How to hire a painter in Tel Aviv without speaking Hebrew
Get the quote in writing, check that it names the paint, the number of coats and whether VAT is included, and make sure the price is confirmed after someone has seen the apartment. This guide covers what to ask, what it should cost, and the Hebrew words you will hear along the way.
You'll be chatting with Daniel at Tel Aviv Renovations, who handles our English-speaking clients.
What a painting quote should include
A quote you can compare with another one answers all of these in writing:
- What is being painted. Walls only, or ceilings, trim and doors as well.
- How many coats. Two coats is the norm for a proper repaint.
- Which paint. The product name, not just "good paint".
- Wall repairs. Whether cracks and holes are included, and what larger repairs cost.
- Protection and clean-up. Who covers the furniture and floors, and who cleans up.
- VAT. Whether the price includes it. VAT in Israel is 18%.
- Timing. The start date and how many days the work takes.
Be careful with a firm price given over the phone. The condition of the walls, the ceiling height and how much furniture is in the way all change the work, so a real quote comes after someone has seen the apartment.
Questions to ask before you say yes
- Is this price final, and does it include VAT?
- Which paint are you using, and how many coats?
- Are the ceilings included?
- What happens with cracks, holes and damp patches?
- Do I need to move or empty anything before you start?
- How long will it take, and when can you start?
- Will you walk through the apartment with me at the end?
What it should cost
These are Tel Aviv Painters' own ranges for a full interior repaint, including VAT, paint and clean-up:
| Apartment | Price (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| 2-room (about 50 m²) | ₪2,500 – ₪3,500 |
| 3-room (about 75 m²) | ₪3,500 – ₪5,000 |
| 4-room (about 100 m²) | ₪5,000 – ₪6,500 |
| 5-room (about 130 m²) | ₪6,500 – ₪8,500 |
Single rooms, end-of-lease repaints and extras are in the full price guide. Apartments in Israel are counted in rooms, not bedrooms: a 3-room apartment is a living room plus two bedrooms.
The paint names you will hear
The two big Israeli paint makers are Tambour (טמבור) and Nirlat (נירלט). Painters often name the product instead of the type of paint, and two Tambour names come up all the time:
- Supercryl (סופרקריל). A water-based acrylic wall paint, sold in matt and satin. It can be washed, which matters in a home you live in.
- Polisid (פוליסיד). A water-based synthetic lime paint with a matt finish, for interior walls and ceilings. It costs less, and paint shops describe it as not washable.
So when a quote says "paint included", ask which one. Our full repaints use two coats of premium acrylic paint.
Hebrew painting words, in English
Useful when you read a quote, a rental contract or a message from a landlord.
| Hebrew | Sounds like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| צבע | tseva | Paint. Also the word for colour. |
| צבעי | tsaba'i | Painter (the everyday word). |
| סיוד | siyud | Whitewashing. In practice, repainting an apartment, usually in white. |
| שפכטל | shpachtel | Filler used to smooth walls and close cracks and holes before painting. |
| שפכטל אמריקאי | shpachtel amerika'i | "American" skim coat: the whole wall is coated and sanded smooth. A bigger job than patching. |
| טיח | tiach | Plaster. |
| יסוד / פריימר | yesod / primer | Primer, the base coat that goes on before the paint. |
| שכבה | shichva | A coat of paint. Two coats is "shtei shchavot". |
| קירות | kirot | Walls. |
| תקרה | tikra | Ceiling. |
| סדקים | sdakim | Cracks. |
| רטיבות | retivut | Damp. |
| עובש | ovesh | Mould. |
| צבע רחיץ | tseva rachitz | Washable paint. |
| מט / משי | mat / meshi | Matt / silk (satin) finish. |
| גוון | gavan | Shade of colour. |
| הצעת מחיר | hatza'at mechir | Price quote. |
| כולל מע״מ | kolel ma'am | Including VAT. |
| חשבונית | cheshbonit | Invoice. |
| חדרים | chadarim | Rooms. Apartments are counted in rooms, and the living room counts as one. |
How it works with us
- Send us a WhatsApp message in English with your apartment size and what you need painted.
- We reply within a few hours and arrange a free visit.
- You get a clear, itemized quote in English.
- We cover the furniture, paint, clean up and walk you through the finished work.
Common questions
What does "siyud" mean in my rental contract?
Siyud (סיוד) literally means whitewashing. In rental contracts and in everyday speech it usually means repainting the apartment, typically in white. If your contract mentions it, ask your landlord exactly what they expect before you book a painter.
Do I need to speak Hebrew to hire a painter in Tel Aviv?
Not with us. Tel Aviv Painters works in English from the first WhatsApp message to the final walk-through, and the quote is written in English.
Is VAT included in a painter's quote?
Not always, so ask. VAT in Israel is 18%, and a quote that leaves it out looks cheaper than it is. Look for the words "including VAT" (כולל מע״מ). All prices on this site include VAT.
How much does it cost to paint an apartment in Tel Aviv?
With Tel Aviv Painters a full repaint costs ₪2,500–₪3,500 for a 2-room apartment and ₪3,500–₪5,000 for a 3-room, including VAT, paint and clean-up. See the full price guide.
What is the difference between Supercryl and Polisid?
Both are made by Tambour. Supercryl is a water-based acrylic wall paint that comes in matt and satin and can be washed. Polisid is a water-based synthetic lime paint with a matt finish for interior walls and ceilings. It costs less, and paint shops describe it as not washable.
Want a quote in English?
Tell us the size of the apartment and the neighbourhood and we will come back to you within a few hours. Tel Aviv Painters is the English-language service of Lavanor.
You'll be chatting with Daniel at Tel Aviv Renovations, who handles our English-speaking clients.