Quick answer: Painting the interior of a typical 3-bedroom house or apartment in Kenya costs KES 85,000–180,000 with standard paint and labour included. If you supply the paint, labour alone costs about KES 35,000–80,000. The exterior is extra, at roughly KES 60,000–220,000 depending on the size and height of the house.
Prices vary because no two 3-bedroom homes are the same. Below we show exactly how professional painters in Nairobi work out the price, so you can budget confidently and compare quotes fairly.
Step 1: Work out the paintable area (m²)
Painters charge by the square metre of wall and ceiling surface, not by floor size. Here is a real-world example for a 3-bedroom apartment with 2.8 m ceilings, a layout common in Kilimani, Kileleshwa and along Thika Road.
| Room | Size (m) | Walls (m²) | Ceiling (m²) | Total (m²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living & dining | 6 × 5 | 54 | 30 | 84 |
| Master bedroom | 4 × 4 | 41 | 16 | 57 |
| Bedroom 2 | 3.5 × 3.5 | 36 | 12 | 48 |
| Bedroom 3 | 3 × 3.5 | 33 | 11 | 44 |
| Kitchen (part tiled) | 3 × 3.5 | 20 | 11 | 31 |
| Corridor | 1.2 × 6 | 34 | 7 | 41 |
| 2 bathrooms (above tiles) | – | 14 | 10 | 24 |
| Total paintable area | ≈ 330 m² | |||
Window and door openings have been subtracted. A larger 3-bedroom house with an extra lounge, a DSQ or double-volume ceilings can easily reach 400–450 m².
Step 2: Apply the rate per m²
| Package | Rate (KES/m²) | Cost for 330 m² |
|---|---|---|
| Labour only (you buy paint) | 120 – 200 | KES 39,600 – 66,000 |
| Standard: labour + vinyl matt, 2 coats | 250 – 380 | KES 82,500 – 125,400 |
| Premium: washable/silk, skimming, 3 coats | 450 – 650 | KES 148,500 – 214,500 |
Add doors at KES 1,500–3,500 each (gloss or enamel) and any wardrobes or wooden ceilings that need varnish.
Step 3: How much paint does a 3-bedroom house need?
Good-quality emulsion covers roughly 10–12 m² per litre per coat on smooth, sealed walls. Rough or porous walls drink more. For our 330 m² example:
- Two finish coats: 330 × 2 = 660 m² ÷ 10 = about 66 litres, or 3–4 twenty-litre buckets
- Undercoat / sealer on new or patched plaster: 1–2 buckets
- Gloss or enamel for doors and frames: 4–8 litres
- Filler, sandpaper, masking tape and polythene: KES 3,000–8,000
At typical 2026 Nairobi prices, materials for a standard finish come to roughly KES 30,000–60,000. Premium washable paints push that higher.
3-bedroom painting cost: interior vs. exterior
| Scope | Typical cost (labour + paint) |
|---|---|
| Interior only (3-bedroom apartment) | KES 85,000 – 150,000 |
| Interior only (3-bedroom bungalow/maisonette) | KES 100,000 – 180,000 |
| Exterior only (3-bedroom bungalow) | KES 60,000 – 130,000 |
| Interior + exterior (3-bedroom bungalow) | KES 160,000 – 300,000 |
For exterior details, including scaffolding and weatherproof paints, see our exterior house painting cost guide.
How other house sizes compare
- 1-bedroom apartment: KES 38,000 – 68,000 inclusive
- 2-bedroom apartment: KES 55,000 – 100,000 inclusive
- 4-bedroom maisonette: KES 130,000 – 240,000 (interior)
- 5-bedroom house: KES 170,000 – 320,000 (interior)
What makes a 3-bedroom painting job cost more?
- Poor wall condition: cracks, flaking paint, old distemper or water damage need scraping and skimming first.
- Colour change: going from a dark colour to white often needs an extra coat.
- High or decorative ceilings: cornices, bulkheads and gypsum designs take longer to cut in neatly.
- Furnished, occupied homes: moving and protecting furniture adds time.
- Feature walls: textured or decorative finishes are priced separately. See our decorative painting service.
How long does it take?
With a crew of 3–4 painters, a 3-bedroom interior typically takes 4–7 working days: day 1 for protection and repairs, days 2–3 for undercoat and the first coat, and days 4–5 for the final coat, doors and snagging. Occupied homes are usually done room by room so you can keep living there.
Tips to get the best price
- Get at least two itemised quotes that state m², product names and coats.
- Do walls and ceilings together to save on mobilisation.
- Use premium washable paint only where it matters: kitchen, corridor and children’s rooms.
- Fix plumbing leaks first, since damp ruins new paint.
- Agree a written payment schedule, for example a deposit for materials and the balance after the walk-through.
Want to understand the rates in more depth? Read painting rates per square metre in Kenya or our full 2026 painting cost guide.
Related: how much paint you need per room, current paint prices in Kenya and how to compare painting quotations.
Get a fixed quote for your 3-bedroom house. We will visit, measure every room and send a written, itemised quotation at no cost. Call or WhatsApp 0746 575257 or book a free site visit.
