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What Is the Average Cost of a Painter and Decorator? UK Pricing Guide 2025

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Hiring a painter and decorator can really change the look of your home, but let’s be honest—costs matter when you’re planning a project. The average painter and decorator in the UK charges about £325 per day, with room painting usually falling between £350 for small spaces and £1,000 for larger rooms.

These prices cover standard trade paint and labour. If you want fancier materials or the job is complicated, expect to pay more in the end.

Lots of things can change the price you’ll pay for painting and decorating. Room size, the condition of your walls, and where you live all play a part.

Rates in London and other big cities are usually higher than in quieter areas. If your place needs a lot of prep work, that’ll bump up the cost too.

Key Takeaways

Average Cost of a Painter and Decorator in the UK

Prices for painters and decorators change a lot depending on your project, where you are, and what you need done. Most charge somewhere between £200-£400 per day.

Room painting usually costs between £250-£750, depending on how big or complicated it is.

Standard Pricing for Typical Jobs

The cost mostly comes down to your room’s size and what you want done. Painting a small room (8m²) is about £350, a medium room (18m²) averages £450, and large rooms (30m²) can hit £1,000 or more.

If you want a whole property painted, prices go up fast. A 2-bedroom flat is usually £1,500-£2,500, with the average around £2,000.

A 5-bedroom house? Expect anywhere from £5,500-£7,500, with £6,000 being about average.

Here’s what you might pay for specific jobs:

Day Rates and Room Sizes

Most UK painters and decorators charge a daily rate around £325, but you might see anything from £250-£400 depending on their experience and your location.

Some charge by the hour, usually about £32.

Painting an average room usually takes one or two days. This includes prep like filling holes, sanding, and priming before the actual painting.

For interior walls, expect to pay £10-£20 per m². If you’re doing an entire house, it’s more like £40-£60 per m² based on floor space.

These prices include standard trade paint. If you go for luxury brands like Farrow & Ball or Little Greene, your costs will jump.

Regional Variations in Pricing

In London and other big cities, painter and decorator rates are higher—sometimes 20-30% above the national average.

Scotland varies a lot. Perth and Kinross are among the priciest spots, while Wales, especially Powys, tends to be more affordable.

Your postcode really does matter. Urban areas with higher living costs usually mean higher labour rates. City centres also add costs for transport and parking.

Materials can cost more in remote places thanks to delivery fees, though sometimes labour is a bit cheaper to balance things out.

Factors Affecting Painter and Decorator Prices

So, what really changes the price you pay? The size and type of your property, its condition, what materials you want, and how much prep is needed all make a difference.

Property Size and Type

Bigger places cost more, simple as that. Painting one room is usually £300-£800, but whole homes add up fast.

Rough property costs:

Some painters charge per square metre (£10-£20), others by the day (£200-£400).

Flats are often cheaper—lower ceilings, less awkward space. Houses with high ceilings or lots of stairs can take longer and need more gear.

If you’ve got an old property with fancy features like cornices or picture rails, you’ll pay more for the specialist skills needed.

Condition and Age of the Property

Poor wall condition can really drive up your painting costs. Old homes almost always need more prep before any paint goes on.

Stuff that bumps up the price:

New-builds are usually cheaper to paint since their walls are already smooth and don’t need much work.

Victorian or Edwardian houses often have layers of old paint to deal with. Stripping that can add a day or two to the job.

If you need to remove wallpaper, that’s a time sink. Stripping wallpaper before painting can double how long the project takes—and how much you pay.

Quality of Materials and Paint

Paint quality really matters for both cost and how long your paint job lasts. Premium paints cost more but usually cover better and last longer.

Paint cost breakdown:

Better paints often mean fewer coats, so you might save on labour even if you spend more upfront.

Special finishes like textured or metallic paint, or eco-friendly options, will cost more. Some paints dry faster, speeding up the job, but others need more time between coats.

Access and Preparation Requirements

Hard-to-reach areas can really slow things down. High ceilings, awkward corners, or tight spaces all mean more labour and higher costs.

Access issues that add to your bill:

Prep work varies a lot. Moving furniture, covering floors, and taping up windows all take time.

Some painters include basic prep in their rate, but big jobs like filling cracks or priming are often extra.

For outside jobs, weather can mess with the schedule and push up labour costs. Painters actually spend most of their time—about 60-70%—on prep and cleanup, not just painting.

Breakdown of Interior Painting and Decorating Costs

What you pay for interior painting depends on room size, what surfaces you’ve got, and how complicated the job is. Most painters charge £10-£20 per square metre for walls.

Extras like wallpapering or woodwork painting have their own rates.

Cost of Painting a Room

Room size is a big deal for pricing. A small 8m² room costs about £350 to get painted by a pro.

Medium rooms (18m²) are usually £450, and big rooms (30m²) can hit £1,000 for a full paint job.

Standard rates look like this:

That’s for standard trade paint and labour. Going for top-shelf brands like Farrow & Ball will cost you more.

If your walls need repairs or prep, expect the price to rise. Surfaces that are ready to go cost less.

Wallpapering and Wallpaper Removal Costs

Getting wallpaper hung by a pro costs about £14 per square metre for labour. For a typical 4.4m x 3.3m room, that’s around £450 just for the installation.

Removing old wallpaper is a hassle and adds to your bill—especially if it’s stubborn and takes ages to strip.

You can save by stripping wallpaper yourself before the decorator shows up. That can cut down on both time and labour costs.

Wallpapering price breakdown:

Wallpaper prices swing a lot depending on the style and quality. Designer or textured wallpaper is much pricier than basic stuff.

Painting Woodwork and Skirting Boards

Painting woodwork takes patience and runs about £15 per square metre. This covers skirting boards, window frames, and door frames.

Painting radiators is usually £15 each and needs special prep and paint.

Prep makes a big difference here. Old paint might need sanding or stripping before you can start fresh.

Typical woodwork rates:

Gloss finishes cost more than matt. How much prep your woodwork needs depends on its current state.

Exterior Painting and Decorating Costs

Exterior painting usually costs £15 to £25 per square metre. Most projects land between £1,100 and £2,500, depending on your property’s size.

If you need scaffolding, that’s an extra £500 to £1,500 on top of everything else.

House Exterior Painting

The cost to paint your house exterior mostly depends on property size. For a 3-bedroom semi-detached home, you’re looking at £1,100 to £1,500.

If you’ve got a 4-bedroom detached house, expect prices between £1,750 and £2,500. These painter and decorator prices usually cover labour and standard trade paint.

Typical exterior painting costs:

Where you live matters—a lot. London painters tend to charge 20-30% more than in other parts of the UK.

The condition of your existing paintwork can push the price up. Houses needing lots of prep work will cost more than those that just need a fresh coat.

Weather-resistant paints cost about £5-10 more per litre than standard paint. They give better protection and stick around longer, though.

Scaffolding and Safety Considerations

Most exterior painting jobs need scaffolding for safe access. Hiring scaffolding usually costs £15-25 per square metre per week.

For a 3-bedroom semi, scaffolding adds around £500-800 to your bill. Detached houses might need £800-1,500 for full coverage.

Some painters include scaffolding in their quote, while others list it as a separate charge. It’s worth double-checking this when comparing prices.

Additional safety costs include:

DIY scaffolding really isn’t a good idea. Professionals have the insurance and training for working at height.

Additional Expenses to Consider

When you’re budgeting for a painter and decorator, the quoted price usually covers basic labour and standard materials. But extra costs can sneak in—think premium materials, VAT, or unexpected prep work.

Materials and Supplies

Your paint choice can make a big difference to the final bill. Standard trade paint comes with most quotes, but premium brands like Farrow & Ball or Little Greene can double or even triple your material costs.

Different paint finishes have different prices. Gloss usually costs more than matt or emulsion. If you’re going from a dark to a light colour, you might need extra primer coats, which bumps up material costs.

Extra supplies that might cost more:

Some painters throw in all supplies, others don’t. It’s best to ask what’s included so you don’t get caught out.

VAT and Disposal Fees

Most painting and decorating work comes with 20% VAT. This applies to labour and materials unless you qualify for a reduced rate.

You might get a VAT exemption if:

Waste disposal fees usually add £50-£150. That covers getting rid of old paint tins, wallpaper, and protective sheeting. Some painters include disposal, others don’t—again, just ask.

Preparation and Repair Work

The state of your walls can really affect your final painting cost. Surfaces needing lots of prep will cost extra for things like filling holes, sanding, or stripping wallpaper.

Small plaster repairs usually run £50-£100 per area. Bigger plastering jobs might need a specialist, with day rates around £300.

Common prep tasks that add to the bill:

Your painter should spot these during the initial quote, but sometimes hidden problems pop up once work starts.

Tips for Hiring a Painter and Decorator

Getting several quotes and finding reliable professionals helps you get the best value. A bit of planning and smart decisions can shave a chunk off your painting and decorating costs.

Comparing Quotes and Estimates

Always get at least three quotes before picking a painter. This helps you see what’s normal in your area.

Make sure each quote covers the same stuff. Ask for a breakdown—labour, materials, prep, and cleanup should all be listed.

Things to compare:

Don’t just go for the cheapest. Super-low quotes might mean corners get cut or surprise charges pop up later.

Ask what happens if the job takes longer than planned. Some painters give a fixed price, others work by the day.

Check if the quote covers moving furniture and protecting your stuff. Those extras can add £50-100 to your bill.

Finding Trusted Professionals

Start by asking friends or neighbours for recommendations. Personal referrals often lead to the best results.

Look at online reviews and check for painters with consistently good feedback. Recent reviews matter more than old ones, in my opinion.

Must-dos before hiring:

Ask to see photos of jobs like yours. A good painter will be happy to show off their work.

If you get references, actually call previous customers. You’ll get the real scoop on reliability and quality.

Don’t hire door-to-door traders or anyone demanding full payment upfront. Reputable pros usually take a small deposit and the rest when the job’s done.

Ways to Save on Painting and Decorating

Do your own prep to cut labour costs. Moving furniture, stripping wallpaper, and cleaning can save you £100-200 per room.

If you want a specific paint, buy it yourself. Many painters will knock some money off if you supply the materials.

Money-saving ideas:

Try a partial DIY approach. Maybe you handle the walls, and let the pros do tricky woodwork or ceilings.

Book in advance if you can. Last-minute jobs usually cost 20-30% more.

Group nearby rooms into one project. Painters often give better daily rates for longer, uninterrupted jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Painter costs can get confusing, with lots of factors at play. Most pros charge £250-£400 per day, and interior painting usually costs £10-£20 per square metre of wall.

How much does it typically cost to paint the interior of a 1,500 sq ft house?

For a 1,500 square foot house interior, expect to pay £1,500-£3,000. The price depends on how many rooms and how high the ceilings are.

Most painters charge about £50 per square metre of floor space for whole house jobs. This covers standard prep and trade-quality paint.

Premium brands like Farrow & Ball will bump up your costs. If your house has complicated layouts or lots of woodwork, expect a higher bill.

What are the standard rates for painting a 3,000 sq ft house interior?

A 3,000 square foot house interior usually costs £3,000-£6,000 for professional painting. Bigger homes often get a better per-square-foot rate.

It generally takes 5-10 working days, depending on room count and prep work. More bathrooms and kitchens add to labour time.

Premium finishes and extra prep work put you at the top end of the range. Getting a few quotes is the only way to know for sure.

What is the going hourly rate for a self-employed painter?

Self-employed painters usually charge £30-£40 per hour in the UK. Most prefer daily rates—think £250-£400 a day—over hourly billing.

London and the southeast tend to run 10-20% higher than the rest of the country. Rural areas can be a bit cheaper.

Experience really matters here. Established painters with great portfolios can charge more than newcomers.

How much should I expect to pay for exterior house painting?

Exterior painting runs £15-£25 per square metre. For a 3-bedroom semi-detached house, you’re looking at £1,100-£1,500 for the full job.

Four-bedroom detached homes usually cost £1,750-£2,500 for a complete exterior. Weather and tricky access can change these numbers.

Prep work like scraping and filling cracks adds to the cost. High-quality paints are pricier but give better protection against the elements.

What is the approximate labour cost per square foot for painting?

Labour costs are about £1.40-£2.80 per square foot (£15-£30 per square metre) for interior wall painting. That doesn’t include paint and materials.

Ceilings usually cost about the same as walls. Detailed woodwork and trim cost more per square foot.

These rates assume standard 8-9 foot ceilings and average wall conditions. If there’s a lot of prep or repairs, the price goes up.

How much would it cost to have a 1,200 sq ft house interior professionally painted?

For a 1,200 square foot house, you’re probably looking at £1,200-£2,400 to get the interior painted by a pro. That usually covers 2-3 bedrooms and the main living spaces.

The job tends to take about 3-6 days. It really depends on how your rooms are laid out and what shape the walls are in.

Open-plan homes often end up cheaper per square foot than houses with lots of smaller rooms. Just something to keep in mind if you’re comparing quotes.

Standard prep work means filling holes and doing some light sanding. But if you need major repairs or want to get rid of wallpaper, expect to pay more.

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