How to hire a house painter in Morocco
Photo : Charles & Hudson · BY-SA 2.0
Updated 2026-10-19
A fresh coat of paint is the quickest way to make a Moroccan apartment or riad feel new, whether you are getting it ready for guests, selling, or simply fixing damp marks after the winter. Painting looks simple, but the result depends heavily on preparation. Here is how to find a painter in Morocco, what to ask for and what it typically costs.
Painter in French, Darija and Arabic
Ask for a peintre (French). In Darija a painter is a صباغ ("sebbagh"), and in Modern Standard Arabic دهان (dahhan). Useful words: peinture (paint), enduit (filler or skim coat), sous-couche (primer), plafond (ceiling), façade, humidité (damp) and devis (quote).
Many painters also do decorative finishes such as tadelakt (polished lime plaster), béton ciré and stucco. If you want one of those, say so from the start: it is a different skill and a different price.
What the job usually includes
- Protecting floors and furniture
- Scraping loose paint and filling cracks and holes
- Light sanding and a primer coat where needed
- Two finishing coats on walls and ceilings
- Doors, radiators, railings and window frames on request
- Exterior facades and roof terraces with suitable outdoor paint
- Anti-damp treatment before painting affected walls
- Decorative finishes like tadelakt or béton ciré
How much does painting cost in Morocco?
Painters usually quote per square metre of wall and ceiling. Moroccan guides published in 2026 give around 25 to 40 MAD per m² for standard interior painting labour only, or about 60 to 100 MAD per m² including paint. Exterior facades are more expensive, and decorative finishes like tadelakt can reach 80 to 200 MAD per m² for labour alone.
City matters too. One 2026 survey puts interior labour at roughly 35 to 50 MAD per m² in Casablanca, against about 28 to 42 MAD in Marrakech and Tangier and lower in Fès, Meknès or Oujda. Extra work such as stripping flaking paint, treating cracks or a third coat to cover a dark colour adds to the price.
Tips for a good result
Damp is the main enemy of paint in Morocco, especially in coastal cities and in riads with thick walls and open courtyards. If you paint over a damp wall, the paint will bubble again within months.
- Ask the painter what preparation is included, not just the price per m²
- Choose the paint brand and finish yourself, or ask for it in writing
- Use washable paint in kitchens, bathrooms and rental properties
- Fix leaks and damp first, then paint
- Agree who supplies the paint and how many coats are planned
- Check the work in daylight before paying the balance
Painting a holiday rental or riad
If you rent your property to guests, plan painting in the low season and leave a few days for the smell to fade before the next arrival. White and off-white walls are the norm in many riads because they reflect light into the courtyard, but they show marks quickly, so keep a labelled pot of the exact colour for touch-ups between bookings.
Roof terraces and courtyard walls take strong sun and the occasional heavy rain. Ask for an exterior-grade or waterproofing paint there, and check the parapets and drains at the same time: a painter will often point out cracks that need a mason first.
Find painters in your city on AloAji
Search "Peintre" with your city on aloaji.ma, for example Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech or Essaouira, to see painters available near you. Call or WhatsApp them directly; it is free for clients. Look at reviews and photos, and ask for a quote per m² that lists the preparation and the paint used.
Note that profiles marked "Non vérifié" were added from the business's own website and are not yet checked by AloAji.
FAQ
How much does it cost to paint an apartment in Morocco?
One Moroccan 2026 guide estimates 12,000 to 28,000 MAD to paint the walls and ceilings of an 80 m² apartment, depending on preparation and paint quality. Get at least two quotes based on a visit.
How long does it take to paint an apartment?
A small apartment in good condition can take two to four working days for a team. Preparation, damp repairs and drying time can make it longer.
What is a painter called in Darija?
A painter is a صباغ ("sebbagh"). Most will also understand the French peintre.
Is tadelakt done by any painter?
No. Tadelakt is a specialised traditional lime plaster. Ask specifically for a painter or maâlem who does tadelakt, and look at photos of finished bathrooms.
Should I supply the paint?
You can. Buying it yourself lets you control brand and colour. Otherwise, make sure the quote names the paint brand, the range and the number of coats.