Find the right decorator

A professional decorator is the final touch in any home improvement project, turning a construction site or a tired room into a polished, liveable space. While many UK homeowners consider painting a DIY task, a professional decorator brings a level of precision, speed, and durability that is difficult to achieve without years of experience.

Beyond simply applying paint, decorators are experts in surface preparation, wallpaper hanging, and specialist finishes. Whether you are looking to refresh a single bedroom, update your exterior masonry, or create an intricate feature wall with high-end wallcoverings, a skilled decorator ensures a flawless result that protects your home’s surfaces.

What to Expect When Hiring a Decorator

Hiring a decorator involves more than just picking a colour. A professional will manage the entire process to ensure the finish is smooth and long-lasting. Here is what you can typically expect:

• Comprehensive Surface Preparation: This is the most critical stage, involving sanding, filling cracks, treating damp spots, and stripping old wallpaper or flaking paint.
• Interior Painting: Application of primers, undercoats, and topcoats (emulsion) to walls and ceilings using brushes, rollers, or spray systems.
• Woodwork Finishing: Preparation and painting of skirting boards, door frames, window sills, and radiators using satin, eggshell, or gloss finishes.
• Wallpapering: Expert hanging of patterned wallpaper, murals, or lining paper, ensuring perfectly matched joins and no air bubbles.
• Exterior Decoration: Painting of masonry, render, soffits, and fascias using weather-resistant specialist paints.
• Protection and Cleanliness: Professional decorators spend significant time masking off areas, using drop cloths, and employing dust extraction systems to keep your home clean.

The process usually begins with an on-site visit to assess the condition of the walls. Following this, you will receive a quote detailing the cost of labour and materials. Once the work begins, the decorator will move furniture, protect flooring, and work through the rooms systematically until the final "snagging" walk-through is complete.

Why Hire a Professional?

The difference between a DIY paint job and a professional finish is almost always in the preparation. Professionals spend 70% of their time preparing the surface, ensuring that the final coat of paint doesn't peel, crack, or highlight underlying imperfections. They have the tools to achieve perfectly straight lines at the "cut-in" points where walls meet ceilings or skirting boards.

Hiring a professional also provides access to trade-quality materials. Trade paints often have higher pigment levels and better opacity than retail versions, meaning fewer coats and a more durable finish. Furthermore, decorators are trained in the safe use of ladders and scaffolding for high-reach areas, reducing the risk of accidents in your home.

While there are no mandatory UK "licences" like Gas Safe for decorators, many belong to the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or are City & Guilds qualified. Choosing a pro means you get a guarantee on the work, saving you the time and physical strain of doing it yourself.

Typical Costs

Pricing for decorating services can vary based on your location in the UK and the condition of your walls. The following table provides estimated costs for 2025/26, including VAT and standard materials.

Service	Low £	High £	Notes
Medium Room (Walls & Ceiling)	£350	£650	Excludes woodwork; assumes 2 coats.
Full Room (inc. Woodwork)	£500	£900	Includes skirting, doors, and frames.
Wallpapering (per wall)	£150	£350	Labour only; depends on pattern complexity.
Exterior Frontage (Semi-detached)	£850	£2,200	Includes masonry and window sills.
Daily Labour Rate	£180	£320	Higher rates apply in London and SE.

Several factors affect these prices, most notably the condition of the surfaces. If a room requires extensive "making good" (plaster repairs or stripping multiple layers of old paper), the labour time will increase significantly. High-end designer paints like Farrow & Ball or Little Greene will also add to the material costs compared to trade emulsions.

How to Choose the Right Decorator

Finding a reliable decorator requires checking both their technical skill and their work ethic. Use this checklist to ensure you hire the right person for your project:

• Check Portfolios: Look for "close-up" photos of their work. Check the neatness of the edges and the smoothness of the finish on woodwork.
• Verify Insurance: Ensure they have Public Liability Insurance to cover any accidental damage to your property.
• Ask About Dust Control: Modern professionals use "dustless sanding" equipment which connects sanders to vacuums, keeping your home much cleaner.
• Look for Accreditations: Membership in the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or being a Dulux Select Decorator indicates a commitment to industry standards.
• Red Flags: Be wary of decorators who don't mention prep work, those who can "start tomorrow" (good decorators are usually booked weeks in advance), or those who only accept cash.

Questions to ask before hiring:

• Does your quote include the cost of the paint, or is that extra?
• How many coats of paint are included in this price?
• How will you protect my furniture and flooring?
• What is the expected timeframe for completion?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy the paint myself?

Most decorators prefer to supply the paint themselves as they can source high-quality trade versions and ensure they have the correct quantities. However, if you have already purchased a specific designer paint, most will be happy to use it, though they may charge a slightly different labour rate to account for the different application requirements.

How long does it take to paint a standard room?

For a standard 4x4m bedroom, a professional decorator usually takes 2 to 3 days. This allows time for the first day of preparation and priming, followed by the necessary drying times between the final coats on the walls and woodwork.

Can a decorator help me choose a colour scheme?

While some decorators offer full interior design consultations, most will provide practical advice on finishes (e.g., matte vs. silk) and show you colour charts. They can often suggest which shades work well in rooms with low natural light based on their experience in other homes.

What is "making good"?

"Making good" refers to the process of repairing minor surface damage before painting. This includes filling small holes, raking out and filling cracks, and sanding down lumps. It is the most important part of the job for achieving a professional-looking result.