Painting is the fastest way to transform a home, and in London it is also where quotes vary the most. For the same three-bedroom house you can be quoted anywhere from a few thousand pounds to five figures. The difference is almost never the paint. It is the preparation, and how much of it your decorator intends to do.
Here is what full-house decoration realistically costs in London in 2026, and how to read the quotes you get back.
Whole-house guide prices for 2026
For a typical three-bedroom London house (walls, ceilings and woodwork, interior only):
- Straightforward repaint in good condition: roughly £4,500 to £7,500
- Full redecoration with proper preparation (filling, sanding, priming, minor repairs): roughly £7,500 to £12,000
- Period property with cornicing, panelling, sash windows and high ceilings: £12,000 to £20,000+
Room-by-room, as a sanity check
- Standard bedroom: £400 to £800
- Living room: £600 to £1,200
- Kitchen or bathroom (more cutting in, more protection): £450 to £900
- Hallway, stairs and landing (access, height): £800 to £1,600
- Woodwork per room (skirting, doors, frames, windows): £200 to £500
Why preparation is 80 percent of the job
Two coats of premium emulsion over an unfilled, unsanded wall will look tired within months. Proper preparation means washing down, filling cracks and holes, sanding, spot-priming, caulking gaps and protecting everything that is not being painted. It is slower and it is what you are really paying for.
When one quote is dramatically cheaper than the rest, the preparation line is nearly always where the difference hides. Ask each decorator to describe exactly what preparation is included, in writing.
What else moves a London decorating quote
- Ceiling heights and access. Period ceilings and stairwells need towers or specialist ladders.
- Colour changes. Going light over dark (or the reverse) adds coats.
- Woodwork condition. Flaking sashes and dented skirting need burning off, filling and building back up.
- Occupied vs empty. Working around furniture and family life is slower than an empty property.
- Spec of finish. Designer paints and specialist finishes cost more per litre and per coat.
How to compare decorators properly
- Insist on an itemised quote that separates preparation, materials and labour.
- Ask what happens if they find damp, mould or failed plaster once they start.
- Check insurance and recent reviews for comparable work.
- Agree protection standards: floors, fittings and furniture covered, rooms left clean each day.
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FAQ
Quick answers
- How long does it take to paint a 3 bed house?
- A full interior redecoration of a three-bedroom house typically takes one to three weeks depending on preparation, colour changes and whether the house is occupied while the work happens.
- Should I buy the paint myself?
- Usually not. Decorators buy trade paint at better prices and take responsibility for coverage and finish. If you want a specific designer colour, agree the brand and finish in the quote instead.
