Make the surface ready
Agree protection, minor filling, sanding and the right preparation for the existing surface. Wallpaper removal, substantial repairs and stain blocking are separate tasks.
PAINTERS & DECORATORS · LONDON & ESSEX
Painting & decorating
in London & Essex.
Interior and exterior painting, from a single room to a complete home. See clear labour rates for preparation, walls, ceilings, doors and woodwork.
COLOUR IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
A beautiful finish
starts underneath.
Bring the room together
Walls, ceilings, doors, skirting and windows each need the appropriate finish. Sample colours in the room and agree the paint, sheen and number of coats before work begins.
Complete the picture
Consider the door frames, stair details and exterior woodwork alongside the main walls. A clear schedule prevents the smaller elements being missed.
18 TASKS / A CLEARER BUDGET
Painting & decorating
price guide.
All prices below are labour only, excluding VAT. Paint, wallpaper, consumables, access equipment and repairs are additional unless explicitly stated.
Download painting pricesIndicative proposed rates for London & Essex, not a fixed quotation. Dimensions, condition, access, preparation and specification determine the final price. Per-m² rates use actual surface area. Room packages replace equivalent task prices — do not add them twice.
Walls — two finish coats
Labour on sound prepared wall surfaces. Paint and significant preparation extra.
£9–15per m²
Ceilings — two finish coats
Labour on sound prepared ceiling, normal height. Paint and preparation extra.
£10–17per m²
Strip wallpaper
Labour to remove one standard layer; disposal, lining and underlying repairs extra.
£5–10per m²
Prepare and paint internal door
Both faces of a standard door; frame, paint, stripping and major repairs extra.
£65–110per door
Prepare and paint skirting
Labour, light preparation and two coats; paint and stripping extra.
£5–9per linear m
Bedroom repaint package
Alternative to per-m² painting: typical 12 m² floor area, 2.4 m ceiling, walls and ceiling, light preparation. Paint and woodwork extra; do not add wall/ceiling rates again.
£450–750per room
Staircase preparation & painting
Labour for a standard straight 12–14 step flight including balustrade. Paint, carpet removal and structural repairs extra.
£700–1,300per flight
Filling & sanding before painting
Labour for minor surface defects on otherwise sound walls. Filler, abrasive materials, major cracks, full skim and stripping extra.
£5–10per m²
Mist coat to new plaster
Labour to apply one suitable first coat to fully dried plaster. Paint and finish coats extra; not a substitute for surface repairs.
£3–5per m²
Local stain-blocking coat
Labour for one coat on a dry, repaired substrate. Primer extra; active damp, leak repair and mould remediation excluded.
£4–7per m²
Paint door frame & architrave
Labour for both sides of one standard internal frame: light preparation and two coats. Paint, stripping and repairs extra.
£35–60per opening
Paint timber window — one face
Labour on one accessible face of a standard timber window, light preparation and two finish coats. Paint, stripping, rot repairs and access equipment extra.
£80–140per window face
Paint standard radiator
Labour for accessible in-situ radiator, preparation and two suitable coats. Paint, removal and refitting extra.
£60–100per radiator
Hang standard wallpaper
Labour on prepared walls, standard-width paper and straightforward repeat. Paper, adhesive, stripping, lining, murals and complex matching extra.
£12–22per m²
Hang lining paper
Labour on a prepared substrate. Lining paper, adhesive, stripping, repairs and decorative finish extra.
£6–10per m²
Exterior masonry painting
Labour for two coats on sound, accessible masonry. Paint, pressure washing, repairs, scaffolding and permits extra; suitable weather required.
£15–25per m²
Front-door repaint — exterior face
Labour, local preparation and two finish coats on a sound standard timber door. Frame, paint, full stripping, glazing and repairs extra.
£180–300per door face
Hall, stairs & landing repaint
Labour for walls and ceilings of a typical two-storey house, up to 60 m² of paintable surface, light preparation. Paint, doors, skirting, staircase woodwork and specialist access extra. Do not combine with the same per-m² tasks.
£900–1,600per project
FOR A DEFINED DAY OF WORK
Decorator day rate
Up to 8 hours on site, ordinary weekdays. Labour only; materials, parking and specialist access extra. Day rates and fixed task prices are alternative ways of quoting, not additional charges.
HELP US UNDERSTAND THE ROOM
Four details for
a useful estimate.
- Room dimensions, ceiling height and photographs of each wall.
- The condition of the surfaces: cracks, stains, wallpaper or fresh plaster.
- Your paint and wallpaper choices, plus the woodwork to be included.
- Access, furniture to protect and whether the home will be occupied.
BEFORE WE START
Good questions.
Does the price include paint?
No. These rates are for labour. Paint, wallpaper and preparation products can be specified and priced separately so the quotation reflects your choices.
What does the bedroom package cover?
A typical 12 m² floor-area room with a 2.4 m ceiling: walls and ceiling, light preparation and two finish coats. It excludes paint and woodwork. Significant repairs or a change from very dark to light colours may increase the scope.
Can you paint over damp or stains?
The underlying cause must be resolved first. The stain-blocking rate assumes a dry, repaired surface; it does not include fixing a leak, treating active damp or specialist remediation.
How are small jobs charged?
A minimum attendance charge can apply. Combining several small decorating tasks in the same visit may be more practical. The written quotation will confirm the total.
Can exterior work be included?
Yes, subject to a review of the surface, safe access and suitable weather. Scaffolding, major repairs and permits are separate from the masonry painting rate.
IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME
Details that make a difference.
Real photographs of interiors and finishes, selected for inspiration. These are stock images, not completed DAPON projects.
Photo credits · Tell us which style you like when you request a quote.