Painter & Decorator Cost UK 2026: Room, Whole House, Day Rates
Painter and decorator costs in the UK, 2026
UK painter and decorator costs depend on three factors: room size, surface preparation needed, and finish quality. A bare-walls, single-coat repaint of a 3-by-4 metre bedroom runs £180–£280. A full first-coat-and-finish job in the same room with light surface prep runs £320–£480.
This guide gives typical 2026 UK prices, what's included, what changes the cost, and how to spot a quote that's been padded.
Typical UK painter and decorator costs (2026)
| Job | Typical UK 2026 price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single bedroom (3×4 m), 2 coats, walls only | £320–£480 | 1–2 days. Includes light filler / sanding. |
| Single bedroom, walls + ceiling + woodwork | £480–£750 | 2–3 days. Full prep including masking trim. |
| Master bedroom (4×5 m), full redecoration | £650–£950 | 3 days. |
| Living room (4×5 m), full | £750–£1,200 | 3–4 days. Includes window prep. |
| Hallway, stairs and landing | £850–£1,500 | 4 days. Scaffolding/hop-up extra. |
| Kitchen walls and ceiling (no cabinets) | £380–£600 | 1–2 days. |
| Bathroom (no tiling) | £280–£450 | 1–2 days. Mould-resistant paint extra. |
| Whole 3-bed semi interior | £3,200–£5,800 | 2–3 weeks. |
| Whole 3-bed semi exterior (masonry + wood) | £2,800–£4,500 | 1–2 weeks. Scaffolding adds £400–£800. |
| Day rate (single decorator) | £200–£320 | London +20–30%, Kent at the lower end. |
| Wallpaper hanging (per roll) | £25–£55 | Patterned and lining paper at the higher end. |
What changes the cost
- Surface preparation: the single biggest variable. Stripping old wallpaper, repairing damaged plaster, or sanding back gloss to bare wood adds 30–100% to the labour cost. A £500 job becomes a £1,000 job if walls need significant prep first.
- Paint quality: trade-grade paints (Dulux Trade, Crown Trade, Farrow & Ball) cost 2–5× what big-box DIY paints cost. Most decorators specify quality paint as standard. Customer-supplied cheap paint actually adds time because it requires more coats.
- Number of coats: bare walls usually need a mist coat plus 2 finish coats. White-on-white refresh is one coat. Dark-to-light or strong-colour-to-pale changes need 3 coats minimum.
- Ceiling height: standard 2.4m ceilings are standard rate. Stairwells, double-height living rooms, or vaulted ceilings add scaffold or tower rental (£80–£150/day) and slow the job.
- Special finishes: Venetian plaster, lime wash, metallic finishes, hand-painted murals all sit outside standard rates and are quoted by the day.
How to get accurate quotes
Always get 3 quotes for any job over £500. Ask each decorator for an itemised breakdown showing labour days, paint cost, and any prep-work surcharges. Refuse to accept ballpark verbal quotes for jobs over £1,000 — they're how disputes start.
For finding a painter and decorator in Kent, see our how to choose a painter guide and our Kent town directory.
For decorator's tools, see best paint sprayer UK 2026 and best orbital sander.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a room in the UK?
A standard 3-by-4 metre bedroom (walls only, 2 coats) typically runs £320-£480 in 2026. Adding ceiling and woodwork brings it to £480-£750. London rates run 20-30% higher than national averages.
Do painters supply paint?
Most decorators supply paint as part of the quote (and use trade-grade brands) but will use customer-supplied paint if specified. Customer-supplied DIY paint often requires more coats so the labour saving is partial.
How many coats of paint should I get?
Standard is one mist coat plus two finish coats on bare walls. White-on-white refreshes can be one coat. Strong colour changes (dark to light or vice versa) need three finish coats minimum to avoid colour bleeding through.
What's a fair UK day rate for a decorator?
£200-£320 per day for a single skilled decorator in 2026, depending on region. London commands £280-£380; Kent and the South East average £220-£280. Always ask whether the rate includes paint, masking, and clean-up.