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Paying between £3,000 and £6,000 for both interior and exterior work on an average-sized house can be reasonable.
The average cost to paint a house in the UK can range from £3,000 to £6,000, but this can vary significantly based on several factors. These factors include the size of the house, the condition of the existing paintwork, the type and quality of paint chosen, and local labour rates.
One of the best things that you can do to give your property a better, upgraded look without impairing it due to a major overhaul is by having your house painted. Whether you are currently hoping to boost curb appeal, sort out peeling paint, or simply want to update boring interiors and exteriors, it makes sense to hire local painters. Also, you can know about the possible full costs to be incurred in helping you plan effectively and escape any shocks.
This guide to UK house painting cost is a breakdown of what the average house painting costs are, both in the interior and exterior, including what affects the pricing and the pros and cons of hiring professionals and working it out yourself.
| Painting Service | Average Cost (Labour + Materials) |
|---|---|
| Interior Room (per room) | £150 – £300 |
| Whole House Interior (2–3 bed) | £1,200 – £2,500 |
| Exterior House Painting | £1,500 – £4,000 |
| Ceiling (per room) | £100 – £200 |
| Doors (per door) | £50 – £100 |
| Skirting Boards (per room) | £30 – £70 |
| Window Frames (per window) | £40 – £90 |
| Fence Painting (per panel) | £20 – £50 |
| Garage Door Painting | £100 – £250 |
| Feature Wall or Accent Wall | £80 – £200 |
Prices that are involved in painting a house in the UK can differ quite extensively, and this is going to depend on several major aspects, one being the size and type of house you are having, the area you are targeting, interior or exterior, the condition of the surface and even location. Be it time to provide your house with a fresh new face when you need to sell it, or just reviving it with a new look with regard to those weary walls and woodwork, a realisation of what the common costs you have to anticipate will probably streamline your home painting plans.
The work on the interiors, as a rule, is easier and less weather-bound than exterior painting. Nevertheless, it has to be prepared well and worked carefully. These costs are approximate prices of painting walls, cavity ceilings and simple wood works, including skirting boards and door frames.
These prices will generally cover the paint, labour and basic preparation, but there will be an additional price when there is a lot of repairing or removal of wallpaper.
Outdoor labour costs more because of the extra access devices necessary and the fitting of the schedule to the weather.
By having an idea of what makes the cost of painting increase, you will understand the quotes better and stay clear of the hidden costs.
All these values of paint may differ widely depending on the quality, brand and finish:
Premium paints such as the mould-resistant bathroom paint or the wipe-down paint in the kitchen are expensive. The more expensive choices will have possibly longer lifespan and deeper colour, but increase the cost-per-room overall.
The surfaces must be sound, dry, and clean before any paint can be applied in a single coating. The problems such as:
The repair of these issues will be the first thing. The prep work can add £200 – £800 or more to a project, depending on the scale. Some decorators include simple sanding and filler in the rate, and there are those who charge them individually.
In the case of exteriors, particularly, accessibility is a large factor. For example:
One should not forget about this expense; it will be necessary to ensure safety, and it can considerably influence the final quote.
The biggest part of your painting bill is usually labour, i.e. it may be 60% or more of your total cost of your project. Prices are greatly dependent upon experience and location:
Painters and decorators are working either individually or they arrive with a team to clear the bigger works in a hurry, in case you need bigger work to be done- just see what is within the quotation.
To plan an interior painting project, it helps to think of the price per room, especially when doing the redecoration on a tight budget or as you progressively redecorate. The cost of labour and wall/ceiling paint, and light surface preparation is usually included, whilst higher labour or premium finishing is excluded.
Note: The prices are normally exclusive of woodwork. Painting doors, skirting boards, picture rails, or windowsills can add £40 – £80 per room, depending on the number of features and their condition. Wood finishes with a gloss and satin finish, too, need additional drying time and care.
External painting is accompanied by more difficulties in comparison with the interior one. The main differences are weather conditions, access to height, and the material of the surface. The average cost of painting your house facade may include the following.
One of the largest logistical and financial challenges to take into consideration in exterior projects is access:
When the hire of scaffolding extends beyond a week or requires scaffolding platforms or ladders of special specifications, then these costs are also likely to rise.
Weather resistance and long-lasting material require quality paints.
Other products may be required for:
These add-on materials may increase your budget by £100 – £300, depending on the property’s condition.
It is measured in hours or days. The complexity of access to get to a location, the preparation of work, the number of painters and the weather conditions, all decide the time needed for painting a house. So here is a rough outline:
Painting yourself can be cost-effective, especially when you are comfortable working with a roller and brush. There will be a need to purchase paint, brushes, rollers, dust sheets, masking tape, ladders and possibly a tower scaffold to reach high places.
Typical DIY cost (3-bed home, interior): £400 – £800
Time assumption: 5 to 10 days of full-time work
Pros add the feature of experience, of speed, and of better quality finishes. They are familiar with how to handle surface prep, wet spots and clumsy details.
Typical pro cost (3-bed home, interior): £1,800 – £2,800
Time estimation: 3-6 days, team with a group
It is a good idea to know where the cost of painting compares with other home improvement factors.
The location in which you reside in the UK directly affects the costs that are incurred:
| Region | Average Cost Range (Per Room) |
|---|---|
| London & South East | £200 – £350 |
| South West | £170 – £300 |
| West Midlands | £150 – £270 |
| East of England | £160 – £280 |
| North West | £140 – £250 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £140 – £240 |
| North East | £130 – £220 |
| Scotland | £150 – £260 |
| Wales | £140 – £250 |
| Northern Ireland | £140 – £230 |
Depending on whether you are prettifying the inside, addressing flaking outside paint, or even arranging a cosmetic accompaniment such as a decking, familiarity with the entire extent of the costs helps you to plan your painting work confidently.
It is always a good idea to obtain several extensive quotations and conduct reference checks, and select fairly reputable tradespeople to attain high-quality outcomes.
And though painting is among the easier tasks that a person can do on their own, there can be higher value when one hires a professional. Painting your house must also be considered very much like cost planning in terms of decking, pergola building or wallpapering, where careful budgeting and successful expectations are needed.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.