How much does it cost to paint a room in Dublin?
A small room of around 12m² typically costs €300–€600 all in, including materials — our source price book puts walls at €10–€20 per m² and ceilings at €12–€35 per m², with day rates of €160–€300. Dublin carries roughly a 31% premium on painting work compared with the national average, so expect the higher end of these ranges locally.
"All in" normally covers prep (filling small holes, light sanding), two coats, and materials — ask what's included before comparing two quotes, since a cheaper quote sometimes means one coat or no prep.
Ceilings usually cost more per m² than walls because of the awkward working position, not because the paint itself is different.
A day-rate quote can work out better value than a per-m² quote for a larger or more complex room — ask for both if you're unsure which suits your job.
What affects the price
- Room size and ceiling height
- Amount of prep needed — filling, sanding, stain-blocking
- Number of coats and paint quality/finish chosen
- Dublin location (roughly +31% versus the national average for this trade)
When to call a pro
Once you have a scope in mind — get two or three quotes against the same spec.
Sources
- Irish Trade Price Book v1, 17 August 2026, §2 (painter-decorator row)
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