How Much Does Painting & Decorating Cost?
The average cost to hire a professional painter and decorator in the UK ranges between £150 and £250 per day, depending on location and experience. For smaller jobs, some decorators may charge by the hour. This typically falls between £20 to £40 per hour.
Below is a general guide to painting and decorating costs by project type:
| Type of Work | Average Cost (labour and materials) |
| Painting a single room (medium size) | £350 to £750 |
| Painting a large room (e.g. lounge or kitchen/diner) | £600 to £1,000 |
| Painting a 2-bed flat | £1,200 to £2,000 |
| Painting a 3-bed house (interior only) | £2,000 to £3,500 |
| Painting a 4-bed detached house | £3,500 to £5,500 |
| Painting exterior of a 3-bed semi-detached house | £1,500 to £3,000 |
| Wallpapering a single feature wall | £150 to £250 |
| Full wallpapering (per room) | £350 to £800 |
These are average prices for 2025, based on rates across the UK. London and the Southeast typically cost 10 to 20% more, while prices in northern regions may be slightly lower.
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User submitted decorating prices
Below you’ll find prices provided by users of WhatPrice as to how much they paid their decorator (or were quoted) to give you an idea of costs involved.
| Job type | Num. of rooms | Description | Price | Units | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 19 | Wall painting and skirting board | £4,000 | Labour only | London |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 3 | Open plan kitchen/living room, hallway, bedroom and bathroom. Brand new plaster and woodwork | £1,300 | Total price | London |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 9 | Lounge / Dining Room, Kitchen, Utility, Hallway, Bathrooms, Bedrooms | £2,850 | Total price | East Midlands |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 3 | Emulsion walls and satin paint woodwork in utility, family room, kitchen and living room. Best price we had quoted and excellent job done, 3 of then blitzed it in 3 days and supplied all paint and materials. | £2,250 | Total price | East of England |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 4 | Emulsion to ceilings and walls in 4 medium to large rooms, we supplied materials. | £1,955 | Labour only | West Midlands |
| Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating | 11 | Complete property redecoration of barn conversion. Internal and external decorating as agreed. Carry out complete and thorough preparation work to all surfaces prior to and during applying coats of paint. | £6,960 | Labour only | East of England |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 7 | 3 bed Victorian terrace (970sq ft), high ceilings throughout. Paint onto bare plaster throughout. All walls, all ceilings, all glosswork throughout (skirtings, architraves, stairs and balustrades), windows, built in cupboards, cabinets and shelves. Also strip paint from two old fireplaces and small amount of old cornicing and ceiling centrepiece. Price excludes materials. | £3,960 | Labour only | London |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 2 | Two rooms with minor filling and preparing. Two coats to walls and ceiling and two coats to woodwork. inc. paints. | £1,200 | Total price | London |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 3 | Decoration of Kitchen, dining room and living room hall way following flood damage. 4 Radiators. | £2,790 | Total price | North East |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 2 | Lining paper 2 rooms and painting both rooms. | £590 | Total price | London |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 2 | Redecoration of two rooms, ceilings and walls. | £1,250 | Total price | London |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 1 | Strip paper off bedroom walls and treat mould using anti-mould treatment. Paper all walls using lining paper. Paint all walls and ceiling including all woodwork including materials | £660 | Total price | Scotland |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 1 | painting living room, wall papering one wall, glossing doors and skirting | £500 | Total price | East of England |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 1 | Prepare walls, woodwork and ceiling in large room with high ceiling. Two coats of paint over existing paint on walls, ceiling and woodwork. price incl all paint and materials and took 5 days. completed to high standard, tidy, friendly service. decorator matched colour to colour swatch as tester pots dried to different colours depending on wall materials. | £1,255 | Total price | South East |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 1 | Wallpapering one wall in one room. | £450 | Total price | London |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 7 | Emulsioning whole 3 bedroom terraced house on newly plastered walls and ceilings including all woodwork with primer and gloss. We supplied the paint. | £1,100 | Total price | Cymru Wales |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 1 | Stripping wallpaper and relining in hallway. | £1,765 | Total price | East Midlands |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 5 | 2 bedroom house including landing, open plan living room, kitchen and bathroom – total house area 75 sq m. Walls, ceilings and woodwork including 4 doors. | £2,290 | Total price | South East |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 14 | Living room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Utility Room, Downstairs WC, Under stairs cupboard, Hallway,Stairs & Landing, Master Bedroom and Ensuite, Bedrooms. 1,2,3. All woodwork throughout. Paint walls. (Property is a Letting) | £4,581 | Total price | North West |
| Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating | 8 | 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom, 1 Toilet, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Kitchen Cupboards, Hall, Landing, Stairs, 5 Radiator Covers, Exterior of House, Outside Balcony Railings, Garage Door, Front Door, 6 Interior Doors, all woodwork throughout house. | £5,450 | Total price | Cymru Wales |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 8 | 2 bed new build, 1 small study, 1 bathroom, landing,lounge, kitchen, hallway and stairs, under stairs toilet paint with white emulsion ceiling and walls 3 coats. All woodwork satin. | £1,837 | Total price | Cymru Wales |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 7 | Apartment- 3 bedrooms+bathrooms, living room, hallway, kitchen | £2,120 | Total price | London |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 7 | Paint wall and ceiling 3 bedrooms, 1 living room. hallway paint, 1 kitchen, 1 bathroom. 6 doors painted, gloss woodwork | £2,650 | Total price | East of England |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 3 | Painting big hall, stairwell and landing with a very difficult stairwell. Two coats of paint used on all walls and one on ceiling. Painting all woodwork including an open staircase and 10 doors. | £1,255 | Total price | South West |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 1 | hall/landing and stairs on a 3 story house paint all walls and woodwork | £1,677 | Total price | Cymru Wales |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 11 | 5 bed, 1 x ensuite 1 x bathroom, hall, stairs, landing, dining room, living room & kitchen. Emulsion walls and ceilings only. | £3,800 | Total price | North West |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 1 | Living room: prepare room; paint ceiling, two radiators, skirting and one door, paper 4 walls. | £1,235 | Total price | South East |
| Interior Painting & Decorating | 2 | Living room plus small bedroom, three coats to the walls, two coats to the ceilings, undercoat woodwork then gloss the two rooms, 2 half days work. | £750 | Total price | Cymru Wales |
| Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating | 2 | 2 large rooms, 2 coats matt to walls and ceilings, and 2 coats weathershield to the exterior pebbledash of house 2 coats. Also, fascias around house painted with 2 coats weathershield. bargain!! | £1,070 | Total price | South East |
What affects the cost of painting and decorating?
The cost of painting and decorating in the UK varies depending on the size of the job, the quality of the materials used, and whether you’re hiring a professional decorator or tackling it yourself. Here we break down average UK painting and decorating prices, explain what influences costs, and share practical tips for saving money without compromising on quality.
Several factors influence how much your decorating project will cost. Understanding these will help you budget more accurately and compare quotes fairly.
1. Size and complexity of the job
Naturally, the larger the area being painted or decorated, the more time and materials are required. High ceilings, stairwells and feature walls can all add to the total cost because they’re more labour-intensive.
2. Preparation and surface condition
Proper surface preparation is key to achieving a smooth, long-lasting finish. If your walls need filling, sanding, or repairs, expect to pay extra. Removing old wallpaper or dealing with damp or mould can also increase labour time.
3. Paint quality and finish
The type and brand of paint you choose have a big impact on both cost and durability.
- Standard emulsion (e.g. for bedrooms or living rooms): £20 to £40 per 5L tin
- Kitchen/bathroom paint (moisture-resistant): £30 to £60 per 5L
- Premium designer paints (e.g. Farrow & Ball, Little Greene): £60 to £100 per 5L
High-end paints tend to offer better coverage, colour depth, and longevity, but they also increase total material costs.
4. Location
Decorators in London and major cities usually charge more due to higher overheads and demand. Expect regional variations of up to 20% across the UK.
5. Labour vs DIY
Hiring a professional guarantees a high-quality finish, but you can save money by taking on smaller tasks yourself, such as prepping walls or painting skirting boards. However, DIY jobs may take longer and could require buying tools and materials you’ll only use once.
Interior vs exterior painting costs
Interior painting
Interior work is typically priced per room or per square metre. Most decorators include preparation, priming, and two coats of paint in their quote. If you want woodwork (doors, architraves, skirting boards) included, this may add £150 to £300 per room.
Exterior painting
Exterior decorating requires extra preparation, specialist paints, and often scaffolding for access, so it’s generally more expensive. You can expect to pay:
- £1,500 to £3,000 for a 3-bed semi-detached house
- £2,000 to £4,000 for a larger detached home
Weather conditions can also affect scheduling, as most exterior paintwork can only be done in dry, mild conditions.
How long does painting and decorating take?
Timeframes vary depending on property size and complexity, but here’s a general guide:
| Project | Typical Duration |
| Single room repaint | 1 to 2 days |
| Full 3-bed house interior | 7 to 10 days |
| Exterior of semi-detached house | 5 to 8 days |
Decorators usually provide both a cost and timescale estimate in their quote. Always confirm what’s included such as number of coats, preparation, and cleanup.
Tips to save money on painting and decorating
Professional decorating can be a significant investment, but there are smart ways to reduce costs while still achieving great results.
1. Get multiple quotes
Always request at least three quotes from reputable decorators. This helps you gauge the going rate and avoid overpaying. Make sure each quote includes labour, materials, and preparation work for easy comparison.
2. Do some prep yourself
You can save money by removing furniture, sanding surfaces, or applying primer before the decorator arrives. The less time they spend preparing, the lower your total cost.
3. Choose mid-range paints
Premium brands look beautiful but aren’t always necessary for every room. Quality mid-range paints from Dulux or Crown often offer excellent results at a lower price point.
4. Bundle jobs together
If you plan to decorate several rooms, having them done at once can be cheaper per room, since decorators spend less time setting up and cleaning between jobs.
5. Schedule work off-season
Winter months are often quieter for decorators. You may find better availability and even discounted rates compared to the busy spring and summer period.
Hiring a painter and decorator: what to look for
When choosing a professional, always check:
- References and recent customer reviews
- Examples of previous work
- Proof of insurance
- A written, itemised quote
You can find qualified tradespeople through local recommendations, trusted trade associations like The Painting and Decorating Association (PDA), or comparison sites with verified reviews.
DIY vs professional decorating: which is best?
If you have time, patience and some experience, DIY painting can be a cost-effective option for small projects. However, professional decorators bring expertise, speed and a flawless finish especially for large or detailed jobs like wallpapering or feature walls.
Think about your priorities: if you value convenience and a professional result, hiring an expert is well worth the investment.
Ultimately, the best way to get an accurate price is to request a few local quotes and compare what’s included. A quality decorating job not only enhances your home’s appearance but can also protect its surfaces and increase its value for years to come.
