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myHow Much to Paint a Bedroom? - Room Painting Cost Guide 2024
At a glance
- On average, the cost to paint a room is £400, but average costs can vary based on several factors.
- It will usually take between 1-2 days to complete
- A full breakdown of pricing information for different types of room painting jobs
- How long the task will take and a general overview
- How to find and hire a professional painter and decorator
Trying to find out how much it costs to paint a room?
In this guide, you can find a breakdown of room painting prices and painter prices, making it easy to calculate a ballpark figure before hiring a decorator for painting jobs.
On average, you’re looking at a typical cost of around £400 for professional painting and decorating services.
Ready to get a painter and decorator quote?
We have a range of painters and decorators ready to give you a free quote!
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£400
Table of Contents
How Much to Paint a Room?
Painting a room is a fairly simple task for any painter and decorator and is something that any DIY enthusiast can undertake. But how much would it cost if you were to hire a professional? This, of course, depends almost solely on the size of the room.
A regular 4m by 3m room would take a couple of days to paint, including woodwork and coving fully. With most decorators charging around £150 to £200 per day outside of London, your total labour cost would be roughly £300 to £400. Add another £50 for the paint itself gives us an average total cost £400.
Additionally, there are various additional costs, such as variations in labour fees based on geography, minimum charges for small jobs, and the impact of room size and type on overall pricing.
Paint does not last forever, so there will come a time when you, unfortunately, must consider redecorating your bedroom! It may seem counter-intuitive to hire a professional painter and decorator if you are on a budget, but in reality, hiring a professional will often save you time, money, and stress, ensuring a high-quality paint job.
So, hiring a professional painter is often the best bet, even if you're worried about the cost. Professional decorators will know exactly how to prepare the roof, walls and woodwork before they paint them to make sure they get a perfectly smooth finish.
Hiring a local painter and decorator is also a great way to avoid DIY nightmares and avoid stress. When you get prices from painters be aware that they assume that you will remove all furniture from the room and there is no wallpaper to be stripped.
House painting quotes will also assume that only minor repairs are needed to the existing wall and woodwork before painting, so small cracks in plaster or chips in woodwork are fine, but large holes or crumbling plaster are not!
As standard, professional painters will apply two coats to walls and ceiling, plus an undercoat and then gloss to woodwork. You can use the free “find a local tradesman” service on this site by simply choosing the type of tradesman you want, entering brief contact details, and then adding a description of the job you need to do.
Then you can receive up to three quotes without having to search the Yellow Pages or trawl through lots of websites; it’s all done on MyJobQuote.co.uk in just 3 easy steps!
What is the cost of painting and decorating my bedroom?
"Between £450-650 depending on what materials and company you use. To do the job right you're looking at 3-4 days. Hope this helps. Dan."
Room Painting Prices
| Job Description | Duration | Material Cost | Labour Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint room with 2 coats emulsion | 1 day | £50 | £350 |
| Paint room with 2 coats emulsion and remove old wallpaper | 2 days | £50 | £450 |
| Paint room with 2 coats emulsion, remove old wallpaper plus remove then replace all furniture | 3-4 days | £50 | £475 |
| As above plus remove and refit carpet when finished | 4 days | £50 | £500 |
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Factors Affecting Room Painting Costs
Room Size and Complexity
The size and complexity of a room significantly impact the overall painting cost. Larger rooms naturally require more paint and labour, which increases the cost. For instance, painting a spacious living room will cost more than a small bedroom due to the additional materials and time needed.
Moreover, rooms with intricate details, such as crown moulding, wainscoting, or built-in cabinetry, demand more precision and effort, further adding to the cost. A professional painter will take these factors into account when providing an estimate for your painting job, ensuring that all aspects of the room are considered.
Location and Regional Differences
Location and regional differences also play a crucial role in determining painting costs. Painters in urban areas, such as London, typically charge higher rates than those in rural areas. This is due to the higher cost of living and increased demand for city services.
Additionally, regional variations in labour costs, material prices, and local regulations can influence the overall cost of a painting job. When hiring a professional painter, it’s essential to consider these factors to get an accurate estimate and avoid any surprises.
Things to Consider with Interior Room Painting and Additional Costs
There are several factors which impact painting and decorating prices. First, with almost all painting and decorating jobs, almost all of the cost will be for labour costs. Interior painting costs can be influenced by factors such as the use of the same paint across multiple spaces and potential discounts based on homeowner preparations.
This means that prices can vary considerably in different parts of the country and on the experience and quality of the painter. Quality paint is much more expensive than budget paint, but if you use so little, it makes hardly any difference to the overall costs. Strategies to save money include reusing supplies, buying paint in bulk, and selecting cost-effective paint brands.
However, there are other extras which are usually not included in standard quotes yet can make a considerable difference to the price!
For example, very old and stained ceilings will likely need to be washed with sugar soap before they can be painted, peeling gloss on woodwork will need to be completely removed, and if wallpaper needs removing, this will also take a long time so will add to the cost.
Also, when the wallpaper is removed, this may reveal or even cause large patches of crumbling/missing plasterwork, which again will cost extra to make good before it can be painted.
Once you’ve hired someone, make sure you agree to a fixed price for the work rather than a daily rate; this will avoid costs quickly spiralling if problems occur and the work takes longer. Also, check whether or not the quote includes VAT before comparing quotes and ensure all quotes are for the same quality of paint.
Painting Supplies and Materials
Paint Types and Costs
The type and quality of paint used can significantly impact the overall cost of a painting job. There are various types of paint, each with its own unique characteristics and price points. For example, matte paint is often chosen for its smooth, non-reflective finish, making it ideal for hiding imperfections. However, it is less durable compared to other types.
On the other hand, semi-gloss paint offers a higher level of durability and moisture resistance, making it suitable for areas like kitchens and bathrooms, but it comes at a higher cost. Glossy paint, known for its shiny finish and easy-to-clean surface, is the most expensive but provides excellent durability.
Here are some approximate costs for different types of paint:
- Matte paint: £5-£8 per litre
- Semi-gloss paint: £8-£16 per litre
- Glossy paint: £12-£25 per litre
When estimating the overall cost of a painting job, it’s essential to consider the cost of paint and other materials. A professional painter can help you choose the right type and quality of paint that fits your specific needs and budget, ensuring a high-quality finish that meets your expectations.
Note that the costs mentioned above are approximate and may vary depending on the specific location, brand, and quality of the paint.
How to Paint a Room
If you’re looking for a professional finish, then it’s best to hire a professional! That being said, if you have the time and patience to tackle the job yourself, all you need is a few basic tools and a day or so to finish the job without hassle or spending any more money than some paint and basic materials.
You may not get the same finish as a professional, but you can get pretty close and save a lot of money! Preparation is the most important part of any painting job, so don’t be tempted to skip those steps, take the time to make sure the walls are prepared properly and the painting itself will be much easier! It is also crucial to ensure that the new paint strokes match the brush strokes of the initial paint job, especially for satin or semi-gloss finishes, to avoid noticeable contrasts in appearance.
Start by removing anything in the way. The less clutter, the faster the job will be.
Cover any furniture not being removed with old bed sheets and cover your floors with plastic sheeting. If your walls are dirty or dusty, wash them with a sponge to remove any dirt or grime, but don’t soak the walls or it will take ages to dry.
Then, use painter’s tape to go around the edges of the room to create a straight edge for your paint along skirting boards, door and window frames, electric sockets and switches.
If your walls have any holes or large cracks in the plaster, then these will need to be filled in first using ready-mixed filler and a scraper. Once the filler is dry, use sandpaper to smooth the area so it is ready for painting. Now that the preparation is finished, you can start painting!
For best results, use a primer or undercoat as a barrier between the old paint and the new paint, followed by two coats of your final colour. Paint the edges first using a small brush, starting with the areas that you taped off, ensuring you do not go over the edge of the tape.
Once your edges are done, use a roller starting in the middle of the wall and rolling away from you in diagonal directions until the wall is fully painted. Wait the appropriate time before starting the next coat and repeat the process.
When the final coat of paint has been applied, carefully remove the painter’s tape before the paint is dry, then leave for 8 hours before hanging anything on the wall or moving furniture against the walls.
Room Painting Checklist
- Most quotes will assume all furniture will be removed from the room by the customer.
- If you want wallpaper removed, then this will add extra time and money.
- The vast majority of the cost of painting will be labour.
- Most decorators will include minor repairs to the walls in any quotes.
- Paint cost varies based on the type of paint finish, such as eggshell, gloss, satin, semi-gloss, and matte. Each type has different characteristics and suitability, with prices allowing for comparison and informed decisions.
- Semi gloss paint cost ranges between £9 to £18 per litre. It is a versatile option with reflective qualities, durability, and resistance to grime, grease, and moisture, making it a practical choice for homeowners.
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FAQs
If I want to paint one wall a different colour, how can I choose the right wall?
The feature or accent wall will depend on the space, but the wall that comes into view opposite the entrance is in most cases works best as the feature wall.
How do I choose the best interior colour?
Light colours work best in dark rooms and make walls and ceilings appear to be further away, so small rooms feel larger. Dark colours can make a room feel more intimate and cosy. Bright colours give the room a cheerful, upbeat feel. For square rooms, make one wall a feature wall by painting it in a different colour to give the room a more dramatic, less boxy look.
How do I select the right brush size?
As a general rule, you should use the largest size brush that can be used comfortably. A 3-inch brush is great for corners that can't be reached using a roller. For narrow surfaces like door and window frames, use a brush that's slightly narrower than the width of the frames. For detail work or getting into awkward areas, use a 1 inch angled sash brush.
When painting a room, in which order should I paint the walls, ceilings, and skirting boards?
This is debatable, but generally, the ceiling and walls should be primed first, then the ceilings painted first, and then the walls. Then the skirting and door/window frames can be primed and glossed.
How much cleaning is necessary before painting?
You should regularly remove all dirt and dust from the surface to be painted using warm, soapy water. Mould and mildew should be removed using a ready-made remover or by making up a cleaning solution of 1 part bleach and 3 parts water. Once washed all surfaces need to be rinsed thoroughly and allowed to completely dry before painting.
Sources
https://www.wickes.co.uk/how-to-guides/decorating/paint-a-room
