Commercial Painting Costs UK 2026: Office, Retail & Workspace
Quick Answer
Commercial painting costs vary widely by project size, but expect to pay £8–£20 per square metre for labour on standard commercial spaces. Offices, retail units and hospitality spaces have different requirements to residential work — including out-of-hours scheduling and specialist paints.
Painting and decorating commercial premises is a specialist discipline requiring different planning, scheduling, and materials than residential work. Whether you manage an office, retail unit, restaurant, hotel, or industrial facility, this guide explains what to expect from professional commercial decorating in 2026.
Commercial Painting Cost Guide 2026
Commercial Painting Prices (Labour Only)
Commercial pricing is highly variable. These are guide prices only. Contact us for a bespoke commercial quotation.
What Makes Commercial Painting Different?
Commercial painting projects have unique requirements that set them apart from residential work:
- Out-of-hours working — most commercial jobs are completed evenings/weekends to avoid disruption
- Faster drying paints — commercial jobs often need quick return to use
- Durable, washable finishes — high-traffic commercial spaces need hardwearing paints
- Health & Safety compliance — commercial sites have specific H&S requirements
- Risk assessments and method statements — often required by building management
- Colour matching to brand guidelines — precise colour accuracy matters for brand environments
- Specialist finishes — anti-graffiti, fire-retardant, anti-bacterial coatings
Types of Commercial Painting We Undertake
- Office painting and refurbishment
- Retail unit fit-out and refresh
- Hospitality (restaurants, bars, hotels, cafes)
- Healthcare and educational facilities
- Industrial units and warehouses
- Landlord commercial property maintenance
- Common areas in apartment blocks and managed buildings
- Exterior commercial building painting
Commercial Paint Specification
Choosing the right commercial paint specification is critical to the longevity and performance of the finished job. Commercial environments need:
- Scrubbable emulsions rated for 10,000+ scrub cycles in high-traffic areas
- Low VOC or zero VOC paints where ventilation is limited — safer for staff
- Anti-microbial paints for healthcare, food preparation, and nursery environments
- Fire-retardant coatings where required by building regulations
- Floor paints for warehouses, car parks and industrial spaces
- Specialist exterior masonry paints for rendered and brick commercial exteriors
Minimising Business Disruption
We understand that downtime costs businesses money. Our commercial team works flexibly to minimise disruption:
- Out-of-hours and weekend scheduling available
- Phased working — complete sections while others remain operational
- Low-odour and fast-drying paints to reduce ventilation requirements
- Careful dust and mess management with professional screening
- Clear timeline and milestone updates throughout the project
💼 We've completed commercial projects for offices, restaurants and retail units across the East Midlands with zero operational downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide commercial painting nationwide?
We currently focus on the East Midlands and surrounding regions. For larger commercial projects, contact us directly to discuss coverage.
Can you provide a formal written quotation for commercial work?
Yes — commercial projects require a site visit and bespoke specification. Use our Custom Quote form or contact us directly to arrange a commercial site survey.
Do your commercial decorators carry appropriate insurance?
All decorators are fully insured with public liability cover. For larger commercial projects requiring specific levels of cover, please discuss this with us when quoting.
Can you match our brand colours precisely?
Yes — we can match to any RAL, BS or Pantone colour reference, as well as mix bespoke Dulux or equivalent shades to match your exact brand specification.
Flexible ways to pay
A larger decorating project doesn't have to mean one limited way to pay. Get your fixed Paint-MyRoom.com price online and choose from available payment options at checkout, including Klarna and Clearpay.
Subject to eligibility and provider terms.