Apartment painting after tenants in Warsaw — ready for a new let
The tenants moved out and the walls tell the whole story: furniture marks, holes from shelves and the TV, scuffs by the switches, kids’ drawings, a yellow film in the kitchen. Painting after tenants brings a flat back to “show-ready” condition so you can present it to new renters quickly and avoid weeks of vacancy. We fill holes, wash and repaint — usually in one or two days. It suits owners renting out themselves and those preparing a flat through an agency in Mokotów, Wola or Śródmieście.
How much painting after tenants costs and what drives the price
The price depends on how many holes and stains need covering and whether we paint the whole flat or only the problem rooms. Often it is enough to fill the holes, wash the kitchen and repaint in the same colour — cheaper than a full repaint. If the previous tenants painted a dark or “personal” colour, we plan two coats to cover it. Paint and materials are billed separately, while protective film and small fixings are part of the labour. Guide rates per stage are in the table below.
| Service | min | max |
|---|---|---|
| Protection of furniture, doors, windows and floors with film | 10 zł/m² | 15 zł/m² |
| Cleaning and washing walls before painting | 15 zł/m² | 25 zł/m² |
| Filling holes and damages | 20 zł/m² | 35 zł/m² |
| Priming before painting | 15 zł/m² | 25 zł/m² |
| Gypsum putty application | 55 zł/m² | 90 zł/m² |
| Painting walls / ceilings in one color (2 coats) | 30 zł/m² | 45 zł/m² |
If every day of vacancy counts, tell us up front — we’ll adjust the schedule so the flat is show-ready as fast as possible.
How the job goes on site — step by step
- Inspection. We walk through every room, mark holes, stains and scuffs, and decide where spot painting is enough and where a full coat is needed.
- Small repairs. Holes from plugs, shelves and brackets are opened and filled, sanded flush.
- Washing problem zones. The kitchen and areas by the switches are washed of film and grease, otherwise the paint won’t bond.
- Priming. Filled spots and washed walls are primed so stains don’t bleed through.
- Painting. Two coats where an old colour or marks must be covered; even clean walls get a refresh.
- Check and clean-up. We check under side light, remove film, put furniture back and take away our waste.
Common landlord mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Painting straight over holes and stains. Shelf holes and marker marks show through fresh paint — fill and seal first.
- One coat to save money. If tenants painted a colour, one coat almost always shows through; the saving turns into a redo.
- Ignoring kitchen film. Grease above the hob stops paint holding — that zone must be washed.
- Leaving it to the last day before a viewing. Paint needs to dry; leave a day or two of buffer.
- Ordinary paint in the kitchen and hallway. These zones get dirty fast — washable paint saves you at the next turnover.
- Not photographing the condition. “Before” photos help in deposit disputes with the previous tenants.
What to prepare before the pro arrives
- Remove items left by the previous tenants and any furniture you’re taking out.
- Mark the rooms needing a full repaint and those where spot work is enough.
- Decide on the colour — for rentals a neutral light shade is usual.
- Find the old paint tin if you want to match the exact shade.
- Provide access to water and electricity.
- Confirm the date the flat needs to be show-ready.
- Take down curtains and rails, clear the walls.
- Tell us about the lift and parking near the building.
A case from practice in Warsaw
An owner in Ursynów got a flat back after two years of renting: a dark-blue accent wall the tenants had made in the living room, a dozen holes from shelves and a TV bracket, and film in the kitchen. The next viewing was in three days. We covered the blue wall with primer and two coats of a light colour, filled the holes, washed the kitchen and painted it in washable paint. The other walls were fine, so we just refreshed them with one coat. We finished in a day and a half. The flat was shown on time and let after the first viewing. The takeaway: rentals don’t always need a full repaint — often spot repair plus covering the previous tenants’ “personal” colours wins.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to repaint the whole flat?
No. Often it’s enough to fill holes, wash the kitchen and repaint only the problem walls. We do a full repaint when tenants painted their own colour.
How fast can you be ready before a viewing?
Usually one or two days. If the deadline is tight, tell us early and we’ll adjust the schedule.
Can you cover a dark wall with a light colour?
Yes, with primer and two coats. Otherwise the dark colour shows through.
What about holes from shelves and the TV?
We open, fill, sand and paint them over — no marks left.
Will you remove kids’ drawings and marker marks?
We seal the problem spots with a special product, otherwise the drawing shows through even under white.
What colour is best for renting?
A neutral light shade — it suits most tenants and visually enlarges the room.
Do you buy the paint?
Whatever is easier. We work with your paint or advise what to get. Materials are separate from labour.
What paint for the kitchen?
Washable paint — it survives the next tenants and wipes clean.
Will you clean up after yourselves?
Yes, we remove film and tape, put furniture back and take away the waste from our work.
Do you cover my district?
We work across all of Warsaw — Mokotów, Wola, Ursynów, Praga and others. Leave a request with your address.
Who does the work and how
The work is done by pros from the handyman service, with their own tools and covering materials. For landlords it’s convenient: one request and the flat is show-ready without your involvement. We agree the scope and price during the inspection before starting. Leave a request and we’ll advise where spot repair is enough and where a full repaint is needed, and fit the timing to your viewings.