How Much Does a Painter & Decorator Cost in the UK?
A painter and decorator in the UK typically charges £150–£250 per day, or by the room — around £200–£500 to paint an average bedroom including materials.
Updated June 2026 · Typical UK ranges · Methodology below
Quick answer
A painter and decorator in the UK typically charges £150–£250 per day. These are typical ranges — your actual quote depends on region, job complexity, time of day, materials, and whether the trade is independent or an agency. Always get an itemised quote first.
Typical 2026 Painter & Decorator Costs
| Job | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Day rate | £150–£250 |
| Paint an average bedroom | £200–£500 |
| Paint a living room | £300–£700 |
| Whole-house repaint (3-bed) | £2,000–£5,000 |
| Paint exterior of a house | £1,500–£4,000 |
| Hang wallpaper | £150–£400 |
What Affects a Painter & Decorator’s Price?
Preparation. Most of a decorator’s time is prep — filling, sanding, masking, priming. A tired room with cracks and old wallpaper costs more than a sound one.
Number of coats and colour. Going from a dark to a light colour, or covering stains, needs extra coats and therefore more time and paint.
Access. Stairwells, high ceilings, and exterior work that needs scaffolding or a tower add cost.
Materials. Premium paint costs more but covers better and lasts longer; confirm whether the quote includes paint.
Get UK price updates before you book
Join the GeraHome list for plain-English cost guides, fair-price checks, and how-to-hire tips — so no one overcharges you. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. A Gera Services product.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a painter and decorator cost in the UK?
A UK painter and decorator typically charges £150–£250 per day, or by the room. Painting an average bedroom (walls and ceiling, including materials) usually costs £200–£500, depending on prep and the number of coats.
How much to paint a whole 3-bed house inside?
A full interior repaint of a 3-bedroom UK home typically costs £2,000–£5,000 and takes several days. The biggest variable is the amount of preparation — filling, sanding, and priming — that the walls need.
How we work out these figures
Figures are typical 2026 UK price ranges, not a single measured GeraHome price. They are compiled from publicly published UK tradesperson rate surveys and standard hourly/day-rate conventions, then expressed as a low–to–high band because real quotes vary with region, job complexity, access, materials, time of day, and whether the trade is independent or an agency. London and the South East typically run 20–40% above the national average; the North, Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland typically sit below it. Always get an upfront, itemised quote before work begins.
These are typical ranges, not a single GeraHome-measured price. We publish honest bands rather than invent a precise per-city number we do not have.
Hiring guides
Book a vetted painter and decorator
Find background-checked painters and decorators with transparent, upfront pricing — no surprises on the invoice.
Find a Painter & DecoratorRelated from Gera
- All UK trade cost guides
- How to find a trusted tradesperson
- UK home care provider directory — real CQC-registered counts by local authority.
- Gera Action Warranty — how eligible GeraHome bookings are protected.