Painting is priced per square metre of surface, not per room, and the number only means something once you know what is included. Two quotes for the same villa can differ by half simply because one includes crack treatment and primer and the other does not — and you cannot see which is which after the second coat.
Typical rates in Riyadh
| Work | Typical range (SAR / m²) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior repaint, same colour | 10 – 16 | Light prep, two coats |
| Interior, colour change or new plaster | 14 – 22 | Primer required |
| Washable / premium interior | 18 – 30 | Kitchens, corridors, children’s rooms |
| Exterior facade | 22 – 40 | Elastomeric, UV rated, access equipment |
| Gypsum board repair before paint | Quoted per item | Cracks, joints, corner beads |
| Wallpaper installation | 25 – 45 | Excluding the paper itself |
Ceilings, high walls and stairwells are usually quoted separately because of access.
Where the money actually goes
Cost split on a typical villa job
When one quote is dramatically cheaper, preparation is almost always what was removed. That is rational from the contractor’s side: it is the invisible third of the job, and the customer will not discover the difference for two summers.
The four preparation steps to insist on
- Washing and full drying — paint over dust never bonds.
- Cracks opened, filled and sealed with a flexible filler, not painted over.
- The correct primer for the surface: plaster, gypsum board and previously oil-painted walls each need a different one.
- Two full coats rather than one thick one, with drying time between them.
Frequently asked questions
How long should interior paint last?
Five to eight years in a normal room, less in kitchens and corridors where washing is frequent. Exterior work should reach five to seven years with correct preparation.
Do I need to leave the house during painting?
Not usually. Water-based paint is touch dry within hours and rooms are done in sequence, so most families stay in the property throughout.
Is the furniture protected?
Yes — covering floors and furniture and the final clean-up are part of the job, not an extra line on the invoice.
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