How much does a painter charge per hour in 2026?

NLL Måleri’s hourly labour rate is 687.50 SEK including VAT, or 481.25 SEK after a fully applicable 30% ROT deduction. This is NLL’s listed rate, not a national industry average. An hourly rate alone does not show the total: ask for the estimated hours, chargeable tasks, materials and any extras.

NLL’s quote confirms the pricing model and scope for your project. A fixed price covers an agreed scope; hourly billing uses the agreed rate and chargeable time. Compare the same tasks and materials before choosing.

NLL’s 687.50 SEK hourly rate including VAT is for labour. Materials are separate; the quote should specify chargeable time and any other costs. For NLL façade work, paint, tape and protective coverings are listed separately at 187.50–250 SEK/m² including VAT.

This distinction matters for ROT: the 30% deduction applies only to labour, never materials. A quote combining everything into one hourly rate makes the deductible amount unclear. NLL therefore always separates labour and materials in the quote, making the ROT basis clear.

Neither a fixed price nor hourly billing is automatically cheaper. Compare the agreed scope, exclusions and how changes are handled. This is the core of a like-for-like comparison: compare the same surfaces, preparation, materials and extras. A fixed price provides a total for the agreed scope; hourly pricing needs a clear rate and a way to monitor chargeable time.

Uncertain preparation or hidden repairs need an agreed approach under either pricing model. Ask how changes, delays and extra work affect the price, and document any agreed changes before work proceeds.

ROT can reduce qualifying labour by up to 30%, subject to eligibility, tax capacity and remaining allowance. The ROT cap is 50,000 SEK per person per year. With a fully applicable 30% ROT deduction, illustrative labour of 84,000 SEK including VAT gives a 25,200 SEK deduction and 58,800 SEK to pay for labour.

Materials are excluded. In this example, 26,400 SEK of materials remains unchanged. Two owners must each meet the conditions, pay their share and have sufficient allowance and tax capacity; a joint household does not automatically receive 100,000 SEK. Check the conditions with Skatteverket, and ask for any eligible deduction to be shown separately on the invoice.

Four factors have the greatest effect on price: surface condition, access, paint system and surface type. The condition determines which preparation tasks are needed; the time must be estimated for the actual surface.

• Condition: preparation and coat numbers depend on the surface and the selected product instructions.
• Access: a high façade or need for scaffolding pushes the price towards the top of the range.
• Paint system: the selected paint system affects material use and preparation. Compare specified products and compatibility rather than assuming a whole paint category lasts longer.
• Surface type: timber façades (625–875 SEK/m²) involve more work than a smooth interior wall (from 250 SEK/m²).

An illustrative 120 m² rendered façade calculation totals 85,200 SEK after a fully applicable 30% ROT deduction. It uses 700 SEK/m² for labour and 220 SEK/m² for materials, including VAT, and excludes any other agreed extras. This is an example of what painting a house exterior costs. Here is the breakdown:

The area and rates are calculation assumptions, not a quotation for a particular house. For the listed square-metre rates for façades, roofs and interiors, see Painting prices in Skåne in 2026. The scope, pricing model and final amount need to be confirmed in your quote.