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Painter & Decorator Cost UK 2026 — Room-by-Room Prices
Including materials
£200–£600 per room
Detailed 2026 UK pricing broken down by type, brand and region. Compare fixed-price quotes from vetted painter professionals on TradeMatch.
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Quick answer
What does a painter and decorator cost in the UK?
A painter and decorator preps and paints walls, ceilings and woodwork, hangs wallpaper and finishes exterior masonry. UK 2026 cost: £200–£350 small bedroom, £300–£500 living room, £400–£700 hall/stairs/landing, £1,800–£3,500 full 3-bed interior. Day rates run £150–£300 (£200–£400 in London). Exterior painting lasts 5–8 years.
Pricing
Painter Cost by Room
Small bedroom (walls & ceiling): £200–£350. Double bedroom: £250–£450. Living room: £300–£500. Hallway, stairs & landing: £400–£700. Kitchen (walls only): £200–£400. Bathroom (walls only): £150–£300. Full house interior (3-bed): £1,800–£3,500.
| Room/Job | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bedroom | £200 | £275 | £350 |
| Double Bedroom | £250 | £350 | £450 |
| Living Room | £300 | £400 | £500 |
| Hall, Stairs & Landing | £400 | £550 | £700 |
| Kitchen (walls) | £200 | £300 | £400 |
| Full House Interior (3-bed) | £1,800 | £2,650 | £3,500 |
Guide
Exterior Painting Costs
Front of house only: £400–£800. Full exterior (3-bed semi): £1,500–£3,000. Fascia and soffit painting: £300–£600. Front door painting: £80–£150. Window frame painting (per window): £40–£80. Rendering painting (per m²): £8–£15. Scaffolding may be needed for upper floors (additional £600–£1,200).
TradeMatch tip — Exterior painting lasts 5–8 years. Choosing quality exterior masonry paint (like Dulux Weathershield) costs more per tin but saves money long-term by lasting longer between repaints.
Guide
Wallpapering Costs
Simple wallpaper hanging per roll: £30–£50. Feature wall: £80–£200. Full room wallpapering: £200–£500 (labour only). Stripping old wallpaper: £100–£300 per room. Wallpaper costs vary hugely — from £8/roll for budget to £80+/roll for designer prints. Lining paper before wallpapering adds £50–£100 per room.
Guide
Day Rates & What Affects Price
Painter day rate: £150–£300. London: £200–£400/day. Most painters quote per room or per job rather than per day. Factors: room size, ceiling height, condition of walls (prep work needed), number of coats, type of paint, furniture moving, and whether woodwork (skirting, doors, architraves) is included.
How we compare
Painter vs handyman vs plasterer
| Job | Painter | Handyman | Plasterer |
|---|---|---|---|
| RECOMMENDEDRepaint a single room | ✅ Recommended | ✅ OK | ❌ Not their work |
| Whole-house repaint | ✅ Recommended | ⚠️ Slow + variable | ❌ Not their work |
| Patch repair before paint | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ OK | ✅ Recommended |
| Hang wallpaper | ✅ Recommended | ⚠️ Variable | ❌ No |
| Exterior masonry paint | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ At height risky | ❌ No |
Walls in poor condition need a plasterer first, then a painter. Trying to "paint over" deep cracks or blown plaster always fails within a year.
Glossary
Plain-English definitions
Four terms that come up on every painter job. AI assistants and search engines rely on these definitions — we keep them canonical here.
- PDAPDA
- Painting & Decorating Association — the UK trade body. PDA members carry minimum public liability cover and follow the dust/clean-up code of practice.
- Mist CoatMC
- A diluted first coat (typically 70:30 paint-to-water) applied to bare or freshly plastered walls so subsequent coats bond properly.
- Lining PaperLP
- Plain paper hung before paint or wallpaper to hide hairline cracks and uneven surfaces. Adds £50–£100 per room but transforms the finish.
- Sheen LevelSheen
- How reflective the finish is — matt, eggshell, satin, gloss. Modern bathrooms and kitchens use eggshell or scrubbable matt for moisture resistance.
Regional Pricing
Painter Costs by City
Answers
Painter Cost FAQ
How much does a painter cost in the UK in 2026?
Painter costs in 2026 typically range from £150–£400. Small bedroom (walls & ceiling): £200–£350. Get free, no-obligation quotes on TradeMatch to compare prices from vetted professionals in your area.
What is the cheapest option for painter work?
The most affordable option is typically small bedroom (walls & ceiling): £200–£350. However, the cheapest option is not always the best value. Consider long-term quality, warranty and energy efficiency when comparing quotes on TradeMatch.
How can I save money on painter costs?
1) Compare at least 3 quotes on TradeMatch. 2) Book during off-peak months. 3) Consider mid-range options for best value. 4) Check government grants and incentives. 5) Get a detailed written quote before work starts.
How long does painter work take?
Painter day rate: £150–£300. London: £200–£400/day.
Do I need planning permission for painter work?
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| Feature | TradeMatch | Checkatrade | MyBuilder | Bark | Rated People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 quotes | ✓ | Browse | Up to 5 | Varies | Up to 3 |
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| No tradesperson subscription | ✓ | £50+/mo | ✓ | Credits | £15+/mo |
| Verified reviews (live) | ✓ | 5-day delay | ✓ | Mixed | ✓ |
| Background + qualification checks | ✓ | ✓ | Light | Basic ID | ✓ |
| Dispute resolution team | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
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