How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House in Nigeria?
Painting is one of the final — and most visible — stages of any building project in Nigeria. A quality paint job protects your structure from moisture, prevents mould, and dramatically improves the appearance of any home. In 2026, the total cost of painting a 3-bedroom bungalow in Nigeria (all rooms, ceiling, and exterior) ranges from ₦350,000 to ₦1.5 million, depending on paint quality, surface area, and labour rates in your city.
Room-by-Room Painting Cost Breakdown
For a standard 3-bedroom bungalow with 3.0m ceiling height:
| Area | Wall Area | Economy Paint + Labour | Premium Paint + Labour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living Room | 55–70 sqm | ₦55,000 – ₦75,000 | ₦90,000 – ₦130,000 |
| Master Bedroom | 45–60 sqm | ₦45,000 – ₦60,000 | ₦75,000 – ₦110,000 |
| Bedroom 2 | 35–50 sqm | ₦35,000 – ₦48,000 | ₦58,000 – ₦85,000 |
| Bedroom 3 | 35–50 sqm | ₦35,000 – ₦48,000 | ₦58,000 – ₦85,000 |
| Kitchen | 25–35 sqm | ₦25,000 – ₦35,000 | ₦42,000 – ₦60,000 |
| Bathrooms (×2) | 20–30 sqm | ₦20,000 – ₦30,000 | ₦35,000 – ₦52,000 |
| External Walls | 120–180 sqm | ₦80,000 – ₦120,000 | ₦140,000 – ₦200,000 |
Total for a 3-bedroom bungalow: ₦295,000 – ₦720,000 for paint and labour combined. Add 20–30% for ceiling painting if not included in your contractor quote.
Types of Paint Available in Nigeria and Their Costs (2026)
- Emulsion paint (water-based) — The most common interior wall paint. Economy brands: ₦3,500–₦5,500/litre. Premium brands (Dulux, Berger): ₦7,500–₦16,000/litre. Coverage: 12–14 sqm per litre for two coats.
- Gloss oil paint — Used on doors, window frames, and railings. Costs ₦5,000–₦12,000/litre. More durable and washable than emulsion; slower to dry.
- Texture paint — Popular for feature walls and exterior finishes. Costs ₦6,000–₦15,000/litre. Coverage is lower (4–6 sqm/litre) due to thick consistency.
- Anti-fungal / damp-proof paint — Essential in humid areas. Costs ₦7,000–₦18,000/litre. Always use a primer coat first on new plaster.
- Primer / sealer — Should always be applied to new plaster before topcoats. Costs ₦3,000–₦6,000/litre. Skipping primer is the single most common painting mistake in Nigerian construction.
Labour Cost for House Painting in Nigeria (2026)
- Interior walls: ₦800–₦1,500 per sqm (labour only)
- Exterior walls: ₦1,000–₦2,000 per sqm (labour only)
- Ceiling: ₦900–₦1,600 per sqm
- Doors (both sides): ₦3,000–₦8,000 per door
- Window frames: ₦2,000–₦5,000 per window
Labour rates in Lagos are 15–25% higher than in Ibadan, Enugu, or Port Harcourt. Always agree on the number of coats before contracting a painter — the minimum professional standard is one primer coat plus two topcoats.
DIY vs Professional Painting: Which Saves More?
Doing your own painting in Nigeria can save 30–45% of the total cost, but it requires time, equipment, and experience. Professional painters will prepare surfaces correctly (sanding, patching cracks, priming), apply paint more evenly, achieve cleaner edges around windows and ceiling lines, and handle external painting safely with scaffolding. For a new build, always use a professional painter — surface preparation on fresh plaster requires experience that most homeowners lack.
How to Reduce Painting Costs Without Cutting Corners
- Buy direct from the manufacturer or a large distributor — saves 10–20% over buying from small retailers.
- Never skip primer. Primer reduces the number of topcoats needed, saving paint and money overall.
- Choose light interior colours. Dark colours require more coats to achieve an even finish, increasing both paint and labour costs.
- Paint during the dry season. Low humidity reduces drying time and the risk of peeling caused by trapped moisture.
- Bundle all rooms together when hiring a painter — larger jobs attract better rates and more consistent results.
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