Interior painting in Lahore

A good interior paint job is mostly preparation. The colour you pick matters less than whether cracks were filled, damp was treated and the walls were primed before the finish coats went on. This page explains what a proper job includes, how it runs and what affects the price.

What's included

When you need it

• Finishing a newly built house or portion.
• Repainting an occupied home that looks tired, stained or faded.
• After renovation, rewiring or plumbing work that left patches.
• After seepage or damp has been fixed at the source.
• Before renting out or selling a property.

Step-by-step process

1. Walkthrough. List rooms, ceilings, stairwell and any doors or grills to be included. Point out damp patches and cracks.
2. Fix causes first. Leaking pipes, roof seepage or bathroom leaks should be repaired before painting.
3. Written quote. Each room or the whole area, preparation, coats, material grade and timeline.
4. Colour samples. Paint test patches on the real wall; check in daylight and under your own lights.
5. Protection and preparation. Covering, scraping, sanding, filling.
6. Putty and sanding. Allow each coat to dry fully before sanding.
7. Primer. One coat over the prepared surface.
8. Finish coats. Apply with drying time between coats as per the paint maker's instructions.
9. Snag list. Walk every room with the painter; mark touch-ups with tape.
10. Final clean-up and payment.

Approvals and documents

A normal interior repaint does not usually need any approval. If you live in a managed society or apartment building, check its rules on working hours, material storage and debris disposal before work starts.

What affects the cost

• Total wall and ceiling area, and how it is measured.
• Wall condition: cracks, damp marks, old oil paint or flaking layers.
• Number of putty, primer and finish coats.
• Paint type and grade: economy emulsion, washable, enamel or specialty coatings.
• Colour change from dark to light, or strong colours needing extra coats.
• High ceilings and stairwells that need ladders or scaffolding.
• Occupied house with furniture to move and cover.
• Whether material is included or bought by you.

Ask for itemised quotes on the same scope so you can compare them.

Questions to ask the painter

1. How many coats of putty, primer and paint will you apply?
2. How do you treat damp marks and cracks?
3. Who buys the paint, and will I see the sealed tins and receipts?
4. How do you measure the area for billing?
5. How many people will work, and what is the finish date?
6. Will you remove switch plates and cover floors and furniture?
7. What is your payment schedule?
8. Will you come back for touch-ups if marks appear shortly after the job?

Red flags

• No visit before quoting, or a total with no breakdown.
• Painting directly over damp, peeling or dusty walls.
• Very thin paint coats that show the putty underneath.
• Tins without labels or refilled containers.
• Asking for most of the money upfront.
• Rushing coats without drying time.

FAQs

Do new walls need putty? Most plastered walls are puttied and sanded to get a smooth finish before primer and paint. Your painter will advise based on the plaster quality.

Matt or silk finish? Matt hides small flaws; silk or washable finishes are easier to wipe in kitchens, kids' rooms and corridors. Many homes mix both.

Can I stay in the house during painting? Yes, if the painter works room by room. Ventilate well, and ask about the paint's smell and drying time.

Why is my paint peeling after a few months? Common causes are damp in the wall, no primer, or paint applied over dust or old loose paint. Fix the cause before repainting.

How do I compare two quotes? Make sure both list the same rooms, coats, preparation and paint grade. A lower price with fewer coats is not cheaper in the long run.

Sources