Typical prices
Most decorators price doors individually and skirting by the metre or by the room. As a guide for 2026:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Flush door, both sides | £50 – £90 |
| Panelled door, both sides | £70 – £130 |
| Door frame and architrave | £30 – £60 |
| Skirting board | £4 – £9 per metre |
| Woodwork in a typical bedroom | £120 – £250 |
| All doors and skirting in a 3-bed house | £1,200 – £2,500 |
Indicative prices for painting interior woodwork (labour and paint)
Why woodwork takes so long
Woodwork is brush work, often in gloss or satinwood, which shows every brushmark and drip if it's rushed. Each door needs preparing, sanding and wiping down before painting, and in many cases an undercoat before the top coat. Panelled doors have mouldings, recesses and edges to paint in the right order. Then there's waiting for each coat to dry before the next.
Gloss, satin or eggshell?
Gloss is the traditional finish for woodwork – very hard-wearing, but it shows imperfections. Satinwood has a softer, mid-sheen look and is the most popular choice today. Eggshell is flatter and more contemporary, though slightly less tough. Water-based woodwork paints don't yellow over time and dry faster, while oil-based versions are very durable but can yellow, particularly in rooms with little daylight.
Our guide to water-based vs oil-based paint explains the differences.
Rather leave it to a professional?
What affects the price
These are the usual reasons woodwork prices vary:
- Condition – chipped, cracked or heavily built-up paint needs more preparation
- Colour change – dark woodwork going to white may need extra coats
- Door type – panelled and glazed doors take longer than flush doors
- Whether doors are removed and painted flat, or painted in place
- Lead paint in older homes, which requires safe preparation
Do it with the walls, or separately?
It's usually most cost-effective to paint woodwork at the same time as the walls, because the room is already prepared. But refreshing only the woodwork can make a big difference on its own, particularly if the walls are in good condition.
Compare quotes from local interior decorators, and see our guide to painting woodwork for more on preparation.
