Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 10 October 2026
London's housing stock is unlike anywhere else in the country. You've got Victorian and Edwardian terraces across Hackney, Islington and Clapham with their original plasterwork cornicing and ceiling roses that demand real patience and a steady hand. Further out, you'll find 1930s semis in Sutton and Enfield, post-war estates in Lewisham and Woolwich, and modern new-builds across Nine Elms and Stratford. Each throws up different challenges. Older properties often have layers of old oil-based paint over lime plaster, which needs careful preparation before any new emulsion goes on. Exterior work in London also has to contend with the city's damp climate and sooty air, which means primer selection and surface prep matter far more than the tin of topcoat you choose. A decorator who knows these buildings, and knows how London's weather behaves through autumn and spring, will save you a lot of grief.
Every business on this page was drawn from public third-party business listings and ranked by review rating and review count, with a small lift given to those showing a working website and phone number. From there, we check each business's homepage to confirm that painting and decorating is what they primarily offer, which is how unrelated trades get filtered out. Any listing flagged as permanently closed is removed automatically. Where you see a Trust Verified badge on a business, that means they've additionally passed our full verification process covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. You can find the complete list of what that covers on our How We Verify page. Businesses without that badge have not been independently verified by us, and you should carry out your own checks before booking.
Getting a few quotes is always worth it, and three is a sensible number to aim for. Prices vary quite a bit across London. A standard double bedroom repaint typically runs from around £300 to £600 for labour alone, while a full exterior repaint on a Victorian terrace can easily reach £1,500 to £3,000 depending on the condition of the render and timber. Ask each decorator to put their quote in writing and to break down prep work separately from painting, since cutting corners on preparation is usually where quality falls apart. Check whether they carry public liability insurance and ask to see a copy rather than just taking their word for it. If the job involves lead paint, which is common in pre-1970s properties across inner London, ask specifically how they handle and dispose of it. A bit of due diligence before you sign anything will save you far more trouble than shopping on price alone.
How We Select & Rate The Best Painters & Decorators in London
Rankings on this page are driven by review rating and review count taken from third-party business listings, with a small lift applied to businesses that show a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm that painting and decorating is what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades off the page. Permanently closed listings are removed automatically. Businesses displaying a Trust Verified badge have additionally passed our full verification covering qualifications, insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. See our How We Verify page for the full list. All other businesses on this page have not been independently verified by us, and inclusion is not 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 →
DC Decorating provides professional painting and decorating services from their Abbey Wood base, serving London and the surrounding area. Their website offers further details about their decorating expertise and service offerings.
Bromley properties, from period terraces to newer builds, make up much of the work handled by VK Decorating. The painters and decorators cover interior and exterior jobs, with much of their work coming from repeat clients and referrals rather than one-off jobs.
Interior repainting and wallpaper hanging make up much of the workload for Correct Decor ltd, based in Sutton. The firm has built a following among local homeowners wanting tidy, precise finishes on walls, ceilings and woodwork. Jobs are carried out with attention to surface preparation as much as the final coat.
Novitas Decorators provides professional painting and decorating services across London. They offer comprehensive interior and exterior painting solutions for residential and commercial properties throughout the capital.
SW London Painting and Decorating provides professional painting and decorating services across South West London and surrounding areas. The business is based in Croydon.
Bulger Wicks Decorating Ltd is a painting and decorating firm based in west London. The company takes on both interior and exterior projects for residential and commercial clients across the capital, including the neighbourhood of Chiswick and beyond.
Families across Bromley call on Alex Painter for interior and exterior decorating work, from single rooms refreshed between tenants to full house repaints. Local households make up the bulk of its regular custom.
Painting Perfection provides professional painting and decorating services across London. The company offers comprehensive interior and exterior painting solutions for residential and commercial properties throughout the capital. Their skilled decorators handle everything from surface preparation to final finishing touches, ensuring quality results for London homeowners and businesses.
Paintwise Decorators provides professional painting and decorating services across London, specialising in both interior and exterior projects for residential and commercial properties. The company handles everything from complete home makeovers to smaller touch-up work. Their experienced team delivers quality workmanship for walls, ceilings, woodwork, and exterior surfaces.
JNdecor Limited is a painting and decorating firm based in west London, serving residential and commercial properties across the capital. It handles interior and exterior projects, from preparation through to finish. Its west London location places it within straightforward reach of neighbouring boroughs.
Interior repainting and wallpaper hanging make up much of the workload for Csaba's Painting & Decorating Service Ltd, based in Bromley. The firm puts careful surface preparation first, before any brush touches a wall. Jobs range from single rooms to full redecorations across the local area.
M&R Painting and Decorating provides professional painting and decorating services across London. The company handles both interior and exterior projects for residential and commercial properties throughout the capital.
Interior and exterior repainting makes up much of the workload at R C Decor Property Services, covering everything from wall preparation to full property refreshes around Bromley. Enquiries can be made through its website.
RDMContractors ltd provides professional painting and decorating services across London and the surrounding areas from their base in Erith. They serve both residential and commercial clients.
A painting and decorating service operating across London, Regency Professional Decorating Services covers both residential and commercial projects. The company handles interior and exterior work, including preparation, finishing, and colour application. Straightforward in its offer, it serves clients across the capital without the sprawl of a franchise operation.
ML Painting & Decorating provides professional painting and decorating services across London and the Dartford area. Their experienced team handles both interior and exterior painting projects for residential and commercial properties.
Interior repainting and wallpapering form the core of Kevin Spiteri's work in Sutton, with particular attention paid to surface preparation before any paint goes on. Enquiries can be made through the company website for scheduling.
Sutton properties make up much of the workload for NG Contracts UK Ltd, a painting and decorating firm. Work ranges from interior redecoration to external finishes, tailored to the terraces and semis typical of the district.
Bromley and the surrounding area are served by NishadKarimArt, a painting and decorating outfit with a leaning towards bespoke, detailed work rather than standard repaints. Its bespoke projects portfolio suggests clients seeking something beyond magnolia walls.
Home Painting and Decorating Ltd is a painting and decorating company in Bromley. The company handles interior and exterior painting for local homes, working to schedules agreed with clients rather than a fixed template. Details on current jobs and past work can be found via its website.
Spraytek Paint Specialists provides professional painting and decorating services from their base in Erith, serving the surrounding London boroughs. Their expertise covers residential and commercial painting projects, with additional specialisation in spray painting techniques.
RedEgg Painting and Decorating provides professional painting and decorating services across London, operating from their base in Erith. They serve residential and commercial clients throughout the London area, delivering quality interior and exterior painting work.
Sutton properties make up much of the workload for SW Decorating Ltd, covering interior and exterior painting for homes across the town. Jobs range from single rooms to full house redecoration.
VITA Decorating & Mastic Ltd provides professional painting and decorating services across London, specialising in both interior and exterior projects. Their services include comprehensive decorating solutions and specialist mastic work for residential and commercial properties throughout the capital.
Painting and decorating work in Bromley covers interior redecoration and exterior finishing for domestic clients. Enquiries can be made through the company website for scheduling and quotes.
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 London?
Interior decorating typically costs £15-25 per square metre for standard emulsion work, rising to £30-50 for detailed preparation or premium finishes. Exterior painting ranges from £20-35 per square metre depending on access and surface condition. Day rates for decorators run £180-280, with experienced professionals charging towards the higher end. Specialist work like period restoration or spray finishes costs significantly more. Always get two or three detailed quotes to compare properly.
How long does it take to paint a typical London house?
A standard two-bedroom Victorian terrace interior takes 5-8 working days for a full repaint, including preparation. Three-bedroom properties typically need 7-10 days. Exterior work on a terraced house usually requires 4-6 days in good weather. Period properties with detailed woodwork take longer due to preparation time. Most decorators work around your schedule, often completing rooms sequentially so you can still live in the property.
What paint brands do London decorators typically use?
Professional decorators often use Dulux Trade, Crown Trade, or Farrow & Ball for premium work. Many favour Johnstone's Trade paints for durability and coverage. For period properties, specialist brands like Little Greene or Zoffany might be recommended. Quality decorators will discuss paint options with you - cheaper paints might save money upfront but often need recoating sooner. Always ask what specific products they'll use and why.
Do I need planning permission for exterior painting in London?
Standard repainting doesn't require planning permission, but listed buildings or properties in conservation areas have restrictions on colour choices and materials. Some residential developments have management company rules about exterior colours. Check with your local council's planning department if you're unsure - most have online guidance. Your decorator should know about local restrictions and advise accordingly.
Should I move out whilst decorating work is happening?
Most interior decorating can be done whilst you're living in the property. Professional decorators use dust sheets and work room by room to minimise disruption. However, whole-house projects involving oil-based paints or heavy preparation work might require temporary relocation. Discuss this during the quote stage - many decorators can work around your schedule, including evenings or weekends for smaller jobs.
How do I verify a decorator's credentials and insurance?
Ask for their public liability insurance certificate - legitimate decorators carry £1-2 million cover minimum. Check they're registered for tax by asking for their UTR number if they're self-employed. Look up their business on Companies House if they're limited. Request recent customer references and actually phone them. Check their Google Business profile shows consistent trading history. Trust your instincts during the initial consultation - professional decorators arrive punctually, provide detailed written quotes, and answer questions knowledgeably.
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