Published benchmark
Source: Screwfix — How much does it cost to paint a room?. Guide checked October 2026.
- A medium room of about 3 m × 4 m: roughly £250–£600 for walls and ceiling.
- The figure assumes minor preparation and furniture already cleared.
Not included / caveats
- The guide doesn't clearly say whether VAT is included — ask each decorator.
- Major repairs, wallpaper stripping and woodwork may be extra.
A single national benchmark doesn't reflect your room's condition. Decorators will price from photos and a clear list. These are not Bobby Build prices.
What changes the price
Preparation
Filling cracks, sanding, removing wallpaper and sealing stains often take longer than the painting itself.
Coats and paint
New plaster needs a mist coat. Strong colour changes may need extra coats. Who supplies the paint changes the price too.
Woodwork and detail
Doors, skirting, spindles and sash windows are slow, careful work. They're often priced separately.
Access
High stairwells and outside walls may need platforms, towers or scaffold.
Comparing quotes like for like
- Walls only, walls and ceiling, or woodwork too?
- How many coats, and is a mist coat included on new plaster?
- Who supplies the paint, and which brand or finish?
- Is VAT included?
What to include in your job post
- Rooms or elevations, and whether it is walls, ceilings, woodwork, or all three.
- Who supplies paint, and the brand or colour if already chosen.
- The state of surfaces: filler needed, peeling paint, stains, previous wallpaper.
- Furniture that will stay in the room, and any height or access limits.