How to Calculate the Cost of Painting a Room in Pakistan

The Cost of Painting a Room in Pakistan can swing from a modest weekend expense to a sizeable investment, depending on room size, paint quality, and labour rates. This comprehensive guide walks you through precise square-foot calculations, up-to-date material prices, and insider tips straight from professional painters and leading brands such as Bluebird Paints. For a broader perspective on overall project costs.

Why Accurate Costing Saves Money and Stress

Miscalculating paint needs often leads to mid-project shortages, colour mismatches, and rushed buying at premium rates. A clear budget lets you compare economy emulsion, luxury finishes, and eco-friendly low-VOC options without unpleasant surprises. If you’re looking for some practical cost-saving strategies, check out our DIY painting guide for cost-effective tips.

Average Room Painting Price in Pakistan (2025)

For a standard 12 ft × 14 ft bedroom with a 10 ft ceiling (≈520 sq. ft. wall area), homeowners currently spend:

• PKR 24,000 – 34,000 with economy emulsion
• PKR 36,000 – 48,000 with mid-range plastic emulsion
• PKR 50,000 – 70,000 with premium low-VOC or antibacterial paints

Main Factors Influencing Room Painting Cost

1. Room Size & Wall Area: Total square footage drives both material quantity and labour hours. Higher ceilings or bay windows will increase cost.
2. Paint Category: Distemper is cheapest but least durable; plastic emulsion is balanced; luxury silk or low-VOC emulsions cost more yet last longer and wash better.
3. Surface Preparation: Putty, primer, and sanding add roughly 20–30% to material spend but double the lifespan of the finish, saving repaint cycles. For detailed tips on preparing walls for a long-lasting finish, you can learn more about pre-paint preparation.
4. Labour Rates by City: Karachi leads at PKR 15–25/sq. ft., Lahore hovers at PKR 12–22/sq. ft., Islamabad runs PKR 18–30/sq. ft. due to higher living costs.
5. Number of Coats & Colours: Two coats are industry standard; darker colour changes or feature walls may require a third coat and specialized primers.

Step-By-Step Method to Calculate Your Painting Budget

1. Measure Each Wall: Use a tape to record length and height of every wall. For example, two walls of 14 ft × 10 ft and two walls of 12 ft × 10 ft.
2. Subtract Doors & Windows: Deduct non-paintable areas. A standard door is 21 sq. ft.; a 4 ft × 5 ft window is 20 sq. ft. Subtract their combined area from total wall footage.
3. Decide Coats & Paint Type: Most rooms need two coats of emulsion. Multiply net wall area by number of coats for coverage calculation.
4. Compute Paint Quantity: Good emulsion covers 150 sq. ft./litre/coat on primed walls. For 1,000 sq. ft. (two-coat basis), you’ll need about 7 litres.
5. Add Primer & Putty Costs: Primer covers ~200 sq. ft./litre; putty averages 35 sq. ft./kg. Multiply coverage by area to find litres or kilos required.
6. Factor Labour Using City Rates: Multiply net square footage by the prevailing per-sq. ft. rate in your city. Add 15% extra for intricate mouldings or textured walls.
7. Include Finishing Items: Doors, skirting boards, and metal grills may need synthetic enamel priced separately (≈PKR 600–1,000 per litre).
8. Add a 10% Contingency: Always allocate a buffer for unexpected surface repairs, colour tweaks, or additional brushes, rollers, and masking tape.

Example Calculation for a 12 ft × 14 ft Bedroom

Wall Area: (2 × 14 × 10) + (2 × 12 × 10) = 520 sq. ft.
Less Door & Window: 520 – 41 = 479 sq. ft.
Two-Coat Basis: 479 × 2 = 958 sq. ft.

Material Estimate (Bluebird Plastic Emulsion)

• Paint Required: 958 ÷ 150 = 6.4 L ≈ 2 × 4 L cans (PKR 6,400)
• Primer: 479 ÷ 200 = 2.4 L ≈ 1 × 4 L can (PKR 1,800)
• Putty: 479 ÷ 35 = 14 kg ≈ 1 bag (PKR 1,600)

Labour (Lahore mid-range)

• 479 sq. ft. × PKR 17 = PKR 8,143

Total Estimate

Total: Materials PKR 9,800 + Labour PKR 8,143 = PKR 17,943
With 10% Contingency: PKR 19,737 (~PKR 20k)

Paint Brand Price Comparison (2025)

For additional insights on choosing the best finish for your home, consider reading our article on the pros & cons of matte vs glossy finishes for Pakistani homes.

Leverage Bluebird’s Free Paint Calculator

Simply enter room length, width, height, and openings on Bluebird Paints’ website. The algorithm, pre-loaded with accurate coverage data, returns exact litres of primer, putty, and topcoat required, cutting guesswork to zero. For a creative twist in color selection, you might also explore our detailed guide on using AI to choose paint colors.

Why 70% of Paint Failures Begin with Poor Prep

Cracking, blistering, and early fading stem from unfilled holes, damp patches, or skipping primer. Professionals spend up to 60% of project time on sanding and sealing to protect your investment.

Is Low-VOC Paint Worth the Extra Rupees?

Low-VOC formulations reduce indoor toxins, prevent lingering odour, and suit homes with kids or asthmatics. They cost 15–25% more but can improve indoor air quality measurably.

Inflation Watch: Raw Material Price Impact

Titanium dioxide price hikes pushed decorative paint prices up 18% in two years. Expect periodic adjustments, making early quotation and purchase smarter.

Ten Smart Ways to Trim Your Painting Bill

1. Measure twice, buy once.
2. Choose lighter shades to reduce extra coats.
3. Refinish doors separately to avoid rush charges.
4. Paint during off-season when labour demand dips.
5. Use Bluebird’s Colour Studio to pre-visualise shades and avoid costly repaints.
6. Buy 20 L drums for multiple rooms to snag bulk discounts.
7. Mend seepage before painting; moisture ruins fresh coats.
8. Hire vetted painters via reputable online marketplaces; compare three quotes.
9. Store leftover paint in airtight tins for future touch-ups.
10. Ask for loyalty points or bundle deals from authorised dealers.

DIY or Professional Painter: Which Is Cheaper?

DIY cuts labour but demands tools, time, and skill. A botched job often needs professional correction, doubling expenses. For feature walls or textured finishes, an expert is usually more economical long-term.

Hiring Checklist for Pakistani House Painters

• Verify CNIC and city references.
• Inspect previous work photos for finish quality.
• Ensure surface prep, not just final coats, is in quotation.
• Agree on payment milestones tied to deliverables.

How Feature Wall Textures Affect the Cost of Painting a Room

Feature wall textures increase the cost of painting a room: expect PKR 80–150/sq. ft for textured stencils, Venetian plaster, or metallic glaze. A 10×10 ft accent wall adds PKR 8,000–12,000. Get quotes, confirm labour rates, and verify coverage before booking.

Don’t Forget Ceilings and Skirting Boards

Flat white ceilings need less expensive matt paints but increase total area by about 15%. Wooden skirting requires enamel that costs more per litre yet covers less area. For tips on achieving the perfect wall finish, you can also read our guide for perfect wall paint in Pakistan.

Seasonal and Regional Cost Adjustments

Beyond the fundamentals, it is possible to organize your room painting project to achieve significant savings. Labor rates can be reduced during the Pakistani monsoon season (July-September) when activity outside is slowest and hence less costly for work indoors. Material prices for paint and products locally can also differ; soliciting quotes from large cities and smaller town vendors can reveal latent cost opportunities for your whole room painting venture. To better understand these variables, it’s useful to explore the broader picture of the cost of painting a house in Pakistan, which includes insights on regional pricing trends, labor dynamics, and seasonal factors. This context helps you plan smarter and maximize value.

Final Thoughts: Invest Wisely, Paint Confidently

Calculating the Cost of Painting a Room in Pakistan is straightforward once you know your wall area, paint coverage, and local labour rates. By leveraging Bluebird Paints’ free planning tools and opting for certified products, you secure a vibrant finish that stands the test of time and climate.

Ready to start? Visit your nearest Bluebird Paints dealer, try the online Paint Calculator, or book a professional estimate today.

FAQs

What is the labour rate for painters in Karachi?

PKR 15–25 per square foot for two coats on prepared walls.

How many litres of paint for a 10×12 room?

Roughly 5 litres for two coats, assuming standard 10 ft ceiling and primed walls.

Can I paint over distemper with emulsion?

Only after removing chalky distemper and applying a bonding primer for grip.

Do darker colours cost more?

Pigment-rich deep shades may need extra coats and hence more litres.