Up-to-date painting & decorating prices for 2026 — low, average and high UK rates for 7 common jobs, plus what affects the price and how to hire well.
A professional painter and decorator transforms a home faster than almost any other trade — but the difference between an average finish and an excellent one lies in the preparation you never see: filling, sanding, caulking and priming. HireTrades connects you with local painters and decorators whose past work and customer reviews you can inspect before inviting anyone to quote.
| Service | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Paint a small room per room | £250 | 350 | £450 |
Paint a medium room per room | £350 | 475 | £600 |
Paint exterior (3-bed house) complete | £1,500 | 2,500 | £3,500 |
Wallpaper a room per room | £300 | 450 | £600 |
Paint a front door per door | £100 | 150 | £200 |
Strip wallpaper per room | £150 | 250 | £350 |
Full house interior (3-bed) complete | £2,000 | 3,250 | £4,500 |
Pick a job and your property size — get a 2026 estimate in seconds.
Select a service above to see your instant estimate.
Painter and decorator day rates in the UK are typically £150–£250. Painting a standard room (walls, ceiling, woodwork) costs £250–£500, a full interior repaint of a three-bedroom house £1,800–£3,500, and exterior painting of a semi-detached house £1,500–£3,500 depending on access and condition. Wallpapering usually costs £150–£280 per room plus paper. Expect prices in London and the South East to sit at the top of these ranges.
When comparing decorators, ask exactly what preparation is included: a proper quote will specify washing down, filling cracks, sanding and the number of coats. For exterior work, ask about weather contingency and how surfaces will be protected. Wallpapering is a distinct skill — if your job involves pattern-matching or lining paper, confirm the decorator does this regularly. Ask which paint brands they price for; trade-quality paint covers better and lasts longer than budget ranges, and a good decorator will tell you where it is worth spending.
HireTrades gives every decorator a public, verified review history so you can judge finish quality and reliability from real customers rather than promises. Post your job for free with room sizes and photos, receive itemised quotes from local professionals, and choose with confidence.
In 2026, paint a small room typically costs between £250 and £450 (per room) in the UK, with an average of around £350. Prices in London and the South East tend to sit at the higher end. Get multiple quotes from verified local professionals on HireTrades to find the best price for your job.
In 2026, paint a medium room typically costs between £350 and £600 (per room) in the UK, with an average of around £475. Prices in London and the South East tend to sit at the higher end. Get multiple quotes from verified local professionals on HireTrades to find the best price for your job.
In 2026, paint exterior (3-bed house) typically costs between £1,500 and £3,500 (complete) in the UK, with an average of around £2,500. Prices in London and the South East tend to sit at the higher end. Get multiple quotes from verified local professionals on HireTrades to find the best price for your job.
In 2026, wallpaper a room typically costs between £300 and £600 (per room) in the UK, with an average of around £450. Prices in London and the South East tend to sit at the higher end. Get multiple quotes from verified local professionals on HireTrades to find the best price for your job.
Guides tell you the range — real quotes tell you your price. Post your job free and compare offers from verified local painter & decorators.