How Much Does It Cost To Paint 3-Bedroom Flat in Nigeria

Painting a 3-bedroom flat in Nigeria is a significant investment that can transform your living space and protect your property. 

However, understanding the costs involved requires considering multiple factors including materials, labour, location, and specific requirements. 

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of what you can expect to pay when painting a 3-bedroom flat in Nigeria.

Overview of Painting Costs in Nigeria

The cost of painting a standard 3-bedroom flat in Nigeria typically ranges from ₦250,000 to ₦1,500,000. This wide range reflects significant differences in:

• Quality and brand of paint used
• Size and condition of the flat
• Location within Nigeria
• Complexity of the painting job
• Level of preparation required
• Additional services requested
• Season and market conditions

Size Considerations for a 3-Bedroom Flat

A typical 3-bedroom flat in Nigeria ranges from 90-150 square meters (approximately 970-1,600 square feet). The paintable surface area depends on:

• Wall height (standard is 2.7-3 meters)
• Number of windows and doors
• Layout complexity
• Inclusion of additional spaces like balconies and corridors

A standard 3-bedroom flat usually has approximately 250-400 square meters of paintable surface area when accounting for walls and ceilings.

Here is a Detailed Cost Breakdown

Paint Materials

Paint quality significantly impacts both cost and durability. Here’s what you can expect to pay for different paint qualities in Nigeria:

Interior Paints

• Economy Paint: ₦5,000 – ₦8,000 per gallon
  • Examples: Beger Economy, Premier Economy
  • Coverage: Approximately 35-40 square meters per gallon
  • Durability: 1-2 years before noticeable fading
• Standard Paint: ₦8,000 – ₦15,000 per gallon
  • Examples: Dulux Vinyl Matt, Berger Texcote, Meyer Silk
  • Coverage: Approximately 40-45 square meters per gallon
  • Durability: 3-4 years with proper maintenance
• Premium Paint: ₦15,000 – ₦25,000 per gallon
  • Examples: Dulux Silk Emulsion, Berger Luxol, Meyer Super Gloss
  • Coverage: Approximately 45-50 square meters per gallon
  • Durability: 5-7 years with proper maintenance
• Luxury/Imported Paint: ₦25,000 – ₦40,000+ per gallon
  • Examples: Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, imported Dulux variants
  • Coverage: Approximately 50-55 square meters per gallon
  • Durability: 7-10 years with proper maintenance

Exterior Paints (if applicable)

Exterior paints typically cost 15-30% more than interior paints due to additional weather-resistant properties.

A typical 3-bedroom flat requires approximately:

• 8-12 gallons for interior walls
• 2-3 gallons for ceilings
• 1-2 gallons for trim, doors, and accents

This translates to total paint material costs of:

• Economy Range: ₦55,000 – ₦136,000
• Mid-Range: ₦88,000 – ₦255,000
• Premium Range: ₦165,000 – ₦425,000
• Luxury Range: ₦275,000 – ₦680,000

Labor Costs

Labor costs vary significantly by location, painter expertise, and project complexity:

• Amateur/Informal Painters: ₦5,000 – ₦8,000 per day per person
  • Usually individuals or small informal teams
  • Variable quality and limited guarantees
  • May take longer to complete the job
• Professional Painters: ₦8,000 – ₦15,000 per day per person
  • Formal small businesses or experienced teams
  • Consistent quality and basic guarantees
  • Standard efficiency and finish quality
• Expert Painters/Companies: ₦15,000 – ₦30,000 per day per person
  • Established companies with professional training
  • Premium quality and comprehensive guarantees
  • Higher efficiency and superior finishes

A 3-bedroom flat typically requires:

• Team size: 3-5 painters
• Duration: 5-7 days for standard work
• Additional days for extensive preparation or special finishes

This results in labor costs of:

• Basic Service: ₦75,000 – ₦280,000
• Standard Service: ₦120,000 – ₦525,000
• Premium Service: ₦225,000 – ₦1,050,000

Additional Materials

Beyond paint, a comprehensive painting job requires:

• Primers: ₦5,000 – ₦12,000 per gallon (3-5 gallons needed)
  • Essential for new surfaces or significant color changes
  • Improves adhesion and durability of topcoat
• Putty/Fillers: ₦5,000 – ₦15,000
  • For repairing cracks, holes, and imperfections
  • Quality impacts smoothness of final finish
• Sandpaper (various grits): ₦3,000 – ₦8,000
  • For surface preparation and between-coat smoothing
  • Different grits needed for different stages
• Masking tape: ₦1,500 – ₦5,000
  • For clean edges and protecting fixtures
  • Professional-grade tape reduces bleed-through
• Drop cloths/protective materials: ₦3,000 – ₦10,000
  • Essential for protecting floors and furniture
  • Canvas offers better protection than plastic
• Brushes, rollers, and accessories: ₦10,000 – ₦30,000
  • Quality tools improve application efficiency
  • Different sizes needed for various areas
• Sealants and caulking: ₦3,000 – ₦10,000
  • For edges and transitions between surfaces
  • Prevents moisture ingress and improves appearance
• Cleaning supplies: ₦2,000 – ₦8,000
  • For surface preparation and post-job cleanup

Total additional materials typically add ₦32,500 – ₦98,000 to the project cost.

Regional Cost Variations in Nigeria

Painting costs vary significantly across different regions in Nigeria:

• Lagos and Abuja:
  • Premium: 25-40% above national average
  • Higher living costs and demand for luxury services
  • Greater availability of imported materials
  • More specialized painting contractors
• Port Harcourt and Other Oil Cities:
  • Premium: 15-25% above national average
  • Higher standard of living
  • Expatriate-influenced market
  • Strong demand for quality services
• Secondary Cities (Ibadan, Kano, Enugu, Benin):
  • Standard: National average pricing
  • Good balance of quality and cost
  • Reasonable availability of materials and skilled labor
• Smaller Cities and State Capitals:
  • Discount: 10-20% below national average
  • Lower labor costs
  • Fewer options for premium services
  • Potential challenges sourcing specialty materials
• Rural Areas:
  • Discount: 20-35% below national average
  • Significantly lower labor costs
  • Limited access to quality materials
  • Fewer professional painting contractors

Specialized Painting Services and Finishes

Special painting techniques or requirements add to the base cost:

• Textured Finishes: Additional ₦20,000 – ₦60,000
  • Examples: Rustic, stucco, sand-swirl
  • Requires specialized tools and skills
  • Material costs higher than standard painting
• Decorative Painting: Additional ₦40,000 – ₦200,000
  • Examples: Ombre, color blocking, geometric patterns
  • Requires precision and artistic ability
  • Often needs additional preparation and masking
• Faux Finishes: Additional ₦70,000 – ₦250,000
  • Examples: Marble effect, wood grain, metallic looks
  • Highly specialized skill set required
  • Multiple layers and specialized tools needed
• Color Consultation: ₦15,000 – ₦80,000
  • Professional color scheme development
  • Sample testing and visualization
  • Particularly valuable for complex spaces
• Stain-Resistant Coatings: Additional ₦30,000 – ₦100,000
  • Ideal for kitchens and children’s rooms
  • Special formulations at premium prices
  • Longer-lasting protection against common stains
• Waterproofing Treatments: Additional ₦50,000 – ₦180,000
  • Essential for exterior walls and wet areas
  • Specialized materials and application techniques
  • Provides long-term protection against moisture damage

Preparation Work Costs

Proper preparation is crucial for a quality finish and can represent a significant portion of the total cost:

• Wall Repairs (minor): ₦15,000 – ₦40,000
  • Filling small cracks and holes
  • Patching minor damage
  • Basic surface preparation
• Wall Repairs (major): ₦40,000 – ₦200,000
  • Repairing significant damage or water issues
  • Addressing structural cracks
  • Fixing large holes or damaged sections
• Surface Cleaning: ₦10,000 – ₦40,000
  • Removing dirt, grime, and mold
  • Power washing (for exteriors)
  • Chemical cleaning for stubborn stains
• Removing Old Wallpaper: ₦20,000 – ₦70,000
  • Labor-intensive process
  • May require special equipment
  • Potential wall repairs afterward
• Scraping/Removing Old Paint: ₦15,000 – ₦60,000
  • Necessary for flaking or peeling surfaces
  • Time-consuming manual process
  • May require heat guns or chemical strippers
• Mold Treatment: ₦25,000 – ₦80,000
  • Professional treatment for affected areas
  • Preventative measures to avoid recurrence
  • Specialized anti-fungal primers and paints

Comprehensive Cost Scenarios

Economy Package (₦250,000 – ₦450,000)

• Basic quality paint with limited color options
• Minimal preparation work (cleaning and basic repairs)
• Standard application techniques
• No special finishes or treatments
• Informal or entry-level painters
• Limited or no warranty
• Suitable for rental properties or temporary solutions

Standard Package (₦450,000 – ₦800,000)

• Mid-range quality paint with good color selection
• Standard preparation including minor repairs
• Professional application techniques
• Basic trim and detail work
• Professional painters with experience
• 1-2 year warranty on workmanship
• Appropriate for most residential needs

Premium Package (₦800,000 – ₦1,500,000)

• High-quality or imported paint with unlimited color options
• Thorough preparation including significant repairs if needed
• Advanced application techniques
• Detailed trim work and precise finishes
• Expert painters with extensive training
• Special treatments for problem areas
• 3-5 year warranty on workmanship
• Ideal for high-end residences or distinctive spaces

Cost-Saving Tips Without Compromising Quality

To reduce painting costs while maintaining acceptable quality:

• Paint during dry seasons (November-March) when humidity is lower, allowing for faster drying and fewer complications.
• Purchase materials yourself from wholesale suppliers rather than through contractors who may add markups.
• Get multiple quotes (minimum 3) from different painters to understand the market rate.
• Handle simpler preparation tasks yourself, such as moving furniture, basic cleaning, and removing fixtures.
• Use premium paint in high-traffic areas (living room, corridors) while using standard paint in less visible or lower-traffic areas.
• Minimize the number of different colors to reduce labor time and material waste.
• Consider painting simpler areas yourself (closets, storage rooms) while hiring professionals for visible spaces.
• Negotiate package deals for painting multiple properties or combining with other renovation work.
• Invest in better preparation and materials initially to extend the time between repaints.
• Book painters during their slower periods (often rainy season) for potential discounts.

Hidden Costs to Consider

Be aware of potential additional expenses that may not appear in initial quotes:

• Furniture Moving: ₦10,000 – ₦40,000
  • Professional handling of heavy or delicate items
  • Temporary storage if needed
• Post-Painting Cleanup: ₦5,000 – ₦25,000
  • Professional cleaning services
  • Paint disposal and recycling
• Disposal of Old Materials: ₦3,000 – ₦20,000
  • Environmentally appropriate disposal
  • Removal of construction waste
• Unforeseen Repairs: Can add 10-30% to project cost
  • Hidden damage discovered during preparation
  • Structural issues requiring specialist intervention
• Touch-ups: Usually 5-10% of original cost
  • Post-installation corrections
  • Fixing damage from other contractors
• Protective Coatings: ₦20,000 – ₦60,000
  • Sealants for high-moisture areas
  • UV protection for sun-exposed surfaces

Hiring Considerations in the Nigerian Market

When selecting painters in Nigeria, consider:

• Reputation and References: Ask for and verify references, inspect previous work in person if possible.
• Written Documentation: Ensure all costs, specifications, and timelines are detailed in writing.
• Payment Schedule: Establish clear payment terms (typically 40-50% deposit, remainder upon satisfactory completion).
• Warranty Terms: Better painters offer 1-5 year warranties on their work, with clear terms about what’s covered.
• Insurance Coverage: Verify if they have liability insurance for potential damages to your property.
• Material Quality Verification: Request to see the actual paint cans to confirm the brand and quality promised.
• Project Timeline: Establish clear start and completion dates with penalties for significant delays.
• Supervision Arrangements: Determine who will oversee the work and how quality control will be managed.

Long-Term Maintenance Costs

After painting, budget for ongoing maintenance to protect your investment:

• Regular Cleaning: ₦5,000 – ₦15,000 annually
  • Gentle cleaning of painted surfaces
  • Preventing dirt buildup that can damage paint
• Touch-ups: ₦8,000 – ₦25,000 annually
  • Addressing small damaged areas
  • Maintaining continuous protection
• Sealant Renewal: ₦10,000 – ₦30,000 every 2-3 years
  • Particularly in bathrooms and kitchens
  • Preventing moisture damage
• Complete Repainting: Every 3-7 years depending on paint quality
  • Economy paint: 2-3 years
  • Standard paint: 4-5 years
  • Premium paint: 5-7 years
  • Premium exterior paint: 3-5 years

Conclusion

The cost of painting a 3-bedroom flat in Nigeria varies widely based on numerous factors including location, paint quality, level of preparation, and specific requirements.

While it’s possible to complete a basic painting job for around ₦250,000, most homeowners should budget ₦450,000 – ₦800,000 for a standard quality paint job that offers a good balance of durability and appearance.

Premium finishes, extensive repairs, and imported paints can push costs up to ₦1,500,000 or more.

To get the best value, thoroughly research painters, obtain multiple detailed quotes, clearly specify your requirements, and consider the long-term implications of your choices.

Remember that investing in quality paint and professional application often reduces long-term maintenance costs and extends the time between repainting cycles.

When planning your budget, factor in both the immediate costs and potential additional expenses to avoid surprises during the project.

With proper planning, research, and quality control, you can achieve excellent results while managing costs effectively, resulting in a beautiful, durable finish for your 3-bedroom flat.