Wall Panelling Cost Calculator: Budget Your Project
Wall panelling costs £15–45 per m² for materials, depending on the panel type and finish — with a total fitted cost of £25–70 per m² including trims, adhesive, and labour. A standard bathroom (approximately 12 m² of wall area) costs £300–850 fully panelled, making it 40–60% cheaper than a tiled equivalent. Costs vary by panel quality, finish type (smooth vs embossed), colour range, and whether you fit the panels yourself or hire a professional.
Budgeting a wall panelling project accurately requires more than just multiplying the panel price by the wall area. You need to account for trims, adhesive, sealant, waste allowance, and (if applicable) labour. This guide breaks down every cost element so you can budget your project with confidence.
Cost per m²: Materials Only
| Panel Type | Cost per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget smooth panels (plain colours) | £10–18 | Basic finishes, limited colour range |
| Standard smooth panels | £18–30 | Good colour range, reliable quality |
| Premium smooth panels (HD print) | £25–40 | High-definition marble, stone, tile effects |
| Standard embossed panels | £22–35 | Single-embossed texture |
| Premium double embossed panels | £30–45 | Realistic multi-dimensional texture |
Full Cost Breakdown: Standard Bathroom
For a typical bathroom with 12 m² of wall coverage:
| Item | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panels (12 m² + 10% waste) | £130–530 | Based on 13.2 m² at £10–40/m² |
| Internal corner trims (4 corners × 2.4 m) | £15–30 | PVC corner profiles |
| Start/end trims | £8–15 | Edge finishing profiles |
| Ceiling coving / top trim | £12–25 | Junction between panels and ceiling |
| Panel adhesive (2–3 tubes) | £12–24 | High-grab PVC panel adhesive |
| Silicone sealant (mould-resistant, 2 tubes) | £8–16 | Edges, bath/shower junction, penetrations |
| Materials total | £185–640 | |
| Labour (if professional installation) | £200–500 | 4–8 hours at £25–60/hour |
| Total (DIY) | £185–640 | |
| Total (fitted) | £385–1,140 |
How to Calculate Your Project
Step 1: Measure the Walls
Measure each wall separately:
- Height: Floor to ceiling (or floor to desired panel height if not full-height)
- Width: Wall to wall
Calculate the area of each wall: Height × Width = m²
Subtract large openings: Windows, doors, and any areas not being panelled. Subtract at least 50% of these areas from your total (you will still need some material for the panels around the edges of openings).
Step 2: Add Waste Allowance
Add 10% to your total m² figure. This covers:
- Cutting waste (offcuts from panels cut to fit around pipes, windows, corners)
- Measurement errors
- Damaged panels (rare, but allows for one mistake)
Step 3: Calculate Panel Quantities
Divide your total m² (including waste) by the coverage per panel:
- A standard panel (250 mm × 2,700 mm) covers approximately 0.675 m²
- A wider panel (333 mm × 2,700 mm) covers approximately 0.9 m²
- Round up to whole panels
Step 4: Count Trims
| Trim Type | Where | How Many |
|---|---|---|
| Internal corner | Every internal corner | Count corners (typically 4 per room) |
| External corner | Window reveals, boxing | Count external corners |
| Start/end trim | First panel edge, last panel edge | 2 per wall (or use corners) |
| Ceiling trim / coving | Top of panels | Total perimeter of room |
| Base trim (optional) | Bottom of panels | Total perimeter (often sealant is used instead) |
Step 5: Adhesive and Sealant
- Adhesive: 1 tube per 3–4 m² of panels (varies by adhesive brand)
- Silicone sealant: 1 tube per 6–8 metres of junction (bath edge, shower tray, edges)
Worked Examples
Example 1: Small En-Suite (8 m²)
| Item | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard smooth panels (£22/m²) | 8.8 m² (incl. waste) | £194 |
| Internal corner trims | 4 | £20 |
| Start/end trims | 2 | £8 |
| Ceiling trim | 8 m | £16 |
| Adhesive (3 tubes) | 3 | £18 |
| Silicone sealant | 2 | £12 |
| Materials total | £268 | |
| Labour (DIY) | — | £0 |
| Project total (DIY) | £268 |
Example 2: Standard Family Bathroom (12 m²)
| Item | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Premium marble-effect panels (£35/m²) | 13.2 m² (incl. waste) | £462 |
| Internal corner trims | 4 | £24 |
| External corner trims (window) | 2 | £12 |
| Start/end trims | 4 | £16 |
| Ceiling trim | 10 m | £20 |
| Adhesive (4 tubes) | 4 | £24 |
| Silicone sealant | 2 | £12 |
| Materials total | £570 | |
| Labour (professional) | 6 hours | £300 |
| Project total (fitted) | £870 |
Example 3: Commercial Washroom (30 m²)
| Item | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard smooth panels (£20/m²) | 33 m² (incl. waste) | £660 |
| Trims and profiles | Various | £80 |
| Adhesive (10 tubes) | 10 | £60 |
| Silicone sealant | 4 | £24 |
| Timber battens (batten method) | 40 m | £60 |
| Materials total | £884 | |
| Labour (professional, 2 days) | 16 hours | £800 |
| Project total (fitted) | £1,684 |
Cost-Saving Tips
1. DIY Installation
Labour is 30–50% of the total fitted cost. Wall panel installation is genuinely achievable as a DIY project with basic tools — no tiling skills, no specialist equipment, and the process is straightforward enough for a confident homeowner to complete in a day. See our installation guide for step-by-step instructions.
2. Buy in Bulk
If panelling multiple rooms or properties (landlords, developers), buying panels by the pallet significantly reduces the per-panel cost. Speak to your supplier about volume pricing.
3. Choose Standard Colours
Popular colours are stocked in volume and priced lower. Specialist colours and premium finishes command higher prices and may have longer lead times.
4. Standard Panel Sizes
If your ceiling height matches standard panel lengths (2,400 mm or 2,700 mm), you avoid cutting waste. Measure before ordering — many bathrooms have ceilings at or near these heights.
5. Use the Kalsi Calculator
Our wall panelling calculator takes your room dimensions and calculates the exact number of panels, trims, and adhesive you need — preventing over-ordering.
Panels vs Tiles: Cost Comparison
For a standard 12 m² bathroom:
| Cost Element | Wall Panels | Ceramic Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | £185–640 | £415–1,740 |
| Labour | £0–500 | £400–1,500 |
| Ongoing maintenance (5-year) | £0 | £150–400 (regrouting) |
| 5-year total cost | £185–1,140 | £965–3,640 |
Panels save 40–70% over a 5-year period when maintenance costs are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does wall panelling cost?
£15–45 per m² for materials, depending on the panel type and finish. A standard bathroom (12 m²) costs £185–640 for materials or £385–1,140 fitted. This is 40–60% cheaper than a tiled equivalent.
How much wall panelling do I need?
Measure each wall (height × width) to get the total m². Add 10% for waste. Divide by the coverage per panel to get the number of panels. Use our wall panelling calculator for an exact figure.
Is it cheaper to panel or tile a bathroom?
Panelling is significantly cheaper. A fully panelled bathroom costs £185–1,140 (materials to fitted). A tiled equivalent costs £815–3,240. Panels also have lower maintenance costs over their lifespan.
How much does a professional installer charge?
Typically £25–60 per hour, with a standard bathroom taking 4–8 hours. Total labour cost: £200–500. Some installers quote per room rather than per hour — get at least two quotes for comparison.
Can I save money by fitting panels myself?
Yes — DIY saves £200–500 on a standard bathroom. Wall panel installation requires basic DIY tools and skills. The process is significantly simpler than tiling and does not require specialist equipment. Most homeowners can complete a standard bathroom in 4–8 hours, and the room is ready to use as soon as the sealant has cured (typically 24 hours, though the bathroom can be used carefully before this).
Related Kalsi Products
- Wall Panelling Range — browse panels by finish and colour
- Smooth Panels — cost-effective, easy-clean finishes
- Embossed Cladding — premium textured finishes
- Wall Panelling Calculator — calculate your exact quantities
- Technical Downloads — specifications and dimensions
