Repainting is one of the cheapest ways to change how a home looks and feels. The bill still varies a lot, though. A quote for the same three-bed semi can differ by £1,000 or more depending on where you live, what shape the walls are in, and whether you hire a decorator or pick up a roller yourself.
Quick Answer: How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House in the UK?
For a typical three-bedroom house, expect to pay roughly £1,200 to £2,500 for the interior (labour only) and £800 to £2,500 for the exterior, depending on the size and condition of the property.
Here are the headline figures from current UK cost guides:
- Most rooms cost £350–£600 to paint, from around £350 for a small room to £600–£1,000+ for a large one with ceilings and woodwork.
- A full three-bed house interior is estimated at £1,200–£2,500, with prices covering labour only.
- A full exterior costs £500–£1,500 for a mid-terrace, £800–£2,500 for a semi-detached, and £1,500–£5,000+ for a detached house.
Cost to Paint a House Interior
Interior prices depend mainly on how many rooms you have and how much prep each one needs.
| Property type | Typical interior cost |
|---|---|
| Small room | from about £350 |
| Medium room (about 18m²) | around £450 |
| 2-bed flat | £1,500 – £2,500 |
| 3-bed house | £1,200 – £2,500 (labour only) |
| 5-bed house | £5,500 – £7,500 |
Sources: Fantastic Services, Checkatrade, Taskrabbit, Whito’s roundup of published guides.
Quotes vary because some include paint and materials and some are labour only. Always ask which you’re being given before comparing prices.
Cost to Paint a House Exterior
Outside work costs more per square metre because of access, weather and surface prep.
- Mid-terraced house: £500 – £1,500
- Semi-detached house: £800 – £2,500
- Detached house: £1,500 – £5,000+
These figures come from Taskrabbit’s exterior painting guide. Checkatrade puts the average for a 3-bed semi at about £1,300.
If you’re buying materials yourself, masonry paint costs roughly £10–£25 per m². The surface matters too. Render, brick and pebbledash each need different products, and pebbledash’s textured finish often takes longer to paint.
What Affects the Cost of Painting a House?
Size and number of rooms. More wall area means more paint and more days on site.
Where you live. London typically adds roughly 20 to 25% on published room prices. Decorator day rates outside London run about £230–£355.
Surface condition. Smooth, well-kept walls are quick to paint. Peeling paint, damp, mould or old wallpaper all need treating first, which adds cost.
Paint quality. Trade paint, specialist finishes and premium brands cost more than budget emulsion. Premium paint usually covers better and lasts longer, so it can work out cheaper over the years.
Colour changes. Going from a dark shade to a light one often needs primer and extra coats.
Access and extras. Scaffolding, high ceilings and detailed woodwork such as skirting, banisters and window frames all add time. For tall exteriors, scaffolding can take a big share of the total.
Older properties. Homes built before the 1970s may contain lead-based paint, which needs careful handling.
How Long Does It Take?
A whole-house job typically takes one to two weeks, depending on size and spec. Single rooms usually take one to two days. Most decorators charge either a day rate or a fixed price per room, and a fixed price is easier to budget for a single space.
DIY vs Hiring a Decorator
DIY costs only materials: paint, rollers, brushes, tape, dust sheets and filler. It’s a good option for bedrooms, hallways and other simple rooms if you have the time. Screwfix has a helpful room-by-room painting cost guide showing DIY and decorator costs side by side.
Hiring a pro is worth it for exteriors, high ceilings, stairwells, detailed woodwork, or anywhere that needs serious prep. A decorator will usually finish faster and give a cleaner result, and good ones stand behind their work.
8 Ways to Save Money on Painting a House
- Get at least three quotes, and make sure each one covers the same scope.
- Supply your own paint if the decorator allows it, so you avoid any markup.
- Do the prep yourself. Clearing rooms, removing wallpaper and masking trim can save labour hours.
- Paint in stages. Doing one room at a time spreads the cost.
- Choose the right paint, not necessarily the priciest. Good mid-range paint is fine for low-traffic rooms.
- Avoid peak season. Exterior painters are busiest in summer, and winter interior work can sometimes be cheaper.
- Keep colours in the same family so you can buy larger tins at a better price per litre.
- Check what’s included, such as ceilings, woodwork, number of coats and furniture protection.
Do You Need Permission to Paint Your House?
For interior work, no. For the exterior, it depends. If your property is listed or in a conservation area, check with your local council before painting the outside. Leaseholders and housing association tenants should also check their agreement first.
Finding a Reliable Painter
Look for decorators with recent local reviews, public liability insurance and a written, itemised quote. Directories like Checkatrade’s painters and decorators listings let you browse checked tradespeople and compare reviews. For a second benchmark on exterior costs, see Taskrabbit’s exterior painting cost guide and its interior guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint a 3-bed house in the UK?
Roughly £1,200 to £2,500 for the interior (labour only) and about £800 to £2,500 for the exterior of a semi-detached house, depending on condition and location.
How much does it cost to paint a room in the UK?
Most rooms cost £350 to £600 with a decorator. Large rooms with ceilings and woodwork can reach £1,000 or more.
Is it cheaper to paint a house yourself?
Yes. DIY only costs materials, which is much less than labour, but it takes far longer and the finish depends on your prep and technique.
How much do UK painters charge per day?
Typically £230 to £355 outside London, with higher rates in the capital.
How often should a house be repainted?
Interiors every 5 to 7 years, depending on wear. Exteriors usually every 5 to 10 years, depending on surface and weather exposure.
Final Thoughts
For most UK homes, painting costs a few hundred pounds per room inside and £800 to £2,500 or more outside. The final figure depends on size, prep and paint quality. Get several itemised quotes, ask exactly what’s included, and set aside a little extra for repairs the decorator may find once they start.
