Painting & Decorating

What Does a Painter and Decorator Do?

Painters and decorators transform the appearance of your home by applying paint, wallpaper, and specialist finishes to interior and exterior surfaces. Typical interior work includes preparing and painting walls and ceilings, glossing woodwork such as skirting boards and door frames, hanging wallpaper (including more technical jobs with feature walls or complex pattern matching), and applying specialist finishes such as eggshell or Farrow & Ball-style chalky paints. Exterior work includes painting or staining timber fascias, rendering, and masonry, as well as applying weatherproof coatings to windows and doors.

Good preparation is the hallmark of a quality decorator — filling cracks, sanding surfaces, and applying the correct primer makes a significant difference to the durability and finish of any paint job.

Typical Costs in the UK

Painters and decorators usually charge between £130 and £200 per day for labour. Decorating a standard double bedroom (including walls, ceiling, and woodwork) typically costs £300–£600 in labour. A full interior redecoration of a three-bedroom house can range from £2,000 to £5,000 depending on the level of preparation required and the number of rooms. Exterior painting of a semi-detached house runs from £800 to £2,500. Materials are usually charged separately or built into a fixed-price quote.

How to Choose the Right Decorator

Ask to see photographs of previous work, particularly for specialist finishes or wallpaper hanging. A professional decorator will always survey the job in person before quoting, as preparation requirements and the condition of existing surfaces vary enormously. Look for membership of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA), whose members agree to a code of practice. Make sure the quote specifies how many coats will be applied and whether materials are included. Reputable decorators typically book up several weeks in advance, so be wary of those immediately available at short notice.