Summer is perfect for exterior painting — warm, dry days give the best finish and fastest drying times. Book now.
Get Painting QuotesFind a Painter Near You
A painter and decorator prepares and finishes internal and external surfaces. Preparation is the whole job — filling, sanding, caulking and priming are what the finish is judged on, and they are the first line cut when a quote is made to look competitive. Homes built before 1978 may carry lead paint, which changes how old layers should be removed.
Interior and exterior painting and decorating services. Compare quotes from vetted painter professionals across the UK. Typical cost: £150–£400.
Searching for painter and decorator? That is the same work — every painter listed here covers it.
Quick answer
What does a painter and decorator cost in the UK?
A painter and decorator preps and paints walls, ceilings and woodwork, hangs wallpaper and finishes exterior masonry. UK 2026 cost: £200–£350 small bedroom, £300–£500 living room, £400–£700 hall/stairs/landing, £1,800–£3,500 full 3-bed interior. Day rates run £150–£300 (£200–£400 in London). Exterior painting lasts 5–8 years.
Painter vs handyman vs plasterer
| Job | Painter | Handyman | Plasterer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repaint a single room | ✅ Recommended | ✅ OK | ❌ Not their work |
| Whole-house repaint | ✅ Recommended | ⚠️ Slow + variable | ❌ Not their work |
| Patch repair before paint | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ OK | ✅ Recommended |
| Hang wallpaper | ✅ Recommended | ⚠️ Variable | ❌ No |
| Exterior masonry paint | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ At height risky | ❌ No |
Walls in poor condition need a plasterer first, then a painter. Trying to "paint over" deep cracks or blown plaster always fails within a year.
The Complete Guide to Hiring a Painter in 2026
A painter provides interior and exterior painting and decorating services. Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or a major installation project, a qualified painter has the skills, tools and experience to complete the work safely and to a high standard. On TradeMatch, every painter is vetted, background-checked, and holds verified public liability insurance — giving you peace of mind that your project is in safe hands.
When Should You Hire a Painter?
- •You notice something that needs professional painter attention — don't wait for small issues to become expensive problems.
- •You're planning a renovation or home improvement project that requires specialist painter skills.
- •You need work that must comply with UK building regulations, safety standards, or manufacturer warranties.
- •You want a professional assessment, survey or quote before committing to a larger project.
- •You need ongoing maintenance to keep your property in good condition.
PainterQualifications & Credentials to Look For
When hiring a painter, always verify their qualifications. The following are the key credentials and trade body memberships regulated by Relevant trade association:
On TradeMatch, we verify all of these credentials before any painter can quote on jobs.
UK accreditations every painter on TradeMatch is checked against
Every tradesperson is verified against the UK accreditation bodies that matter for the work — before they can quote.
Painter Hiring Checklist
Use this checklist before hiring a painter to ensure you get quality work at a fair price:
- 1Verify qualifications: Relevant trade qualifications
- 2Confirm valid public liability insurance (minimum £1 million cover)
- 3Check reviews from previous customers — look for consistent quality and reliability
- 4Get at least 3 written quotes that itemise labour, materials and VAT
- 5Ask for references and examples of similar completed work
- 6Agree a detailed scope of work and timeline in writing before work starts
- 7Confirm payment terms — TradeMatch escrow protects both homeowner and tradesperson
- 8Check whether Building Control notification or planning permission is required
Red Flags When Hiring a Painter
Watch out for these warning signs when getting quotes for painter work:
- ✗No verifiable qualifications or trade body membership
- ✗Requests full payment upfront before any work has started
- ✗No public liability insurance or unwilling to provide proof
- ✗Pressures you to make a quick decision without time to compare quotes
- ✗Cannot provide references or examples of previous work
- ✗Unusually low quotes that seem too good to be true
TradeMatch eliminates these risks — every painter is vetted, insured, and payments are escrow-protected.
Best Time to Hire a Painter
Exterior painting and rendering are best done in spring or summer when conditions are dry and warm. Interior work can be done year-round. Booking in the quieter winter months may help you get better rates for interior projects.
Looking for a Painter Near You?
Browse vetted painter professionals across 200 UK cities.
Average Painter Costs in 2026
| Job | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint a room (single) | £150 | £300 | £500 |
| Full house interior | £1,500 | £3,000 | £6,000 |
| Exterior painting | £1,000 | £2,000 | £4,000 |
| Wallpaper a room | £200 | £400 | £700 |
| Ceiling painting | £100 | £200 | £400 |
Prices are indicative UK ranges for 2026, not a survey. Actual costs vary by location, materials and scope of work.
Painter Services
Interior Painting
Professional interior painting for rooms, hallways, staircases and ceilings
£150–£500Exterior Painting
House exterior painting and masonry painting including preparation and scaffolding
£1,000–£4,000Wallpapering
Feature wall and full room wallpaper hanging including lining and paste supply
£200–£700Find a Painter by Location
Painter — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a painter cost in the UK?▾
How do I find a reliable painter near me?▾
What qualifications should a painter have?▾
How long does it take to get a painter on TradeMatch?▾
Are painter professionals on TradeMatch insured?▾
How much does a painter charge per hour?▾
What guarantee should a painter offer?▾
Is it worth hiring a painter or doing it myself?▾
What painter services can I book on TradeMatch?▾
How to Hire a Painter on TradeMatch
Post Your Job
Tell us what painter work you need — it only takes 2 minutes.
Get Free Quotes
Receive up to 3 quotes from vetted painter professionals near you.
Hire & Review
Compare reviews, choose the best quote, and leave a review when the job is done.
PainterQuestions & Answers
Browse questions from homeowners about hiring a painter, costs, and what to expect.
Related Articles
Related Trades
How TradeMatch wins for Painter work
Side-by-side with the four most-searched UK trade platforms. No subscription fees, up to 5 competing quotes, escrow-protected payments — three things every other platform misses.
| Feature | TradeMatch | Checkatrade | MyBuilder | Bark | Rated People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 quotes | ✓ | Browse | Up to 5 | Varies | Up to 3 |
| Escrow payment protection | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No tradesperson subscription | ✓ | £50+/mo | ✓ | Credits | £15+/mo |
| Verified reviews (live) | ✓ | 5-day delay | ✓ | Mixed | ✓ |
| Background + qualification checks | ✓ | ✓ | Light | Basic ID | ✓ |
| Dispute resolution team | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |