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.
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.
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.
Get 3 Free Decorator Quotes
We'll match you with 3 PDA-accredited or Dulux Select decorators in your area. Compare quotes, paint specs, coat counts and prep schedules side-by-side. No obligation.
Get My 3 Free Quotes →