It’s one of the first things everyone asks, and fair enough. This guide covers what painters and decorators in Essex & Suffolk typically charge in 2026: day rates, room-by-room prices and the things that push a quote up or down, so you know what to expect before you get quotes.
Please note: the figures below are typical ranges for Essex & Suffolk to help you budget. They aren’t a fixed price list. Every Fresh Coat quote is written for your home after James has seen the job.
Painter and decorator day rates in Essex & Suffolk
Most decorators in Essex & Suffolk charge somewhere between £180 and £260 a day for a single tradesperson, depending on experience and the type of work. Specialist work such as hand-painted kitchens or large murals can cost more.
Many decorators, Fresh Coat included, prefer to quote a fixed price for the whole job rather than a day rate, so you know the total up front. A day rate is still a useful way to sense-check any quote: divide the price by the number of days quoted.
How much does it cost to paint a room?
These typical labour prices assume walls and ceiling in two coats plus woodwork (skirting, door and frame), in reasonable condition. Paint is usually extra, at roughly £40 to £120 per room depending on the brand.
| Room or job | Typical time | Typical labour cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom or box room | 1.5–2 days | £300–£500 |
| Double bedroom | 2–3 days | £450–£750 |
| Living room | 2.5–4 days | £550–£950 |
| Kitchen (walls and ceiling) | 1.5–2.5 days | £350–£600 |
| Bathroom | 1–2 days | £250–£450 |
| Hallway, stairs and landing | 4–6 days | £900–£1,600 |
| Staircase spindles and handrail only | 2–3 days | £400–£750 |
| Kitchen cabinet painting | 3–5 days | £900–£1,800 |
| Wallpaper feature wall | 0.5–1 day | £150–£300 |
| Front door (one side, full prep) | 1 day | £180–£300 |
What affects the price?
- Condition of the surfaces. Cracks, flaking paint, water stains and dents all need fixing before painting. Prep is often half the job.
- Ceiling height and access. Stairwells and high ceilings need platforms or ladders and take longer.
- Colour changes. Going from dark to light (or light to a strong colour) can mean an extra coat.
- Woodwork. Spindles, panelled doors and sash windows are slow, careful work.
- New plaster. Needs a mist coat before the finish coats.
- Furniture and access. Empty rooms are quicker to protect and work in than full ones.
- Paint choice. Premium brands cost more per tin, but often cover better and last longer.
How to get an accurate quote
The quickest way to a useful price is to send a few photos of each room with rough measurements, and say what you’d like done (walls, ceilings, woodwork, colours). From there James can give you a ballpark straight away and arrange a visit for a written quote.
Is the cheapest quote the best value?
Not always. A low quote often means less preparation: no filling, no sanding, no caulking, one coat instead of two. It looks fine for a few months, then the cracks and patchy patches come back. When you compare quotes, ask what prep is included, how many coats and what paint will be used.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a painter and decorator charge per day in Essex & Suffolk?
Typically £180 to £260 a day for one decorator in 2026, though many give a fixed price for the whole job instead.
How much does it cost to paint a room in the UK?
For an average double bedroom, expect roughly £450 to £750 for labour (walls, ceiling and woodwork), plus paint. Smaller rooms cost less and large living rooms more.
How much does it cost to paint a house?
A full interior repaint of a three-bedroom house in Essex & Suffolk is typically £3,000 to £6,000 depending on size, condition and how much woodwork is involved. Exterior work is priced separately.
Do decorators charge for a quote?
Most don’t, and Fresh Coat never does. Quotes are free and come with no obligation.