13 / 15 Trades & home services
Painters and Decorators in London
Fresh decoration changes how a room feels. But the finish only lasts if the walls underneath are sound, so our painters and decorators start with the preparation: filling cracks, patching damaged plaster and repairing holes. Then comes the painting, glossing or wallpapering.
We decorate single rooms, whole houses, rental properties between tenants and commercial premises across London. Our decorators work alongside our builders, plasterers and tilers. That means a repair that turns out to be bigger than it looked can still be handled by the same team.
- Free survey
- Itemised written quote
- One project manager
- Certified sign-off
Repairs and Preparation
Most decorating problems, such as cracks that reappear, paint that peels or patches that show through, come from rushed preparation. These services put the surface right first:
Filling cracks in walls
We rake out, fill and sand fine and settlement cracks so they stay hidden under the new paint. Cracks that suggest movement are checked before they are covered.
Plaster patch repair
We cut out loose, blown or damaged plaster, re-plaster the area and blend it into the surrounding wall.
Repairing holes in walls
We patch holes in plasterboard and solid walls left by old fixings, door handles, removed shelves or cables, so they disappear under the finish.
Fixing ceiling cracks
We repair cracked plasterboard joints and old lath-and-plaster ceilings, after checking what caused the crack.
Siliconing
We strip out old, mouldy or split sealant around baths, showers, basins and worktops, then reseal with fresh, mould-resistant silicone.
Painting and Finishing
Painting
Interior walls and ceilings, and exterior masonry and render, painted with the right product for each surface and room.
Glossing
Skirting boards, door frames, doors, window boards and banisters, sanded, undercoated and finished in gloss or satinwood for a hard-wearing finish.
Wallpaper hanging
Lining paper, standard and heavy papers, and feature walls, hung straight with the pattern matched at every join.
What does a painter and decorator do?
What Does a Painter and Decorator Do?
A painter and decorator prepares and finishes the surfaces of a building, inside and out. On a typical job, that means:
- 1
Protecting the room moving or covering furniture, laying dust sheets and masking floors, sockets and fittings.
- 2
Preparing surfaces washing down, scraping loose paint, filling cracks and holes, sanding, and sealing stains.
- 3
Priming priming bare wood and metal, and applying a mist coat to new plaster so the paint grips.
- 4
Painting and papering applying the right number of coats, or hanging wallpaper.
- 5
Finishing glossing woodwork, cutting in neat lines, removing masking and cleaning up.
The right order
Should You Paint the Ceiling or Walls First?
Ceiling first. Paint and spatter fall downwards, so painting the ceiling first means any drips land on walls that have not been painted yet. The usual order is:
Some decorators undercoat the woodwork before the walls and apply the final gloss coat last. What matters is that each stage is completely dry before the next one starts next to it.
- 1
Ceiling
- 2
Walls
- 3
Woodwork, such as skirting boards, door frames and doors, in gloss or satinwood
- 4
Wallpaper, if the room has any, usually after the ceiling and woodwork are finished
Choosing the Right Paint
Matt emulsion
For most walls and ceilings. It hides minor imperfections well.
Durable or washable matt, silk or eggshell
For hallways, children's rooms and kitchens, where walls get marked and cleaned.
Kitchen and bathroom paint
Made to resist moisture and mould in rooms with steam.
Gloss and satinwood
For woodwork and metal. Gloss is shinier; satinwood gives a softer sheen.
Masonry paint
For exterior brick and render, made to stand up to the weather.
Mist coat
A diluted first coat of emulsion that seals new plaster before the full coats go on.
In older homes, some existing paint may contain lead. It must not be dry-sanded or burnt off, so we test suspect paintwork and prepare it using safe methods.
Timescale
How Long Does It Take to Paint a Room?
It depends mainly on the preparation. A room in good condition that only needs fresh paint in a similar colour is quick. A room with cracks to fill, a strong colour change, bare plaster or lots of woodwork takes longer, because each coat and repair must dry before the next goes on. The size of the room, the height of the ceilings and whether furniture has to be moved also make a difference. We give you a programme with the quote, so you know how long each room will take.
Pricing
How Our Decorating Is Priced
Decorating is usually priced per room or per job, not per day, so you know the full cost before we start. The main factors are the size of the room, the condition of the walls and woodwork, the amount of repair work, the number of coats and colour changes, wallpaper, ceiling height and access. You receive a written, itemised quote after a free visit, or from clear photos and measurements for simple jobs.
When cracks are more than cosmetic
When a Crack Is More Than Cosmetic
Most cracks are harmless and can be filled as part of decorating. Some are not. Diagonal cracks that are wider at the top, cracks that reopen after filling, or cracks alongside sticking doors and windows can be signs of movement in the building. We point these out rather than paint over them. Where needed, we can arrange for them to be checked, and, if a structural engineer recommends it, the repair can be carried out by our underpinning contractors.
09 — One team
Decorating as Part of a Bigger Project
Decorating is the final stage of every building project. When we carry out a renovation, an extension or a loft conversion, our decorators finish the new rooms so they are ready to use on handover. For small jobs around the home, such as putting up curtains, blinds and mirrors after decorating, see our handyman services. For regrouting and resealing tiled areas, see our tiling and grouting services.
Project manager
One named contact from survey to handover
Builders
Structure and building work
Plumbers & electricians
First and second fix, certified
Tilers & decorators
The finish, done properly
Areas
Decorators Across London
We are painters and decorators across London, with a focus on east and south-east London. See our pages for builders in Ilford, builders in Barking, builders in Dagenham, builders in East Ham and builders in Orpington, or all the areas we cover.
FAQs
Decorating FAQs
Can't see your question? Call or WhatsApp us — we're happy to help before you book.
How much does a painter and decorator charge per day in London?
Day rates vary, but most decorating is better priced per room or per job, so you know the full cost in advance. The price depends on the size of the room, the preparation needed, the number of coats and any wallpaper or woodwork. We give you a written, itemised quote.
How long does it take to paint a room?
It depends mostly on preparation and drying time. A room in good condition with a similar colour is quick. Repairs, bare plaster, strong colour changes and lots of woodwork add time. Your quote includes a programme for each room.
What does a painter and decorator do?
They protect the room, prepare the surfaces by filling cracks and holes and sanding, prime where needed, then apply paint or wallpaper and finish the woodwork, leaving the room clean.
Should you paint the ceiling or walls first?
Ceiling first, then walls, then woodwork. Drips and spatter fall downwards, so working from the top down keeps finished surfaces clean.
Do you move furniture and protect floors?
Yes. We move or cover furniture, lay dust sheets and mask floors and fittings before we start, and clean up at the end of the job.
Do you decorate rental properties between tenants?
Yes. We repair, repaint and reseal rental properties between tenancies, using durable, washable finishes suited to rented homes.
One team, every trade
Often Combined With
Next step
Get a Free Decorating Quote
Tell us which rooms you want decorated, and send photos of the walls, ceilings and woodwork on WhatsApp. We will send you a written, itemised quote.
You can also use our contact form.