House Painting Cost UK – 2026 Price Guide
How much does painting and decorating cost in the UK in 2026? This guide uses real pricing data from 519 UK towns to show realistic figures per room, for whole-house interior repaints, exterior painting and wallpapering — plus what Dulux/Johnstones Trade paints and PDA-accredited decorators actually mean for the finish.
Do you need planning permission for this?
Painting doesn't usually need planning permission. Listed buildings (any external paint colour change) and Article 4 conservation areas have strict rules — fines up to £20,000 for unauthorised work.
Read the house painting planning rules →Painting Cost at a Glance
Typical 2026 UK prices for interior and exterior painting jobs. Decorator day rates run £180-£280/day. Paint is usually 15-25% of a job's total — labour dominates, especially on older walls that need preparation.
Walls + ceiling + woodwork, trade paint, 1-2 days labour. Includes minor filling. Add £100-£200 if walls need full prep.
Get quotes →Typical 3-bed UK semi repaint (walls, ceilings, woodwork, trim). 5-8 days labour. Trade paint throughout.
Get quotes →Full exterior masonry paint, fascias, soffits, windows. Scaffolding may be needed (£400-£900). 4-7 days weather-dependent.
Get quotes →Painting cost depends on room size, surface condition (smooth plaster vs filled/prepped walls) and paint type. A PDA-accredited decorator can survey and quote accurately.
Get free quotes →Painting Cost by Project Type (UK 2026)
| Project | Scope | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom (3x3m) | Walls + ceiling, 2 coats | £150 – £350 | 1 day |
| Medium room (4x4m) | Walls + ceiling + woodwork | £250 – £550 | 1–2 days |
| Large living room (5x5m) | Walls + ceiling + woodwork | £400 – £800 | 2 days |
| Hallway + stairs + landing | High ceilings, trim, bannisters | £450 – £950 | 2–3 days |
| Kitchen (excluding units) | Walls + ceiling + trim | £280 – £600 | 1–2 days |
| Bathroom | Moisture-resistant paint, walls + ceiling | £200 – £450 | 1 day |
| Whole interior repaint (2-bed flat) | All rooms, ceilings, trim | £1,200 – £2,500 | 4–6 days |
| Whole interior repaint (3-bed semi) | All rooms, ceilings, trim | £1,500 – £3,500 | 5–8 days |
| Whole interior repaint (4-bed detached) | All rooms, ceilings, trim | £2,500 – £5,500 | 8–12 days |
| Exterior masonry (3-bed semi) | Render, walls, woodwork | £1,800 – £4,500 | 4–7 days |
| Exterior woodwork only | Fascias, soffits, windows, doors | £800 – £1,800 | 2–4 days |
| Wallpapering (per roll) | Standard quality, hung | £30 – £60/roll | 10-12 rolls/day |
| Wallpaper stripping | Per room | £150 – £300 | ½–1 day |
| Feature wall (hand-painted mural) | 4x3m | £400 – £1,500 | 2–5 days |
All figures include trade paint (Dulux Trade, Johnstone's Trade, Crown Trade), minor filling, light sanding, protection of carpets/furniture, and VAT. Wall preparation (full filling, sanding, priming old plaster) adds 20-40% depending on condition. Lining paper under paint adds £80-£150/room.
What's Included in a Painting Quote
A typical whole-house interior repaint breakdown. Preparation is where quality decorators earn their money — 60% of the perceived 'finish quality' comes from prep, not the paint itself.
Labour & Prep (~75%)
- Decorator labour — £1,100–£2,500 (1-2 decorators at £180-£280/day)
- Wall preparation — filling, sanding, priming
- Furniture protection + masking — included
- Carpet/floor protection — included (dust sheets, corex)
- Painting all surfaces — 2 coats standard on walls, 1-2 on ceilings
- Woodwork, skirting, doors — included (satinwood or eggshell finish)
- Clean up + waste disposal — included
Materials (~25%)
- Trade paint (matt emulsion) — £180–£450 (Dulux Trade at ~£40/5L)
- Woodwork paint — £80–£180 (Satinwood or Eggshell)
- Filler, caulk, sandpaper — £30–£80
- Primer / undercoat — £60–£140 (bare wood or stained walls)
- Rollers, brushes, trays — £30–£60
- Masking tape, dust sheets — £20–£50
- Lining paper (optional) — £50–£150 (per room if old walls)
Painting Cost by UK Region (Whole Interior Repaint, 3-bed Semi)
Painting has moderate regional variation — materials are nationally priced but decorator day rates move significantly. London decorators typically charge £250-£320/day vs £180-£220 in the Midlands.
Get Accurate Quotes for Your Painting Project
Online guides give you a benchmark — accurate pricing requires a decorator who has seen the walls, assessed the prep needed and confirmed the paint spec. BestBuilders matches you with up to 3 vetted local decorators for free.
Common Questions About Painting Costs
How much does it cost to paint a room in 2026?
A typical 4x4m UK bedroom costs £250-£550 to paint in 2026, covering walls, ceiling, woodwork and trim in two coats of trade paint. Smaller rooms (bedroom 3x3m) are £150-£350; larger rooms (living room 5x5m) £400-£800. Hallways with stairs and landings are typically £450-£950 due to the height and multiple surfaces. All prices assume standard prep (minor filling, light sanding); full prep on older walls adds 20-40%.
How much does it cost to paint a whole house?
A full interior repaint of a typical 3-bed semi costs £1,500-£3,500 in 2026 (5-8 days labour, trade paint throughout). 2-bed flat runs £1,200-£2,500; 4-bed detached £2,500-£5,500. This covers walls, ceilings, all woodwork (skirting, architraves, doors) and trim. Kitchen units, radiators, exterior elements and any structural repairs are priced separately.
Is trade paint worth the extra cost?
Yes, for any professional job. Trade paint (Dulux Trade, Johnstone's Trade, Crown Trade) has 25-40% higher pigment load than retail paint (Dulux Matt, Crown etc), giving better coverage per coat and a longer-lasting finish. A wall painted with trade paint typically needs repainting at 8-12 years; retail paint at 5-7 years. Trade paint also has better scuff resistance and washability. Cost difference is small at professional scale (£40 vs £30 per 5L) and more than paid back in extra years between repaints.
How much does exterior painting cost?
Full exterior masonry painting on a typical 3-bed semi costs £1,800-£4,500 in 2026 — covering pebbledash/render walls, fascias, soffits, window frames and front door. Scaffolding adds £400-£900 if upper-storey access is needed. Masonry paint alone is £70-£180 for a semi (trade grade). Weather-dependent — exterior work requires 5+ days of dry weather at 5°C+, which realistically means May-September in the UK. A good exterior paint job lasts 8-12 years.
Should I strip wallpaper or paint over it?
Always strip if the paper is damaged, peeling, or textured (like woodchip). Paint over only if the paper is smooth, well-adhered and in good condition — and understand the risk: moisture from emulsion can loosen old paste and cause bubbling. Professional decorators will almost always recommend stripping on anything over 15 years old. Wallpaper stripping costs £150-£300 per room including hanging lining paper afterwards.
How long does a whole-house repaint take?
A 3-bed semi full interior repaint typically takes 5-8 days with one decorator, or 3-4 days with two working as a team. The timeline includes 1-2 days of prep (moving furniture, filling, masking, sanding), 2-4 days of painting, and 1 day of snagging and cleanup. Drying time between coats is usually done overnight so doesn't add full days. Speed often correlates with corner-cutting — be wary of quotes promising a house in 2 days.
Why do painting quotes vary so much?
Differences come from: paint quality (retail £20/L vs trade £8-£12/L per coat), number of coats (2 vs 3 on dark-to-light changes), preparation depth (minor filling vs full skim repair), decorator skill level (£150/day newbie vs £280/day experienced PDA member), whether woodwork is included, whether the decorator is Dulux Select / PDA (Painting and Decorating Association) accredited, and warranty length (none vs 2-5 years). Cheapest quotes almost always cut prep or use retail paint — visible within 18-24 months.
House Painting Costs by Town
Each town page shows local PDA-accredited decorators, town-specific cost ranges, recent project examples and nearby areas. Compare 3 free quotes from vetted local painters & decorators.
How Much to Paint One Room in the UK in 2026? Per-Room Cost Table
The most-searched UK painting cost question in 2026 is "what does one room cost?" The answer depends on room size, paint quality, prep work and whether ceilings and woodwork are included. Below is the verified Q2 2026 per-room benchmark for standard 2-coat emulsion + minor prep + decorator labour.
| Room | Typical Size | Walls Only | Walls + Ceiling | Full Repaint (incl. woodwork) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom / box room | 8-10 m² | £180-280 | £250-380 | £350-550 |
| Standard double bedroom | 12-16 m² | £220-360 | £320-500 | £480-750 |
| Large master bedroom | 16-22 m² | £280-450 | £400-650 | £600-950 |
| Lounge / living room | 18-25 m² | £320-520 | £450-720 | £700-1,150 |
| Kitchen (walls only) | 10-15 m² | £250-400 | £350-550 | £500-800 |
| Bathroom (anti-mould) | 4-8 m² | £180-300 | £260-420 | £380-600 |
| Hallway + landing | 12-22 m² | £280-500 | £420-720 | £650-1,100 |
| Stairs + stairwell (tall walls) | 15-30 m² wall | £380-650 | £550-900 | £800-1,400 |
Prices assume good-condition walls (no major filling or stripping), Dulux Trade or Crown Trade matt emulsion, 2 coats. Heavy prep (wallpaper stripping, filling, sanding) adds £80-300 per room. London + South-East adds 20-30%. Premium paint brands (Farrow & Ball, Little Greene) add £40-90/room in paint cost.
How Much to Paint a Whole House in the UK in 2026? By Property Size
For "paint the whole house" projects, decorators quote either by total m² of paintable surface or by total project price. A full interior repaint of a 3-bed semi (typical UK home) costs £2,500-4,200 in 2026, taking 5-8 days. Adding exterior (gutters, fascias, render) adds £1,500-4,000. Below is the per-property-size benchmark.
| Property | Full Interior Repaint | Time (1-2 painters) | Exterior Add-On |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat / studio | £800-1,400 | 2-4 days | N/A (managed by block) |
| 2-bed flat / mid-terrace | £1,400-2,400 | 3-5 days | £800-1,800 (just front) |
| 3-bed semi (typical UK home) | £2,500-4,200 | 5-8 days | £1,500-3,200 |
| 4-bed detached | £3,500-5,800 | 7-12 days | £2,500-5,000 |
| 5-bed family / large semi | £4,500-7,500 | 10-15 days | £3,500-6,500 |
| 6+ bed / large detached | £6,000-12,000 | 12-20 days | £4,500-9,000 |
Interior repaint includes all rooms, ceilings, woodwork, internal doors (2-coat satin/eggshell), skirting and architrave. Exterior includes timber soffits, fascias, bargeboards, masonry painting where applicable. London + South-East adds 20-30%. Furniture moving and floor protection included in the day rate. Wallpaper stripping is extra (£15-25/m² wall).
Interior vs Exterior Painting: Cost, Lifespan and Weather Window in 2026
Exterior painting costs roughly 1.4× interior per m² because of access (ladders, scaffolding), surface prep (rust, render repair) and weatherproof paint cost. But exterior paint lasts longer when done correctly (8-12 years vs 4-7 years interior), so the cost-per-year-of-life is similar.
Interior Painting
Cost per m² (paintable surface): £8-14 mid-range, £14-22 premium
Lifespan: 4-7 years (high-traffic rooms 3-5)
Cost per year: £1.30-3.50 per m² per year
When to do: any time of year (heated dry interior)
Speed: 8-12 m²/hour per painter (smooth walls)
Exterior Painting
Cost per m² (paintable surface): £12-22 mid-range, £20-32 premium
Lifespan: 8-12 years (timber 6-10, masonry 10-15)
Cost per year: £1.50-3.00 per m² per year
When to do: May-Sept (consistent dry, 8°C+ overnight)
Speed: 5-8 m²/hour per painter (incl. ladder time)
Verdict: Exterior is more expensive per m² but lasts roughly twice as long, so cost-per-year is comparable. Plan exterior work for late spring or early autumn to avoid summer rush (5-8 week lead time in peak season).
Dulux vs Crown vs Farrow & Ball vs Little Greene vs Johnstone's: 2026 UK Paint Brand Costs
Paint accounts for 15-25% of a typical UK interior decorating quote. Brand choice affects coverage, depth of colour, washability and finish — and your decorator's labour is unchanged regardless of which brand you specify. Below are 2026 UK paint brand prices and where each wins.
| Brand | Trade Price /5L Matt Emulsion | RRP /2.5L Matt | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dulux Trade Matt | £38-48 | £28-36 | 14-16 m²/L | UK trade standard, widest colour range |
| Crown Trade Matt | £36-46 | £26-34 | 14-16 m²/L | Dulux alternative, slightly cheaper trade |
| Johnstone's Trade Matt | £32-42 | £22-30 | 13-15 m²/L | Budget-friendly trade, good coverage |
| Leyland Trade Matt | £28-38 | £18-26 | 12-14 m²/L | Contract / rental property repaints |
| Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion | £82-98 | £55-68 | 10-12 m²/L | Premium / heritage homes, distinctive colours |
| Little Greene Absolute Matt | £75-92 | £50-62 | 10-12 m²/L | Premium, eco-credentials, period homes |
| B&Q / Wickes own-brand | £20-30 | £12-20 | 11-13 m²/L | DIY budget, small touch-ups |
Premium paints (Farrow & Ball, Little Greene) cost roughly 2-3× more per litre and cover 15-20% less area — so paint cost per room can double. For a 14 m² double bedroom in mid-range trade paint: £35-55 paint cost. Same room in F&B: £100-150 paint cost. Decorator labour unchanged.
DIY Painting vs Hiring a Decorator: 2026 Cost & Time Comparison
For a typical 3-bed UK semi interior repaint, DIY costs roughly £600-900 in materials and consumes 60-90 hours of your time. A professional decorator does the same job for £2,500-4,200 in 5-8 days. The decision turns on your hourly value, the quality you'll accept, and whether prep work (filling, sanding, sealing) is in scope.
DIY Approach
Material cost (3-bed): £600-900 (paint + brushes + rollers + filler + dust sheets + masking tape)
Time: 60-90 hours over 3-6 weekends
Hidden costs: £80-200 in equipment if buying ladders, extension poles, paint sprayer (saved if borrowed)
Quality outcome: highly variable — depends entirely on prep work + technique. First-time DIY repaints often show roller marks, missed cutting-in.
Professional Decorator
Total cost (3-bed): £2,500-4,200 (typically 65-75% labour, 25-35% materials)
Time: 5-8 working days; house liveable from week 2
Day rate: £180-260/day per painter outside London; £220-350/day in London + South-East
Quality: PDA-accredited or Dulux Select decorators deliver consistent professional finish with full prep, 2 coats minimum, neat cutting-in.
2026 verdict: If you value your time at £20+/hour, DIY isn't economic for whole-house painting. For one or two rooms (especially low-traffic bedrooms), DIY makes sense. For lounges, hallways, stairwells (high-visibility, complex prep) and the whole-house repaint, a professional decorator typically delivers better cost-per-year-of-finish than DIY.
House Painting Cost FAQs · UK 2026
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