How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room in the UK?
Typical UK prices to have a room painted by a decorator, what pushes the cost up or down, and how to compare quotes fairly before you book.
Paying someone to paint a room is one of the most common decorating jobs, yet quotes can look wildly different for what seems like the same work. The gap usually comes down to how much preparation is included, how many coats are being applied, and whether the price covers materials.
This guide explains what typically drives the price, gives realistic ballpark figures, and shows you how to compare like with like.
Typical prices
Prices vary by region (London and the South East are usually higher), room size and the condition of the walls. As a rough guide, many decorators charge around:
| Room | Typical labour-only range |
|---|---|
| Small bedroom or box room | £150 to £300 |
| Average double bedroom | £250 to £450 |
| Living room | £300 to £550 |
| Kitchen (walls and ceiling) | £250 to £500 |
| Bathroom | £200 to £400 |
These figures typically cover walls and ceiling in a plain emulsion with one or two coats. Woodwork, radiators and doors are often priced separately. Paint is usually extra unless the quote says otherwise, and it commonly adds £40 to £100 per room depending on quality and quantity.
What changes the price
Room size and ceiling height
A larger wall area means more time and more paint. High ceilings, stairwells or double-height spaces may need scaffold towers or extra equipment, which adds cost.
Condition of the surfaces
Flat, sound walls are quick to paint. Cracks, holes, flaking paint, stained patches or old wallpaper that needs stripping all add hours. If the quote assumes "light filling" and your walls need more, expect a revised price.
Number of coats and colour change
Going from a dark colour to a pale one, or painting over a fresh repair, often needs an extra coat or a primer. A decorator who prices for two coats and allows for a primer on patches is giving a more realistic figure than one who prices a single coat.
Woodwork and detail
Skirting boards, architraves, doors and window frames are slower than walls because they need careful cutting in and a more durable finish. Gloss or satin systems also need longer drying time between coats. See our guide to preparing woodwork for painting for what proper prep involves.
Day rate or fixed price?
Some decorators quote a day rate, others a fixed price per room or per job. A fixed price gives you certainty; a day rate can be fair if the scope is uncertain. For rates, see decorator day rates in the UK.
How to keep costs sensible
- Clear the room of small furniture and take pictures off the walls before the decorator arrives. Our room preparation checklist covers this.
- Be clear on colour choices before the day. Changing your mind part-way means extra coats.
- Group jobs. Painting two or three rooms in one visit is usually better value than separate visits.
- Decide what is in scope: ceiling, woodwork, radiators, doors.
- Buy the paint yourself only if you are confident of the quantity and finish, or agree this with the decorator first.
Questions to ask when you get a quote
- Is the price for labour only, or does it include paint and sundries?
- How many coats are included?
- Is the ceiling included?
- What preparation is included, such as filling, sanding and caulking?
- Will furniture be moved and floors protected?
- What happens if extra repairs are found?
If you send a request through Compito, you can describe the room, the finish and any prep needed, then compare the offers that come back and message providers to clarify details before accepting.
A worked example: the same bedroom, three ways
Take an average double bedroom. Walls only in a plain emulsion, two coats, no repairs: perhaps £250 to £350 in labour. Walls and ceiling with light filling: around £300 to £450. Walls, ceiling and woodwork, with skirting, door and frame in satin: roughly £450 to £700, because woodwork takes time. Paint adds about £40 to £100. The point is that the label "paint a room" covers very different jobs, which is why quotes for the same room can look far apart.
Extras that are often priced separately
| Extra | Why it adds cost |
|---|---|
| Stripping wallpaper | Slow and messy, often an extra half to full day |
| Skimming or patch plastering | A different trade or specialist |
| Radiators and pipework | Fiddly, needs prep and special paint |
| Built-in wardrobes and shelving | Many surfaces |
| Moving heavy furniture | Extra labour or protection |
| High ceilings | Needs tower or longer reach |
Common mistakes when budgeting
- Assuming the quote includes paint. Check.
- Ignoring the cost of a colour change. A strong shade over a pale wall may need more coats.
- Choosing a cheap quote with no detail. Vague quotes lead to disputes later.
- Not budgeting for repairs. A hairline crack can turn into a day of filling.
Rented and sale properties
A landlord or seller usually wants a durable, neutral finish done quickly. Lower sheen emulsion in a light neutral hides marks and is easy to touch up. Talk to the decorator about turnaround times, as short jobs may need pre-booked slots.
Regional and seasonal variation
London and the South East are usually higher than the North of England, Scotland or Wales. Pre-Christmas and pre-summer periods are busy for many decorators, so booking outside peak times may help with availability.
How to sanity-check a price
Divide the quote by the number of days the decorator says it will take. If the day rate implied looks very low or very high compared with local norms, ask why. For more, see decorator day rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to paint a room myself?
Usually, yes, in cash terms. You pay only for paint and tools, which for an average room might be £50 to £120. The trade-off is your time, the risk of a patchy finish, and the cost of redoing mistakes. For a quick refresh of a plain room, DIY is realistic; for high ceilings, stairs or detailed woodwork, a decorator often delivers a better result.
Do decorators charge extra for ceilings?
Some include ceilings in a room price, others quote them separately. Ask for it to be itemised. Ceilings are slower than walls because of the awkward angle and the need for a clean, even finish.
Why is one quote so much cheaper than the others?
It may exclude paint, prep or a second coat, or assume surfaces are in perfect condition. Ask the lower-priced provider exactly what is covered before assuming it is better value.