Book residential & commercial painting.

While many homeowners attempt DIY, professional decorators bring specialist equipment and years of experience in surface preparation. This guide outlines what to expect when hiring a pro, from current UK market rates to the essential regulations governing the trade.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Surface Assessment: Checking for damp, blown plaster, or wood rot that needs addressing before paint is applied.
• Preparation: Deep cleaning surfaces, stripping old wallpaper, sanding wood, and filling cracks or holes for a smooth finish.
• Protection: Laying heavy-duty dust sheets and using precision masking tape to protect flooring, furniture, and fixtures.
• Priming and Undercoating: Applying specialist base layers to ensure topcoat adhesion and block stains.
• Application: Using brushes, rollers, or HVLP sprayers to apply multiple coats of emulsion, eggshell, or gloss.
• Snagging and Cleanup: Final inspections to ensure crisp lines and a thorough site clear-up, including the removal of all waste.

Typical Costs

Pricing for painting and decorating varies significantly based on your location in the UK and the condition of the walls. Preparation work often accounts for 60-70% of the total labour time.

Prices generally include VAT if the contractor is VAT-registered. Always clarify if the quote includes the cost of the paint itself or if you are expected to provide it.

How Long Does It Take?

• Small Bedroom/Office: 1–2 days (including drying time between coats).
• Average 3-Bedroom House (Internal): 5–8 days depending on the number of decorators.
• External Masonry: 3–5 days (heavily dependent on UK weather conditions).
• Feature Wall Wallpapering: 3–5 hours.

DIY or Professional?

Painting is the most common DIY task, but the "pro finish" is difficult to replicate without the right tools. Professionals use industrial sanders with dust extraction, high-end fillers that don't shrink, and trade-grade paints that offer better coverage and durability than retail versions.

For commercial properties or rental HMOs, hiring a professional is often a legal or insurance requirement to ensure fire-rated coatings are applied correctly.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Credentials: Look for membership in the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or the British Decorators Association.
• Insurance: Ensure they hold Public Liability Insurance (minimum £1 million) to cover any accidental damage to your property.
• Ask for Portfolios: A reputable decorator will have a gallery of recent local work or a social media profile showcasing their finishes.
• Key Questions:
  • How many coats of paint are included in the quote?
  • What brand of paint do you typically use?
  • How do you handle furniture moving and protection?
  • Is waste removal included in the price?

UK Regulations

• VOC Regulations: Since 2010, UK law has strictly limited Volatile Organic Compounds in paints; your decorator should use compliant, low-odour products.
• Working at Height: Contractors must follow the Work at Height Regulations 2005, using secured ladders or scaffolding for external work.
• Lead Paint: Properties built before 1960 may contain lead paint. Professionals must follow specific safety protocols (HSE guidelines) for removal and disposal.

Common Problems

• Poor Surface Prep: Paint peeling or flaking within months usually indicates the surface wasn't cleaned or sanded properly.
• "Ropiness": Visible brush marks or roller textures caused by using cheap tools or applying paint too thickly in warm weather.
• Bleed-through: Stains from water damage or knots in wood appearing through the topcoat because a specialist primer wasn't used.
• Flashing: Uneven patches of sheen caused by failing to maintain a "wet edge" during application.

Frequently Asked Questions