Greater London, England
Painters and Decorators in London
Compare free quotes from London painters and decorators – period terraces, mansion flats, stucco fronts and new-builds, from Islington to Wandsworth.
London keeps more painters and decorators busy than anywhere else in the country. Victorian and Edwardian terraces, converted flats, mansion blocks, Georgian squares and new-build developments all need repainting regularly, and the pace of buying, selling and letting means plenty of homes are redecorated between occupants.
Whether you need a single room refreshed in a flat in Hackney or the stucco front of a house in Islington repainted, you can describe the job once and hear from painters who already work in your part of the capital.
Period features, high ceilings and tight access
Much of inner London is Victorian and Edwardian housing with tall ceilings, deep skirting boards, cornicing, ceiling roses and sash windows. All of that looks wonderful when it's painted properly, but it takes time: cutting in around plaster mouldings and sanding back decades of gloss on original joinery are slow jobs, and they're a big part of why London decorating quotes vary so much.
Outside, the painted stucco fronts of Camden, Islington and Notting Hill and the rendered terraces of south London need regular attention to stay weathertight. Parking restrictions, permit zones and scaffold licences on busy roads all affect how a job is planned and priced, so expect painters to ask about access before they quote.
Popular painting and decorating jobs in London
Flat redecoration
Repainting walls, ceilings and woodwork between tenants or before a sale, often working around a tight timetable.
Period interiors
Hallways, stairs and reception rooms with cornicing, panelled doors and sash windows that need careful preparation.
Stucco and render fronts
Repairing and repainting painted fronts, columns and porches, usually from scaffolding.
Painting services in London
- Internal Painting & Decorating in LondonWalls, ceilings, single rooms, hallways and stairs, woodwork, feature walls and wallpaper removal – from one room to the whole house.
- External Painting in LondonMasonry, render and pebble-dash, windows, doors, fascias and soffits, garden walls and fences – prepared properly and timed around the weather.
- Painter and decorator costsIndicative UK prices for rooms, ceilings, hallways and exteriors.
What affects painter prices in London
Painters and decorators in London usually price a job after a visit or from photos and measurements. These are the local factors that tend to move the price:
- Parking and access: permit zones, congestion charges and no rear access all add time and cost.
- Ceiling height and detail: tall rooms and ornate plasterwork take longer to cut in and paint.
- Scaffolding: front elevations on busy streets often need licensed scaffolding.
For indicative UK prices by type of job, see our painter and decorator cost guide.
How to get painter quotes in London
- 1.Click Get Free Quotes, describe the rooms or surfaces and add your postcode.
- 2.Painters and decorators covering London get in touch.
- 3.Compare their quotes – with no obligation.
Add your London postcode and describe the rooms or exterior you want painting – local decorators will be in touch.
Get painter quotes in London
Describe your painting or decorating job and compare quotes from painters who work in and around London.
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Painting outside in London: weather and permissions
London is relatively dry and mild, so the outdoor painting season is longer here than in most of the UK. The challenges are practical rather than climatic: stucco and painted brick fronts on busy roads pick up traffic grime, scaffolding on the pavement usually needs a council licence, and terraces with no rear access mean everything goes through the house.
Repainting in the existing colour rarely needs permission, but listed buildings, and homes in conservation areas covered by an Article 4 direction, can need consent to paint the front or change its colour. More on exterior painting.
Areas covered around London
Painters who work in London typically also cover the surrounding parts of Greater London, including:
- Islington
- Hackney
- Camden
- Wandsworth
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Greenwich
- Walthamstow
- Hammersmith
- Barnet
Painters in nearby towns and cities
Painters in London: your questions answered
How much do painters and decorators charge in London?
London prices are generally higher than the UK average because of travel, parking and overheads. Many London decorators charge somewhere above £220 a day, and period properties with lots of detail cost more. Compare written quotes for your own job to get an accurate figure.
Do I need permission to repaint the front of my house in London?
Repainting in the same colour usually doesn't need permission. Many London streets are in conservation areas, though, and some have Article 4 directions that control changes to front elevations, including colour. Check with your borough council before changing the colour of a listed or conservation-area house.
Can a decorator work in my flat while I'm at work?
Yes – many London painters work with a key and keep you updated with photos. Agree colours and the scope of work in advance, and arrange a walk-round at the end before paying the balance.
Get quotes from painters in London
Add your London postcode and describe the rooms or exterior you want painting – local decorators will be in touch.
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