Painter and Decorator Prices in London: 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about painter and decorator prices in London, from daily rates to full property quotes in 2026.
If you're researching painter and decorator prices in London, the biggest challenge is separating realistic quotes from headline numbers that leave out key costs. This 2026 guide gives practical London ranges, explains what moves the price up or down, and shows you how to compare quotes fairly before booking.
Updated: March 2026.
Quick Answer: Typical Painter and Decorator Costs in London (2026)
- Day rate (London): £180–£280 per decorator
- Single bedroom: £300–£500
- Double bedroom: £400–£650
- Living room: £450–£800
- Hall, stairs and landing: £450–£850
- Full 3-bed interior: £3,500–£6,500
- Full 3-bed exterior: £1,500–£4,000
These are planning ranges, not final quotations. The actual figure depends on surface preparation, access, finish standard, and the specific scope of work agreed.
External Benchmarks
For an independent reference point, the MyBuilder 2026 cost guide places typical painter and decorator day rates in a broad UK range, with London consistently at the higher end due to travel time, parking, and living costs. Our pricing sits within this range.
Why Do Quotes Differ So Much?
1. Preparation Standard
Filling, sanding, stain blocking, caulking, and proper masking all take significant time. Quotes that look cheap almost always reduce preparation time — and preparation is where finish quality fails first. A decorator who skips proper prep will produce a job that looks acceptable on day one but starts to deteriorate within 12–18 months.
2. Scope Definition
Always confirm whether woodwork, radiators, doors, ceilings, and minor repairs are included. Two quotes can describe "painting the living room" but include very different workloads. Get a written scope before comparing prices.
3. Number of Coats
A quality result is built on proper preparation plus two solid finishing coats. Major colour changes, dark-to-light transitions, or problem surfaces may require an additional coat. Confirm the coat count in writing before work begins.
4. Access and Logistics
Stairwells, high ceilings, parking restrictions, and working-hour constraints — all common across London — add labour time and therefore cost. A quote for a flat with a lift is different from a Victorian terrace with a narrow staircase.
Room-by-Room Budget Planning
Use these figures as a starting point when planning a project in East London:
- Bathroom: £250–£450 (ventilation prep and damp-resistant finish important)
- Kitchen: £350–£600 (grease removal and priming add time)
- Front reception room: £500–£850 (especially with detailed woodwork and cornicing)
- Hallway, stairs, landing: £450–£850 (access difficulties and height add time)
- Full 3-bedroom house interior: £3,500–£6,500
- Full 3-bedroom house exterior: £1,500–£4,000
- Wallpaper hanging: add £150–£350 per room depending on pattern matching and wall condition
If your walls need heavy preparation or old wallpaper removal, ask for those as separate line items so you can compare like-for-like across quotes.
How to Compare Quotes Properly
When you receive multiple quotes, use this checklist to compare them fairly:
- Ask for a written scope listing preparation steps by room and surface
- Confirm the number of coats and finish level (matt, eggshell, satinwood)
- Clarify whether materials are included or excluded
- Confirm floor and furniture protection and end-of-day clean-up
- Verify public liability insurance and a workmanship guarantee
- Confirm payment schedule and any deposit required
A low headline price without this detail is a risk. Unexpected extras added mid-job are the most common source of dispute between homeowners and tradespeople in London.
Why Cheap Quotes Often Cost More
A decorator charging significantly below the market rate in London is either cutting preparation time, using fewer coats, or working without insurance. All three create problems — a poor finish, a job that needs redoing within two years, or no protection if something goes wrong. The cost of repainting a poorly prepared room is always higher than paying a fair rate the first time.
How We Price at Paez Brothers
For each project in East Ham and across East London, we provide an itemised quote covering:
- Preparation requirements by room and surface type
- Coat count and finish specification
- Floor and furniture protection included
- Project duration estimate
- Optional extras shown separately so you can add or remove them
There are no hidden costs added after the quote is agreed. What we quote is what you pay.
Get a Fixed Quote for Your Property
If you want a precise figure for your home — not just a planning range — request a free, no-obligation quote from Paez Brothers. We cover East Ham, E6, and all surrounding East London postcodes. We'll visit your property, assess the work, and give you a detailed written quote with no pressure to book.
