How Much Does Exterior Painting & Decorating Cost in 2026? (UK)
Exterior painting and decorating in 2026 UK costs £2,800–£6,800 for a typical 3-bed semi (~80m² of exterior wall, soffits and fascias). The cost driver isn't the paint — it's prep, scaffolding and surface condition. A heavily flaking pebbledash semi can hit £8,500; a tidy modern render with low scaffolding sits at £2,200. This guide breaks down the 2026 cost ladder by house size and surface, the prep multipliers that double quotes, and the 5 line items that should appear on every fair painter's quote.
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Exterior painting cost by job — 2026
The figures from this page, as a table: the typical 3-bed semi job and the add-ons that move it.
| Job | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 3-bed semi (~80m²) | £2,800–£6,800 | the headline job |
| Scaffolding, 3-bed semi (2 weeks) | £900–£1,800 | |
| Scaffolding, tall Victorian / detached | £1,800–£3,500 | |
| Heavy prep & masonry repair | £900–£2,800 | flaking or damaged render |
| Fascias, soffits & gutter line | £450–£900 | full uPVC clean and paint |
| Bargeboards, sand & prime | £200–£500 | bare timber |
The 6 Things That Drive Exterior Painting Cost
1. Surface condition
Sound paint needs a wash and 2 coats. Flaking, blown render or chalking surfaces need stripping, masonry repair and stabilising primer — adds £900–£2,800 to a 3-bed semi.
2. Scaffolding & access
Single-storey or low-tower work: £150–£400. Full 3-bed semi scaffold: £900–£1,800 for 2 weeks. Tall Victorian or detached: £1,800–£3,500. Worth getting separate scaffold quotes.
3. Surface type
Smooth render is cheapest per m². Pebbledash uses 50–80% more paint. Timber cladding needs full sand, prime and 3 coats. Brick rarely needs paint (and shouldn't).
4. Paint quality
Trade silicone-based masonry paint (15-yr life) adds £180–£320 vs basic acrylic (5-yr life). Lifetime cost-per-year is roughly half. Always ask which brand and product line.
5. Number of coats & primer
Fair UK spec: stabilising primer + 2 topcoats. Cheap quotes drop to 1 topcoat — visibly thin within 2 winters. Insist on the primer-and-two-coat line in writing.
6. Trim, soffits & gutters
Often quoted separately. Full uPVC clean + paint of fascia/soffit/gutter line adds £450–£900 on a semi. Bare-timber bargeboards add another £200–£500 for sand & prime.
Exterior painting costs compared
Where this job sits against the other painting & decorating jobs, on 2026 UK prices. Your own quote depends on size, access and spec.
Common Questions
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Painting & Decorating Cost UK 2026
Full UK pricing for interior and exterior jobs in 2026.
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