Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 23 September 2026
Margate's mix of housing keeps its decorators busy in different ways. You've got the Victorian terraces around Cliftonville with their high ceilings and original cornicing, the Georgian townhouses near the Old Town that need lime-friendly paints rather than standard emulsion, and newer builds out towards Westgate-on-Sea where the work is often quicker and more about a fresh coat than restoration. Add in the sea air, which plays havoc with exterior woodwork and render along the seafront properties, and you can see why local knowledge counts for a lot here. A decorator who's worked on the salt-exposed frontages near the harbour will know which primers hold up and which ones flake within a year.
The businesses listed on this page are pulled from public business listings and ranked by their review rating and review count, with a modest boost given to those showing a working website and phone number. We also check each business's homepage to confirm painters and decorators work is genuinely what they do day to day, which keeps builders, handymen and other unrelated trades from cluttering the page. Any listing flagged as permanently closed gets removed 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. You can read exactly what that involves on our How We Verify page. For businesses without the badge, none of that has been independently checked by us, so it's down to you to look into it before booking.
Before you commit to anyone, ask to see proof of public liability insurance and, if the job involves anything structural like removing wallpaper down to bare plaster, find out whether they'll flag issues like damp or cracking rather than just painting over them. Get a written quote that breaks down labour and materials separately, and ask how many coats are included, since some quotes assume one coat of emulsion where you'll actually need two. It's worth getting two or three quotes for anything beyond a single room, both to compare pricing and to see who actually turns up on time and answers your questions properly. A decorator who's happy to give you references from recent local jobs, ideally ones you can go and look at, is usually a safer bet than one who isn't.
How We Select & Rate The Best Painters & Decorators in Margate
Rankings are 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 complete list. Other businesses on this page have not been independently verified by us, and their inclusion 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 Margate
Spray finishing is the core specialism at this Margate decorating firm, offering a smoother, more uniform result than conventional brush or roller methods. Paint Spraying Experts carries a 4.7 rating from 30 Google reviews, reflecting consistent work across residential and commercial projects. The CT9 postcode area forms the heart of their local coverage.
Rated 5 stars by local customers, TLC Decorating Services operates as a painting and decorating firm based in Margate. The business handles interior and exterior work for residential and commercial clients across the area. Its consistent rating reflects a straightforward, reliable approach to finish and preparation that homeowners and neighbouring businesses return to.
DJK Decorating and Design Ltd is a painting and decorating company based in Margate, serving residential and commercial clients across the area. The business operates under a limited company structure, which suggests a degree of formal accountability less common among sole traders in the trade. CT9 2AA places it centrally within Thanet, making it well positioned for local work across the isle.
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 Margate?
A single room repaint, say a bedroom around 12 square metres, typically runs from £250 to £400 including materials, depending on wall condition and how many coats are needed. Full house interiors for a three-bed terrace tend to land between £2,000 and £3,500. Exterior work costs more because of scaffolding or tower hire, especially on the taller Victorian properties near Cliftonville, and can start from £1,500 for a mid-terrace front. Prices vary with prep work needed, paint quality (trade emulsion versus something like Farrow & Ball) and access. Get two or three quotes so you can compare like for like.
Do I need to move furniture out myself before a decorator starts?
Most decorators expect you to clear small items and valuables yourself, but many will help shift larger furniture to the middle of the room and cover it with dust sheets as part of the job. Ask this upfront when you get your quote, since some prices include full room prep and others charge extra if there's a lot to move around.
How long does it take to repaint a typical semi-detached house in Margate?
A full interior repaint on a three-bedroom semi usually takes four to six working days, longer if there's wallpaper to strip or damp patches to treat first. Exterior work depends heavily on the weather, since you can't paint masonry paint in the rain or when it's too cold, so allow flexibility if you're booking for autumn or winter.
What's the difference between using trade paint and a named brand like Dulux or Farrow & Ball?
Trade paint from suppliers is generally cheaper and covers well in fewer coats, which is why most decorators use it as standard. Named brands often have a bigger colour range and different finishes, but you'll pay more per litre and it can add a noticeable amount to the total cost on a larger job. Ask your decorator what's included in the quote before assuming a premium brand is covered.
Should I worry about damp or mould before booking a decorator?
Yes, particularly in older Margate properties near the seafront where damp is common. A decent decorator should point out signs of damp, black mould or blown plaster and tell you honestly if it needs treating before painting rather than just covering it up. If a large patch of mould keeps returning after redecorating, get a damp specialist to look at it first, since painting over the problem just wastes money.
What should I check before choosing a painter and decorator in Margate?
Ask to see proof of public liability insurance and, if you're unsure, call the insurer to confirm it's current. Look at recent reviews mentioning the type of work you need, whether that's wallpapering, exterior masonry or spray finishing on kitchen units. Ask for photos of similar completed jobs, ideally local ones, and request a written quote rather than a verbal estimate so there's no confusion later about what's included. If a business carries a Trust Verified badge, that means it's been through fuller checks on qualifications, insurance and trading history. Where that badge isn't present, treat it as your responsibility to ask these questions directly before you book.
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