How much does it cost to repaint a house? Do you need a building permit/building notification? A complete guide from Konstruktionshjälpen
- Konstruktionshjälpen
- May 19
- 3 min read
Repainting the house is one of the most effective ways to renew the facade, protect the house from the elements and at the same time increase the value of the property. But how much does it really cost to repaint the house ? And is a building permit or building notification needed? In this blog post, we, as experts in building permits and construction technology at Konstruktionshjälpen, go through everything you need to know – from the cost of repainting the house to the process of applying for a permit.
Do you need a building permit or building notification to repaint the house?
First of all: is a building permit required to repaint the facade?
The answer is: sometimes. According to the Planning and Building Act (PBL), a building permit is required if the color change significantly affects the character of the building or area. This applies in particular to:
If the house is located within a detailed planning area.
If you change from a light color to a dark one (or vice versa).
If the house is of cultural and historical value.
If the municipality has special rules in area regulations.
👉 Tip from Konstruktionshjälpen : Call or email your municipality to find out what applies in your area. In many cases, no building notification or building permit is required if you repaint in the same color.
How much does a building permit cost to repaint the house?
The building permit fee varies between municipalities but is usually between SEK 2,000 and SEK 5,000 . In some cases it can be higher, especially if the building is located in a cultural environment-classified area.
What is the cost to repaint the house?
Average cost to repaint a house exterior :
House type | Price with painter | Price if you do it yourself |
Smaller villa (100–120 sq m) | approx. 50,000–70,000 SEK | approx. SEK 15,000–25,000 |
Medium-sized villa (150–180 sq m) | approx. 70,000–100,000 SEK | approx. 25,000–35,000 SEK |
Larger villa (200+ sq m) | approx. 100,000–150,000 SEK | approx. 30,000–50,000 SEK |
What affects the price?
Facade type – Painting a wooden house costs less than painting a plastered facade , which often requires more preparatory work.
Condition of the facade – If scraping, washing and priming are required, the price increases.
Color choice – Painting a house can vary in cost . Falu Rödfärg is cheaper than topcoat, but needs to be painted more often.
Labor cost – The cost of repainting a house painter is affected by the hourly rate (usually 500–700 SEK/h).
Scaffolding – Can cost an extra SEK 5,000–15,000 depending on height and availability. Example: How much does it cost to repaint the facade of a villa in Malmö?
Facade type: Wood
Area: 160 sq m
Color: Topcoat in new color
Work: Including washing, scraping, primer and two coats of topcoat
Results:
Facade painting price with painter: approx. 85,000 SEK incl. VAT
Cost to paint the facade yourself: approx. 30,000 SEK including paint, rented scaffolding and tools
Prices for different types of painting
Project | Price range |
Cost of repainting a plastered facade | SEK 100,000–150,000 |
Repaint the interior of the house (walls/ceiling) | 30–70 SEK/sq m |
Cost of repainting a villa | SEK 70,000–120,000 |
Cost of repainting a house Falu Red Paint | SEK 10,000–25,000 (for smaller houses) |
Repaint house yourself cost | SEK 15,000–50,000 depending on size |
Step-by-step: How to apply for a building permit to repaint your house
Contact the building committee – Get notified if a building permit is needed.
Submit the application via the municipality's e-service or form.
Please attach the following:
Drawings (existing and intended color)
Description of the action
Photos of the house
Wait for a decision – The processing time is usually 4–10 weeks.
Pay the fee – When the building permit is granted.
Summary
Repainting your house is an investment that both protects your property and improves its appearance. But it's important to find out if you need a building permit and to calculate the full cost of repainting your house . Here are some conclusions:
✅ Cost of repainting the facade with a painter: SEK 70,000–120,000.
✅ Repaint the house yourself cost : SEK 15,000–50,000.
✅ Building permit required when changing color, especially in a detailed planning area.
✅ The cost of painting a wooden house is often lower than plastering a facade.
✅ Facade painting price is strongly influenced by color, sub-work and scaffolding.
Do you need help with a building permit application or a quote for facade painting? Contact us at Konstruktionshjälpen – we will help you all the way, from the application for a permit to the finished painted house.
