9 Factors That Affect Cost of Painting Services in Dubai 2025

Summers are already in, and the temperature’s slowly rising. The sky is clear and sunny, and there is 35% humidity in the environment.

What a time to paint your home! There is no risk of rainfall, the weather is clear, and paint can dry out quickly.

But the story is not only about when. It is also about how. It is about understanding the ways in which you can get the best results. Obviously, painting work is costly. It takes time and money to get the desired results. And, no matter how much you spend, the outcome always feels less.

Now, that does not mean that you keep investing more and more. That would not be a wise decision. Instead, proper planning is required. A clear mindset can also ease things down.

In this blog, you will learn how to minimize painting costs and what factors affect painting services in Dubai in 2025.

What’s the Status of the Painting Market in Dubai in 2025?

There is no doubt that the painting market is evolving. New projects are lined up, renovations are going on, and there is a huge demand for painters and painting materials in the market as of 2025.

Here is a simple breakdown of painting costs at homes and villas in Dubai:

Home Painting Cost: In general, the cost of painting ranges between AED 15 and AED 25 per square foot. But factors like project complexity, location, and material demands affect the prices.
Villa Painting Cost: If you have a villa painting project, it can cost you somewhere between AED 10,000 and AED 30,000 or more. The same above-mentioned factors decide the final rate here as well.
Basic Pricing: Small-scale service providers can offer work at AED 399 for a one-bedroom apartment. But the rates go up according to the size and complexity of the project.

Many people are switching to eco-friendly paint options. So, that is also on the rise. The government is also actively promoting water-based paints and low-VOC products in the UAE, which marks a giant step for the sale of such products in the market.

Now, let us talk about what exactly impacts the cost of painting in Dubai.

Top 9 Factors that Affect the Cost of Painting

Surface Area

Isn’t it clear-cut? The larger the area, the more the painting costs. Since most painting services in Dubai charge based on square feet, bigger areas will automatically raise your painting budget.

The price range per square foot in Dubai is between AED 5 and AED 30+, depending on the complexity of the project. It’s a reasonable point to consider when talking about the factors that affect the cost of painting.

Type of Paint

All types of products are available in the market. From low to high quality, you can choose any of them as per your needs. Now, premium paints are apparently costlier because they are durable and superior. In contrast, you can purchase low-grade paints at a much cheaper price.

Here’s a detailed rate list in terms of painting quality available in Dubai:

Premium Paints

Brand Examples: Jotun Fenomastic, Dulux Heritage, etc.
Price: Between AED 195 and AED 350

Mid-Quality Paints

Brand Examples: Asian Paints Royale, Dulux Colors of the World
Price: Between AED 90 and AED 160

Low-Quality Paints

Brand Examples: National Paints Expression, etc.
Price: Starting from AED 35

You should choose paint materials carefully and try to save money wherever possible, because that can cut down the final cost.

Design and Finishing

Your painting budget is directly proportional to the type of work you require. Suppose you have a single wall painting task; now, that is not very complex, hence no specific skill set is required to finish that. But if there are tasks like kitchen cabinet painting, geometric wall art, or mandala painting, then you need to hire professionals.

Specialized finishes require skilled painters who have the necessary knowledge and expertise to carry out tasks the right way.

Types of specialized painting finishes that can affect the cost of painting are as follows:

Eggshell
Semi-Gloss
High-Gloss
Textured
Flat/Matte

Labor Costs

You will need skilled laborers to get quality results. However, the requirements can be different for different places. In areas like warehouses and industrial buildings, no one requires top-class interiors. There, you can hire standard painters to get the work done.

But when we talk about places like hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality locations, the need for excellent interiors and exteriors is mandatory. In such areas, painting has to be attractive, creative, and up-to-date. Hence, in such places, costs can go up.

Labor costs can vary for different places, and they directly depend on the type of work output you require.

Below is a summary of labor costs in Dubai:

Hourly Rates: Between AED 16 and AED 50
Per Square Foot Rates: Between AED 10 and AED 25
Overall Labor Cost: Between AED 800 and AED 6000 (can go above as well)

Surface Preparation

Whenever anyone goes for painting work, surface preparation is the first thing to handle. Now, surface preparation is not just about cleaning the place; it is about creating an even mint surface on which a new coat of paint can be put.

Below is a detailed list of tasks that come under surface preparation:

Normal cleaning: If you require painting work in your living room, then all the items need to be removed from that room. Dusting and removing grime from the surface also come under normal cleaning. The main motive is to clean everything and have an open place to work.
Removing Old Paint: You have to scrape off the old paint so as to create a fresh base. It is not always mandatory, but to get the best results, one should remove old paint to achieve a perfect and even look.
Repairing the Surface: If there is damage on the surface, you should fix it before putting a coat of paint on it. If you do not, then you will not be able to get a smooth finish.
Sanding: Use sandpaper to smooth out the surface for an even better finish. Sanding makes sure the paint can adhere to the surface perfectly and evenly.
Priming: It is an important step that must not be skipped. Primers help paint adhere to the surface and also work as an added layer of protection.

Now tell us—would you not require a skilled and knowledgeable person to carry out the surface preparation process? Most people definitely will because preparing the surface is like laying the foundation for the final output.

Property Height and Work Risk

For places where risk is involved, labor costs can go up. It is pretty obvious and cannot be denied. Think about it—the laborer will have to risk his/her life to paint your home or office exteriors. Doesn’t that sound like a big thing? For painters, it does; hence, their demands will increase.

Additionally, for high-rise buildings and complex spots, special tools are required for painting. Hence, that is another factor that can escalate your bills.

(Useful Tip: Always hire insured painters in Dubai. This way, you save yourself the hassle of paying for the hospital bills in case an accident occurs at your place.)

Season

Labor rates are generally higher during peak seasons, like spring and summer. This is because the market demand is high, and this period is the most relevant for painters in Dubai to earn money.

If you have painting requirements at such a time, do a market analysis; you will understand that most painting services in Dubai are booked.

In contrast, if you examine the market conditions during off-peak seasons, like late fall and winter, you will find that the painting charges are lower and companies are even ready to negotiate.

Another important thing to note here is that weather conditions directly affect paint application. A dry and warm day is better for doing paint work than a humid and rainy day. Hence, rates also fluctuate with that.

It is important that you plan your project in slower seasons when the market is not in much demand. It can help you save money and time. Your main goal should be to get the best outcome at the most affordable price.

Type of Work

There are mainly two factors into which we can divide this: new projects or repainting work. We all know that carrying out a new painting project means there is no need to remove old paint. But, at the same time, a new project requires multiple coatings to get the best finish.

In contrast, if you require repainting a surface, then there is no need for you to do multiple coatings. Now, this becomes a deciding factor here. Painting rates can significantly vary between a repainting and a new painting project because of the difference in procedure.

Permit Requirements

In many residential and commercial places, you cannot work without taking an NOC (No Objection Certificate). However, the story just does not end there. If you live in a society, you will have to take permission from the authorized people to carry out a painting task at your home.

The main concern here is that other people should not be affected by the work you carry out. Also, they should know that you are about to conduct painting work at your place so that they do not disturb you as well. It is beneficial, rather mandatory, to take the necessary permits before beginning a paint job at your place.

Tips To Save Money On Painting Projects

Hire Legit Service Providers

Although it might sound a bit expensive, trained and licensed painters are much better because they provide quality and long-lasting results. The thing is, painting work is no joke, and specific knowledge of techniques is a must.

Therefore, when you look for a painter in Dubai, make sure you ask about their certification and license. Check their paperwork as well and make sure there is no scam. By hiring legitimate painters, you will definitely have results that look great and last for a long time.

Get Multiple Quotes

Do not trust the first service provider you get in touch with. Rather, analyze the market and get multiple rate quotations. We suggest you reach out to at least five painting service providers in Dubai. It will help you understand the market better.

Never hesitate to ask for the license, warranty, post-service support, and service rates. Authentic service providers are transparent and will share everything with you.

Check Online Reviews

There is a lot that you can know about a service provider on the internet. All you need to do is type their name and search for online reviews. There are many authentic websites where you can read customer testimonials and understand the quality of services a particular service provider offers.

Make sure you do thorough research before finalizing someone. Take your time and choose wisely. Rushing will only lead to bad choices.

Purchase The Paint Yourself

Do not hand over the purchasing part to the service provider. They might mangle things up and raise your bills. Rather, make some effort and step into the market. It is not a very big deal to reach out to shops and ask for paint yourself. It will help you understand the present condition of the market, where you can negotiate, and what alternatives you can buy that save you money.

You can ask a friend or family member for a known shop. This will minimize the chances of any fraud and help you get the best materials for your place.

Choose Basic Finishes

If you are short on funds, do not try to experiment too much. Rather, choose basic paint finishes because they will cut down labor and paint costs. Basic finishes also look good and minimal if a new coat is added. Hence, save money by choosing them over other complex finishes.

Summing Up

It can be lovely to see your walls fresh and shiny. Considering the fact that you live in Dubai, the city is known for its architecture and urban lifestyle. Therefore, keeping your place up-to-date and in mint condition is important.

However, you should keep in mind that painting work is not easy. Both time and money are invested. This is why you should keep the above-mentioned factors in mind that affect the cost of painting services in Dubai.

That’s it for now. We hope the given information helps you tackle general problems and have your work done in the best way. Thanks for reading!

Top 9 Factors That Affect the Cost of Painting Services in Dubai 2025