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The average rating for Bark Painters & Decorators is 4.78, based on 426,698 reviews
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based on 426,698 reviews
Is your home in need of a revamp in 2026? Set your budget and get free quotes from local decorators with this handy guide.
Keeping your home looking its best is about more than just aesthetics; it's an investment. With the UK decorating market growing by 2.4% this past year, more homeowners are turning to professionals to ensure high-quality finishes and avoid the "DIY disasters" of uneven coats and messy edges.
But what does a professional refresh actually cost in 2026? Whether you're planning a complete style overhaul or a quick seasonal update, here is your essential guide to painting and decorating costs across the UK.
The average price of painting and decorating is £25 per hour, or £750 for an entire project. On the lower end, you may find painters working for £18 per hour or £300 per project. Meanwhile, on the higher end, project costs can go up to £1,970, with an hourly rate of £40.
| Average price | £750 |
| Minimum price | £300 |
| Maximum price | £1,970 |
Remember, these are rough averages based on prices across the UK. For the most accurate cost for your home, request free painting and decorating quotes from local professionals.
The task begins with assessing the square footage of your space and its current condition. For a blank canvas or a room with light, single-tone walls, prices for painting start around £300, excluding materials
When it comes to the details such as skirting boards, windows, and intricate cornices, you can expect the overall cost to increase by 10-15%. The devil is in the details, as they say, and it’s certainly true with decor. These are the prices of painting particular features:
| Feature | Average price |
| Interior door | £80-£100 |
| Radiator | £15-£20 |
| Woodwork | £15 per square metre |
| Ceilings | £15 per square metre |
Let's not overlook the blank space above, which often needs as much TLC as the walls. The ceiling painting process can add upwards of £100 to your bill per room, depending on size and height.
If you're wondering how much a painter charges per hour, hourly rates can be a standard method of payment, particularly if the scope of work is likely to change as the job progresses.
Calculating the cost of your painting and decorating job involves considering several factors. The size and complexity of the area to be painted play a significant role; bigger or more intricate projects tend to cost more. Additionally, prep work like plastering or preparing walls and ceilings needs to be factored in. Don't overlook the cost of materials, particularly if you opt for a premium brand of paint, as this can increase the overall price.
| Less experienced decorator | £15 per hour |
| More experienced decorator | £30 per hour |
| Wallpaper removal | £40 per hour |
| Mural painting | £50 per hour |
So, how much do decorators charge by the hour? A seasoned painter and decorator can command an hourly rate of £25 to £35. Experience, efficiency, and attention to detail are wrapped into this figure. This doesn't take into account the time and effort needed to do things like removing wallpaper and filling small holes. Beginners may charge less – say around £20 an hour – but you’re more likely to trade savings for a longer, less polished job. Again, remember to also budget for additional jobs like removing old wallpaper.
Hourly rates can spike for complex tasks like wallpaper removal, up to £40 per hour. Mural painting can go as high as £50 per hour.
For bigger jobs or preference-driven work, room-based rates can offer a predictable sum with potentially better value for larger projects. For sizable projects spanning touch-ups to several rooms, decorators might agree on more economical rates, costing £800-£2,000+. The shorter the project length, the more likely it is that a daily rate will be efficient for your budget. Be wary of detailed assessments to ensure neither party is left short-changed.
| Room size | Average price per room |
| Small | £350 |
| Medium | £450 |
| Large | £750-£1,000 |
Understanding the full painting and decorating price list means looking beyond the headline rate. Here are the key variables that shape the final cost. The paint pot is filled with a multitude of variables that can stir the price tag in different directions. This includes:
Location
Type of painting
Materials
Size of rooms
Professional you use
You can see a summary of how each of these elements impacts the overall price below.
Where you live also colours the numbers - you won't be surprised to hear that interior decorators in London cost more. Meanwhile, if you want a painter and decorator in Northern Ireland, it’ll be on the more affordable end of the price range. Here's a sample palette of average prices across the UK.
| Location | Average price per day |
| London | £800 |
| South-east England | £800 |
| North-east England | £635 |
| North-west England | £700 |
| South-west England | £740 |
| East of England | £1,000 |
| East Midlands | £560 |
| West Midlands | £720 |
| Scotland | £640 |
| Wales | £570 |
| Greater Manchester | £710 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £600 |
| Northern Ireland | £540 |
Of course, you might want to pay for wallpapering instead of just painting your room. If you choose to have a professional do it for you, the precision required for wallpaper work can push rates to £150-£400 per day, excluding materials. If you’re adding a statement wall, costs vary by method: a painted statement wall typically costs £100-£300 in labour, while a wallpapered statement wall runs £200-£500 in labour, or £250-£700+ in total once materials are factored in. Faux finishes, such as marbleizing or ragging, come at a premium, adding £150-£250 per project.
You pay a professional to already have the materials needed to complete your job. This prevents you from having to spend money on this yourself. But keep in mind that your needs will impact which materials are needed. The most complex projects will involve materials from overseas. These have higher shipping costs and thus cost more. But if your goals are basic, then it’ll sit around the typical figures listed above.
Your painter and decorator will often want to visit your house in-person before quoting for a job. This enables them to see how large the room(s) are, and thus how many materials, time, and team members are needed. Larger rooms cost more. Painters may charge per square footage in this situation.
It’s important that you compare prices from several experts before making a choice. This ensures that you can see what everyone in your area can offer. If your project needs more than one professional, then your price goes up due to the extra labour costs. And don’t forget that painters with more experience and expertise tend to cost more. You pay more, but you may get a better result. Don’t be afraid to negotiate on price. Many professionals are open to this.
Your wall’s story is inked with more than just pigment; brushes, rollers, and the paint itself are chapters in the cost tale.
Quality brushes and rollers can cost £15-£25 each, but they’re often the unsung heroes of a job well done. Your decorator will probably bring their own supplies, but check with them first.
A typical can of paint can vary between £25 and £40, depending on brand and quality. Matt, satin, wipeable - there are lots of choices, and not all paints are equal, so ask your decorator for advice if you aren't sure. Of course, premium brands like Farrow & Ball will cost more than DIY shop own-brands.
Insider top tip: A lot of DIY shops have paint mixing desks and can colour match to samples or swatches. If you're looking for a pricey paint on a budget, see if they can mix it up for you. It's also worth talking with your professional to see if they can organise getting your paint for you, as they may get a trade discount!
Wallpaper prices hang between £15 and £25 per roll for standard papers. Premium or designer papers can span £50-£80 per roll.
| Material | Average price |
| Paint brush | £20 |
| Paint can | £35 |
| Wallpaper (basic) | £20 per roll |
| Wallpaper (designer) | £65 per roll |
Once you know how much decorators charge, you can start looking for ways to bring that cost down without compromising on quality. Here are some brushstrokes of wisdom to help keep your cost in the eye-pleasing range.
There’s no canvas as exciting as the one within the comfort of your own home. Doing it yourself can save you hundreds, if not thousands. But be warned: painting a room can take a long time, and you'll need to make sure the surfaces are correctly primed for your decoration to look good and last a long time. Wallpapering is even trickier, as lining up patterns and dealing with wallpaper paste can be a tough job (and a lot harder than it looks).
It might seem like cheaper is better, but if you want to manage your budget in the long run, opt for high-quality or mid-range materials. They offer better coverage and longevity, saving future costs.
Flexible timing can lead to cost-efficient rates, particularly in slower business periods. Painters are often busiest in the Summer, as there’s light for more hours, which makes it easier for your professional to work all day. It also makes it easier to paint things outside, too. You may thus get better rates in the quieter, colder months.
Don’t move too fast with the first painter you speak to. Get quotes from several professionals so you can compare. This ensures that you don’t miss out on a golden deal. Try negotiating, too, as many experts are open to this. It never hurts to ask.
Like choosing the right colour for your walls, selecting a decorator should mesh with your budget and vision.
A decorator’s portfolio can’t only showcase a potential style match but also indicate if their price aligns with the quality of their work. Reviews are another great place to start - do they have lots of happy customers? If 'yes', you're onto a winner!
Larger firms may offer more competitive rates due to economies of scale and a broader skillset, but they may not be as flexible. Get some different quotes to compare your options.
If you’re on a tight budget, then you may need to compromise about the experience of the painter you use. You can’t expect the best on the market if you’re working with a small budget. Balance these things carefully – and perhaps see if any friends or family working in the industry will do you a favour.
The way we decorate our living spaces, from the paint we choose to the features we install, says a lot about our personalities - and it's the number one thing that makes a house a home. Another benefit is the healthy boost it gives to house prices. In fact, redecorating is one of the best ways to ensure your house sells for as much as it's worth if you're thinking of going on the market.
Understanding how much decorators charge is a good starting point, but price shouldn't be your only consideration when searching for a painter and decorator. Their portfolio, past customer reviews, and proximity to you are important as well.
For large projects, your decorator will be inside your house for several days or weeks. This makes it crucial that you get along with them. Especially if you’ll be out during the day, thus leaving them at home by themselves. Safety and security are important. Meet them first and trust your gut instinct.
Yes. Like with all industries, you’ll see variation in the quality of professionals you meet. You should thus always check their reviews and speak to past customers, if possible. The best painters will also have evidence of projects they’ve completed that are similar to yours. This reassures you that you’ve chosen the right one.
Latest figures show that there are over 50,000 painters and decorators in the UK. This number is increasing all the time, so you shouldn’t have a shortage of options when the time arrives to hire someone.
Here's a quick painting and decorating price list covering the most common services in 2026:
| Service | Typical cost |
| Average project cost | £750 |
| Small room (per room) | £350 |
| Medium room (per room) | £450 |
| Large room (per room) | £750-£1,000 |
| Interior door | £80-£100 |
| Radiator | £15-£20 |
| Ceilings | £100+ per room |
| Wallpapering (day rate) | £150-£400/day |
| Statement wall (painted) | £100-£300 |
| Statement wall (wallpapered) | £250-£700+ |
| Mural painting | £50/hour |
All figures are approximate averages for 2026. For an accurate quote tailored to your home, request free estimates from local decorators on Bark.
How much decorators charge depends on their experience, your location, and the complexity of the job. As a general guide for 2026: • Less experienced decorators: £15/hour • Experienced decorators: £25-£35/hour • Day rates: £230-£355/day depending on region, with London at the top end • Per project: £400 on average, ranging from £250 for a basic small room to £1,000+ for large or complex spaces Agencies and larger firms may charge more than sole traders or freelancers, but often bring a broader skill set. Always compare at least three quotes before committing.
How much it costs to decorate a room depends primarily on its size, condition, and the finish you're after: • Small room: £350 • Medium room: £450 • Large room: £750-£1,000 These figures cover standard preparation, painting, and finishing. If your room requires wallpapering, specialist finishes, or significant prep work like plastering or wallpaper removal, expect costs to increase. Including materials such as paint (£25-£40 per can) and wallpaper (£15-£80 per roll) will also add to the total. For the most accurate figure, have your decorator assess the room in person before quoting.
Painters' hourly charges in the UK vary based on experience and job type: • Less experienced painter: £15/hour • Experienced painter/decorator: £25-£35/hour • Wallpaper removal: £40/hour • Mural painting: £50/hour How much a painter charges per hour is also influenced by your location – London and South-east England sit at the higher end, while Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland tend to be more affordable. For straightforward painting work, most homeowners pay between £20 and £35 per hour in 2026.
The average rating for Bark Painters & Decorators is 4.78, based on 426,698 reviews
5/5
based on 426,698 reviews
