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Anyone who runs a business—and small business owners in particular—should be aware that business premises are much more than just a base from which to run things.
Whether it's in the retail, leisure, healthcare, office-based or industrial sector, your commercial property projects an image to customers, visitors, partners and potential investors. In fact, anyone who notices the building will make a mental note of its condition, often subconsciously.
This will help them form a general opinion of your business, even if they have no prior knowledge or experience of your company. As such, a grubby building presents a negative image. Potential customers may be put off as they assume your services won't be up to scratch, and investors may see it as a sign of an unsuccessful venture. It doesn't seem fair, but it's simple human psychology!
So, keeping the exterior vibrant, clean and well-maintained is vital for anyone who is serious about running a business.
The next logical step is to book commercial painters in London to revitalise the outside of your premises. But this requires investment, so we need to ask the question - How much does it cost to paint a commercial building?
Using their in-depth knowledge and experience of the industry, the Sketch Spray team has compiled this blog to answer the question and provide all the information you need to make a sensible, informed and cost-effective solution!
As with most services, a range of factors will affect the price, and all of these must be taken into consideration before we can arrive at a reasonable figure.
Let's explore these to see what we can discover...
This is sort of an obvious one! The final estimate will depend on the amount of paint required, so the size of the building (or buildings) is paramount. Essentially, the bigger the surface area, the more paint is necessary and the longer the job will take.
To get an accurate estimate, we need to find out what the total square footage* is, and this involves some basic maths. Simply multiply the length of the building by its height and subtract any areas not to be painted, such as windows or doors.
*Most commercial painters charge per square foot or square metre - so make sure you get the units right!
This is another important aspect, as the surface must be clean, dry and ready to receive the paint.
Applying paint to a damaged, weathered or flaking surface is pointless, as the new paint will soon blister and peel. Your investment will be lost and you'll have the added cost of repainting!
So, proper cleaning and preparation are essential before any painting work goes ahead, and we'll look at what this involves in more detail later.
Labour can make up a large part of the commercial painting cost, and the more tradesmen you have on-site, the bigger the costs will be. Also, the longer they are required, the higher the final cost.
So, extensive prep work or large and complex jobs will require a bigger investment.
Typically, you can expect to pay between £100 and £150 per day for labour, depending on where you're located in the UK. It's also worth keeping in mind that contractors will usually include travelling time in their hourly rate (if it's more than an hour), along with additional fuel costs. This could add as much as an extra £30 per day per labourer, and £10 per day in fuel.
These days, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to exterior paint. There are dozens to choose from, all with different qualities and finishes.
It's never wise to skimp on this, and you should always invest in the best paint possible with a high-quality finish, even if it means stretching the budget a little.
We'll mention some of these paints in a moment to give you an idea of what's out there.
At Sketch Spray, we use professional spraying equipment as it is superior to most other methods.
However, not all commercial painting companies in London use the same methods and equipment, and this needs to be accounted for when costing a job.
For example, if the contractors use brushes and rollers, the project is likely to take much longer, whereas spray painting can be completed in a fraction of the time, reducing the overall labour costs.
To reach upper levels, the contractors may need to use scaffolding or mobile working platforms. While some companies have their own, others may need to hire this (most don't own scaffolding, as a rule) and it will add to the overall cost to paint your commercial property.
Scaffolding costs are difficult to estimate, as commercial painters often have special arrangements with scaffolding hire companies. This means they may get a more favourable rate than you would if you hired it yourself. Even so, it has to be factored into the final painting cost.
As an approximate guide, expect to pay around £150 or more per day.
The factors mentioned above will determine the total number of hours required, but it doesn't take into account when the work takes place.
And if the painting contractors have to operate outside of regular business hours, the labour costs may well rise to reflect this.
So, these are the main factors to consider when working out exterior commercial painting costs!
Now we know what's involved, let's try to find some figures...
To get an idea of where your money is going, let's look at what should happen during a commercial painting project in London. Now, not all companies are the same, but any commercial painter worth employing will follow a procedure something like this:
The wall surfaces are checked to see what condition they are in and to identify the materials involved. The painter will check for cracks, water damage, mould, dirt and signs of peeling paint.
This gives a better idea of what prep work is required and how much paint may be needed.
The exterior walls will be thoroughly cleaned using professional methods and equipment. This might include power washing, DOFF/TORC systems, and industrial-grade chemicals to shift stains and mould.
Minor cracks and holes will be filled with an appropriate filler, while larger damage may require more extensive repair. Metal surfaces may need to be treated for rust.
Gaps around doors and windows will be filled with an appropriate caulk or sealant.
All cracked or peeling paint will be scraped off completely. The area will then be sanded to provide a smooth surface ready to take the new paint.
All windows, doors, trims and any other accessories or areas not to be painted will be masked to prevent paint from reaching them.
If necessary, drop cloths or dust sheets will be placed on the floor or draped over areas or items that need protection.
The trick here is to use professional commercial painting services, like Sketch Spray, as our expertise ensures that any overspray is minimal.
Depending on the type of paint and the material involved, a primer will be applied across the entire surface to achieve a perfect, long-lasting finish.
As promised, we're going to check out some of the types of paint that professional commercial painters offer, as these will affect the cost.
This isn't a full list, by any means, just an idea of what's available:
Ideal for brick, concrete, stone, and render surfaces, this paint is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, frost, and UV exposure.
It provides excellent water resistance, preventing moisture penetration that can cause structural damage.
Many masonry paints allow the surface to breathe, which prevents trapped moisture and dampness in the building. Some have additives that prevent the growth of mould, algae, or mildew, ideal for damp or shaded areas.
This is suitable for multiple surfaces including wood, metal, and masonry.
Acrylic-based paints are known for their fast drying times, which is useful for commercial projects where minimal downtime is important.
They also expand and contract with temperature changes, reducing the chance of cracking or flaking, and offer good protection against sun damage, making them suitable for buildings in exposed areas.
Finally, acrylic-based paint is suitable for both walls and trims like windows, doors, and fascia boards.
Best for masonry and concrete surfaces, particularly for buildings with cracks or where weatherproofing is critical, this paint is highly flexible. It can stretch and return to its original shape, which is beneficial for surfaces prone to movement or expansion, such as concrete.
It offers superior waterproofing properties, making it ideal for areas with heavy rainfall or near the coast.
It can also cover hairline cracks effectively, providing a seamless finish and provides a long-lasting and barrier against extreme weather conditions.
Experts tend to recommend this for buildings in damp or exposed environments, as they offer superior water resistance while allowing the building to breathe.
Silicone paints are great for areas prone to moss, mildew, and algae growth, such as coastal or shaded buildings.
Many types are self-cleaning, meaning that dirt and debris are less likely to adhere to the surface, making the building easier to maintain.
With its highly durable formula, this type of paint can offer protection for up to 15 years!
Specially designed for commercial buildings in urban areas or near public spaces prone to vandalism, this paint creates a non-stick barrier that makes graffiti easy to remove without damaging the underlying surface.
Some anti-graffiti paints are permanent (can withstand multiple graffiti removals), while others need reapplication after graffiti removal. While it can be used on walls, it's also ideal for doors, and other high-traffic areas in urban settings.
Many metal paints are formulated with anti-corrosion properties to prevent rust and oxidation, making them perfect for steel structures, metal cladding, gates, and fences.
It provides a durable, weather-resistant finish for external metal surfaces, keeping them bright and fresh for many years. Certain metal paints are designed to withstand high temperatures, making them suitable for industrial or exposed areas.
Textured paints are typically thicker and provide additional protection against weathering, making them ideal for harsh environments.
The decorative finish can mimic the look of stone or stucco, often used to hide imperfections on uneven surfaces. Some textured paints also offer anti-slip qualities for walkways or external staircases.
As you'll have guessed, this is meant for wooden surfaces such as cladding, fascia boards, doors, and windows.
Its main purpose is to protect against moisture, preventing rotting and warping, although it also offers UV protection, stopping wooden surfaces from fading and cracking due to sun exposure. This excellent stuff expands and contracts with wood, preventing cracking or peeling.
Increasingly, businesses are opting for low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or eco-friendly paints to reduce the environmental impact. While these are highly commendable, they do tend to come at a premium.
In some commercial settings, especially industrial buildings or those with specific fire safety requirements, fire-retardant or intumescent paints may be required to meet safety standards.
To be completely honest, we can't give you an exact price. To do that, we'd need to know all of the information beforehand.
What we can do, however, is help you understand the factors affecting the cost and offer a basic guide as to what to expect.
Here's a rough estimate according to building size:
And, as a further example, here's a cost breakdown for a medium-sized commercial building of about 800 square metres:
Remember, these numbers are approximate estimates only, and the actual cost for your specific project can vary based on the particular details of the building, the level of preparation required, and the complexity of the job.
As all London dwellers know too well, there's a price to pay for living in the capital; you tend to pay far more for goods and services than those situated anywhere else in the country!
This means that when considering the cost of using professional painters for commercial properties, you'll always be looking at the higher end of the price range - sometimes as much as 40% more.
Sketch Spray can help here, with our cost-effective spray painters in London. These highly efficient units, along with our skilled technicians, ensure that we don't need to spend ages on site. And with a reduced working time, you get a lower price and a perfect finish!
We started with the idea that any commercial space is a projection of your company, and it's worth stressing this point again.
Most commercial properties are pretty large, and it's next to impossible to take on this job yourself. So, using professional commercial painters is definitely the right move.
And while it might seem expensive to give the building a fresh coat of paint, based on what we've seen above, this should be viewed as an investment.
Let's check out the benefits:
Basically, hiring a professional painter makes good business sense!
Finally, when you need exterior painting professionals for your commercial building, call Sketch Spray to learn more about our affordable prices.
