One of the most common questions we’re asked — and one of the hardest to find a straight answer to online — is simply: what does painting and decorating actually cost? Search for it and you’ll mostly find directory sites and generic UK-wide calculators that don’t account for local factors like property type, access, or the condition of the surfaces you’re starting with. Here’s an honest breakdown based on the kind of jobs we see regularly across Croydon.
These are guide prices, not a fixed quote — every property is different, and the only way to get an accurate number is a proper look at the job. But they should give you a realistic starting point for budgeting.
Cost by Room
Single room (bedroom, home office, small reception room): roughly £300–£600, assuming walls and ceiling in reasonable condition and no significant prep work. This covers materials, two coats, and making good minor marks and nail holes.
Living room or larger reception room: roughly £450–£900, depending on size, ceiling height, and how much woodwork (skirting, doors, architrave) is included.
Kitchen: roughly £400–£800. Kitchens often take longer than their size suggests because of cutting in around units, extractor fans, and tiling, plus grease build-up on ceilings that needs proper preparation before paint will hold.
Bathroom: roughly £300–£550. Smaller rooms but often need moisture-resistant paint and more careful prep around sealant lines and extractor fans.
Hallway and staircase: roughly £400–£900. Highly variable — a straightforward ground-floor hallway is at the lower end, while a full stairwell with high ceilings and awkward access for ladders or towers can push this up significantly.
Cost by Property Type
One or two-bedroom flat, full interior repaint: typically £1,200–£2,200.
Three-bedroom terrace or semi, full interior repaint: typically £2,000–£3,800. Croydon has a lot of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, particularly around South Croydon and Addiscombe, where higher ceilings and original cornicing add time compared with a standard modern semi.
Full exterior repaint (semi-detached house): typically £1,800–£3,500, depending on the number of storeys, whether scaffolding or towers are needed, and the condition of the existing render, pebbledash, or masonry.
What Actually Moves the Price
A few factors consistently make the biggest difference to a quote, regardless of room size:
- Preparation work. Filling cracks, sanding, treating damp or mould staining, and stripping wallpaper all add time before a single coat goes on. A room that looks like a “quick refresh” can sometimes need as much prep time as painting time if the walls haven’t been touched in years.
- Number of coats. Covering a dark colour with a light one, or painting over a patchy, uneven surface, often needs three coats rather than two — that’s real additional time and material cost, not just a sales tactic.
- Access. High ceilings, stairwells, and exteriors above ground-floor level may need towers, scaffolding, or extension equipment, which adds to both time and safety requirements.
- Woodwork. Skirting boards, doors, frames, and staircase spindles are usually priced separately from walls, since gloss and satinwood finishes take longer to apply neatly than emulsion.
- Paint quality. Trade-quality paint costs more per tin than budget options but generally covers better and lasts longer — for most jobs this is worth it, especially in high-traffic areas like hallways.
Getting an Accurate Quote
Because so much depends on the actual condition of a property, the most reliable way to budget is a short visit or a set of clear photos, rather than a price purely by square footage. If you’re planning a project anywhere in Croydon — from a single room refresh to a full exterior repaint — get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote and we’ll give you a realistic number based on your actual property, not a generic calculator.
