Cost of Painting a Room
A fresh coat of paint can transform the look and feel of any room. Although this simple project can be done by yourself, some may opt for the professional touch. Whether it’s a simple touch up or a complete transformation, a painter and decorator can turn a dull room into a bright and inviting space. But how much does it cost? From labour costs to additional costs, types of paints to timescales this guide will detail all the costs associated with painting a room.
How much does it cost to paint a room?
The cost of painting a room depends on four main factors: the size of the room, the number of rooms, your location, and the extent of the paint job that needs to be completed. Painting a single room can cost anywhere between £200 and £300 which includes both labour and material costs. If you are looking to include stripping and prep work alongside painting into the job, then the costs will rise to up to £400 for a single room. For each type of painting job, here are the average costs of each job:
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TYPE OF PAINTING JOB
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AVERAGE COST |
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Painting a single room
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£200 to £300 |
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Painting two rooms
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£350 to £450 |
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Painting, stripping, and prepping a single room
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£300 to £400 |
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Painting, stripping, and prepping two rooms
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£500 to £600 |
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Painting a single room including woodwork
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£400 to £500 |
Labour costs and Timescales
The labour costs when hiring a painter and decorator to paint a room vary depending on your location. For example, if you live in the South of England or in and around London, painters tend to charge between £40 to £50 per hour. In contrast, those who live in the North of England should expect to pay between £10 and £15 per hour. Labour costs may include supply costs as well so it best to check with the tradesperson you hire what is included in the fee to make sure you are not surprised with any hidden costs.
As every room, home and individual requirements differ greatly, the time it takes to paint a room can vary. However, on average, a 10m2 (wall area) room could take as little as a few hours or up to a day to complete. Larger spaces for example a 15m2 or a 30m2 room will take slightly longer to finish between 1 to 2 days and 3 to 4 days respectively. For larger rooms such as a 60m2 room you will be looking up to a week for completion due to its size.
There are various factors that can affect timescales. These can include:
- Accessibility
- If any additional work is required
- If any woodwork needs painting
- If any prior work such as stripping wallpaper or prepping walls are needed
- Condition of the walls
- If any unexpected problems arise
Additional Costs
Alongside the cost of the job itself, there can be additional costs that may need to be included when painting a room. Some additional costs may include:
Size of the Room
Labour and supply costs are directly affected by the room area since the wall surface area will roughly relate to the room size.
Minimum Fee
As some painting jobs may be quite small, most painters may charge a minimum fee for jobs to ensure that it is worth their time. The typical minimum labour fee ranges between £14 to £18 but this can change depending on your location.
Type of Paint
There are various paint products are available on the market, some of which are water-based, others of which are oil-based. Matte, satin, and gloss finishes are some of the most popular paint choices and the type of paint you choose will determine how much you will pay. Paints can range from £2 to £3 per litre for budget paints, however if you are looking at branded and therefore higher quality paint, the price can range between £5 and £20 per litre.
Type of Room
Before you hire a painter, it is important to prep and clear the room as best as you can so that the painter is able to easily access all parts of the room. An example of this would be for example a living room, which could be cleared easily and create much more space as opposed to say a kitchen where there would be many fixed appliances and fittings. This may raise the cost as it will make the job harder and therefore will take the painter longer to complete.
Painting the Woodwork
While it's usually only the walls and ceiling of a room that are painted, it's possible to paint its woodwork as well. Depending on how many woodwork pieces there are compared to the walls and ceiling, and how time-consuming this part of the job will be, this could potentially double the cost of painting a room.
Types of Paints
One of the most important things to consider when painting a room is choosing the right paint. With many choices available on the market today, it can be hard choosing the right one for your room. Consulting with the painter you hire can help as they can advise you on what paint will best suit the room or they might even supply their own paint.
However, if you would like to choose the paint yourself and are struggling on which type of paint to choose then this part of our guide should help make the choice a lot easier.
Matte Paint
Matte paint is one of the most popular and cheaper types of paint options. This type of paint is perfect to use on both uneven surfaces as well as smooth surfaces as can conceal most imperfections on the chosen surface, and it provides the smoothest finish out of the various different paint options on the market.
The benefits of matte paint are that not only do they provide a smooth finish, but it scatters light evenly across the surface to make sure that it is evenly lit. The main disadvantages to matte paints are that the gather grime and dirt easily after they have been applied which makes it an unsuitable choice for both kitchens and bathrooms. It is also one of the more time-consuming paints to apply effectively. Matte paints usually range between £5 to £8 per litre.
Satin Paint
Satin paint is a popular painting option as it creates a smooth, shiny, and soft looking appearance. One of the main assets of satin paint is that when applied, it maintains a pearly appearance adding to the satin and silky aesthetic.
In contrast to matte paint, satin paints are easier to apply and can also be washed easily so is a great option for both kitchens and bathrooms. The main downsides to satin paints are that if an area needs repainting, it can be hard to blend the new and old strokes seamlessly with the distinction being quite clear. This makes the repainting process quite time consuming to ensure everything is blended in. Satin paint is more expensive than matte paint and generally costs between £8 to £16 per litre.
Gloss Paint Cost
Unlike matte paint which evenly scatters light across a surface, glossy paint allows light to highlight certain areas on a surface. The reflective sheet in gloss paint allows it to shine. It is usually made from acrylic or oil.
The advantages of glossy paint include its durability as it is a long-lasting paint option, it is perfect for humid rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens, and it is very easy to clean. However, glossy paint will highlight any flaw or uneven surface in a wall so a sander may need to be used before you apply the paint to smoothen out any flaws. Like satin paint, glossy paint is one of the more expensive options ranging between £12 to £25 per litre.
Semi-Gloss Paint Cost
A semi-gloss paint is the perfect option if you like the look of a glossy paint finish but want a subtler look. Not only does semi-gloss paint offer a reflective and bright quality, but it is durable, grime, grease, and moisture resistant, and is generally cheaper than both satin and gloss paints.
However, like glossy paint, semi-gloss paint will highlight any flaws or imperfections in a surface so the wall may need to be sanded before it is painted to maintain a smooth and flawless finish. Also, it is a difficult paint to tough up as like satin paint, new brush strokes are hard to blend in with the initial paint job. The average cost for semi-gloss paint ranges between £9 to £18 per litre.
