How much does a painter and decorator cost in Nottingham? (2026)

Typical painter and decorator costs in Nottingham

For a standard single bedroom repaint — walls and ceiling, two coats, customer supplies paint — expect to pay £200 to £350 in Nottingham. A full three-bedroom house interior, including hallway, landing, and all rooms, typically runs £1,200 to £2,200 depending on condition and finish. These figures reflect the East Midlands market, which tends to sit around 10 to 15 per cent below London and the South East.

External painting costs more and varies widely. A semi-detached house exterior in Nottingham — soffits, fascias, windows, and front wall — usually comes in at £800 to £1,800. Full render painting on a detached property can reach £2,500 to £4,000. Scaffolding, if needed, is normally quoted separately and can add £400 to £700 for a two-storey house.

Day rates for painters in Nottingham run £180 to £280 per day for a sole trader, with small two-person firms often charging £320 to £500 per day combined. Some decorators quote per room rather than per day, which can work in your favour on straightforward jobs but makes it harder to compare quotes directly — always ask what is included.

What affects the price

Condition is the biggest variable. If walls have cracks, flaking paint, damp staining, or old artex that needs skimming, the prep work can double the labour time. A decorator who quotes low but skips proper preparation will leave you with a job that looks poor within a year. Always ask specifically what prep is included in the quote.

The number of coats, the quality of paint, and whether you supply it yourself all shift the final figure. Trade paints like Dulux Trade or Johnstone's cost more than DIY-range tins but cover better and last longer. If the decorator is supplying materials, expect to pay a markup of 15 to 25 per cent on the paint price — that is normal, but worth knowing.

Access and room size matter too. High ceilings, stairwells, and rooms full of furniture all slow the job down. Specialist finishes — limewash, gloss on panelling, feature walls with complex patterns — carry a premium. Stripping old wallpaper before repainting is a separate, time-consuming task; budget an extra £100 to £200 per room if wallpaper removal is involved.

How to get a fair quote and avoid overpaying

Get at least three written quotes for any job over £500. A written quote should specify the rooms, the work to be done, the number of coats, who supplies the paint, and the timeline. Verbal agreements leave you with very little recourse if the job goes wrong or runs over. Reputable decorators will put this in writing without being asked.

Be cautious of quotes that are dramatically lower than the others. Undercutting usually means cutting corners on prep, skimping on coats, or using cheap filler. Ask every tradesperson the same set of questions: How long have you been trading? Can you show me recent local work? Do you carry public liability insurance? A straightforward yes to all three is the minimum bar.

Posting your job on Rank My Builder puts it in front of verified local decorators with reviews from Nottingham homeowners you can read before making contact. Quotes are capped at five per job, so you get a manageable shortlist rather than a flood of cold calls — which makes comparing like-for-like a good deal easier.

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