Painting and Decorating Costs UK 2026
Per-room and per-day rates for decorators, and what moves the price.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Key takeaways
- ›Decorating an average room costs £250–£500 plus materials.
- ›Day rates for decorators run £180–£300 outside London.
- ›Prep — filling, sanding, lining paper — is where time and cost hide.
How decorators price
Decorators price per room, per day, or per m² for larger commercial work. The biggest variable is preparation: a room needing lining paper, extensive filling or stripping of old wallpaper takes far longer than a straightforward re-coat. Ceilings and woodwork (skirting, doors, frames) are usually priced separately from walls.
Typical price ranges (UK 2026)
- •Paint an average room (walls + ceiling, 2 coats): £250–£500 + materials.
- •Paint woodwork (skirting, doors, frames) in a room: £100–£250.
- •Decorator day rate: £180–£300 (higher in London).
- •External masonry painting: £400–£1,200 per elevation.
- •Materials for an average room (quality paint): £60–£120.
Saving money
Do the prep yourself — filling, sanding, and stripping wallpaper — to cut the decorator's hours. Move and cover furniture, take down curtains and remove pictures. Buy decent paint: cheap paint needs more coats and rarely saves money. If you supply the paint, agree with the decorator first which brand and finish you are using.
Frequently asked
How long to paint a room?
A professional can paint a prepped average room in 1–2 days, including drying time between coats.
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