Painting and decorating cost in London (2026)

Prices reviewed November 2026

The typical price in London is £200 to £450 (paint a room). Painting is priced by the room or the day, and preparation is a big part of the time.

💷 Typical painting and decorating prices in London

Typical London prices in 2026. A guide only; your quotes will depend on the job.
Paint a room	£200 to £450
Handyman hourly rate	£35 to £60 per hour

What changes the price

The size and height of the rooms.
The condition of walls and woodwork.
The number of coats and the colour.
Moving furniture and protecting floors.
Whether paint and materials are supplied.

How long it takes

Painting a room usually takes one to two days, including preparation. A whole flat takes about a week.

How to pay less

Move small items out of the room so work starts straight away.
Keep the same colour family: dark-to-light changes need more coats.
Do all rooms in one go for a better price.

Before you hire

Ask how many coats are included and who buys the paint.
Ask how they prepare the walls, such as filling, sanding and masking.
Ask them to protect floors and furniture, and to move small items back afterwards.
Agree the rooms, the colours and the finish in writing.

💬 Questions about painting and decorating costs

Do I buy the paint?

Either way works. Many decorators can supply it, and it helps to agree the colour and finish first.

How long does it take to paint a room in London?

A standard room is often one to two days including preparation. Ceilings, woodwork and two coats add time.

What affects the price?

The size of the room, the condition of the walls, the number of coats and how much furniture needs moving.

Is it cheaper to buy the paint myself?

Sometimes, but decorators often get trade prices. Ask for a quote with and without materials to compare.

Get painting and decorating quotes

Use these figures to plan your budget, then compare written quotes for the same work. Your price depends on the job, the size of your home and how soon you need it. Tell us what you need to request up to 3 local quotes; responses depend on availability.