Painting and decorating: Cost Breakdown 2026

There's nothing quite like a freshly decorated room - especially when you haven't had to spend days doing it yourself! Read on to discover the average painter and decorator prices in the UK.

The easier way to book quality trades

Download app

Painting and decorating is one of the easiest ways to update your home and give it a fresh new look. It can also add value to your property if you're looking to sell.

Here, you'll find a range of painter and decorator costs to help budget for your project, from room sizes to painter day rates, project types to exterior work.

How much does painting and decorating cost in 2026?

In the UK, the cost to paint a room averages around £450. Meanwhile, painting a 5-bed house could cost in the region of £6,000.

A painter and decorator's day rate tends to sit around £325 per day.

The prices in this guide include the cost of regular trade paint. If you're planning to use more premium paint brands, such as Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, or COAT, bear this in mind when planning your budget.

Average cost to paint a room

The average cost to paint a room will depend on the size of the room you’re looking to decorate.

• Small room (8m²): £350

• Medium-sized room (18m²): £450

• Large room (30m²): £1,000

Remember, these costs include standard trade paint and labour. Premium paints and extensive labour may increase the price you're quoted.

Painter and decorator day rate UK

The average painter and decorator day rate in the UK is £325 (plus the cost of paint). However, this can vary depending on the decorator's experience, and where you live in the UK.

How much do painters and decorators charge in the UK?

Painters and decorators are skilled tradespeople who can help with many decorating tasks around the home.

Prices will often vary depending on the scope and complexity of your project.

Cost of internal house painting

Painting and finishing is an interior decorator’s bread and butter. Costs can vary depending on what type of internal house painting you need, as well as the size of the area.

That said, here are some ballpark figures:

• Painting walls: £15 per m²

• Painting ceilings: £15 per m²

• Painting hallways, landing and stairs: £1,600

• Painting doors: £90 per door (for both sides)

• Painting woodwork: £15 per m²

• Painting radiators: £15 per radiator

Cost of plastering a room

Plastering isn’t a job that most painters and decorators will offer.

However, many house painters do offer smaller, more basic plastering tasks – like patching small holes or cracks.

To give you an idea, repairing small, water-damaged areas of plaster will typically cost between £50 - £100.

Cost of wallpapering a room

Wallpapering can be messy and time-consuming, and mistakes can be costly. So, how much do the professionals charge to ensure that expert finish?

• Wallpapering averages around £14 per m²

• Wallpapering a room (4.4m x 3.3m) will typically cost around £450

Bear in mind that these costs are average figures for labour only. They do not include the cost of the wallpaper itself.

Cost of exterior painting

Keeping on top of your property’s exterior paintwork will not only maintain its kerb appeal, but it’ll help to ensure the structural integrity of your home.

What’s more, this type of maintenance can help to ensure cracks or weather damage are tackled before they develop into bigger, more costly repairs.

For quality exterior house painting services, expect to pay on average £1,300 per m².

This works out at roughly:

• £1,300 for painting the exterior of a 3-bedroom, semi-detached property

• £2,000 for painting the exterior of a 4-bedroom, detached home

From choosing the perfect paint colour, to trends and inspiration, how-to guides, and expert advice, take a look at our painting hub for help with all your decorating decisions.

Benefits of hiring a painter and decorator

Let's face it, none of us will ever be able to match the quality finish or efficiency of a professional painter and decorator.

Nor do you have the wide selection of brushes and tools to get the perfect finish every time.

Here are some of the main benefits of hiring a painter and decorator to complete the project for you:

For a quality finish first time around, enter your postcode in our search tool to find the right tradespeople that work in your area.

Find a painter and decorator covering your area

Hiring a checked house painter will ensure a top-quality, long-lasting finish every time.

Plus, you won’t need to get your hands dirty (or wash paint flecks out of your hair!).

Factors affecting painting and decorating costs

There are lots of factors that can affect the cost of a painting and decorating project. Here are some of the main ones.

Room size and shape

Larger rooms require more materials. They also take longer to complete, increasing labour costs.

You may also need to consider:

• High ceilings

• Intricate woodwork

• Detailed areas such as staircase spindles

Number of rooms to decorate

The more rooms you want to get decorated, the higher your overall costs will climb.

However, it’s also worth noting that, if you want to decorate several rooms, it will often be more cost-effective to complete them all in one go. This is because your painter and decorator will already be on site.

Wall surface type

Some surfaces will take longer to paint than others. In particular, the condition of the existing surface will have a big impact.

For instance, if old wallpaper needs to be removed, walls need to be plastered or skimmed, or woodwork replaced, expect to pay more.

Regional differences

Painter day rates in London and other major cities tend to be higher than in other areas of the country.

Hidden costs to watch out for

Planning your painting and decorating budget? Consider these hidden costs to make sure you’ve left no stone unturned.

You can also expect preparation and repairs to add significant time to your project. Professional house painters will be experienced at preparing your walls, for instance through filling and sanding.

For larger plastering jobs, it’s best to hire a local plasterer. Plasterer day rates are typically in the region of £300.

Cost to paint a room: Job estimator tool

Use our job estimator tool to calculate the price of painting a room your painting and decorating job.

Job Estimate Calculator

Get Started

Step 0/3

Cost of hiring a painter and decorator vs DIY

DIY is certainly cheaper than hiring a painter and decorator. However, a professional decorator will offer better results, with greater efficiency, and avoid costly mistakes.

• Hiring an interior decorator costs around £450 (including trade paint)

• DIY painting costs around £50 - £100 (assuming you only need to purchase paint)

• DIY painting costs could be higher if you need to purchase equipment such as paint brushes, rollers and drop cloths.

Although hiring a painter and decorator does come with an additional cost, bear in mind that they’ll be sure to get the job done right first time around.

Plus, they’ll be insured against accidents – so, you won’t have to worry if the worst happens and there’s a paint spillage on your favourite rug!

Trades Top Tip

It's about meeting expectations and exceeding them where you can. Completing the work to a high standard is a given, but when you chat, you can talk to people about exactly what they want.

Wayne | Wayne de Wet Decorating ServicesView profile

Painting and decorating cost FAQs

How much does it cost to paint a small room in the UK?

The price to paint a small room in the UK (measuring 8m²) averages around £350.

What is the average hourly rate for a painter and decorator?

Painter and decorator day rates tend to sit around £325 with hourly rates around £32. However, this does depend on their experience and your location.

Do painters charge per room or per hour?

It depends on the job. Some painters charge per hour, while others quote per room or per project.

How do I estimate painting costs for my house?

To estimate painting costs, you'll need to consider room size, the type of surfaces to be painted, and the quality of the materials you choose for decoration. Use our cost calculator above to generate an estimate for your project.

How can I save money on painting and decorating?

To save money on painting and decorating projects, you can:

• Clean surfaces, fill cracks, sand, and tape edges to minimise labour time

• Move furniture, remove wall and ceiling fixtures, and cover floors before your decorator arrives

• Opt for one colour (of standard trade paint) to reduce labour time

• Avoid intricate or complex designs

• Commit to regular maintenance to extend your paintwork’s lifespan

Is it cheaper to paint a room yourself or hire a professional?

DIY can be a cheaper option, but a professional decorator will offer better results, with greater efficiency, and avoid costly mistakes.

What factors affect the cost of painting a house?

Factors affecting the cost of painting a house include:

• Room size

• Surface condition

• The complexity of the job

• The quality of materials

• Regional labour rates

How long does it take to paint a room UK?

Painting a small to medium-sized room, including prep work and clean-up, normally takes around 1-2 days.

What is included in a decorator's day rate?

Labour, materials, prep work, and clean-up are normally all included in a decorator's quote. But it's always best to confirm with your chosen tradesperson.

Checkatrade

Follow us

More Painting / Decorating Articles

How to hire a trustworthy local painter and decorator

How much does it cost to paint a house exterior in 2026?

Cost to paint a door

View all