Painting / Decorating in East Lothian (12)

A fresh coat of paint can do more than brighten a room. It can completely transform how a home feels. Whether you're revamping the living room or tackling the hall, stairs and landing, you’ll want it done neatly, quickly, and with zero stress.

Find painting and decorating services in East Lothian

At Checkatrade, we make it easy to find checked painters and decorators in your localo area of East Lothian. From interior walls and wallpapering to fresh plaster and exterior paint jobs, you can browse checked tradespeople, compare reviews, and get a sense of costs, all in one place. No guesswork. No “hope for the best” hires.

So, whether you’re a first time buyer making your new place feel like home, or you're giving tired rooms a glowup before guests arrive, we’ll help you find the right painter or decorator for the job.

What to expect from hiring a painter and decorator in East Lothian

Painters and decorators in East Lothian take on everything from quick fixes to full home transformations.

Common requests include:

• Painting walls, ceilings and woodwork
• Wallpapering and feature walls
• Touching up chips and scuffed skirting
• Exterior painting (fences, windows, render)
• Painting fresh plaster or chipboard
• Full room or whole house decorating

Painting and decorating costs in East Lothian

Decorating prices vary based on room size, surface condition, and the type of paint used. Here's a rough guide:

• The average cost to paint a medium-sized room (18m²) is £450

• The average cost of exterior painting for a 3-bed semi-detached property is £1,300

• A painter and decorator typically charges £325 per day

You can read more in our cost guide.

What’s included in a typical quote?

A quote usually covers:

• Preparation (sanding, filling cracks, removing wallpaper)
• Materials (Standard trade paint, tools, tape etc.)
• Labour
• Cleanup

Additional costs to keep in mind

• Premium paint or finishes
• Extra prep (e.g. Painting over dark colours, patchy plaster)
• Hard-to-reach areas (High ceilings, stairwells)

Qualifications to check for

• Public Liability Insurance
• Many decorators have NVQs or City & Guilds in painting and decorating
• Membership of trade bodies (like the Painting and Decorating Association) can also be a good sign
• All trades on Checkatrade pass up to 12 checks, so you can book with confidence

How long does it take?

• One room: 1 - 2 days
• Whole house: 1 - 2 weeks, depending on scope

Painters and decorators in East Lothian: Homeowners vs renters

If you own your home

You’re responsible for any painting or decorating work. You don’t need planning permission for internal jobs, but if you're in a listed building or conservation area, double-check with your local council.

If you rent

Most landlords will expect you to request permission before painting, especially if you’re planning a bold colour change. Some might cover the cost if it's basic maintenance (e.g. freshening up tired walls). Check your tenancy agreement or speak to your letting agent.

Find a painter and decorator for the job you need in East Lothian

Our tradespeople cover all sorts of decorating tasks, including:

• Wall painting (interior and exterior)
• Skirting boards, doors and trims
• Painting chipboard and MDF
• Decorating hall, stairs and landing
• Wallpaper hanging and removal
• Feature walls
• Touch-ups and repairs
• Painting fresh plaster
• Full room makeovers
• End-of-tenancy redecoration
• Listed building paintwork
• Commercial decorating

Use Checkatrade's directory to find checked painting and decorating services in East Lothian, or use our request a quote tool and let our tradespeople come to you.