How Much Does a Painter and Decorator Cost in 2026?

Redecorating is one of the most effective and affordable ways to breathe new life into your home. Whether you want to refresh a single bedroom, paint a newly renovated kitchen, or update your property's entire exterior, a professional paint finish can completely transform a space. However, high-quality painting requires meticulous preparation, wood sanding, and precision cutting-in.

In this 2026 cost guide, we detail average painter and decorator rates in the UK, typical costs by room size, wallpapering fees, and how to hire vetted local decorators on GetBuilder.

1. Average painter and decorator rates in 2026

Most painters and decorators quote based on a daily or hourly rate for standard residential jobs, or a fixed price for an entire room/project.

Here are typical UK price benchmarks for 2026:

[!TIP] London Premium: Expect decorators in London and the South East to charge day rates between £250 and £380+ due to higher overheads and travel expenses.

2. Redecoration costs by room size

To estimate the cost of painting a specific room, it is helpful to look at typical estimates that include prep, undercoats, and two coats of quality emulsion paint:

• Small Room (e.g. Box Room / Small Study): Painting the walls and ceiling typically takes a professional about 1.5 days. Labor costs range from £300 to £500, plus £50 - £80 for paint and consumables.
• Medium Room (e.g. Standard Double Bedroom): Painting walls, ceiling, and woodwork (skirting boards, door frames, windowsill) takes 2 to 3 days. Labor ranges from £500 to £850, plus £80 - £120 for materials.
• Large Room (e.g. Open-Plan Living & Dining Area): Larger spaces take 3 to 5 days, especially if walls require plaster patching or ceiling lining paper. Labor ranges from £850 to £1,500+, plus £120 - £250 for materials.

3. Key cost factors to keep in mind

• Surface Preparation: Painting is 70% preparation and 30% application. If your walls have deep cracks, holes, or peeling wallpaper, the decorator will spend a day sanding, filling, and sanding again, which increases the labor cost.
• Paint Quality: Budget retail paints require more coats to achieve full coverage. Professional decorators prefer trade paints (like Dulux Trade, Johnstones, or Leyland) or designer brands (Farrow & Ball, Little Greene) which cost £40 - £90 per 5L tub but offer better opacity and durability.
• Woodwork and Radiators: Painting wood paneling, decorative coving, sash windows, or old radiators requires specialist paints and high precision, adding £80 - £200 per item.

4. Wallpapering costs in the UK

Wallpapering is a specialist skill. Hanging wallpaper requires precise measurements, pattern matching, and air bubble removal:

• Stripping Old Wallpaper: Expect to pay £150 - £300 per room to have old wallpaper steamed off and the plaster cleaned of paste residue.
• Hanging Wallpaper: Decorators typically charge £150 to £250 per wall (or feature wall) to hang paper, assuming the wall is already prepped and smooth. Premium hand-printed wallpapers or silk coverings can cost more to hang due to the risk of damage.

Find vetted painters and decorators on GetBuilder

Hiring a professional painter saves you days of tape masking, messy rollers, and uneven coats.

With GetBuilder, you can easily connect with trusted decorators in your local area:

1. Post your requirements: Specify the rooms, wall dimensions, current condition, and location for free on GetBuilder.
2. Compare trade profiles: Match with local painters and decorators checked for active public liability insurance and portfolio quality.
3. Compare detailed estimates: Match with up to three local specialists, review paint options, and select the right professional with no success fees.