How Much Does It Cost To Paint A House In Singapore?

All houses need a paint job at one point or another. If you live in Singapore and you want to paint your home, you need to know how much it will cost as well as the process involved. Each home is unique and will need special attention. There are paint jobs that take as little as a single day while others may take as long as several weeks to complete. The type of paint job, (interior, exterior or both) will vary depending on the size of the home, condition of the home, the contractors available and type of paint that is going to be used. 

Interior painting

When interior painting is to be done, there are two main factors that will determine the overall costs; number of rooms to be painted and condition of the trim and walls. Typically, interior paint jobs will cost anything between 500 SGD (Singapore Dollars) and 6,250 SGD. The following is a breakdown of professional painting costs for rooms in your house: 

– Bedrooms: 275 SGD to 575 SGD 

– Closets: 100 SGD to 360 SGD

– Kitchens: 175 SGD to 375 SGD

– Bathrooms: 250 SGD to 475 SGD

– Stairwells: 225 SGD to 550 SGD

– Hallways: 150 SGD to 430 SGD

In addition to the above totals, you should add 150 SGD to 265 SGD for wallpaper removal for each room. Lead-safe preparation for each room will cost 65 SGD to 240 SGD. Furthermore, all frames, trim or base will cost an additional 75 SGD to 200 SGD per room while every door or window sash will costs approximately 50 SGD to 100 SGD. Lastly, 40 SGD to 60 SGD per hour or per room should be added for additional preparation or painting. Take note that all materials and labor are inclusive in the costs estimates. 

Exterior painting

A typical exterior will need two top coats of the paint you wish to use. There are three house features that will substantially affect the cost of painting your home’s exterior. They are details such as the features your home has, siding material and height and size of your home. 

For the height and size, standard prices for an exterior re-paint job including preparation and one or two top coats are 2,000 SGD – 3,300 SGD for a one story home with 800 – 1,600 square feet. A two story home will cost you 3,000 SGD – 5,800 SGD as long as its area ranges between 1,500 to 4,000 square feet. A three story home costs about 5,000 SGD to 7,500 SGD if it has 3,600 to 6,000 square feet.

Preparation for exterior painting will vary. Below is information on the different types of preparation and amounts for the same:
– Extensive preparation: 2,000 SGD to 4,500 SGD which includes a week or more of scraping and a full coat of primer being applied. It usually uses 10 to 100 tubes of caulk. 

– Average preparation: 600 SGD – 1,900 SGD worth of preparation will include lead-safe scraping for 2 days, multiple areas being spot primed and 6 – 10 tubes of caulk being used. 

– Minor preparation: May need a maximum of 500 SGD that includes power-washing, some areas spot primed and usage of 1 – 5 tubes of caulk. 

– Lead safe preparation has to be done to houses that have wood siding. 

For additional features, you will need to add the following amounts:
– 175 SGD to 350 SGD for spraying shutters

– 75 SGD to 125 SGD for doors

– 50 SGD – 100 SGD for each window sash

– 350 SGD to 850 SGD for the foundation

– Downspouts and gutters will require 250 SGD to 750 SGD

– Extensive trim / fasc: 550 SGD – 950 SGD

– Multi-colors which includes a minimum of three colors on accents and body

– 600 SGD – 1,150 SGD for each porch including all surfaces and floors 

This information gives you the perfect guideline on how much it costs to paint a house in Singapore. You should be able to have an estimate of how much you will spend whether it is for interior painting, exterior painting or both. Take note that the above figures are estimates from professional painters. The cost of your individual home will be determined by the painter you choose. 

Make sure you have an estimate from a contractor before you start any painting project on your home. An estimate will not only help you effectively plan for the project, but also ensure you do not spend money you do not have. At the same time, during the estimate process you will be able to have an idea of the areas that need repair or any other improvements on your house.

6 Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring Painting Services

The process of selecting a professional painting contractor for your property can be a daunting task, especially now that there are plenty of reputable painting companies in the market. You might be aware that the only way to achieve a long-lasting, high quality and appealing interior result is by hiring an experienced painting contractor with reasonable pricing, but still, miss a few things. Below are six common mistakes that you should avoid when hiring a painting contractor for your project.

Failure check for paperwork – The three most vital things you should check for are insurance, licensing, and registration. Hiring an uninsured painting contractor can be quite risky. Ensure that your contractor has general liability insurance and a worker’s compensation insurance. These two policies are fundamental because they cover you against any damages that might occur in the course of the job. You will also not be liable for any injuries to any or all of the painting crew when they are painting your property.

The second important thing you should request to see is a copy of the contractor’s company insurance that allows the company to operate in your state.

The last thing you should insist on using is a written contract. The contractor should provide a written contract detailing important information about the project, such as materials colors, timeline, budget, and payment schedules. Make sure you go through the agreement and understand what every line stipulates. If you are unsure about something, ensure clarity before signing the contract.

Failure to ask for references and Reputation– The best way to know whether a contractor can deliver quality painting services is through customers who have previously worked with them. A contractor who has been in business long enough and is confident about their services should be able to provide you with references from their previous customers. Make efforts to talk to a few of their former clients and ask them about things like, the contractor’s timeline communication, issues related to budget and so forth to get a clear picture of who you will be working with.

A company that has been in operation long enough should also have established a good online and offline reputation.Take your time to check out online reviews and feedback about the contractor. A company with a significant number of negative reviews should be a no go zone!

Settling for the lowest bidder – In an effort to save a few coins, most people tend to go for the cheapest offer on the list. In the painting world, cheap often end up quite expensive in the long run. To ensure that the budget rhymes with their price, these cheap contractors tend to cut corners by using cheap paint, fewer paint coats or skipping minor details that are visible in the final job. Do not focus on pricing. Instead, check out whether the value of the services equals the pricing.
Making an upfront payment- Most painting companies will require you first to pay a down payment before the work begins to facilitate their operations. However, avoid a contractor that requires you to pay the full amount before the project is complete. You can make a small down payment, 10-20% of the whole amount at the beginning, but never make the final payment until the work is complete and you are satisfied with the results.

Hiring a “one-man” painting company – Hiring a one-man operation may appear like a simple and cheap option compared to having a crew of guys in your house. However, remember that a single painter is likely to take more time while a team has more chances of doing a better job and completing it in time.

Not Hiring a Local Contractor– Working with a local contractor is convenient in that, they can get to your residence faster to inspect the project and give you an estimate. The painting crew will also at your place be on time to do their job. In case of any emergency, you are assured that they are just a few km away and can quickly attend to such a situation.

The Bottom Line
If you can avoid the above simple mistakes, you should end up with an efficient and reliable contractor that can offer durable and quality results.