It's the first question almost everyone asks: how much will it cost to paint a room? The honest answer is that it depends, but that doesn't mean you can't get a sense of the range, or understand what pushes a price up or down. After more than 25 years decorating homes across West Sussex, here's how we'd explain it.
What actually affects the price
Two rooms the same size can cost very different amounts to decorate. The biggest factors are:
- Preparation needed. A sound, previously-painted wall is quick. Cracked plaster, flaking paint, old wallpaper to strip or heavy filling all add time, and time is the main cost in decorating.
- Amount of woodwork. Doors, skirting boards, architraves and window frames take far longer to cut in and finish neatly than flat walls.
- Number of coats. Going from a dark colour to a pale one, or covering patchy walls, often needs an extra coat.
- Ceiling height and access. High ceilings, stairwells and awkward spaces all slow the work down.
- Paint choice. Premium paints such as Farrow & Ball cost more per tin than standard trade paint, though they can give a lovely finish.
Typical ranges
As a very rough guide for the South East in 2026, a standard box bedroom with minimal preparation sits at the lower end, while a large living room with lots of woodwork, high ceilings or significant prep sits considerably higher. Rather than quote figures that may not fit your room, we prefer to assess the actual space, it's the only way to be accurate.
Why we don't publish fixed prices: a guessed price is either too high (and you overpay) or too low (and corners get cut to make it work). A free, no-obligation visit means you get a real, custom quote for your room, with day or per-job rates to suit, and no surprises later.
How to get an accurate quote
The best thing you can do is let a decorator see the room. A ten-minute visit tells me far more than any phone description: the state of the surfaces, how much prep is involved, and exactly what you want to achieve. You'll get a clear written quote with no hidden extras.
If you'd like a free quote for a room, or a whole house, anywhere in West Sussex, get in touch and we'll come and take a look.