Painting and decorating cost in the UK
Painting and decorating a single room in the UK typically costs between £150 and £500, with most painters charging £180–£280 per day or £15–£30 per m² of wall area. A full repaint of a 3-bed house (walls and ceilings only) runs £1,400–£3,200, and a full redecoration with woodwork, two coats and minor filling sits between £2,500 and £5,500.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up bathroom renovation cost in the uk, kitchen renovation cost in the uk and builder day rate in the uk. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, kitchen pricing and boiler & heating costs.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Small bedroom / bathroom (walls + ceiling) | £150–£320 |
Medium bedroom or lounge | £250–£450 |
Large lounge / kitchen-diner | £400–£750 |
Hallway, stairs & landing | £450–£950 |
Full 3-bed house interior | £1,400–£3,200 |
Full house exterior render & woodwork | £1,800–£4,500 |
Labour costs
Most painters charge a day rate. Larger jobs are usually fixed-price after a site visit; preparation time is the main driver.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Painter day rate — most of UK | £180–£280/day |
Painter day rate — London | £240–£380/day |
Per m² (walls only, 2 coats) | £8–£16/m² |
Per m² (walls + prep + 2 coats) | £15–£30/m² |
Wallpapering (per roll hung) | £25–£45 |
Internal door painting (each) | £35–£80 |
Materials costs
Trade emulsion is cheaper than retail brands. Most decorators pass paint through at trade with a small mark-up.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Trade emulsion (10 L) | £25–£70 |
Premium emulsion (Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, 5 L) | £60–£130 |
Wood primer & undercoat (2.5 L) | £18–£40 |
Caulk, filler, sandpaper, masking | £25–£80 |
Dust sheets, brushes, rollers | £30–£90 |
Cost per m² of wall (prep + 2 coats)
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Standard trade paint | £15–£22/m² |
Premium / heritage paint | £22–£35/m² |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Paint brand — Farrow & Ball or Little Greene doubles material cost vs trade paint.
- ·Wall condition — heavy filling, sanding or skim coats add 25–50%.
- ·Number of coats — three coats over dark to light increases time.
- ·Ceiling height — over 2.7 m needs platforms or trestles.
- ·Region — London adds 30–45%.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Prep walls yourself (fill, sand, dust) and pay only for painting.
- ·Buy paint in trade-sized tins (10 L emulsion is far cheaper per litre).
- ·Combine multiple rooms into a single visit for a discounted day rate.
- ·Choose mid-tier trade brands (Johnstone's, Crown Trade, Dulux Trade) for near-premium results at half the cost.
- ·Schedule outside spring and summer peak for better availability and pricing.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a painter charge per day in the UK?
- £180–£280 per day outside London and £240–£380 per day in central London for a sole-trader decorator.
- How much to paint one room?
- £150–£320 for a small bedroom or bathroom, £250–£450 for a medium room and £400–£750 for a large lounge or kitchen-diner.
- Is it cheaper to pay per m² or per day?
- Per m² gives cost certainty for clean wall jobs; per day suits old houses with significant prep work.
- How much paint do I need per room?
- Roughly 2.5 L covers 25–30 m² per coat. A medium 4 × 4 m room with 2.4 m ceilings needs 5–7.5 L for two coats on walls and ceiling.
- Should I include woodwork in the quote?
- Yes — skirting, architrave and doors typically add 20–35% to the time vs walls only.
- How long does it take to repaint a 3-bed house?
- 5–9 working days for walls and ceilings, 8–14 days with full woodwork and minor filling.