Painter cost in India in 2026 ranges from ₹8/sqft for basic labour to ₹400/sqft for wood polishing. Wall painting (labour only) is ₹8-25/sqft; with materials, ₹18-65/sqft depending on paint quality. A 2BHK full painting costs ₹18,000-45,000 (labour) or ₹35,000-90,000 (with premium paints). Here's the complete breakdown.
Wall painting rates per sqft
| Job | Labour only (₹/sqft) | With material (₹/sqft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distemper (basic) | 8-15 | 18-30 | 1-coat budget option |
| Distemper (premium) | 12-20 | 25-40 | 2-coat |
| Acrylic emulsion (basic) | 15-25 | 32-50 | Most popular |
| Acrylic emulsion (premium) | 18-30 | 45-65 | Asian Paints Royale, Berger Silk |
| Plastic emulsion | 12-22 | 28-45 | Washable |
| Enamel paint (doors/windows) | 20-35 | 40-80 | Glossy finish |
| Exterior weatherproof | 18-28 | 35-70 | Apex, Weathercoat |
Full house painting rates by size (2BHK example)
A typical 2BHK has 1,800-2,400 sqft of paintable area (walls + ceilings). At ₹15/sqft labour + ₹25/sqft material = ₹40/sqft total → ₹72,000-96,000 for premium paint. For basic distemper at ₹25/sqft total → ₹45,000-60,000.
| House size | Paintable area | Basic (₹) | Premium (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1RK | 700-900 sqft | 15,000-25,000 | 32,000-55,000 |
| 1BHK | 1,200-1,600 sqft | 25,000-45,000 | 55,000-90,000 |
| 2BHK | 1,800-2,400 sqft | 40,000-65,000 | 85,000-1,40,000 |
| 3BHK | 2,800-3,600 sqft | 65,000-1,00,000 | 1,30,000-2,10,000 |
| 4BHK / villa | 4,500-6,500 sqft | 1,10,000-1,75,000 | 2,25,000-3,80,000 |
Texture and decorative finish rates
| Finish | Rate (₹/sqft) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Stencil texture | 40-80 | 2-3 days/room |
| Spatula/comb texture | 50-100 | 2-4 days/room |
| Roller texture | 40-70 | 2 days/room |
| Marble finish | 80-150 | 4-6 days/wall |
| Metallic finish | 100-200 | 3-5 days/wall |
| 3D wall texture | 120-300 | 5-8 days/wall |
| Italian stucco | 150-400 | 5-10 days/wall |
| Wallpaper installation (per roll) | 600-1,500 | 1-2 hours/roll |
POP, false ceiling and wood polish rates
| Service | Rate (₹/sqft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| POP punning (wall) | 25-50 | Smoothing for paint base |
| POP false ceiling (basic) | 50-90 | Plain design |
| POP false ceiling (designer) | 90-180 | Multi-level, lighting |
| Gypsum board ceiling | 70-150 | Ready-made boards |
| Wood polish (melamine) | 150-300 | Door, table, cupboard |
| Wood polish (PU) | 250-400 | Premium polyurethane |
| French polish | 300-500 | Traditional, on antique furniture |
| Lacquer polish | 200-350 | Glossy finish |
How much does it cost to paint a 2BHK house in India?
Painting a 2BHK house in India costs ₹40,000-65,000 for basic distemper and ₹85,000-1,40,000 for premium acrylic emulsion in 2026. Material is typically 55-65% of the total bill. Labour for a full 2BHK takes 5-8 days with 2-3 painters. Tier-1 metros (Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi) charge 20-25% more than tier-2 cities.
How much does texture painting cost per sqft?
Texture painting in India costs ₹40-300/sqft in 2026 depending on technique. Basic stencil/roller texture is ₹40-80/sqft. Designer textures (marble finish, metallic) cost ₹100-200/sqft. Premium Italian stucco or 3D wall art runs ₹150-400/sqft. A standard accent wall (40-80 sqft) typically costs ₹3,000-25,000.
Why are big-brand painting services 30-50% more expensive?
Brand painting services (Asian Paints Beautiful Homes, Berger Express Painting, Nerolac Paint Buddy) include certified painters, 1-year warranty, project management, and predictable timelines — at 30-50% premium over independent painters. For tier-1 metros and premium homes, this can be worth it. For tier-2/3 cities and standard homes, independent painters via Solve24 deliver equivalent quality at much lower cost. The key: check 5+ photos of past work and read 10+ reviews before booking either way.
Material vs labour breakdown (typical)
| Component | Share of bill | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paint material | 40-50% | Brand and quality drive this |
| Putty + primer | 5-10% | Required for proper finish |
| Labour | 35-45% | Skill-driven; specialists charge more |
| Tools & sundries | 3-5% | Brushes, rollers, masking tape |
| Transportation | 2-5% | Material delivery |
Are you a painter? Get direct customer leads
Painters on Solve24 specializing in textures, POP, and wood polish earn ₹35,000-80,000/month with 0% commission. Build a portfolio of 20-30 work photos and customers find you via Google search. Free 2-minute signup at solve24.in/become-a-worker.