Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 23 September 2026
Hastings throws up a fair bit of variety for painters and decorators, and that's down to the town's mix of housing. You've got the tall Victorian terraces around the Old Town and America Ground, salt-battered render on the seafront properties along the Bourne, and newer estates out towards Ore and Hollington that need a completely different approach. A decorator working on a bay-fronted house near the Stade will be dealing with lime plaster, sash windows and probably some flaking exterior paint caused by sea air, while someone repainting a 1960s semi in Silverhill is more likely fitting a straightforward job around modern plasterboard and uPVC trims. Local knowledge matters here, particularly with exterior work, because the coastal weather off the Channel does no favours to masonry paint or woodwork that isn't prepped properly.
The businesses listed on this page are pulled from public business listings and ranked using their review rating and review count, with a small boost given to those showing a working website and phone number. We also read each business's homepage to check that painters and decorators work is genuinely what they do day to day, which keeps builders, handymen and other unrelated trades off this particular list. Listings flagged as permanently closed are stripped out automatically. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge, that business has gone through our fuller verification process, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history and registered company information (our How We Verify page sets out exactly what that involves). Businesses without the badge haven't been through that process with us, so it's worth doing your own checks before booking.
When you're getting quotes, ask what the price actually covers: is filling and sanding included, how many coats, and whether they're supplying paint or you are. It's worth asking to see photos of recent jobs, particularly if you need render repair or exterior work, since that's where corners get cut most often. Check they carry public liability insurance and are happy to put the job details in writing before any work starts. Getting two or three quotes is standard practice in Hastings, and the spread between them can be surprisingly wide, so don't just take the first one that lands in your inbox.
How We Select & Rate The Best Painters & Decorators in Hastings
Ranking on this page is driven by review rating and review count from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses that show a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm painters and decorators work is what they primarily offer, and 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 detail. Other businesses here haven't been independently verified by us, and being listed 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 Hastings
Specialising in interior and exterior painting and decorating, Holmes Decorating serves residential and commercial clients across Hastings. The business holds a perfect 5.0 rating from 24 Google reviews, suggesting consistent, reliable work across a range of projects. Holmes Decorating operates in the TN37 area and beyond.
Homeowners and commercial clients across Hastings turn to MPB Painting & Decorating for interior and exterior work. The company holds a 5.0 rating across 18 Google reviews, a consistent record for a local decorating firm. Services cover the TN34 area and surrounding parts of East Sussex.
Hamilton Decorators is a painting and decorating firm based in Hastings, serving residential and commercial clients across the local area. With a perfect 5.0 rating from 14 Google reviews, the business has built a consistent record of quality workmanship among its neighbours and nearby customers. Interior and exterior decoration forms the core of their offer.
P. Bowles Painting & Decorating is a sole-trader decorating service based in Hastings, covering interior and exterior work for residential clients. Operating under the TN35 postcode area, the business runs on a straightforward, one-tradesperson model, meaning the person who quotes the job is the person who carries it out. Further details on services and availability can be found at patrickbowles.co.uk.
Aspect Decorating is a painting and decorating firm based in Hastings, serving residential and commercial customers across the local area. The TN35 postcode places them in the eastern part of town, making them a practical choice for neighbours in that corner of the borough.
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 Hastings?
For a single room, expect somewhere around £250 to £500 depending on size and how much prep is needed, with a full interior repaint of a three-bed terrace typically landing between £1,500 and £3,000. Exterior work costs more because of scaffolding or tower hire, and a full house exterior in Hastings can run from £2,000 up to £5,000 or more if there's render repair or rotten woodwork to sort first. Prices vary a lot depending on paint quality, how many coats are needed and access, so get two or three quotes before deciding.
How long does it take to paint a house in Hastings?
A single average-sized room usually takes a decorator one to two days including drying time between coats. A full interior job on a typical three-bed house is often five to eight working days. Exterior jobs depend heavily on the weather, since masonry paint needs dry conditions to cure properly, and a wet spell off the coast can easily add a few days to the schedule.
Do I need to move furniture before a decorator arrives?
Most decorators will ask you to clear small items and valuables yourself, but they'll usually move larger furniture into the centre of the room and cover it with dust sheets. It's worth asking upfront what's included, since some charge extra for shifting heavy items like wardrobes or moving a piano.
What's the best time of year to get exterior painting done in Hastings?
Spring and early autumn tend to work best, when temperatures are milder and there's less chance of prolonged rain. Masonry paint generally needs to be applied above 10 degrees and in dry conditions, so summer bookings can fill up fast along the coast. Winter exterior work isn't impossible, but delays from wet or windy weather are common.
Should I supply my own paint or let the decorator sort it?
Either works, but check first, since some decorators get trade discounts on brands like Dulux Trade or Farrow & Ball and will pass some of that saving on. If you've got a specific colour or finish in mind, buying it yourself guarantees you get exactly what you want, but confirm the sheen and coverage with the decorator so there's no mismatch on the day.
How do I check a painter or decorator before booking them in Hastings?
Ask to see photos of recent jobs local to Hastings, ideally something similar to your own property, whether that's a period terrace or a modern build. Confirm they hold public liability insurance and ask for a written quote that breaks down materials, labour and how many coats are included. Check recent reviews on public listings for mentions of tidiness, timekeeping and whether they stuck to the original price. If a business carries a Trust Verified badge on this page, that means we've checked qualifications, insurance and trading history ourselves, but for anyone without it, these are checks worth doing yourself before paying a deposit.
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