Painter & Decorator Prices in London (2026)
Updated October 2026 · 6 min read
Decorator prices in London vary more than almost any other trade. Day rates, room-by-room fixed prices, and whole-property quotes all appear in the same market, and they are rarely quoting the same scope. Understanding how decorators price their work — and what each method does and does not include — is the only way to compare quotes fairly.
This guide covers typical painter and decorator prices in London for 2026: day rates, per-room costs, and whole-property figures. It explains what moves the price up or down, and how to make sure you are comparing quotes on a like-for-like basis.
Painter and decorator prices in London (2026)
The figures below are typical market ranges for London and the South East. Day rates apply when the decorator prices by time; per-room figures are fixed prices where the decorator has assessed the room in person. Materials (paint, primer, filler, sandpaper) are usually additional unless the quote explicitly states all-in.
| Work type | Typical cost (London & South East) |
|---|---|
| Day rate | £280 – £460 per day |
| Small room (e.g. box room, WC) | £420 – £580 |
| Medium bedroom | £480 – £700 |
| Large room (reception, master bedroom) | £750 – £1,300+ |
| Ceiling only | £150 – £320 |
| Whole 2-bed home | £2,300 – £4,500 |
Per-room prices typically cover labour only. Materials (paint, primer, filler) are usually quoted separately unless stated all-in. Prices are typical market ranges, not quotes.
Day rate versus per-room fixed price
Most experienced decorators prefer to quote a fixed price per room after seeing it in person. This protects both sides: the decorator prices the actual condition of the walls rather than guessing, and you know the cost before work starts.
Day rate pricing is more common for smaller jobs — a single ceiling, touch-ups, or jobs where the scope cannot easily be estimated in advance. If a decorator quotes a day rate without seeing the room, ask how many days they are estimating and get that figure in writing. Day rate jobs have a tendency to expand.
For any job covering more than one room, a fixed price is almost always preferable. It removes the risk of a job running long, gives you a number to compare with other quotes, and means the decorator is incentivised to work efficiently.
What affects the cost of decorating in London
1. Wall condition and prep required
Preparation is the largest variable in decorator pricing. A room with freshly skimmed plaster, no existing coats to key, and no cracks requires a primer and finish coat. A room with 40 years of layered paint, hairline cracks across the plaster, and peeling woodwork requires stripping, filling, sanding, spot priming, and possibly a full skim before any finish coat goes on. The room size may be the same; the prep cost is entirely different.
When getting a quote, always ask the decorator to specify the prep scope explicitly. If it is not listed, it is either included at a rough estimate or not included at all — and you will only find out which when the invoice arrives.
2. Number of coats specified
A single coat of finish paint over a primed surface will look different from two coats, and two coats will perform differently from three. On bare plaster, most quality finishes require at least a mist coat plus two finish coats. On previously painted walls in good condition, two coats of the right product is usually sufficient. Always ask what is being quoted: if the decorator is quoting one coat and you are expecting two, the prices are not comparable.
3. Ceiling height and access
Standard 2.4m ceilings in modern properties are quick to work around. Period London properties with 3m+ ceilings, elaborate coving, or stairwells requiring tall ladders or scaffolding take proportionally longer. A stairwell that would take half a day in a modern house may take two days in a Victorian terrace. If your property has high ceilings or complex access, expect this to be reflected in the price.
4. Paint specification
The choice of paint significantly affects both cost and time. Dulux Trade or Crown Trade products are reliable workhorses that cover well in two coats on most surfaces. Farrow & Ball and premium chalk finishes often require an additional coat for full coverage, take longer to dry between coats, and cost more per litre. If you want a premium paint, budget for the additional coat and drying time — and confirm the decorator is experienced with that product.
5. Feature walls, special finishes, and colour changes
A single-colour room in one sheen level is the simplest quote to write and the fastest to execute. Every additional colour, every sheen change, every feature wall, and every specialist finish (limewash, clay paint, venetian plaster) adds time and cost. This is not a reason to avoid them — but it is worth knowing the cost before committing to the specification at quote stage.
How to keep decorating costs down
- Ask for a fixed price after an in-person visit. A decorator who quotes without visiting cannot price the prep accurately. A fixed price from a site visit is more reliable than a day rate estimate from a phone call.
- Supply the paint yourself. If you have a specific colour in mind, buy it and ask for a labour-only price. You may save on materials and you retain control of the product specification.
- Group rooms into one visit. Setup, protection, and equipment preparation take time regardless of how many rooms are being decorated. Doing three rooms in one booking is almost always cheaper per room than booking them separately.
- Agree the prep scope in writing before work starts. Prep is where vague quotes become expensive surprises. If the decorator says “prep as required”, ask them to specify what that means for each room. An explicit prep scope protects both sides.
- Keep the specification simple where it matters less. Spare bedrooms, utility rooms, and storage spaces do not need the same specification as a main reception room. Using the same premium product throughout a whole house when only the living areas will be seen adds cost without proportional benefit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to decorate a room in London?
A medium bedroom — ceiling, walls, and woodwork — typically takes one to two days for a professional decorator, depending on the prep required. A freshly plastered room may need an additional primer coat and drying time before finish coats can go on. High-ceilinged reception rooms, stairwells, or rooms with extensive cornicing will take longer than a standard 2.4m ceiling.
Do London decorators charge more than elsewhere in the UK?
Yes. London day rates for painters and decorators typically run £280–£460, compared with roughly £230–£355 elsewhere in the UK. Costs also vary within London — inner-city areas and boroughs with parking restrictions add travel and logistics time to every job, which is reflected in the rate. Always confirm whether the quote includes travel time.
What should a decorator's quote include?
At minimum: the surfaces being decorated, the prep scope (filling, sanding, priming), the paint specified by product and sheen level, the number of coats for each surface, protection of floors and furniture, and a clear split between labour and materials. If the quote does not specify the number of coats or prep scope, ask — these are the two biggest drivers of both cost and quality.
Is it worth hiring a professional decorator for interior work?
For a single room in good condition with a simple brief, a competent DIYer can achieve reasonable results. For period properties, freshly skimmed plaster, high-traffic areas, or anything requiring a consistent finish across multiple rooms, a professional will achieve a more durable result using better preparation methods. The prep — not the paint — is where most of the difference shows up.
How do I compare decorator quotes fairly?
Ask each decorator to quote against the same specification: the same paint brand, product, and sheen level; the same number of coats for each surface; prep included or explicitly excluded; and the same rooms in scope. Without a common specification, comparing quotes by price alone is not a comparison — it is a way to choose the cheaper scope and discover the difference on site.
Core Build Group · London
Room painting from £200.
Fixed price after a free survey. Prep scope agreed in writing before work starts.
View our decorating service →Sources: Fantastic Services cost guides 2026; Trade2Base pricing guides 2026. All prices shown are typical market ranges, not quotes. Actual costs depend on specification, prep scope, access, and location within London. Always obtain a written fixed-price quote after a site visit.