How much does house painting cost per square foot in Penang?

Interior painting in Penang ranges from RM 1.50-3.00 per square foot for one-coat refresh with mid-tier paint (Nippon Vinilex, Dulux Pentalite), to RM 3.50-6.00 per square foot for two-coat with surface prep and premium paint (Jotun Majestic). Exterior coastal-grade paint runs RM 2.50-5.00 per square foot.

Why is exterior painting more expensive than interior in Penang?

Coastal humidity and salt accelerate paint failure on exterior walls. Premium exterior paints (Nippon Weatherbond, Dulux Weathershield) cost RM 180-280 per 5L vs RM 80-150 for interior emulsion. Surface prep also more demanding: pressure wash, mildew treatment, and primer coat are mandatory rather than optional.

What paint brands do Penang painters most often use?

Mid-tier residential work is dominated by Nippon (Vinilex, Weatherbond, Odour-less All-In-One) and Dulux (Pentalite, Weathershield, EasyClean). Premium-tier specs request Jotun Majestic or Sherwin-Williams. Generic-brand paint is rare on quality residential work; discount suggests substituted product.

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House Painting cost calculator

House Painting in George Town, Penang typically costs RM 2.50 to RM 4.00 per square foot for a standard job.

Enter your details below for an instant RM range. Figures are sourced from our house painting cost guide and are an indicative estimate, not a quote.

Built-up area (sq ft)Finish tierCity

RM 250 to RM 400 total

Assumes 100 sq ft, standard finish, George Town pricing.

This is an indicative estimate, not a quote. Your actual price depends on scope, materials, and site conditions.

Rates reviewed 2026-07-07. Source: cost guide.

Get exact quotes from a vetted contractor

House Painting cost by city

City	Typical range (per sq ft)
Bukit Mertajam	RM 1.75 to RM 2.80
Butterworth	RM 2.13 to RM 3.40
Bayan Lepas	RM 2.38 to RM 3.80
George Town	RM 2.50 to RM 4.00
Tanjung Bungah	RM 2.88 to RM 4.60

Ranges shown at the standard tier. Figures for cities other than George Town are adjusted from the George Town baseline.

House Painting cost by finish tier

Finish tier	Typical range (per sq ft)
Budget	RM 1.88 to RM 3.00
Standard	RM 2.50 to RM 4.00
Premium	RM 3.50 to RM 5.60

George Town pricing. Use the calculator above for figures adjusted to your city.

Rates editorially reviewed by Wei Han, founder of Penang Renovations, against the published cost guide, which was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for factual accuracy against local contractor rates.

House Painting pricing questions

How much does house painting cost per square foot in Penang?: Interior painting in Penang ranges from RM 1.50-3.00 per square foot for one-coat refresh with mid-tier paint (Nippon Vinilex, Dulux Pentalite), to RM 3.50-6.00 per square foot for two-coat with surface prep and premium paint (Jotun Majestic). Exterior coastal-grade paint runs RM 2.50-5.00 per square foot.
Why is exterior painting more expensive than interior in Penang?: Coastal humidity and salt accelerate paint failure on exterior walls. Premium exterior paints (Nippon Weatherbond, Dulux Weathershield) cost RM 180-280 per 5L vs RM 80-150 for interior emulsion. Surface prep also more demanding: pressure wash, mildew treatment, and primer coat are mandatory rather than optional.
What paint brands do Penang painters most often use?: Mid-tier residential work is dominated by Nippon (Vinilex, Weatherbond, Odour-less All-In-One) and Dulux (Pentalite, Weathershield, EasyClean). Premium-tier specs request Jotun Majestic or Sherwin-Williams. Generic-brand paint is rare on quality residential work; discount suggests substituted product.