Find a Painter & Decorator near you
The average rating for Bark Painters & Decorators is 4.77, based on 526,098 reviews
5/5
based on 526,098 reviews
Is your home in need of a revamp in 2024? Set your budget and get free quotes from local decorators with this handy guide.
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.
But what's the cost of keeping your home freshly decorated in 2024? Whether you're embarking on a fresh aesthetic journey or just refreshing the beloved style of your space, here's your detailed guide to average painting and decorating costs in the UK.
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 on Bark.
The joy of a freshly decorated room is hard to beat, but what does it cost to bring your walls up to date with a paint job?
Here's what the average, lower, and higher ends of the spectrum look like, but remember that your homes personal features and your needs - which we'll explore below - can add to the cost of decorating your house.
| Average cost (per medium-sized room) | £225 - £300 |
| Minimum cost (per medium-sized room) | £200 |
| Maximum cost (per medium-sized room) | £600 |
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 £200 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 detail, as they say, and it’s certainly true with decor. These are the prices of painting particular features:
| Feature | Average price range |
| Interior door | £70 - £100 |
| Radiator | £15 - £25 |
| Woodwork | £15 - £25 per square metre |
| Ceilings | £15 - £25 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.
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 | £8-£12 per hour |
| More experienced decorator | £12-£30 per hour |
| Wallpaper removal | Average £40 per hour |
| Mural painting | £50+ per hour |
A seasoned painter and decorator can command an hourly rate of £12-£30. Experience, efficiency, and attention to detail are wrapped into this figure. This doesn't take into account the time and effort needed to thinks like removing wallpaper and filling small holes.
Beginners may charge less – say around £8-£12 an hour – but you are 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/hr) or mural painting (as high as £50/hr).
For bigger jobs or preference-driven work, room-based rates can offer a predictable sum with potentially better value for larger projects.
| Room size | Average cost (per room) |
| Small | £200 - £300 |
| Medium | £250 - £400 |
| Large | £400 - £650 |
For sizable projects spanning touch-ups to several rooms, decorators might agree on more economical rates, costing £300-£500.
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.
The paint pot is filled with a multitude of variables that can stir the price tag in different directions.
Where you live also colors the numbers - you won't be surprised to hear that interior decorators in London costs more. Here's a sample palette of average prices across the UK:
| Location | Average cost (per medium-sized room) |
| London | £250-£400 per day |
| South East | £200-£350 per day |
| North | £160-£250 per day |
| Midlands | £180-£300 per day |
| Scotland | £180-£270 |
| Wales | £150-£240 per day |
| Northern Ireland | £150-£230 per day |
Want to know how much painting and decorating costs where you live? Find local painters and decorators now.
Each kind of decorating adds its own texture to the cost palette. Let's delve into some key types.
| Job | Price range | Time to complete job |
| Hallway and stair repainting | £450 - £650 | 1 to 2 days |
| Room wallpapering | £250 - £500 | 2 to 3 days |
| Medium room repainting | £250 - £400 | 1 to 2 days |
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-£200 per day, excluding materials.
If you’re adding a statement wall, the cost can range from £100-£300, depending on the material and intricacy.
Faux finishes, such as marbleizing or ragging, come at a premium, adding £150-£250 per project.
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 £10-£20 each, but they are 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 £15-£60, 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 and Ball will cost more than DIY shop own-brands.
Wallpaper prices hang between £10-£30 per roll for standard papers. Premium or designer papers can span £40-£150 per roll.
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.
Like choosing the right color for your walls, selecting a decorator should mesh with your budget and vision.
A decorator’s portfolio can not 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.
With this comprehensive UK price guide, you’re now equipped to embark on your painting and decorating journey. Ready to breathe new life into your home? Transform your rooms with a trusted interior painter and decorator on Bark.
The average rating for Bark Painters & Decorators is 4.77, based on 526,098 reviews
5/5
based on 526,098 reviews
