Typical office painting prices
Woodwork, doors, kitchens and toilets are usually priced separately. Commercial decorators often price by measured area for larger jobs.
| Space | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Single private office (12–15m² floor) | £350 – £700 |
| Small office suite (50–80m² floor) | £1,200 – £2,500 |
| Open-plan office (150m² floor) | £2,500 – £5,000 |
| Per m² of wall area | £6 – £12 |
| Reception area with feature wall | £500 – £1,500 |
| Out-of-hours or weekend premium | +15% – 40% |
Indicative office painting costs (2026, walls and ceilings, two coats)
What drives the price
- Floor area and ceiling height – suspended ceilings and high warehouse-style ceilings need towers
- Working hours – evening and weekend work costs more but avoids disruption
- Furniture, IT and equipment – moving and protecting desks takes time
- Wall condition – damaged walls from years of furniture knocks need more preparation
- Paint specification – scrubbable, anti-scuff or brand colours cost more
- Access and parking – city centres and upper floors add time
Choosing hard-wearing paints
Offices take more knocks than homes, so durable finishes are worth paying for. Scuff-resistant and scrubbable matt emulsions keep a smart look and can be cleaned without leaving shiny patches. Corridors and stairwells may benefit from tougher eggshell finishes or protective wall coatings. In kitchens and toilets, moisture- and mould-resistant paints help.
For spaces such as escape routes, landlords may need fire-rated coatings over certain surfaces. Your decorator should ask about any building or lease requirements. See types of paint and paint finishes explained.
Rather leave it to a professional?
Keeping disruption to a minimum
Most businesses can't stop working while the office is painted. Commercial decorators commonly offer:
- Evening, night or weekend working
- Phased work, one area at a time
- Low-odour, quick-drying water-based paints
- Protection of floors, desks and equipment
- Daily clean-up so staff can work the next morning
Branding and colour
Many businesses use colour to reinforce their brand – a feature wall in the company colour behind reception, branded meeting rooms or coloured wayfinding. Colour matching to brand guidelines is straightforward with modern tinting. Neutral walls with one or two accent colours tend to age best. See choosing paint colours and feature walls and colour drenching.
Choosing a commercial decorator
For commercial premises, check public liability insurance, experience of working in occupied buildings, and that they can provide risk assessments and method statements if your landlord or facilities manager asks for them. Get at least three quotes on the same specification. Our guides to questions to ask a painter and decorator day rates will help you compare. Then request quotes from local painters and decorators.
