Updated on 26 June 2026 · by Pepe, painter in Elche
It's a very normal question before asking for a quote: how much does a painter charge per hour or per day's work? I'm Pepe, a painter in Elche, and I'll give you the going rates for reference, but also explain why I don't work that way and what suits you better.
Spoiler: paying by the hour sounds cheap, but it's the easiest way not to know what the job will cost you until the bill lands.
How much is charged per hour or per day (rough guide)
As a reference for what's going on in the market (it's not what I charge, since I quote a fixed price): a painter's labour usually sits in these brackets, not counting materials.
| How they charge | Rough guide |
|---|---|
| Per hour | 15 – 25 €/hour |
| Per day | 120 – 200 €/day |
Why I give you a fixed price and not by the hour
When you pay by the hour, you take on all the risk: if the job drags on, you pay more. And you've no way of knowing the total until the end. That's why I always work to a fixed price, worked out from the metres to be painted and the state of the walls.
So you know what it'll cost you before I start, in writing and with no surprises. If I take longer than expected, that's my problem, not your wallet's. And because I deal direct, with no middlemen, that price is keen from the off.
So how do I know what it'll cost me?
By the metre, not by the hour. Painting a flat usually starts from around 6 €/m2 of wall, and a facade from around 12 €/m2, materials and labour included. I explain it in full in the guide on how much it costs to paint a flat.
And if you want a figure right away without waiting, use the calculator just below: in 30 seconds you'll have a rough range, and then I confirm the exact price, free, after seeing the job.
When does paying by the hour actually make sense?
To be fair: on very small, one-off jobs — a touch-up, filling a couple of holes, going over a mark — charging for the odd hour makes sense and is easiest for both of us. For any job from a room upwards, a fixed price protects you far more.
Want the exact price for your project?
I will come and see it with no obligation and give you a fixed quote, free and the same day. You deal directly with me, no middlemen.
FAQ
- Do you charge by the hour?
- No. I give you a fixed price for the job, worked out from the metres and the state of the walls, so you know the total before I start and there are no surprises. Only on very small jobs might charging for the odd hour pay off.
- How much does a painter charge for a day's work?
- As a market reference, a painter's day usually runs around 120 – 200 € of labour, without materials. But I don't charge you that way: I give you a fixed price for the whole job so you know the total up front.
- Is it cheaper by the hour or at a fixed price?
- At a fixed price you have the final figure from the start and don't pay more if the job gets tricky. By the hour you never know the total until the end. For peace of mind, a fixed price almost always suits you better.
- Is the quote free?
- Yes. I come and look at the job at no cost or obligation and give you the fixed price in writing. You only pay if you decide to hire me.