What Influences the Cost?
No two rooms are identical. When we provide a written quote, we calculate the price based on several key factors, ensuring there are no hidden surprises.
1. Surface Condition
Are the walls heavily cracked, covered in blown plaster, or currently lined with woodchip wallpaper? Extensive filling, sanding, or cross-lining significantly increases the labour time compared to a freshly plastered new build.
2. Room Size & Ceiling Height
Naturally, larger rooms require more paint and time. High ceilings, particularly in Victorian and Edwardian properties, may require scaffolding towers for safe access, which adds to the setup time.
3. Woodwork & Details
Painting intricate features like picture rails, dado rails, deep Victorian skirting boards, or panelled doors takes much longer than painting standard modern skirting.
4. Quality of Materials
A standard trade emulsion is more cost-effective than premium designer brands like Farrow & Ball or Little Greene. We can specify materials to suit both your aesthetic goals and your budget.
Average Decorator Prices in 2026
Please note: These are rough baseline estimates. An accurate quote can only be provided after a physical inspection of the property.
Standard Bedroom
- Walls and ceiling (2 coats)
- Standard skirting and 1 door
- Minor filling and prep work included
- Typically takes 2 to 3 days
Large Living Room / Lounge
- Walls and ceiling (2 coats)
- Skirting, 2 doors, and window frames
- Feature walls or coving included
- Typically takes 3 to 5 days
Hall, Stairs & Landing
- Often the largest continuous space in a house
- Includes extensive woodwork (spindles, banisters, stringers)
- May require specialist access equipment for stairwells
- Typically takes 4 to 7 days
Daily / Hourly Rates
While most larger projects are quoted on a fixed-price basis, smaller jobs, touch-ups, or exterior repairs might be charged on a day rate.
Note: Day rates usually exclude the cost of materials. We provide clear material breakdowns in our written estimates.
Full House Painting Costs
Planning a full property redecoration? These ranges are based on typical UK homes in sound decorative order, with walls, ceilings, and all interior woodwork included.
2-Bedroom Flat or Terrace
Full interior repaint of all rooms, ceilings, and woodwork. Assumes walls are in good condition — no wallpaper stripping or major plaster repairs.
3-Bedroom Semi-Detached
All rooms, hall, stairs, and landing. Includes 2 coats throughout. Unfurnished properties typically sit at the lower end of the range.
4-Bedroom Detached House
Larger properties with more doors, windows, and trim are significantly more labour-intensive. Period features (coving, picture rails) add to the scope.
Full House Exterior
Masonry render, timber windows, fascias, soffits, and front door. Includes pressure washing, fungicidal treatment, crack filling, and 2 topcoats of weatherproof paint.
How Do Hertfordshire Prices Compare?
Labour costs vary significantly by region. Hertfordshire sits in the mid-range: above the national average, but considerably more affordable than Central or South London.
| Region | Day Rate (Labour) | Standard Bedroom | 3-Bed House (Full) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central / South London | £280 – £400 | £600 – £1,000 | £5,000 – £10,000+ |
| Hertfordshire / North London ✓ | £180 – £260 | £400 – £750 | £2,800 – £5,500 |
| Midlands | £140 – £200 | £300 – £550 | £2,000 – £4,000 |
| North of England | £120 – £180 | £250 – £450 | £1,500 – £3,500 |
* All figures represent professional, fully-insured decorators using trade-quality materials. Uninsured handymen will typically quote lower but carry significant risk.
What's Included in a Professional Quote?
When Screpy Decorators provides a written quotation, it is fully itemised. Here is exactly what is included and what may carry an additional cost.
✅ Always Included
- • Full dust protection (dust sheets, masking)
- • Surface preparation (minor filling & sanding)
- • Dust-free mechanical sanding where required
- • 2 coats of paint on all surfaces quoted
- • All labour and professional equipment
- • Daily tidy-up and full end-of-job clean
- • £5 Million Public Liability Insurance
➕ Quoted Separately
- • Paint & materials (unless supply-and-fit agreed)
- • Wallpaper hanging (priced per roll / pattern)
- • Wallpaper stripping (£150–£300 per room)
- • Plaster repairs or artex removal (plasterer)
- • Scaffolding for tall exteriors
- • Specialist treatments (damp, mould, stain block)
Detailed Guides by Area
Each area has unique property types, logistics, and factors that affect the final price. Read the guide for your town for the most accurate planning figures.
Welwyn Garden City
Conservation areas, EMS scheme, and Arts & Crafts housing. The most detailed cost guide on the site.
Stevenage
Post-war estates vs Great Ashby new builds vs Old Town period cottages. Costs broken down by housing era.
North London
Victorian terraces, ULEZ, parking costs, and conservation zone sash windows. How London pricing differs from Herts.
Pricing Questions Answered
Is paint included in the quote price?
It depends on which option you choose. We offer two arrangements: supply-and-fit (we source and supply all materials, often at trade discounts not available to the public) or labour-only (you purchase the paint and we apply it). We will always specify clearly which arrangement applies in your written quotation.
Why does a cheap quote often cost more in the long run?
A low quote typically means one or more of the following: skipping surface preparation, using one coat instead of two, using cheap retail paint instead of trade emulsion, or working without insurance. Paint applied to poorly prepared surfaces will peel, crack, or chalk within 12–18 months, requiring the job to be done again from scratch. A professional job, properly prepared, should last 5–10 years.
Do you charge for an initial quote visit?
No. Our site surveys and written quotations are completely free and carry no obligation. We will visit, assess the surfaces, discuss your colour choices and finish requirements, and provide a detailed itemised written quote within 24–48 hours.
How long does a standard interior decorating project take?
A single standard room (bedroom or living room) typically takes 2–4 days including preparation, priming where needed, and two finish coats. A full 3-bedroom house interior usually takes 2–3 weeks to complete to a high standard. We always confirm an estimated duration in the written quote.
Can I get a rough estimate without a site visit?
Yes — for straightforward projects, we can provide a ballpark range from photos and room measurements sent via WhatsApp or email. However, a written fixed-price quotation always requires a physical visit so we can properly assess the surface condition, access requirements, and scope of preparation work needed.
Ready for an Accurate, Fixed Price?
Every home is different. The only way to know exactly what your project will cost is a free, no-obligation site survey. We cover Welwyn Garden City, St Albans, Hatfield, Stevenage, Hertford, and North London.