Jamshedpur paint prices have risen by around 10% over the past year, increasing the cost of home repainting and renovation ahead of Diwali as putty, primer, lime, plaster of Paris and labour charges become more expensive, according to local paint dealers and workers.
The increase means residents planning festive-season repainting are paying more for both materials and installation. Local traders told the Times of India that a 20-litre pack of branded paint now costs between Rs 2,200 and Rs 12,000, depending on its quality, finish and intended use. Primer prices range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,200 for comparable packs.
Branded interior paints are being sold at between Rs 150 and Rs 720 per litre, while exterior paints cost between Rs 200 and Rs 640 per litre. Local paint products are available at approximately Rs 120 to Rs 350 per litre. A 40-kg bag of putty costs around Rs 650 to Rs 700, while primer is priced at Rs 90 to Rs 230 per litre, based on rates shared by local traders.
Paint dealer Kishore Kumar Singh said the price of a 40-kg bag of putty had increased by around Rs 80 to Rs 100 over the past year. He said brush, turpentine oil and other related products had also become more expensive.
The cost of lime and plaster of Paris has increased by Rs 40 to Rs 70 per bag, with the affected bags weighing between 25 kg and 50 kg. Customers choosing designer wall finishes and premium products will face higher bills, traders said.
The increase is also being felt in labour charges. Chandan Kumar, a contractor for painting work, said workers who charged Rs 550 to Rs 600 per day last year were now asking for around Rs 700. Painting labour is also being charged at approximately Rs 15 per square foot, compared with Rs 10 per square foot earlier.
During the peak festive period, labour charges can reach Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per day, depending on worker availability and the nature of the job, said Bistupur-based paint store owner Praveen Debuka. Retailers are arranging workers for some customers who purchase supplies from their shops, while many painters have already been booked for the festive season.
A 10-by-10-foot room now costs around Rs 5,000 for materials and another Rs 1,500 for labour, according to trader Munna Prasad. He said the same work had cost approximately Rs 5,000 in total last year.
Debuka attributed the rise in paint prices to higher costs of chemical and petroleum-based raw materials. He said some oils and chemicals used in manufacturing were imported and that higher international crude oil prices had added to production costs. Prasad also cited cost pressures linked to the conflict in the Gulf region.
For households, the immediate impact is a larger renovation budget and longer scheduling pressure during the festive season. Bistupur resident Billu Singh said he had to use part of his monthly savings to cover the additional cost and complete the work before Diwali. He also cited irregular worker attendance as a reason for delays.
Local retailers and painting contractors are continuing to arrange supplies and labour as demand rises before the festival, while customers opting for premium finishes are expected to pay more under the prevailing rates.
