain any solvents, but are instead water-based. This means they can also be thinned with water.
Emulsion paints are suitable for almost all large indoor surfaces. They usually adhere easily to wallpaper, plaster, wood and concrete. They are very user-friendly. As a rule, no special protective equipment is required.
One subtype of emulsion paint is latex paint. Contrary to its name, it does not contain latex, but is nevertheless particularly durable. Latex paints are also abrasion-resistant and water-repellent. This makes them suitable for bathrooms and kitchens, among other spaces. As they are easy to clean, they are also a good choice for rooms with a lot of footfall.
Silicate paints are mineral paints. They are particularly durable, weather-resistant and environmentally friendly. They also prevent mould from forming.
Suitable substrates are mineral surfaces such as plaster, concrete and fibre cement. These paints are, however, difficult to apply. Non-professionals are therefore advised to use a dispersion silicate paint specially developed for DIYers.
Important: silicate paint is corrosive. Therefore, you must wear protective clothing, safety goggles and a respirator at all times.
How many coats of paint are needed?
For light-coloured paints, are usually sufficient. 1 to 2 coats of paint. When painting with dark tones, plan several coats of paint in. High-quality paints with high opacity are suitable (ideally with opacity class 1).
4. When should I hire professional painters?
Having the painting and decorating done professionally has advantages and disadvantages compared to the «do-it-yourself» approach:
| Advantages of professional painting | Disadvantages of professional painting |
|---|---|
| Time savings when painting thanks to experienced and professional work | Higher costs |
| Blemish-free, even results | Fixed dates, less time flexibility |
| Clean, sharp lines and edges | Project effort for requesting quotes, coordination, planning and inspection |
| Personalised advice and in-depth expertise | Possible waiting times |
| No physical effort required from the client | Communication effort |
When should I not do the painting myself?
Don’t just paint large surfaces such as walls and ceilings, but also window frames, doors or exterior walls. As a layperson, you may soon reach your limits. For particularly demanding painting work, it’s worth getting the support of a professional painting company.
A professional paint job is generally recommended in particular
for large-scale painting work,
for very high rooms,
for demanding surfaces and materials,
for surfaces made of different materials,
for elderly people,
for people with health risks and physical disabilities,
for people who are sensitive or allergic to ingredients in paints.
Can I paint a façade myself?
In principle, you can also paint exterior walls yourself.
There are a few things to keep in mind: There are a few things to keep in mind:
The scaffolding must be erected by a professional.
Leftover paint must not enter the sewage system and must be disposed of correctly.
You must let the walls dry between multiple coats of paint.
Work on exterior wall surfaces with several people. This allows the surface to dry uniformly – for a blemish-free result.
Observe safety measures when working on the scaffolding and wear suitable protective equipment.
5. How much does a paint job by a painting company cost?
The costs differ depending on region, company and situation. Other factors such as the type and condition of the walls, the experience of the specialists or the number of bathrooms also influence the price.
How much does a painter cost per hour in Switzerland?
If painting companies charge by the hour, they will charge around 50 to 140 francs per hour. There are also costs for materials and travel.
Here you can find the labour rates in the painting trade 2026 of the Swiss Association of Painting and Plastering Contractors (SMGV).
How many square metres can a painter manage per day?
A professional female or male painter can manage an estimated 20 to 30 square metres of living space per day in an unfurnished apartment.
This is a rough guideline. The actual work involved in preparation and painting varies greatly depending on the job and the initial situation. Key factors include, for example, how much preparatory work and masking work is required, the type and condition of the walls are and how many coats of paint are required.
Why do painting costs vary so much?
Among other things, the costs depend on the room conditions and customer requirements ab. To get a cost estimate, you will need to answer the following questions:
How big is the area to be painted?
What condition are the walls in?
What material are the walls made of?
How many corners, edges and reveals does a room have?
Do floors and skirtings need to be covered?
Do holes or joints need to be filled?
Do electrical wall plates have to be removed or taped off?
Do other features such as window frames and door frames need to be painted?
What additional costs could arise?
There may be additional costs for preparatory and masking work, as well as for unforeseen events. In order to avoid misunderstandings and surprises, it’s a good idea to arrange for an on-site viewing in advance..
Depending on the provider and driving distance, painters may charge a flat-rate travel fee or charge the travel costs based on the kilometres driven.
Painting apartments in which people have smoked often entails more work. For example, a nicotine barrier is required. A surcharge of up to 20% may apply.
Ancillary work generally costs extra. This includes, for example, repairing damage and cracks in walls, cleaning and additional covering work. Providers charge a fixed price or charge based on time and effort involved.
Sometimes, one coat of paint is not enough. Depending on the agreement, painting companies may charge a surcharge of up to 20% for a second coat.
Painting and decorating quotes are usually based on the use of white wall paint. For coloured coats, there may be additional costs .
Is the room full of furniture and decorative items? The painting company may charge a surcharge for the additional work involved .
6. Where can I find a painting company near me?
Would you like to have your home painted to a high standard? Find a painting company now in Zurich, Basel, Aargau, Bern, Winterthur or a painting company directly in your region.
7. Frequently asked questions about painting work
How much painting work costs depends on your circumstances and your wishes. Many painting companies charge an hourly rate of 50 to 140 francs. However, professionals often also charge by the square metre.
All beginnings are difficult. These tips make painting easier for you:
Don’t skimp on materials. If you use cheap materials, you may end up with unsightly results. For example, rollers and brushes can shed, and cheap paints do not provide sufficient coverage.
Tape the walls off properly. Before painting, find out which masking tape is most suitable for your surface.
After masking the area, first paint over the edges with the same paint as the surface. This way, you prevent paint from running under the edge.
Remove the masking tape before the paint from the final coat has dried completely. This will prevent you from tearing off the dried paint on the wall along with the tape.
Avoid taking breaks when painting a wall. This will ensure a uniform result. However, you can take breaks between painting different walls.
Lumens are a unit used to measure the brightness of light. However, when it comes to lighting for painting work, the colour temperature, which is measured in Kelvin, is also crucial.
How many lumens you need depends, among other things, on the size of your room: the larger the room, the more lumens you will need. However, your light should have at least 2,500 lumens.
In terms of colour, the light in the room should, as far as possible, resemble natural daylight as closely as possible. You can achieve this with a light temperature of between 4,000 and 6,500 Kelvin.
Comparis tip: If the room is large, it may also be worth using several lights. Construction site spotlights are best for this purpose.
Also look for a high CRI value. This is the colour rendering index, which is expressed in Ra. It indicates how close artificial light is to natural light. A value of 100 Ra corresponds to natural sunlight. The higher the CRI value, the more natural the light.
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This article was first published on 13.11.2024
