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In the UK, many people will use both “painter” and “decorator” to refer to a tradesperson who offers both painting and decorating of homes.

However, there is a subtle difference between the two if you’re being specific:

• A painter focuses on physically painting the interior and exterior surfaces of a property
• A decorator often has a broader skill set covering both painting and decorative finishes, such as wallpapering, stencilling, colour consultations, and advising on design concepts

Most Checkatrade tradespeople offer both painting and decorating, which is why they are listed as "painters and decorators".

Painter and decorator prices in Kirkwall can vary based on the size of the job, where you live, and the experience of the person doing the work.

As a rough guide, you can expect to pay a painter and decorator somewhere in the region of £20 - £25 per hour or £180 - £200 per day.

Common painter and decorator costs

Here are some average costs for popular painter and decorator jobs in the UK:

• Paint a medium-sized room – £400
• Paint a house – £45 per m2 (floor space)
• Paint a house – £8.50 per m2 (floor space)
• Cost of painting a 4-bedroom house – £2,600 - £3,600
• Wallpaper removal cost – £350 per room
• Cost of painting exterior of a house – £425 - £1,500

If you’re looking for costs per room, here are some average painter and decorator prices you can expect to pay:

• Medium-sized room – £400
• Bedroom – £245
• Hallway, landing and stairs – £600
• Ceilings – £325
• Window frames – £175

Expect to pay more in central towns and cities, especially if you're looking for painters and decorators working near you within 5 miles of a city centre.

Decorators may also charge more for:

• High ceilings or tricky access
• Repairing damaged walls
• Specialist finishes (such as wallpapering or textured paint)

Before hiring a painter and decorator, we recommend speaking to at least three tradespeople working locally to get quotes for the work.

By shopping around you can make sure you’re being quoted fair and competitive prices.

Learn more about costs and how we sourced our figures in our guide to painter and decorator prices.

When getting quotes for painting and decorating work, various factors can affect the total cost of the job.

Below are some of the most common factors that you should consider:

• Size and complexity of the job (room size, number of rooms, ceiling height, room layouts)
• Condition of the surfaces (any repairs or surface preparation needed and existing paint condition)
• Quality and quantity of paint and materials (type and brand of paint, any speciality paints used, primers, and undercoat)
• Labour costs (based on the experience of the tradesperson and the time taken to complete the job)
• Any additional services (wallpapering, furniture removal and repositioning, waste disposal, or cleaning)

The best way to get an accurate estimate for the job is to speak to multiple painters and decorators working in Kirkwall.

Give them detailed information about your project and then compare the costs you are quoted.

There are various ways to find a tradesperson when looking for a painter and decorator working in your local area.

Here are some of our top tips for finding a painter and decorator operating in Kirkwall:

• Use Checkatrade search – Our search tool is a quick and easy way to find painters and decorators who we’ve verified with up to 12 checks
• Request quotes – We recommend getting at least three quotes from different painters and decorators and, if you use our request a quote feature, we’ll do the legwork for you
• Check their qualifications – Look for a painter and decorator with the right credentials, such as City & Guilds or NVQs in Painting and Decorating, PDA membership (Painting and Decorating Association), or TrustMark accreditation
• Look for real customer feedback – Before hiring, ask them for references from previous customers and then contact them to get feedback on the painter and decorator’s work. Pay attention to their timekeeping, tidiness, workmanship and courtesy

Whenever hiring a painter and decorator, take time to research so that you can be confident you’re hiring the right tradesperson for the job.

Many painters and decorators working near you will be happy to talk through your project and give advice before quoting. Look for someone who’s honest about timings and costs, and happy to answer your questions.

Not all painters and decorators will have formal qualifications. However, here are some to look out for when hiring:

• City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating – This covers the basic skills and knowledge needed for painting and decorating
• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating – An advanced qualification that covers more complex techniques and specialist finishes
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Painting and Decorating – Similar to City & Guilds qualifications, NVQs are generally recognised as an industry standard

It’s also useful to check if the painter and decorator you find have accreditations or affiliations such as:

• TrustMark – A government-backed scheme that ensures tradespeople adhere to quality standards and ethical practices
• CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) – Shows a commitment to health and safety standards on the job site
• Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) - The largest UK trade association for professional, insured painters and decorators

In addition to their credentials, look for a painter and decorator with several years of experience and lots of positive customer reviews.

Generally speaking, most painters and decorators will supply the paint, brushes, rollers, dust sheets, filler and more for the job. In fact, some will insist that they supply the paint to ensure the quality of the final finish.

That way they can ensure the quality of the materials that they’re working with.

Why professional-grade paint matters

Professional-grade paints are designed to provide a superior finish and last longer, so they’ll often outperform standard retail options.

It might seem tempting to pick up paint at your local store, but it's usually best to let your painter and decorator source the paint.

Choosing the paint

Don't worry, you still have the final say on the colour and style of the paint that they’re going to use.

One of the first conversations with your chosen painter and decorator will be about the results you’re looking for in your home.

A good local painter and decorator will have a variety of paint swatches to show you options from various paint brands and suppliers.

You’ll be able to pick the right shade for your interior design plans, and have the right type of paint for each room – whether that’s gloss, matt, masonry paint or a chalky effect.

Is it cheaper for me to buy my own paint?

Not usually. At least, not for good-quality paint. People who work as painters and decorators are constantly buying paint and typically get discounts from their local paint suppliers.

A good painter and decorator will want to use quality paint that they can source at a reasonable price.

They can then guarantee the quality of the finished results and make sure you’re happy with their work.

Good to know:

• Trade paint lasts longer. Professional-grade paints often give better coverage and durability
• You can still buy your own. But it may not save you money, and decorators usually won’t guarantee the result if it’s not paint they recommended

The time it takes to paint a room or house will depend massively on the size of the space(s) and the complexity of the job.

Timings will also be affected by the condition of the existing surfaces and the number of painters doing the work.

As a general guide, here are some estimations of how long a professional painter and decorator might take:

• Small to medium-sized room – 1-2 days
• Whole house – 3-5+ days (by a team of professional painters)

It's also important to note that drying time between coats can significantly impact the project timeline.

Other factors that can affect timing include:

• Prep time (cleaning, sanding, repairing walls)
• Number of coats and drying time
• Complex features like high ceilings or decorative mouldings

For more accurate timings for your painting job, ask painters and decorators to carry out a consultation at your property.

Your painter and decorator should provide a timeline in their quote – especially useful if you’re working to a deadline.

Most reputable painters and decorators will be more than happy to show you examples of their previous work.

They should also be able to provide you with customer reviews from previous jobs.

Here are the best ways to see examples of their previous work and reviews:

• Check their Checkatrade profile (if they have one)
• Ask them for references from previous customers that you can contact to get feedback
• Look at their social media profiles – painters often post before and after photos of their jobs and you can read customer comments
• If there aren’t any/many examples online, ask each painter and decorator to send you examples of their work

If you’re not confident in what you see and read, speak to other painters working in Kirkwall until you find a tradesperson you’re happy with.

When you meet a painter and decorator for an initial consultation, you should expect the meeting to cover the following:

• An initial discussion about which rooms and spaces you want them to paint, the desired finish, your colour preferences, budget, and timeline
• Inspection of the property so that they can measure up and assess the condition of the walls and ceilings to identify any preparation needed
• Colour discussion to confirm the colour palette, at which point they may offer advice on suitable colour schemes and paint finishes
• Questions that you may have to understand the scope of the job and what to expect from the project

A good painter and decorator will act professionally, have good knowledge, and be willing to listen to your needs.

They should be able to provide clear and transparent communication throughout the process.

Quote and timeline

Many painters and decorators will provide you with a quote and timeline after the initial consultation.

They’ll need to work out the cost of paint and materials and calculate how long the job will take them (and their team, if appropriate).

The quote should outline the cost of materials, labour, and any additional services, such as wallpapering or furniture removal.

What should I ask a painter and decorator before hiring?

Here are some useful questions that you might want to ask a painter and decorator before you hire them:

• How long have you been working as a painter and decorator?
• What qualifications or accreditations do you have?
• Have you done many projects like this before?
• Can you show me examples of previous decorating projects that you’ve worked on?
• Do you have appropriate insurance, and can you provide valid certificates?
• Could you provide me with references from previous customers for me to contact?
• Do you offer a customer satisfaction guarantee?
• How long will it take you to complete the work? And when can you start?
• How much will it cost, and what are the payment terms?
• Are there any additional costs or challenges I should be aware of?

By asking these questions you can find out more about their experience as a painter and decorator and the types of jobs they’ve worked on before.

A good decorator should be happy to answer and should provide a clear written quote with timelines.

It’s also a good opportunity to find out what materials they use and which paints and products they recommend.

When it comes to preparing your home for a painting and decorating job, you can take certain steps to get your home ready.

You might want to save money by carrying out some of the preparation work yourself.

Alternatively, you can leave it for your painter and decorator to do (at an additional cost).

Here’s a checklist to help you get ready:

1. Clear the space. Remove furniture, wall hangings, rugs, and personal items.

2. Clean the surfaces. Wash the walls with warm, soapy water to remove any dirt, grease, and grime, and wipe down the ceilings.

3. Fix minor damage. Fill small holes or cracks with filler.

4. Protect any remaining permanent fixtures. Cover switches, plug sockets, door handles, and radiators with tape or dust sheets

5. Ventilate. Open windows for airflow, which will reduce fumes and help the paint dry quickly

By following these steps, your home will be ready for a smooth and efficient painting and decorating project.