Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 23 September 2026
Crawley's a mixed bag when it comes to housing, and that shapes what people need from a decorator. You've got the 1950s and 60s New Town estates around Bewbush and Furnace Green with their pebble-dashed exteriors and small box rooms, the Victorian terraces near Ifield and Three Bridges that often need careful work around original coving and sash windows, and newer builds out towards Maidenbower and Tilgate where plasterboard walls and modern trim are the norm. Add in the flats near the town centre and the office units around Manor Royal, and you end up with decorators locally who've had to get good at everything from stripping woodchip wallpaper to spraying kitchen units and matching heritage colours on period skirting boards.
The businesses listed here are pulled from public business listings and ranked by review rating and how many reviews they've got, with a small boost for those showing a working website and phone number. We read through each business's homepage ourselves to check that painting and decorating is actually their main line of work, not a sideline tacked onto general building or handyman services. That's what keeps unrelated trades off this page. Listings flagged as permanently closed get removed automatically, so you're not calling a number that rings out. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone further and passed our full verification, covering trade qualifications, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company details. Our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves. Any business without that badge hasn't been through that process with us, so it's down to you to check those things yourself before booking.
Before you commit to anyone, ask for photos of recent work in Crawley or nearby, ideally jobs similar to yours, whether that's a full exterior repaint on a semi in Southgate or a single feature wall in a rented flat. Ask what paint brands they use and whether they'll match Farrow & Ball or Dulux Trade colours if you've already picked something. Confirm they carry public liability insurance and ask to see it, not just take their word for it. It's also worth asking how they handle furniture and floor protection, since dust sheets and masking make a real difference to the mess left behind. Get two or three quotes minimum before you decide, because prices for the same job can vary by a few hundred pounds depending on how busy someone is and what's included in the price.
How We Select & Rate The Best Painters & Decorators in Crawley
Ranking is driven by review rating and review count taken 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 is what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades off the 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 full list. Other businesses haven't been independently verified by us, and being listed isn't an endorsement. Always do your own checks before hiring.
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 Crawley
Painting and decorating services across Crawley and the surrounding area are handled by 10 Building Maintenance LTD, a company covering both residential and commercial projects. Rated 5.0 from 46 Google reviews, the firm has built a consistent record among local clients. Work spans interior and exterior decoration, with the postcode RH11 7GU placing the business in the west of the town.
Rated 5.0 across 26 Google reviews, H G C Decorations Ltd is a painting and decorating company serving residential and commercial clients in Crawley. The business handles interior and exterior work, with a consistent record of customer satisfaction reflected in its perfect rating. A reliable local option for homeowners and businesses seeking straightforward, quality decorating.
Interior and exterior painting and decorating services are the focus of Painting By Me Ltd, a Crawley-based contractor covering residential and commercial properties. Operating from the RH10 area, the company takes on projects ranging from single rooms to full property refurbishments. Clients in the surrounding West Sussex area can request quotes directly through the business website.
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 Crawley?
A single room repaint, say a 4x4 metre bedroom, typically runs from £250 to £450 including paint, depending on how much prep work the walls need. A full interior repaint on a three-bed semi in areas like Northgate or Pound Hill can range from £1,500 to £2,800. Exterior work costs more, often £2,000 to £4,000 for a full house render and woodwork repaint, because of scaffolding or tower hire and weather delays. Prices vary with paint quality, how much filling and sanding is needed, and access. Get two or three quotes before booking, since the range between decorators for the same job can be surprisingly wide.
How long does it take to repaint a house in Crawley?
A single room usually takes one to two days including drying time between coats. A full three-bed house interior often takes a week to ten days, longer if ceilings need skimming or there's wallpaper to strip first. Exterior repaints depend heavily on the weather, since decorators won't paint masonry in rain or below about 5 degrees, so a job quoted for three days can stretch to a week if it's a wet spell. Ask for a realistic timeline upfront and check whether the quote includes contingency for weather delays on outdoor jobs.
Do I need to move furniture before the decorators arrive?
Most decorators will move light furniture and cover the rest with dust sheets, but it's worth clarifying this when you get your quote. For heavier pieces like wardrobes or bookcases, it's usually down to the homeowner to shift them beforehand, or you may be charged extra for the decorator's time. Clearing shelves, taking down curtains and removing wall art yourself will speed things up and avoid any damage disputes later.
What's the difference between trade paint and standard paint, and does it matter?
Trade paint, like Dulux Trade or Crown Trade ranges, tends to have better coverage and durability than retail tins, which matters in high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens. It also often needs fewer coats, which can offset the slightly higher cost. Ask your decorator which brand and finish they're planning to use and why, particularly for woodwork where satinwood versus eggshell finishes behave differently over time.
Can a decorator help with matching colours to my existing decor?
Most decorators are happy to bring colour cards or match existing paint using a colour reference number if you know it. Some will do a small test patch before committing to the full room, which is worth asking for if you're unsure about a shade in different light. If you're trying to match a discontinued colour, bring a paint chip or a photo in good daylight, as this helps them get a closer match through a colour-matching service at a trade counter.
How do I choose between decorators when several look similar on paper?
Start by checking whether they've got public liability insurance, and ask to see proof rather than just taking their word for it. Look at recent reviews for mentions of tidiness, timekeeping and whether the finished job matched what was quoted. Ask for two or three local references you can actually call, not just photos. If a business carries a Trust Verified badge on this page, that means it's been through our full check on qualifications, insurance, trading history and company records, which takes some of the legwork off you. For anyone without that badge, it's worth doing those checks yourself, and always get the final price and payment schedule in writing before work starts.
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