Understanding Paint Cost Per Square Foot in Pakistan
Planning a paint job for your home or office in Pakistan? Understanding the paint cost per square foot is crucial for budgeting accurately. This comprehensive information breaks down the house painting costs, covering everything from material quality and surface preparation to labour charges, helping you estimate your total, whether you're in Lahore, Islamabad, or anywhere else.
A paint price is not a painting cost.
On a new wall in Lahore, the paint itself is about 30 per cent of what you pay per square foot. The rest is sealer, putty, sanding, labour and the sundries nobody itemises. Below, every layer is priced separately for Lahore and Islamabad, with the brand prices, labour rates and room and house totals behind them.
- Paint30%
- Labour45%
- Putty, sealer and sundries25%
- Q4 2026 rate set, reviewed 25 September 2026, next review Q1 2027
- PKR per sq ft of painted wall or ceiling surface, not floor area · Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Avenir Developments does not take standalone painting contracts. Painting is specified and supervised inside a construction, interior design or Design and Build project. This guide is published so you can check a painting quotation properly, whoever does the work.
Estimate your paint job
A whole house or a single room. The result splits into what you buy and what you pay people to do, and tells you roughly how many litres and bags to expect.
PKR 6.59 lakh to PKR 11.2 lakh
Midpoint PKR 8.90 lakh (890,000)
PKR 55 to 90 per sq ft painted · PKR 210 to 360 per sq ft covered · Standard · New plaster · Lahore
12,129 sq ft painted: interior walls 7,088, ceilings 2,678, exterior walls 2,363.
- Finish paint32% of the midpointPKR 2.03 lakh to PKR 3.62 lakh
- Wall putty11% of the midpointPKR 61,500 to PKR 126,000
- Sealer or primer8% of the midpointPKR 36,900 to PKR 112,000
- Sundries and protection3% of the midpointPKR 18,200 to PKR 36,400
- Painting labour45% of the midpointPKR 3.32 lakh to PKR 4.70 lakh
- Scaffolding and access1% of the midpointPKR 7,090 to PKR 14,200
- Interior emulsion163 to 206 litres, about 11 to 13 drums of 16 L
- Exterior weather coat43 to 56 litres, about 3 to 4 drums of 16 L
- Sealer97 to 121 litres, about 7 to 8 drums of 16 L
- Wall putty362 to 514 kg, about 19 to 26 bags of 20 kg
Included: surface preparation, sealer, wall putty with sanding, finish coats, labour, scaffolding for
normal two storey exteriors, and sundries such as rollers, sandpaper, masking and floor protection.
Excluded: damp and seepage treatment, crack stitching and plaster repair, enamel on doors and grills,
texture finishes, scaffolding for double height spaces, contractor overheads and profit, and taxes beyond those
already in retail paint prices. DHA adds 6 per cent.
A planning estimate, not a quotation. Q4 2026 rate set, reviewed 25 September 2026, next review Q1 2027. How these rates were built
These rates were reviewed on 25 September 2026. Market prices may have moved since then. The next scheduled review is Q1 2027.
Paint cost per square foot in Pakistan
In Lahore, painting a new interior wall costs PKR 40 to 60 per square foot at Essential specification, PKR 55 to 90 at Standard, PKR 70 to 115 at Premium and PKR 105 to 160 at Luxury, including sealer, putty, paint and labour, in the Q4 2026 rate set reviewed on 25 September 2026. Repainting sound walls costs PKR 35 to 55 at Standard, and a new exterior in weather coat PKR 50 to 85.
Rates are per square foot of painted surface: the wall or ceiling you can see, not the floor area of the house. Paint list prices are the same in both cities. The planning rates for Islamabad and Rawalpindi are 5 per cent higher across the whole job, so Standard new walls there cost PKR 55 to 95. In DHA, add 6 per cent.
- EssentialPKR 40–60
- StandardPKR 55–90
- PremiumPKR 70–115
- LuxuryPKR 105–160
Interior walls and ceilings
| Specification | New plaster | Repaint, good walls | Repaint, patchy walls |
|---|---|---|---|
| EssentialEconomy semi-plastic emulsion, one putty coat | 40–60Islamabad 45–65 | 30–45Islamabad 30–45 | 45–70Islamabad 50–75 |
| StandardPlastic emulsion, sealer, two putty coats | 55–90Islamabad 55–95 | 35–55Islamabad 35–60 | 50–85Islamabad 55–90 |
| PremiumWashable emulsion, acrylic putty | 70–115Islamabad 70–120 | 40–70Islamabad 45–75 | 65–105Islamabad 70–115 |
| LuxuryTop-line emulsion, acrylic putty, three coats | 105–160Islamabad 110–170 | 75–115Islamabad 80–120 | 100–150Islamabad 105–160 |
Exterior walls
| Specification | New plaster | Repaint, good walls | Repaint, patchy walls |
|---|---|---|---|
| EssentialEconomy weather coat | 45–70Islamabad 50–75 | 45–65Islamabad 45–70 | 55–80Islamabad 55–85 |
| StandardStandard weather coat | 50–85Islamabad 55–90 | 50–75Islamabad 50–80 | 60–95Islamabad 60–100 |
| PremiumPremium weather coat | 65–100Islamabad 70–105 | 60–90Islamabad 60–95 | 70–110Islamabad 75–115 |
| LuxuryTop-line weather coat | 75–115Islamabad 80–120 | 70–105Islamabad 75–110 | 80–125Islamabad 85–130 |
Where one square foot of wall goes
Five things happen to a new wall before it looks finished. Choose a layer to see what it costs, what it does, and how to check it was done. Standard specification, new plaster, Lahore.
Layers shown to one decimal placePKR 53.5 to 92.2, published as PKR 55 to 90
PKR 1.5 to 2.5 per sq ft · 3% of the rate
Plaster droppings scraped off, cracks opened and filled, dust brushed down. It is labour only, and the cheapest layer on the wall.
How to check it was done. Run your palm across the wall before the sealer goes on. Loose grit means the sealer will bond to dust, not plaster.
PKR 6.0 to 13.2 per sq ft · 13% of the rate
One coat of wall sealer binds the powdery plaster surface and stops the alkali in fresh cement attacking the paint. Manufacturers ask for a dry wall first: Nippon's data sheet for its Vinilex 5100 sealer asks for moisture below 16 per cent.
How to check it was done. Ask for the product name on the tin. "Primer" on a quotation can mean anything, including thinned emulsion.
PKR 16.3 to 28.9 per sq ft · 31% of the rate
Two thin coats of wall putty, each sanded, give the flat surface emulsion needs. This is the layer most often cut: one coat instead of two, or one sanding instead of two.
How to check it was done. At night, hold a torch flat against the wall. Ripples, trowel marks and sanding scratches show immediately.
PKR 28.2 to 44.6 per sq ft · 50% of the rate
Two coats of plastic emulsion. The first coat costs about PKR 14.8 to 23.3 per sq ft and the second PKR 13.3 to 21.3, material and labour together.
How to check it was done. Count the empty tins against the area. At 95 to 120 sq ft per litre per coat, 1,000 sq ft of wall needs about 17 to 21 litres for two coats.
PKR 1.5 to 3.0 per sq ft · 3% of the rate
Rollers, brushes, sandpaper, masking tape and floor protection. Small per square foot, but it is the difference between a clean handover and emulsion on new marble.
How to check it was done. Ask whether protection of floors, fittings and windows, and cleaning at the end, are in the rate.
Building a house? Paint is one line of the finishing budget.
On a new 10 Marla house in Lahore at Standard specification, painting is roughly 5 to 8 per cent of the finishing cost. Flooring, woodwork, bathrooms, electrics and windows make up most of the rest, and every one of them costs less to get right on the drawings than on site.
Price the whole house
The house construction cost guide prices grey structure and finishing together for Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Price every finish
Separate guides cover flooring, woodwork, bathrooms, electrical, plumbing and windows.
Build it with Avenir
Design and Build of houses from 5 Marla to 2 Kanal in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with every finish specified on the drawings.
Paint prices in Pakistan
Interior emulsion in Pakistan costs PKR 650 to 2,510 per litre at list price in the Q4 2026 rate set: economy semi-plastic emulsions about PKR 650 to 760, plastic emulsions PKR 940 to 1,360, washable emulsions PKR 1,350 to 1,960 and top lines PKR 2,100 to 2,510. Exterior weather coats cost PKR 880 to 2,590 per litre, and a 20 kg bag of standard wall putty PKR 3,474 to 4,845.
Prices below are the brands' own published list prices, or their own online stores, checked on 25 September 2026. Where a brand publishes no price, a retailer listing is shown and marked R. Nippon's list states that its prices include 18 per cent sales tax. Some brands publish separate regional prices; these are the Punjab and rest of Pakistan prices.
Interior emulsion20 products · per litre
| Brand and product | Pack | List price, PKR | Per unit, PKR | Band | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nippon Q Interior Emulsion | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 2,370 · 651 / L | 651 / L | Essential | Essential · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Nippon Easy Coat Emulsion | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 2,470 · 679 / L | 679 / L | Essential | Essential · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Berger New SPD semi plastic emulsion | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 2,550 · 701 / L | 701 / L | Essential | Essential · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Master Luxury Plastic Emulsion | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 3,772 · 943 / L | 943 / L | Standard | Standard · paintshop.pk, Jan 2026 R |
| Dulux Promise Interior | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 4,125 · 1,031 / L | 1,031 / L | Standard | Standard · Dulux store on Daraz M |
| Berger Maxpro | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 4,175 · 1,044 / L | 1,044 / L | Standard | Standard · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Brighto Plastic Emulsion | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 4,440 · 1,110 / L | 1,110 / L | Standard | Standard · Brighto store on Daraz M |
| Diamond Ace Acrylic Plastic Emulsion | Gallon | Gallon · PKR 4,482 · litres not stated | not stated | Standard | Standard · Diamond store, Punjab price M |
| Master Royal Matt Emulsion | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 5,048 · 1,262 / L | 1,262 / L | Standard | Standard · Master Paints shop M |
| Nippon Matex Gold Emulsion | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 4,925 · 1,353 / L | 1,353 / L | Standard | Standard · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Brighto Super Mastic Aura Matt | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 5,400 · 1,350 / L | 1,350 / L | Premium | Premium · Brighto online store M |
| Nippon Perfect Emulsion | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 5,755 · 1,439 / L | 1,439 / L | Premium | Premium · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Berger Elegance Emulsion | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 6,135 · 1,534 / L | 1,534 / L | Premium | Premium · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Berger Elegance Desire, silk | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 6,660 · 1,665 / L | 1,665 / L | Premium | Premium · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Brighto Stain Free | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 6,860 · 1,715 / L | 1,715 / L | Premium | Premium · Brighto store on Daraz M |
| Diamond Ace Durasilk | Gallon | Gallon · PKR 6,927 · litres not stated | not stated | Premium | Premium · Diamond store, Punjab price M |
| Nippon EasyWash | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 7,820 · 1,955 / L | 1,955 / L | Premium | Premium · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Jotun Fenomastic Pure Colours Matt | 3.6 L | 3.6 L · PKR 7,600 · 2,111 / L | 2,111 / L | Luxury | Luxury · Zahid and Co R |
| Dulux Ambiance VT Jewel Glo | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 8,745 · 2,186 / L | 2,186 / L | Luxury | Luxury · Dulux store on Daraz M |
| Nippon Spot-less Matt Emulsion | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 10,020 · 2,505 / L | 2,505 / L | Luxury | Luxury · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
Exterior weather coat14 products · per litre
| Brand and product | Pack | List price, PKR | Per unit, PKR | Band | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighto Wall Shield | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 3,530 · 883 / L | 883 / L | Essential | Essential · Brighto online store M |
| Master Weather Resistant | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 3,943 · 986 / L | 986 / L | Essential | Essential · Master Paints shop M |
| Diamond Everlast Weather Proof | Gallon | Gallon · PKR 3,983 · litres not stated | not stated | Essential | Essential · Diamond store, Punjab price M |
| Berger Weather Pro | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 4,385 · 1,096 / L | 1,096 / L | Essential | Essential · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Brighto All Weather | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 4,640 · 1,160 / L | 1,160 / L | Standard | Standard · Brighto store on Daraz M |
| Diamond Ace Weather Defender | Gallon | Gallon · PKR 4,686 · litres not stated | not stated | Standard | Standard · Diamond store, Punjab price M |
| Nippon Q Exterior Emulsion | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 5,295 · 1,324 / L | 1,324 / L | Standard | Standard · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Nippon Weatherbond Advance | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 5,940 · 1,485 / L | 1,485 / L | Standard | Standard · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Dulux Weathershield | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 6,650 · 1,663 / L | 1,663 / L | Premium | Premium · Dulux store on Daraz M |
| Berger VIP Weathercoat | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 6,880 · 1,720 / L | 1,720 / L | Premium | Premium · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Nippon Weatherbond | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 7,625 · 1,906 / L | 1,906 / L | Premium | Premium · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Dulux Weathershield Powerflexx | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 8,910 · 2,228 / L | 2,228 / L | Luxury | Luxury · Dulux store on Daraz M |
| Jotun Jotashield ColourLast Matt | 3.6 L | 3.6 L · PKR 9,300 · 2,583 / L | 2,583 / L | Luxury | Luxury · Zahid and Co R |
| Berger Weathercoat Glow 365 | 4 L | 4 L · PKR 9,315 · 2,329 / L | 2,329 / L | Luxury | Luxury · Berger Shop, list price M |
Wall putty and sealer15 products · per kg or litre
| Brand and product | Pack | List price, PKR | Per unit, PKR | Band | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Wall Putty | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 3,474 · 174 / kg | 174 / kg | Standard putty | Standard putty · paintshop.pk, Jan 2026 R |
| Berger NU Wall Putty | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 3,510 · 176 / kg | 176 / kg | Standard putty | Standard putty · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Brighto Wall Putty | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 3,560 · 178 / kg | 178 / kg | Standard putty | Standard putty · Brighto online store M |
| Nippon Wall Putty | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 3,820 · 191 / kg | 191 / kg | Standard putty | Standard putty · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Nippon Wall Putty A-100 | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 4,845 · 242 / kg | 242 / kg | Standard putty | Standard putty · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Nippon Extreme Wall Putty, Lahore only | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 5,305 · 265 / kg | 265 / kg | Acrylic putty | Acrylic putty · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Nippon ACS Putty | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 6,285 · 314 / kg | 314 / kg | Acrylic putty | Acrylic putty · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Berger Elegance Interior Putty | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 6,510 · 326 / kg | 326 / kg | Acrylic putty | Acrylic putty · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Nippon Hi-Bond Acrylic Putty | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 6,715 · 336 / kg | 336 / kg | Acrylic putty | Acrylic putty · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Brighto Wall Primer | 14.56 L | 14.56 L · PKR 5,560 · 382 / L | 382 / L | Sealer | Sealer · Brighto online store M |
| Berger NU Prime Seal | 14.56 L | 14.56 L · PKR 5,635 · 387 / L | 387 / L | Sealer | Sealer · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Master Super Primer | 14.56 L | 14.56 L · PKR 5,935 · 408 / L | 408 / L | Sealer | Sealer · paintshop.pk, Jan 2026 R |
| Nippon Vinilex 5100 Wall Sealer | 16 L | 16 L · PKR 14,655 · 916 / L | 916 / L | Sealer | Sealer · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Brighto Super Sealer | 16 L | 16 L · PKR 19,340 · 1,209 / L | 1,209 / L | Premium sealer | Premium sealer · Brighto online store M |
| Nippon Hi-Bond Wall Primer | 14.56 L | 14.56 L · PKR 20,550 · 1,411 / L | 1,411 / L | Premium sealer | Premium sealer · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
Enamel for wood and metal10 products · per litre
| Brand and product | Pack | List price, PKR | Per unit, PKR | Band | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nippon Synthetic Undercoat | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 3,895 · 1,070 / L | 1,070 / L | Undercoat | Undercoat · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Master Synthetic Enamel, gloss | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 4,271 · 1,173 / L | 1,173 / L | Gloss | Gloss · paintshop.pk, Jan 2026 R |
| Brighto Synthetic Enamel, gloss | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 4,812 · 1,322 / L | 1,322 / L | Gloss | Gloss · Brighto online store M |
| Berger VIP Super Gloss Enamel | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 4,950 · 1,360 / L | 1,360 / L | Gloss | Gloss · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Nippon Q Enamel, gloss | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 5,050 · 1,387 / L | 1,387 / L | Gloss | Gloss · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Master Matt Enamel | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 5,164 · 1,419 / L | 1,419 / L | Matt | Matt · paintshop.pk, Jan 2026 R |
| Berger VIP Allrounder, matt | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 6,200 · 1,703 / L | 1,703 / L | Matt | Matt · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Brighto Stain Free Matt Enamel | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 6,948 · 1,909 / L | 1,909 / L | Matt | Matt · Brighto online store M |
| Dulux Matt Enamel | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 7,490 · 2,058 / L | 2,058 / L | Matt | Matt · Dulux store on Daraz M |
| Nippon Satin Glo Matt Enamel | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 8,265 · 2,271 / L | 2,271 / L | Matt | Matt · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
Distemper-grade emulsion4 products · per litre
| Brand and product | Pack | List price, PKR | Per unit, PKR | Band | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Super Emulsion | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 1,886 · 518 / L | 518 / L | Distemper grade | Distemper grade · Master Paints shop M |
| Berger Top Super Emulsion | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 1,935 · 532 / L | 532 / L | Distemper grade | Distemper grade · Berger Shop, list price M |
| Brighto Super Emulsion | 3.64 L | 3.64 L · PKR 2,120 · 582 / L | 582 / L | Distemper grade | Distemper grade · Brighto store on Daraz M |
| Diamond Overall Super Emulsion | Gallon | Gallon · PKR 2,139 · litres not stated | not stated | Distemper grade | Distemper grade · Diamond store, Punjab price M |
Texture coatings4 products · per kg
| Brand and product | Pack | List price, PKR | Per unit, PKR | Band | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Texture Finish | 24 kg | 24 kg · PKR 4,992 · 208 / kg | 208 / kg | Texture | Texture · paintshop.pk, Jan 2026 R |
| Nippon Texture Nippon'eon | 24 kg | 24 kg · PKR 5,175 · 216 / kg | 216 / kg | Texture | Texture · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
| Brighto Super Texture | 24 kg | 24 kg · PKR 5,835 · 243 / kg | 243 / kg | Texture | Texture · Brighto online store M |
| Nippon Tilelac, textured | 20 kg | 20 kg · PKR 8,530 · 427 / kg | 427 / kg | Texture | Texture · Nippon price list, 1 Jul 2026 M |
Compare per litre, not per tin
A "gallon" is 3.64 litres from some brands and 4 litres from others, and a drum 14.56 or 16 litres. The per unit column puts them on the same footing. Diamond's store does not state litres, so those rows show the pack price only.
List price is a ceiling
Dealers often sell below list, especially on drums. On 25 September 2026, Berger's own online shop showed discounts of about 4 to 10 per cent below its list prices.
A better paint costs less than you expect
Moving from Standard to Premium emulsion adds about PKR 7 to 13 per sq ft for two coats. The putty, the number of coats and the painter move the rate far more than the brand does.
Coverage is on the data sheet
Nippon's data sheets give 10 to 16 square metres per litre per coat for its interior emulsions and say plainly that the figure ignores losses. On real plaster, plan for 95 to 120 sq ft per litre per coat.
Paint labour rates in Lahore and Islamabad
Labour for painting a new interior wall costs PKR 25 to 40 per square foot in Lahore and PKR 30 to 40 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the Q4 2026 rate set, for sealer, two coats of putty with sanding and two coats of emulsion. Repainting sound walls costs PKR 15 to 25 per square foot in labour. A painter's day rate is PKR 1,800 to 2,500 in Lahore and PKR 2,200 to 2,800 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Labour per square foot, by job
| Job | Lahore | Islamabad and Rawalpindi |
|---|---|---|
| Interior walls, new plasterSealer, two putty coats with sanding, two finish coats | PKR 25–40 | PKR 30–40 |
| Interior walls, repaint on good wallsCleaning, sanding, spot filling, two finish coats | PKR 15–25 | PKR 20–25 |
| Interior walls, repaint on patchy wallsScraping, sealer, one putty coat, two finish coats | PKR 30–40 | PKR 30–40 |
| Exterior walls, new plasterSealer and two coats of weather coat, with scaffolding | PKR 25–35 | PKR 25–40 |
| Exterior walls, repaint on good wallsWashing, spot sealing, two coats, with scaffolding | PKR 25–35 | PKR 25–40 |
Labour per operation, against the government schedule
| Operation, per coat | Planning rate, Lahore | Punjab MRS, Lahore, Jul to Dec 2026, labour |
|---|---|---|
| Surface preparation, new plaster | PKR 1.5–2.5 | Not listed separately |
| Sealer or primer coat | PKR 3–4 | PKR 3.74, priming coat under distemper |
| Wall putty coat, with sanding | PKR 5–8 | Not listed |
| First emulsion coat | PKR 7–9 | PKR 7.94, including preparation |
| Each further emulsion coat | PKR 5.5–7 | PKR 6.09 |
| Repaint preparation, patchy walls | PKR 8–12 | PKR 8.12, brushing and scraping blisters of old paint |
| First weather coat, exterior | PKR 10–14 | PKR 26.80, including primer and preparation |
| Each further weather coat | PKR 7–9 | PKR 14.72 |
| Scaffolding and access, two storeys | PKR 3–6 | Included in the exterior rates above |
Day rates
Per coat, or per system?
A painter quoting PKR 8 per sq ft may mean one coat of emulsion. A contractor quoting PKR 35 usually means sealer, two putty coats and two finish coats. Ask for the rate per operation, and the number of each, before comparing.
Small jobs
Home-service platforms price small jobs by visit. In Lahore one lists a visit and inspection charge of PKR 500 to 800; in Islamabad another bills the first hour at PKR 1,500 to 2,000. Avenir does not take labour-only or single-trade painting work; painting sits inside its construction, interior design and Design and Build projects.
What it costs to paint one room
Repainting a 12 x 14 ft room with a 10.5 ft ceiling costs PKR 23,800 to 38,400 in Lahore at Standard specification in the Q4 2026 rate set, walls and ceiling included. On new plaster the same room costs PKR 36,700 to 63,000, because sealer and two coats of putty come first. At Essential specification, a repaint costs PKR 20,600 to 30,000.
| Room | Area, sq ft | Repaint | Patchy walls | New plaster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft1 door, 1 window | 476 | 16,800–27,200 | 25,200–42,300 | 26,000–44,600 |
| 10 x 12 ft1 door, 1 window | 538 | 19,100–30,800 | 28,600–47,900 | 29,400–50,500 |
| 12 x 12 ft1 door, 1 window | 604 | 21,400–34,600 | 32,100–53,800 | 33,100–56,800 |
| 12 x 14 ft1 door, 1 window | 670 | 23,800–38,400 | 35,700–59,800 | 36,700–63,000 |
| 14 x 16 ft1 door, 2 windows | 790 | 28,100–45,400 | 42,200–70,700 | 43,500–74,500 |
| 16 x 20 ft2 doors, 2 windows | 987 | 35,300–57,000 | 53,000–88,700 | 54,500–93,500 |
The painter is almost half the bill
On a repaint, the paint and the labour cost about the same. For the 12 x 14 ft room above, labour is about 45 per cent of the cost and the paint about 48 per cent. Spending more on emulsion changes the total less than choosing a painter who sands properly.
- Paint, two coatsPKR 10,500 to 19,200
- Spot puttyPKR 527 to 1,080
- Sundries and protectionPKR 1,000 to 2,010
- LabourPKR 11,800 to 16,200
What it costs to paint a whole house
Painting a new 10 Marla house of about 3,150 sq ft covered, inside and out, costs PKR 6.59 lakh to PKR 11.2 lakh in Lahore at Standard specification in the Q4 2026 rate set. A 5 Marla house costs PKR 3.97 lakh to PKR 6.76 lakh, a 1 Kanal house PKR 12.6 lakh to PKR 21.3 lakh and a 2 Kanal house PKR 22.0 lakh to PKR 37.3 lakh. Repainting the inside of an existing 5 Marla house on sound walls costs PKR 2.10 lakh to PKR 3.39 lakh.
New house, interior and exterior
| House | Area, sq ft | Essential | Standard | Premium | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small house1,000 sq ft covered | 3,850 | 1.64–2.44 lakh | 2.09–3.56 lakh | 2.64–4.37 lakh | 3.83–5.89 lakh |
| 5 Marla1,900 sq ft covered | 7,315 | 3.12–4.63 lakh | 3.97–6.76 lakh | 5.02–8.29 lakh | 7.28–11.2 lakh |
| 10 Marla3,150 sq ft covered | 12,129 | 5.17–7.68 lakh | 6.59–11.2 lakh | 8.33–13.8 lakh | 12.1–18.6 lakh |
| 1 Kanal6,000 sq ft covered | 23,100 | 9.86–14.6 lakh | 12.6–21.3 lakh | 15.9–26.2 lakh | 23.0–35.4 lakh |
| 2 Kanal10,500 sq ft covered | 40,425 | 17.2–25.6 lakh | 22.0–37.3 lakh | 27.8–45.8 lakh | 40.2–61.9 lakh |
Repainting an existing house, Standard
| House | Interior only | Interior and exterior |
|---|---|---|
| Small house1,000 sq ft covered | 1.10–1.78 lakh | 1.47–2.36 lakh |
| 5 Marla1,900 sq ft covered | 2.10–3.39 lakh | 2.79–4.49 lakh |
| 10 Marla3,150 sq ft covered | 3.48–5.62 lakh | 4.63–7.44 lakh |
| 1 Kanal6,000 sq ft covered | 6.63–10.7 lakh | 8.82–14.2 lakh |
| 2 Kanal10,500 sq ft covered | 11.6–18.7 lakh | 15.4–24.8 lakh |
A house has far more wall than floor. On Avenir's planning ratios a 10 Marla house of 3,150 sq ft covered has about 12,129 sq ft of surface to paint. A quotation per square foot of covered area and one per square foot of wall can differ by a factor of almost four, so ask which one you have before comparing.
At Standard specification, the house construction cost guide plans finishing at PKR 4,200 per sq ft of covered area in Lahore. Painting a new 10 Marla house at PKR 210 to 360 per sq ft of covered area is roughly 5 to 8 per cent of that.
Rock wall, texture and enamel rates
Rock wall, graphy and sand texture coatings cost PKR 60 to 120 per square foot supplied and applied in Lahore in the Q4 2026 rate set, and PKR 60 to 125 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, before any colour coat. A colour coat of exterior emulsion adds PKR 20 to 25. Matt enamel on new wooden doors costs PKR 60 to 100 per square foot of door surface.
| Finish | Lahore | Islamabad and Rawalpindi |
|---|---|---|
| Rock wall, graphy or sand textureTrowel or spray applied textured coating over sealer, exterior or feature walls. Before any colour coat. | 60–120 | 60–125 |
| Colour coat over textureOne coat of Standard exterior emulsion, material and labour. | 20–25 | 20–30 |
| Matt enamel on wooden doors, newUndercoat and two coats of matt enamel. Per sq ft of door surface, both faces. | 60–100 | 65–105 |
| Distemper on new plasterSealer and two coats of distemper-grade emulsion, no putty. | 25–35 | 25–40 |
| White wash (chuna), two coatsGovernment composite rate, new surface. | 7.45 | Not surveyed |
| Wallpaper, paper onlyRolls of about 50 sq ft at PKR 3,000 to 4,500 in Lahore. Fixing is extra. | 60–90 | Not surveyed |
Punjab's MRS for Lahore, July to December 2026, prices a graffiato weather coating at PKR 86.45 and a 1.5 mm sand texture coating at PKR 84.20 per sq ft, of which PKR 58.40 is labour. Both sit inside the band above.
Texture coatings sell at PKR 4,992 to 8,530 per 20 or 24 kg pack. Nippon's data sheet gives 1 to 1.5 square metres per kg per coat, about 11 to 16 sq ft, which puts the coating alone at this range before sealer.
Rock wall and graphy applicators advertising in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi in September 2026 quoted PKR 38 to 60 per sq ft. The listings do not state the unit basis, so the band assumes labour only, plus PKR 3 to 6 for scaffolding.
Six things that move a painting budget
Brand gets the attention. These six decide the number. Figures are Standard specification, Lahore, per sq ft of painted surface.
The wall you start with
Repainting sound walls at Standard costs PKR 35 to 55 per sq ft. Peeling paint, stains or a strong change of colour push it to PKR 50 to 85, close to the PKR 55 to 90 of new plaster, because the wall needs scraping, a sealer coat and fresh putty.
How many putty coats
Each coat of putty, with the sanding after it, adds PKR 8 to 14 per sq ft at Standard. One coat where two were priced is the most common silent saving in a painting job, and the easiest to see with a torch.
How many finish coats
Deep colours, a light colour over a dark one and premium sheens often need a third coat. That adds PKR 13 to 21 per sq ft at Standard. Agree before work starts who pays if the second coat does not cover.
Ceilings and height
Ceilings take about 20 per cent more labour than walls, roughly PKR 5.4 to 7.7 per sq ft more at Standard. Punjab's government schedule adds PKR 58.50 per 100 sq ft per coat for every further 10 ft above 20 ft, and double height lounges and stair halls need proper scaffolding.
The product
Moving from Standard to Premium emulsion adds only PKR 7 to 13 per sq ft for two coats. The paint is the smallest decision in the rate; the putty and the painter are the largest.
Damp, city and society
Paint fails on damp walls: Nippon's sealer data sheet asks for wall moisture below 16 per cent. Seepage has to be solved first and is not in these rates. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi the planning rates are 5 per cent higher. In DHA add 6 per cent for stage inspections and drawing compliance.
Painting is decided long before the first coat
The cheapest time to get painting right is on the drawings. The most expensive is after the marble has been polished.
- 01
On the drawings
Finish schedule names the product, sheen, putty coats and colour for every room, and which walls get texture or enamel.
Cost of a change: Nothing
- 02
Plaster dry, sealer on
Walls left to dry, cracks and damp dealt with first, then one coat of sealer. Nippon's sealer data sheet asks for moisture below 16 per cent.
Cost of a change: Low
- 03
Putty and first coat
Two coats of putty, each sanded, and the first coat of emulsion, before woodwork polish and floor grinding.
Cost of a change: PKR 8 to 14 per sq ft for each putty coat redone
- 04
Other trades finish
Woodwork, electrical fittings and floor polishing all dent and mark the walls. A touch-up allowance belongs in the scope.
Cost of a change: Touch-up, if it was priced
- 05
Final coat and handover
Final coat after the dusty trades leave, a snag walk room by room, and spare paint handed over for each colour.
Cost of a change: A full extra coat, PKR 13 to 21 per sq ft
Ten things a painting quotation should state
Or have all ten on the drawings.
If you are building, the simplest way to get every line above is to fix it in the finish schedule. In Avenir's Design and Build projects the paint system is specified room by room on the drawings and supervised on site, with the same team accountable for the plaster underneath.
Plan my Design + Build Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. WhatsApp only, no obligation.How these rates were built
One register, version PNT-2026-09-26. The estimator, the tables and the answers below read from it, so they cannot disagree with each other.
- Paint, putty and sealer pricesManufacturers' own list prices and online stores, checked on 25 September 2026: Nippon Paint Pakistan's ready mix price list for the rest of Pakistan effective 1 July 2026, the Berger, Brighto and Diamond stores, and the Dulux and Brighto stores on Daraz. A retailer listing is used only where a brand publishes nothing, and is marked. Bands span the brands in each specification rather than averaging them.
- CoverageNippon's technical data sheets, revised October 2025, give 10 to 16 square metres per litre per coat for interior emulsions, 15 to 17 for Weatherbond, 12 to 14 for Vinilex 5100 sealer and 4 to 6 per kg for wall putty, and state that these are theoretical. Berger's store gives 12 to 14 for VIP Weathercoat. The rates use 95 to 120 sq ft per litre per coat for interior emulsion, 85 to 110 for exterior, 100 to 125 for sealer and 38 to 54 sq ft per kg for putty.
- LabourAnchored to the Punjab Finance Department's Market Rates System for Lahore and Rawalpindi, 1 July to 31 December 2026: PKR 7.94 per sq ft for a first coat of plastic emulsion and PKR 6.09 for each further coat, labour only. Putty, preparation and access rates are planning figures, checked against a home-service platform's published labour-only rates in Islamabad and applicators advertising in Lahore.
- City and societyBrands publish one list price for Punjab and the rest of Pakistan, so materials are priced the same in Lahore and Islamabad. The planning rates for Islamabad and Rawalpindi are set 5 per cent above Lahore across the whole job. DHA adds 6 per cent for inspection and drawing compliance.
- AreasRooms are measured: perimeter times height, less 24.5 sq ft per door and 20 sq ft per window, plus the ceiling. Houses use planning ratios of 2.25 times covered area for interior walls, 0.85 for ceilings and 0.75 for exterior walls. The ratios are industry convention, held pending calibration against Avenir's own measured drawings.
- Review cadenceQuarterly. This is the Q4 2026 rate set, register PNT-2026-09-26; the next review is Q1 2027. Paint list prices tend to move in steps when a brand issues a new list, so the date on each source is shown in the price tables.
No rate on this page rests on a written supplier quotation held by Avenir. Manufacturer price lists are the strongest public evidence there is for paint. Labour is the weaker half, because painting labour in Pakistan is quoted informally and rarely published. These are planning figures, for budgeting and for checking a quotation. They are not a quotation, not a price list, and not a substitute for measuring your walls.
Published by Avenir Developments, a PCATP-registered architecture, interior design and construction firm working in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi since 2012.
To cite this page: Avenir Developments, Paint cost in Pakistan, Q4 2026 rate set (register PNT-2026-09-26), reviewed 25 September 2026.
Questions
All figures from register PNT-2026-09-26, Q4 2026 rate set, reviewed 25 September 2026.
What is the paint cost per square foot in Pakistan in 2026?
In Lahore, painting a new interior wall costs PKR 40 to 60 per square foot at Essential specification, PKR 55 to 90 at Standard, PKR 70 to 115 at Premium and PKR 105 to 160 at Luxury in the Q4 2026 rate set, reviewed on 25 September 2026. That covers sealer, putty, paint, labour and sundries, per square foot of painted wall or ceiling. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Standard costs PKR 55 to 95, because the planning rates there are 5 per cent higher.
Repainting sound walls costs PKR 35 to 55 per square foot at Standard in Lahore, and a new exterior in weather coat PKR 50 to 85.
How much does it cost to paint one room in Pakistan?
Repainting a 12 x 14 ft room with a 10.5 ft ceiling, walls and ceiling included, costs PKR 23,800 to 38,400 in Lahore at Standard specification, and PKR 20,600 to 30,000 at Essential. On new plaster the same room costs PKR 36,700 to 63,000. A 10 x 12 ft room costs PKR 19,100 to 30,800 to repaint at Standard.
How much does it cost to paint a 5 Marla or 10 Marla house?
A new 5 Marla house of about 1,900 sq ft covered costs PKR 3.97 lakh to PKR 6.76 lakh to paint inside and out at Standard specification in Lahore, and a new 10 Marla house of about 3,150 sq ft costs PKR 6.59 lakh to PKR 11.2 lakh. Repainting the inside of an existing 5 Marla house on sound walls costs PKR 2.10 lakh to PKR 3.39 lakh, and a 10 Marla house PKR 3.48 lakh to PKR 5.62 lakh.
What is the paint labour rate per square foot in Lahore and Islamabad?
For a new interior wall, with sealer, two coats of putty with sanding and two coats of emulsion, labour costs PKR 25 to 40 per square foot in Lahore and PKR 30 to 40 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Repainting sound walls costs PKR 15 to 25 per square foot in labour in Lahore, and exterior work with scaffolding PKR 25 to 35.
Punjab's government schedule for Lahore and Rawalpindi, July to December 2026, sets labour at PKR 7.94 per square foot for a first coat of plastic emulsion and PKR 6.09 for each further coat.
What does a painter charge per day in Lahore and Islamabad?
A painter's day rate is about PKR 1,800 to 2,500 in Lahore and PKR 2,200 to 2,800 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, based on published labour references. A helper costs at least PKR 1,538 a day, the Punjab Finance Department rate for unskilled labour on government works from July to December 2026.
What is the price of a gallon or drum of paint in Pakistan?
At list prices checked on 25 September 2026, a gallon of interior emulsion (3.64 or 4 litres) costs PKR 2,370 to 10,020: about PKR 2,370 to 2,550 for economy emulsions, PKR 3,772 to 5,048 for standard plastic emulsions, PKR 5,400 to 7,820 for washable emulsions and PKR 7,600 to 10,020 for top lines. A drum of standard plastic emulsion costs about PKR 14,500 to 19,500. Exterior weather coat costs PKR 3,530 to 9,315 a gallon.
How much paint do I need per square foot?
Plan for 95 to 120 sq ft per litre per coat for interior emulsion on real plaster. That is lower than the 10 to 16 square metres per litre on manufacturers' data sheets, because those figures exclude losses. A 3.64 litre gallon covers about 346 to 437 sq ft per coat, and a 16 litre drum about 1,520 to 1,920 sq ft. Two coats on 1,000 sq ft of wall need about 17 to 21 litres.
Wall putty goes on at about 38 to 54 sq ft per kg per coat, so two coats on 1,000 sq ft need about 37 to 53 kg.
What is the rock wall price per square foot in Pakistan?
Rock wall, graphy and sand texture coatings cost PKR 60 to 120 per square foot supplied and applied in Lahore, and PKR 60 to 125 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, in the Q4 2026 rate set, before any colour coat. A colour coat adds PKR 20 to 25 in Lahore.
Applicators advertising in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi in September 2026 quoted PKR 38 to 60 per square foot for application, and Punjab's government schedule prices comparable textured coatings at PKR 84 to 86 per square foot.
What is the difference between distemper, emulsion and weather shield?
Distemper-grade emulsion is the cheapest interior finish, at about PKR 518 to 582 per litre, and is usually applied without putty: about PKR 25 to 35 per square foot on new plaster in Lahore. Plastic emulsion is the standard interior finish, goes over putty and can be wiped: PKR 55 to 90 per square foot at Standard on new plaster. Weather shield, or weather coat, is an exterior emulsion made for sun and rain, at PKR 880 to 2,590 per litre: PKR 50 to 85 per square foot at Standard on a new exterior.
How many coats of putty and paint does a new wall need?
A new interior wall at Standard specification takes one coat of sealer, two coats of wall putty with sanding after each, and two finish coats of emulsion. Deep colours, a light colour over a dark one and top-line finishes often need a third coat, which adds PKR 13 to 21 per square foot at Standard. Nippon's data sheets recommend three to four coats of emulsion; the rates on this page assume two, and three at Luxury.
How much does it cost to repaint a house?
Repainting an existing house on sound walls costs PKR 35 to 55 per square foot of wall at Standard specification in Lahore. For the inside of a 5 Marla house that is PKR 2.10 lakh to PKR 3.39 lakh; inside and out, PKR 2.79 lakh to PKR 4.49 lakh. A 1 Kanal house inside and out costs PKR 8.82 lakh to PKR 14.2 lakh. Patchy walls, stains or a strong colour change cost about 50 per cent more.
What is the enamel paint rate per square foot for doors?
Matt enamel on new wooden doors, with an undercoat and two coats, costs PKR 60 to 100 per square foot of door surface in Lahore and PKR 65 to 105 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Count both faces of the door and its edges. Punjab's government schedule prices painting new doors and windows at about PKR 45 per square foot for a priming coat and two coats.
Is wallpaper cheaper than paint in Pakistan?
Not usually. Wallpaper costs about PKR 60 to 90 per square foot for the paper alone, from rolls of about 50 sq ft at PKR 3,000 to 4,500 in Lahore, before fixing. Repainting a wall at Standard specification costs PKR 35 to 55 per square foot including labour.
Does Avenir Developments take painting-only jobs?
No. Avenir Developments does not take standalone painting or other single-trade contracts. Painting is specified and supervised as part of its construction, interior design and Design and Build projects in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. This guide is published so anyone can budget and check a painting quotation, whoever does the work.
Where Avenir fits
- Design and Build of houses in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, from 5 Marla to 2 Kanal and farmhouses
- Grey structure and finishing construction, with the paint system fixed in the finish schedule
- Interior design and fit-out, where wall finishes are specified and supervised with everything else
- Overseas Pakistanis building a house in Lahore, Islamabad or Rawalpindi
What Avenir does not take on
- Painting-only or labour-only contracts
- Single-room repaints and touch-up work
- Construction outside Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi
- Supply-only paint orders or material procurement on its own
Paint is the last trade on site and the first thing anyone sees.
If you are building in Lahore, Islamabad or Rawalpindi, Avenir specifies the paint system room by room on the drawings and supervises it on site, inside a construction or Design and Build contract, so the finish on the walls is the one that was priced.