Find the right painter / decorator

A professional painter and decorator is essential for transforming the look and feel of your home while ensuring long-term protection for your surfaces. Beyond simply applying a fresh coat of colour, these tradespeople are masters of preparation, ensuring that walls, ceilings, and woodwork are perfectly smooth and durable.

In the UK, our homes face unique challenges, from damp-prone Victorian masonry to the settlement cracks of new builds. A skilled decorator understands which products to use for different substrates, whether you are looking for a flawless emulsion finish in a lounge, moisture-resistant paint for a bathroom, or weather-shielding masonry paint for your exterior.

Hiring a decorator saves you the significant time and physical effort required for a high-quality finish. They bring specialist equipment, such as industrial sanders with dust extraction, high-reach ladders, and professional-grade sprayers, to achieve results that are difficult to replicate with DIY tools.

What to Expect When Hiring a Painter / Decorator

A typical decorating project follows a structured process to ensure a professional result. Here is what you can expect from the moment you make contact:

• Site Visit and Assessment: The decorator will inspect the condition of your walls, ceilings, and woodwork to identify any repairs needed before painting begins.
• Detailed Quotation: You should receive a breakdown of costs, including materials (paint, primer, filler) and labour, along with an estimated timeframe.
• Surface Preparation: This is the most critical stage. It involves stripping old wallpaper, filling cracks or holes, sanding surfaces smooth, and washing down walls to remove grease.
• Protection: Decorators will move or cover furniture and lay heavy-duty drop cloths or "sticky plastic" to protect your flooring and carpets.
• Priming and Undercoating: Applying the necessary base layers to ensure the topcoat adheres properly and the colour remains vibrant.
• Topcoat Application: Applying multiple coats of emulsion, eggshell, or gloss using brushes, rollers, or sprayers for a uniform finish.
• Wallpapering: Precision cutting and hanging of patterned, textured, or lining papers, ensuring seamless joins.
• Snagging and Cleanup: A final walk-through to ensure every edge is "cut in" perfectly, followed by a thorough clean of the work area.

Why Hire a Professional?

While painting is a popular DIY task, the difference between a "home job" and a professional finish is usually stark. Professionals spend roughly 70% of their time on preparation, which is the secret to a finish that doesn't peel or flake within a year.

Technical Expertise: Professionals understand the chemistry of paint. They know which primers prevent "bleed-through" from stains and which finishes are best for high-traffic areas like hallways. They also have the skill to hang expensive, high-end wallpapers where a single mistake can be a costly waste of material.

Safety and Regulations: For exterior work, professionals are experienced in working at height using scaffolding or specialist ladders. While there are no mandatory "Part P" style licences for decorators, many are members of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or are CSCS certified, ensuring they follow strict health and safety protocols, especially when dealing with older properties that may contain lead-based paints.

Typical Costs

Pricing for decorating varies based on the condition of the surfaces and your location in the UK (London and the SE will typically be at the higher end). Most decorators provide a fixed quote for the entire job, though some may work on a day rate.

Service	Low £	High £	Notes
Small Room (Walls & Ceiling)	£350	£600	Excludes woodwork; 1-2 days work.
Medium Room (Inc. Woodwork)	£600	£1,100	Includes doors, skirting, and radiators.
Wallpapering (Per Wall)	£150	£300	Labour only; depends on pattern complexity.
Exterior Painting (3-Bed Semi)	£1,500	£3,500	Depends on scaffolding requirements.
Daily Labour Rate	£200	£350	Per person; varies by region.

Prices generally include standard trade-quality paint. If you opt for designer brands like Farrow & Ball or Little Greene, expect to pay a premium for materials. Extensive "making good" of blown plaster or heavy sanding will also increase the labour time and total cost.

How to Choose the Right Painter / Decorator

Finding a reliable decorator requires more than just looking for the lowest price. Quality of finish and trustworthiness are paramount when someone is working inside your home for several days.

• Check Portfolios: Look for high-resolution photos of recent work. Pay close attention to the "cutting in" around ceilings and skirting boards.
• Verify Insurance: Ensure they have Public Liability Insurance (at least £1m-£2m) to cover any accidental damage to your property.
• Trade Associations: Look for membership in the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or schemes like TrustMark, which vet tradespeople for quality.
• Detailed Quotes: A professional should specify how many coats of paint they will apply and exactly what preparation work is included.
• Ask about Dust Management: Good decorators use "dustless sanding" systems to keep your home clean and protect your health.

3 Questions to ask before hiring:

1. "How much of the total time will be spent on surface preparation versus painting?"
2. "Do you include the cost of all materials and VAT in your initial quote?"
3. "What brand and type of paint do you recommend for this specific room/surface?"

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to paint a standard room?

A standard 12ft x 12ft room usually takes between 2 and 4 days. This allows for preparation, drying time between coats, and painting the woodwork (skirting, doors, and window frames). Wallpapering an accent wall typically adds half a day.

Do I need to buy the paint myself?

Most decorators prefer to supply the paint using their trade accounts. Trade-grade paint is often higher quality (better opacity and durability) than retail versions. However, if you have already purchased a specific designer brand, most will be happy to use it, though they may adjust their labour rate accordingly.

Should I move my furniture before they arrive?

Yes, it is best to move small items and breakables out of the room. Large furniture should be moved to the centre of the room and covered. While many decorators will help move heavy items, it is best to agree on this beforehand as it can add to the labour time.

What is the best time of year for exterior painting?

In the UK, exterior painting is best done between late April and September. The temperature needs to be consistently above 8°C, and the surface must be completely dry. Avoid painting in direct, scorching sunlight or when rain is forecast within 24 hours.