Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 23 September 2026
Burnley's mix of Victorian terraces around Daneshouse, stone-built weaver's cottages in Worsthorne and newer estates out towards Rosegrove all need slightly different treatment when it comes to paint and decorating. A lot of the older housing stock still has original lime plaster or lath and plaster walls, which need breathable paints rather than modern vinyl emulsions, and terraced houses with shared walls often have damp patches that a decent decorator will spot and treat before they even pick up a brush. Whether it's a pebble-dashed semi in Brierfield needing exterior masonry paint or a townhouse conversion near the Weavers' Triangle wanting a full interior refresh, local knowledge of these building types genuinely matters.
The businesses listed here are pulled from public business listings and ranked mainly by their review rating and how many reviews they've built up, with a modest boost given to those who have a working website and phone number listed. We also check each business's homepage ourselves to confirm painting and decorating is actually their main line of work, which stops general builders or one-off tradespeople who dabble in decorating from cluttering up the page. Any listing that's been flagged as permanently closed gets removed automatically as part of that process. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge next to a business, that firm has gone through our fuller verification, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company details. Our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves. For businesses without the badge, we haven't independently checked those things, so it's worth doing that legwork yourself before you agree to any work.
Before booking, ask to see examples of recent jobs, ideally something similar to your own property, whether that's a bay-windowed terrace or a rendered semi. Check they carry public liability insurance and ask to see the certificate rather than just taking their word for it. Get a written quote that breaks down labour and materials separately, and get at least two or three quotes so you can compare not just price but what's actually included, prep work, number of coats, and how they'll deal with any damp or cracked plaster they find along the way. A decorator who wants to inspect the property before quoting is usually more trustworthy than one happy to price a job over the phone.
How We Select & Rate The Best Painters & Decorators in Burnley
Rankings are based on review rating and review count from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses showing a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm painting and decorating work is what they primarily do, which keeps unrelated trades off this page. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have additionally passed our full verification, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information; see our How We Verify page for the complete list. Other businesses haven't been independently verified by us, and their inclusion here isn't an endorsement, so do your own checks before hiring anyone.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
Quick Comparison: Painters & Decorators in Burnley
Painting and decorating services covering Burnley and the surrounding area, NJCPaints carries a five-star rating across 24 Google reviews. The company takes on both interior and exterior work for domestic and commercial clients. Straightforward in its approach, it has built a consistent local reputation without the scale of a larger contractor.
Exterior and interior painting and decorating is the focus at Ascend Building Renovations Ltd, a Burnley firm covering residential properties in the BB12 area. With a clean five-star rating across ten Google reviews, the company has built a consistent local reputation. Work spans surface preparation through to finished decoration, with no middlemen involved in the process.
Martyn Clegg Painting and Decorating is a sole-trader decorating service based in Burnley, covering residential and commercial interiors and exteriors. With a 4.5-star Google rating, the business has built a steady local reputation across the BB11 area. Work typically spans preparation, painting, and finishing to a consistent standard.
Exterior and interior painting and decorating work carried out across Burnley, with Ashley Hickey handling residential projects from preparation through to finishing coats. The business holds a 4.2 Google rating across its reviews. Clients in the BB10 area use the service for both redecoration and new-build finishing work.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
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How much does a painters & decorators cost in Burnley?
A single room repaint typically runs from around £250 to £450 depending on size and how much prep is needed, while a full three-bed terrace inside and out could sit anywhere between £2,000 and £4,500. Exterior work on a semi-detached house, including rendering repairs and masonry paint, often starts around £1,200 and rises depending on scaffolding needs. Prices vary a fair bit across Burnley depending on the state of the plaster and whether there's woodwork like skirting boards and doors to redo. It's normal to get two or three quotes before deciding, and worth asking each decorator to itemise materials versus labour so you're comparing like for like.
Do I need to move furniture out before decorators arrive in Burnley?
Most decorators expect the room to be reasonably clear, though many will help shift larger items and cover furniture with dust sheets rather than asking you to remove everything. It's worth asking upfront what's included, some quotes cover full furniture protection and floor covering, others assume you'll clear the space yourself. For a full house repaint it often makes sense to do one room at a time so you're not living out of boxes for weeks.
How long does it take to decorate a typical Burnley terrace house?
A full interior repaint of a standard two-up two-down terrace usually takes three to five working days, depending on how many coats are needed and whether there's woodwork or wallpaper stripping involved. Older properties with lath and plaster walls can take longer if the plaster needs patching before painting starts. Exterior work adds more time again, particularly if scaffolding is needed for upper floors or gable ends, and weather can push timescales back if it's a wet spell.
Should I choose paint myself or leave it to the decorator?
Most decorators are happy to fit around paint you've already bought, though many will suggest trade-quality brands like Dulux Trade or Crown Trade for durability, especially in high-traffic areas like hallways and stairwells. If your house has damp-prone walls, common in some of Burnley's older terraces, ask about breathable or anti-mould formulations rather than standard emulsion. It's worth discussing finish too, matt, eggshell or satinwood all behave differently and some decorators have strong opinions based on what's worked well locally.
What's the difference between a painter and a full decorator?
A painter typically focuses on applying paint to walls, ceilings and woodwork, while a decorator often covers a wider range including wallpapering, plastering repairs, coving and sometimes minor carpentry like architrave replacement. Many tradespeople in Burnley offer both under one banner, but if you need wallpaper hung or textured ceilings skimmed smooth, it's worth confirming that's within their usual scope before booking, rather than assuming.
What should I check before hiring a painter or decorator in Burnley?
Ask to see photos of recent, similar jobs and request contact details for a past customer if possible. Check they hold public liability insurance and ask for proof rather than assuming it. Get a written quote covering labour, materials and how many coats are included, and clarify who's responsible for prep work like filling cracks or sanding old paintwork. If a business carries a Trust Verified badge on this page, that means we've checked their qualifications, insurance, trading history and reviews directly. Where that badge isn't present, treat those checks as your own responsibility before agreeing to any work.
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