How Much Do Painters and Decorators Charge?
Indicative UK prices for painting a room, a ceiling, a hallway and stairs, a whole house or the outside – plus what pushes the price up or down.
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There is no fixed price list for painting and decorating. Every painter prices the job in front of them, and two rooms of the same size can cost very different amounts if one has smooth, sound walls and the other has cracked plaster, old wallpaper and a dark colour to cover.
The figures below are broad, indicative ranges for the UK. Use them to sense-check the quotes you receive and to budget – not as a promise of what your job will cost. For an accurate price, describe your job and compare written quotes from local painters.
Painter and decorator day rates
Day rates are useful for small jobs and for understanding a quote, but most painters will give a fixed price for a clearly defined job.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Painter and decorator, day rate (most of the UK) | £180–£280 per day |
| Painter and decorator, day rate (London and South East) | £220–£350 per day |
| Exterior painter, day rate | £200–£320 per day |
Indicative UK prices for labour and trade paint in standard colours, including VAT where the painter is VAT-registered. They are a guide to help you sense-check quotes, not a price list – always get written quotes for your own job.
Cost to paint a room
Typical prices for having a single room painted, including preparation and two finish coats. Rooms in poor condition, with high ceilings or lots of woodwork, will be at the top of these ranges or above.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Box room or small bedroom (walls and ceiling) | £250–£450 |
| Double bedroom (walls, ceiling and woodwork) | £400–£750 |
| Living room (walls, ceiling and woodwork) | £450–£900 |
| Large living room or through-lounge | £600–£1,200 |
| Kitchen (walls and ceiling, around units) | £300–£650 |
| Bathroom (walls and ceiling, moisture-resistant paint) | £250–£500 |
| Ceiling only (average room) | £150–£350 |
| Hallway, stairs and landing | £800–£1,800 |
Indicative UK prices for labour and trade paint in standard colours, including VAT where the painter is VAT-registered. They are a guide to help you sense-check quotes, not a price list – always get written quotes for your own job.
More on what's involved in our guide to internal painting and decorating.
Cost to paint a house, inside and out
Whole-house prices vary the most, because they depend on the number and size of rooms, the condition of the walls and woodwork and, outside, the height of the building and the type of wall.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Interior of a two-bedroom flat | £2,000–£4,000 |
| Interior of a three-bedroom semi | £3,000–£6,500 |
| Interior of a four-bedroom detached house | £5,000–£9,000 |
| Front elevation of a terraced house (exterior) | £800–£1,800 |
| Exterior of a three-bedroom semi (masonry and woodwork) | £1,800–£4,000 |
| Exterior of a detached house (masonry and woodwork) | £3,000–£6,500 |
| Scaffolding for a two-storey semi, if needed | £800–£2,000 |
Indicative UK prices for labour and trade paint in standard colours, including VAT where the painter is VAT-registered. They are a guide to help you sense-check quotes, not a price list – always get written quotes for your own job.
For masonry, preparation, weather and access, see our external painting guide.
Doors, woodwork, wallpaper and other jobs
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Painting an internal door (both sides and frame) | £60–£120 |
| Skirting boards (per room) | £80–£200 |
| Stripping wallpaper (average room) | £150–£400 |
| Hanging wallpaper (labour, per roll) | £25–£50 |
| Front door, prepared and repainted | £150–£350 |
| Fascias, soffits and gutters (average semi) | £400–£900 |
| Painting or staining an average garden fence | £200–£600 |
Indicative UK prices for labour and trade paint in standard colours, including VAT where the painter is VAT-registered. They are a guide to help you sense-check quotes, not a price list – always get written quotes for your own job.
What affects painting and decorating costs
- Preparation
- The biggest variable. Filling cracks, stripping paper, sealing stains, repairing render and replacing rotten timber can double the time a job takes.
- Room size and height
- Larger rooms, tall ceilings and stairwells take longer and may need platforms or towers.
- What's included
- Walls only is the cheapest option. Ceilings, woodwork, doors, radiators and windows all add time.
- Colour
- Strong colours, and changing from dark to light, often need extra coats.
- Paint quality
- Premium paints cost more per tin but can cover better and last longer.
- Access and furniture
- Full rooms, narrow access, no parking or a two-storey exterior all slow things down.
- Location
- London and the South East tend to be at the top of the ranges above; prices can be lower elsewhere.
- Time of year
- Exterior painters are busiest from late spring to early autumn. Interior work is often easier to book in winter.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Group several rooms into one booking – the price per room is often better.
- Clear the rooms yourself before the painter arrives.
- Be clear about what you want done, so quotes don't include surfaces you'd rather leave.
- Book exterior work early in the year, before the summer rush.
- Fix leaks, damp and loose plaster first so the new paint isn't wasted.
- Compare like with like: same surfaces, same number of coats, same paint quality.
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Painter and decorator costs: FAQs
How much does it cost to paint a room?
As a rough guide, many UK homeowners pay somewhere between £250 and £750 to have an average bedroom painted, depending on its size, the condition of the walls and whether the ceiling and woodwork are included. Large living rooms and rooms needing a lot of preparation cost more.
How much does it cost to paint a house?
The interior of a three-bedroom semi often costs in the region of £3,000–£6,500, and the exterior around £1,800–£4,000 before any scaffolding. The size of the house, its condition and what's included make a big difference, so these figures are only a starting point.
Do painters charge by the day or by the job?
Both. Most give a fixed price for a defined job, which is easier to compare, while some quote a day rate for smaller or less predictable work. If you're quoted a day rate, ask for an estimate of how many days it will take.
Is paint included in a decorator's quote?
Usually, yes. Most painters supply trade paint and include it in their price. If you'd like a specific premium brand, mention it, as it can change the cost.
Why do painting quotes vary so much?
Mostly because of preparation and what's included. One quote may allow for filling, sanding, stain blocking and three coats; another may be a quick two coats over the existing surface. Ask each painter to itemise their quote.
Should I pay a deposit to a painter?
Many painters ask for a deposit to cover materials on larger jobs, with the balance paid on completion. Avoid paying the full amount up front, and agree payment terms in writing before work starts.
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