You know what you need done and you’ve been putting it off for a little while, waiting for the right time to strike and get someone in to transform your space. The ceilings and walls need a bit of TLC before being painted in the new colour you have decided on and the skirting boards and doors certainly need a breath of new life into them.
Now the time is right, but how much is this going to cost you?
Well, the truth is that there is never a definitive answer until somebody comes to take a look first hand, but there’s certainly some guidance that is useful to have in mind when it comes to getting quoted over the phone or via email.
The first thing to bear in mind is that - like all professions - there are varying levels of expertise and ability which factor in to the quality of the work carried out. Painting and decorating is a skill that many DIYers believe they are able to carry out to a satisfactory level, however the cracks (pardon the pun) will show immediately if not soon, and it won’t be long before you are forced into getting somebody else in to clean up the mess made and get your surfaces looking how they should have in the first place. We have seen this time and time again. A quick and cheap fix doesn’t suffice.
Realistically for painter and decorator, you are looking at £230 a day per person for a high end expert, who is able to come in and do the job with the right tools, giving you a finish that will look fantastic and last. This level of trained specialist will be able to advise on colour choices as well as the types of finish that will both give you the design that you want, as well as giving you the quality that you need. Said tradesman would also be able to repair any damage, wear and tear and structural issues that will cause a knock on effect over time to the job at hand, walking away from the job confident that there will be no issues occurring down the line.
Now this information is fantastic, but you may still be asking how much will it cost you to have a specific task carried out. Lets delve into with more detail…
(Please note, the prices below include two coats of high quality paints and a priming coat on woodwork before painting. Tikkurilla Anti-Reflex 2 on ceilings, Benjamin Moore Aura on walls and Benjamin Moore Scuff-X on woodwork - our recommended choices for quality, durability and finish.)
For an average sized lounge to be prepared and painted professionally, including ceilings and walls (assuming they are in good condition with only minor cosmetic filling required) you can expect to pay between £600-£800 including materials. For the skirting boards and door frames to be prepared, primed and painted, you can expect to pay between £300-£400 including materials. For a door to be prepared, primed and painted the cost will approximately be £100-£125.
Averaged sized bedrooms will approximately cost between £500-£600 for the ceiling and walls to be prepared and painted. Skirting boards and architrave will cost between £250-£350 to be prepared and painted. You can expect to pay a roughly similar price for the repainting of an average sized kitchen, bathroom or a hallway on one floor. If you want your bannister painted or varnished, one flight of spindles and bannisters to be prepared and decorated will cost approximately £600-£1,000 depending on the complexity of the task
Maybe you have a semi detached 2 bedroom house which is looking a bit run down due to the exterior needing a new lease of life. The roof is looking great as you had it renovated last summer but the windows and masonry painting hasn’t been given any love since you first moved in many moons ago. A trained expert would be able to strip off the ageing paint before sanding down those beautiful Georgian style sash windows, filling and rebuilding them where needed with high quality wood filler before painting them with multiple coats along with the painted brickwork that was looking dull and worn prior to the work being undertaken. The cost of having the external walls painted would be £1000 (with additional costs for scaffolding needed - £1600), £800 for woodwork and £300 for the front door, all including materials.
What increases the cost of a decorator?
Preparation required:
The bottom line is the quality of the surface to be decorated greatly affects the cost. Treatment of stains, repairing deep or plentiful cracks or removing wallpaper before painting are a few examples of jobs that will increase the time required to complete the project and therefore push up the price.
If you are hiring a decorator to paint fresh plaster, you will need to allow for them to apply a coat of emulsion and water (called either a mis-coat or whitewash) to seal and prime the plaster for further coats.
When removing wallpaper, it can sometimes be difficult to assess the state of the wall behind the paper prior to its removal. Poor quality walls will require more attention and sometimes re-plastering. Some removal processes can even cause more damage, a steamer should be a last resort.
If the state of the ceilings or walls is very bad, it is advisable to consider re-plastering to improve the quality, longevity and overall outcome of your painting project.
The brand of paint:
The cost of paint really ranges a lot depending on the brand and type of paint to be used. For example, Dulux’s standard trade Vinyl Matt will cost approximately £50-70 for 10L knocked up in a colour. Their premium Diamond Matt, which is wash and scrub resistant, will cost in the region of £100-£120 for 10L in a colour.
Brands such as Johnstones and Crown offer more budget friendly options for good quality paints.
We have seen a dramatic increase in clients opting to use premium and luxury paint brands such as Farrow & Ball, Little Green, Mylands etc.
Difficult to paint spaces:
Some areas are more difficult to reach and paint than others. Tall ceilings, especially in hallways set over two floors will sometimes require special access to safely paint. Most high quality decorators should have access like this ready to use.
Special Designs:
If you are looking to have designs like a split-level paint divide, gloss ceilings or marbeling paint effects, these will naturally have an affect on the price. Saying that, they can be a way to create a unique space that is perfect for you.
How to choose the right decorator...
Do your research
With the above in mind, we would advise receiving a few quotes for the decorating work you require in order to compare.
Make sure you contact companies with strong track records. Do your due diligence on the internet and be sure to read reviews from previous clients. Many decorating companies will be happy to refer you to previous clients for referrals.
A good sign is a nice website with a portfolio of previous work undertaken.
Are they insured?
Is the company insured to undertake the work on your house? If something unfortunately went wrong, would you and your home be covered.
Check reviews and get references
As mentioned, the age of the internet really does shine a light on companies in both a positive and negative way. It is now so easy for a client to report a good or bad experience on the internet.
Good decorators will use this platform to showcase their previous work and it will not be difficult to find previous customer reviews scattered on the internet.
Bad experiences are just as easy to spot, with numerous negative reviews being a clear red flag. These simple checks can help you avoid any cowboys that might be lurking in your local area.
We hope this has given you a comprehensive view on things and given some clarity for those looking for it!
We at SFS offer an array of services including those above and many more. Feel free to contact us via our website or call us directly where one of our experts can speak to you in regards to you painting and decorating needs.
Head over to our pricing page HERE to get more information on our pricing or book in for a consultation.
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