Cost of Painting a Room

Introduction to the Cost of Painting a Room

Are you in the process of redecorating your living room or bedroom?

If so, you should consider painting your walls, as this is a quick, easy and affordable way to spruce up your space.

The price of painting a room will vary depending on the size of your room and the type of paint you choose, as some are harder to apply or take longer to dry than others.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room?

The average cost of room painting ranges from £134 for a 9 square metre bathroom up to £312 for a large 21 square metre living room.

The prices are generally determined by the type and size of the room, as well as the paint used, with the most popular options being eggshell, silk, matt and soft sheen.

The overall painting a room cost will also depend on the level of accessibility, as a tradesperson may charge more for an awkward-shaped room that will take longer to paint.

The job will also take more time if more coats are required, as some paint types require more product application than others.

To help you get a better understanding of the costs of painting a room, take a look at the following price breakdowns for different rooms and paint types.

These prices are based on one litre of paint covering three square metres with an average labour cost of £25 per hour.

Cost Of Painting Your Living room

The below table sets out the supply and labour costs for painting a 21 square metre living room with various paint types.

You should expect this job to take 8 hours to complete.

Cost Of Painting Your Conservatory

The following table showcases the supply and labour costs for painting a 15 square metre conservatory with four different paint types.

This job usually takes 7 hours to finish.

Cost Of Painting Your Bedroom

This price breakdown displays the cost of painting a bedroom which measures 12 square metres with an array of paint options.

It typically takes 6 hours to complete this job.

Cost Of Painting Your Bathroom

The below table shows the supply and labour costs for painting a 9 square metre bathroom with different paint types.

This paint job normally takes around 5 hours to finish.

Cost Of Painting Your Kitchen

The following table sets out the supply and labour costs for painting a 9 square metre kitchen with popular paint choices.

This job typically takes 5 hours to complete.

What Does Painting a Room Involve?

If you have no experience with painting a room or hiring someone to do the job for you, then you should take a look at this step by step guide which will set out what the job entails and what you should expect on the day.

1. Making Paint Decisions

The first step will involve choosing the paint you want and what you want the room to look like.

For instance, you may opt for an accent wall or wish to enhance your ceiling with a bright colour.

If hiring a professional painter and decorator to do the job, they will advise you on the best paint options for the specific room type, as well as how much paint you need.

They may supply this for you, or you can purchase it yourself.

2. Preparing the Room

Before painting, the tradesperson will cover up the floor and any furnishings to protect them from paint splashes.

They may also move your furniture for you, or you can help them out by doing it beforehand.

Painter's tape should also be applied to the corner edges in the room, as well as any door and window casings.

They will also ventilate the room by opening windows or using a fan, which will also help to speed up the drying process.

3. Priming the Walls

If painting on new drywall, the tradesperson will apply an oil-based primer to the walls to allow for better application.

They will also apply primer to stained walls or any areas that are prone to moisture build-up.

This will protect the walls, while also ensuring that the paint looks good and is long-lasting.

4. Applying the Paint

Once the room and the walls are prepared, then the decorator will begin to paint the walls and ceiling if necessary.

This will involve layered on one coat on each wall and waiting for it to feel dry to the touch before applying a second coat.

5. Cleaning Up

Once all the coats have been applied and are dry, the tradesperson will then commence with the clean- up stage.

This will involve removing the painter's tape, uncovering all furnishings and moving furniture back in.

They will also wipe down any surfaces if any paint has splashed.

There are also some additional jobs that you may want to consider when painting a room.

This could include new flooring to complement your freshly painted walls.

If you are looking for flooring on a budget, then you should opt for a new carpet which typically costs around £100 to £200 to install.

For a premium floor, you could consider parquet flooring, which ranges from £800 to £2500 for professional installation.

Another cost you may wish to consider is new light fittings, which could include a new ceiling light which is typically priced at £80 to £100. Y

ou could also opt for LED lighting, which ranges from £50 to £100.

This type of lighting will not only look great but will also help you reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint.

DIY Painting

If you want to save on renovation costs, then you can paint a room yourself.

Before doing this, you need to make sure that you have the right tools, including:

• Paint.
• Primer.
• Paint tray.
• Paint brushes.
• Paint roller.
• Paint roller extension.
• Sandpaper.
• Painter's tape.
• Putty knife.
• Drop cloths.
• Wooden stick.

Before painting your walls, you should check for any damage such as damp or cracks, which will need to be repaired before painting can commence.

If you have never repaired a wall before, then you may need to call in a professional to perform the repairs to ensure the painting job is successful.

Once the repairs are complete and you have primed your walls, you will then need to mix the paint with a wooden stick to ensure you achieve a consistent colour.

When painting, it is crucial that you stick with a specific technique to maintain a seamless finish.

The best method is to start from the ceiling and then move onto the walls starting from the top and working your way to the bottom – making sure you paint one wall at a time.

Once you have painted the first coat, it is imperative that you wait until the paint is dry to the touch before applying another layer, as applying paint any earlier will ruin the aesthetic and your efforts will be wasted.

Painting a room can be a tedious and time-consuming job, so if you do not have the time to complete it, you should not take on the task, as a rushed job will not look good.

You also need to be extremely careful when dealing with paint, as paint tends to contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can cause headaches or nausea if exposed to them without adequate ventilation.

Potential Problems and Pitfalls

One of the main disadvantages of painting is that it can take a long time and is also expensive.

This is why many people hire painting companies or self-employed painters who are able to get trade discounts on paint products and will also complete the job quickly and correctly.

Painting a room can also cause damage to furnishings if not covered up. If you spill any paint on your floor or furniture, this could result in a permanent stain, which may result in expensive replacement costs.

So, your best bet is to hire a professional who understands how to protect and prepare your room, while also painting in a safe and aesthetically pleasing manner.