Painting & Decorating Cost Calculator
Estimate how much paint you'll need and what it will cost to decorate a room — plus the difference between doing it yourself and hiring a decorator.
Estimate only. This is an indicative estimate, not a quote. Paint prices, coverage and labour rates vary by brand, wall condition and location — get quotes from local decorators before budgeting.
Enter your room dimensions
Paint needed, paint cost and labour appear here as you type.
How we estimate painting costs
We work out the wall area from the room's perimeter and ceiling height, then deduct around 15% for doors and windows. Paint is assumed to cover 12 m² per litre per coat at a mid-range trade price of £4/litre — two coats is standard for a good finish. If you're hiring a decorator, labour is priced at whichever is higher of a £180 per-room call-out or £8 per m² of paintable area, which reflects how most decorators quote small versus large rooms. These are indicative UK figures for 2026 — always get quotes from local decorators before budgeting, as paint quality, wall condition and regional labour rates all affect the final price.