Painting and Decorating in Ireland
By law, an employed craftsperson must be paid at least €23.74 an hour.
The Order sets the minimum an employed craftsperson must be paid, not what a contractor charges you.
Workplace Relations Commission, S.I. 620/2024, 1 August 2026
Painting and decorating in Ireland covers interior and exterior work: emulsion and eggshell on walls and ceilings, gloss or satin on trim, doors and skirting, plus wallpapering, filling, sanding and priming. Exterior work includes fascia, soffit, railings, gates and render, and it usually needs dry weather and mild temperatures to cure properly. Most jobs start with a visit so the painter can measure the rooms, look at the surface condition and give you a written quote for labour and materials. You post your task on ShamFix and describe what you need — rooms, inside or outside, colours, deadlines. Your task stays open for 30 days. Providers registered in this category can see it. On this Painting and decorating page you can open listed profiles by Irish county and write to the provider from there.
What painting and decorating costs in Ireland
| Rate | Range | Note | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory minimum, craftsperson pay | €23.74 | Per hour. Category craftsperson, second phase of S.I. 620/2024. | |
| Statutory minimum, general operative (Category A) | €23.03 | Per hour. | |
| Employer PRSI on top of that pay | 11.25% | 11.25% until 30 September 2026, rising to 11.40% from 1 October 2026. Employer PRSI, Class A, national rate for 2026 (Revenue / Department of Social Protection) | |
| VAT on construction services | 13.5% | Reduced VAT rate on construction services, Revenue Commissioners | |
| Contractor charge-out, per tradesperson | €45–€75 | Before VAT. | Estimate |
Source: Workplace Relations Commission, S.I. 620/2024, 1 August 2026. Figures as of 1 August 2026.
The Order sets the minimum an employed craftsperson must be paid, not what a contractor charges you. VAT on construction services is 13.5% and is added on top of the quoted labour and materials.
Rows marked as estimates are aggregate market estimates, not sourced figures.
What moves the price
- The biggest driver is volume: the number of rooms, ceiling height, how many doors, windows and radiators need cutting in around.
- Access matters — stairwells, dormers, high ceilings and scaffolding for two-storey exteriors all add labour.
- Condition is the next factor: bare plaster, flaking paint, damp patches, old gloss that needs stripping, cracks and holes that need filling and sanding before a brush touches the wall.
- Materials vary too, from standard trade emulsion to washable, mould-resistant or exterior masonry paint, and wallpaper carries its own hanging and paste costs.
- A painter may charge separately for a call-out, day rate or labour, plus materials and any travel, all quoted in euro.
- Ask for the quote split so you can see labour, materials and any access costs.
How long painting and decorating takes
A single room typically takes one to two days including preparation and two coats, while a full three-bedroom house can run one to two weeks depending on filling, sanding and drying times between coats. Exterior work is weather-dependent: render and masonry need dry, mild conditions, so Irish painters often schedule outside jobs between late spring and early autumn. Wallpapering is quicker per wall but slower overall because of matching patterns and paste drying. Realistic start dates depend on the painter's current bookings, so ask when they can begin and how many days they will be on site. Allow extra time for damp-proofing, plaster repairs or lead paint removal before decorating starts.
What to ask before you hire
- 01Ask for a written quote rather than a verbal estimate, and check whether it covers labour, materials, preparation, masking and cleanup.
- 02Ask whether the painter is VAT-registered and whether the quoted price includes VAT.
- 03Ask which professional body they are a member of, and whether they carry public liability insurance — request the policy details.
- 04Ask who moves and covers furniture, who removes old wallpaper, and who tidies up and disposes of paint tins and offcuts at the end.
- 05Ask how many coats are included, what paint brand and finish they intend to use, and whether touch-ups after snagging are covered.
- 06Confirm the start date, working hours and who supplies the paint.
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Painting and decorating questions people ask
How much does it cost to paint a room in Ireland?
There is no single figure because price depends on room size, ceiling height, surface condition and how much preparation is needed. A small bedroom with sound walls costs less than a large room with cracks, damp patches or old gloss to strip. Ask for a written quote that separates labour, materials and any access costs so you can compare like with like.
Do I need to move furniture before the painter arrives?
Most painters expect you to clear small items and breakables, and they will move larger furniture to the centre of the room and cover it. Confirm this in advance so there are no surprises. Ask whether they bring dust sheets and masking tape, and who is responsible for removing pictures, curtains and wall fittings before work starts.
How many coats of paint will I need?
Two coats is the usual standard for interior walls and ceilings, but a colour change from dark to light, or bare plaster, can need three or a primer first. Exterior masonry often needs two coats plus a stabilising primer on chalky render. Ask the painter to state the number of coats and the paint brand in the written quote.
Can exterior painting be done in winter in Ireland?
Usually not reliably, because most exterior paints need dry conditions and temperatures above about ten degrees to cure. Damp, frost or wind can ruin a finish and cause flaking within months. Many painters schedule fascia, render and railing work from late spring to early autumn, so book exterior jobs well ahead of the season.
Should I buy the paint myself or let the painter supply it?
Either can work, but letting the painter supply usually means trade-quality paint and correct quantities, and it keeps responsibility for the finish in one place. If you buy your own, confirm the exact brand, finish and colour code with the painter first, and check whether they charge extra for applying customer-supplied materials.
What should be in a painting and decorating quote?
A good quote lists the rooms or exterior areas, preparation work such as filling and sanding, number of coats, paint brand and finish, labour, materials, access equipment and VAT. It should also state who moves furniture, who cleans up and when payment is due. Ask for it in writing and keep a copy for reference.
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