How to Get an Accurate Painting Quote in London: What to Prepare and What to Ask

Why London Painting Quotes Vary So Much

If you have ever asked three painters to quote for the same job and received three wildly different numbers, you are not alone. It is one of the most common frustrations for London homeowners embarking on decorating work. Quotes for the same flat can genuinely differ by 40 or 50 per cent, and working out why — and which one to trust — requires a little knowledge.

The good news is that with the right preparation, you can dramatically improve the quality and comparability of the quotes you receive.

What to Prepare Before You Pick Up the Phone

The more clearly you can describe the job, the more accurate the quote will be. Vague briefs produce vague quotes. Before contacting any painter or decorator, pull together the following:

A room-by-room list. Write down every room you want decorated. For each one, note the approximate dimensions (length, width, height), whether it has a ceiling to be painted, and what the current state of the walls is — freshly plastered, previously painted, in good condition, or in need of repair.

What you want done. Be specific about scope. Are you repainting existing surfaces, or have there been recent works like a new extension or loft conversion? Do you want woodwork (skirting, architraves, doors) painted? Are there any specialist elements — cornices, ceiling roses, panelling, kitchen cabinets?

Your preferred paint specification. If you know you want Farrow & Ball throughout, say so. If you are open to recommendations, say that instead. Trade decorators will have strong views on appropriate products, but knowing your preferences in advance helps them price accurately.

Access and practical constraints. Is parking available? Are there pets or children who will be in the property during works? Are any rooms particularly difficult to access — high ceilings, stairwells, rooms over a garage?

A rough timeline. Knowing when you want the work done, and how flexible you are, helps a decorator assess whether they can commit.

Getting the Right People to Quote

In London, the range of decorating operators runs from sole traders working from a van to larger companies with project managers, dedicated preparation teams and multiple crews. Both can do excellent work, and both can do poor work.

Look for:

• Recommendations from people whose homes you have admired. The single best source of a reliable decorator in London is a friend or neighbour who has recently had good work done.
• Verifiable reviews. Google and Checkatrade reviews are worth reading, but look at the detail rather than just the star rating. Look for reviews that mention specific aspects of the job — preparation, tidiness, communication — rather than just generic praise.
• Relevant experience. If you have a listed building, a mansion flat, or a newly plastered new build, it is worth asking specifically whether the contractor has experience with that type of property.
• VAT registration. Larger jobs being done by unregistered traders should raise a flag — it can indicate under-declaration of income and may affect your ability to claim on insurance.

Aim for two to three quotes for any significant job. Fewer than two and you have no comparison; more than three and the process becomes unwieldy without adding much information.

What Questions to Ask

When a decorator visits to quote, use the time to assess both their technical knowledge and their communication style. Good questions to ask:

"What preparation do you include in this price?" Preparation — filling, sanding, priming — is where the quality difference between a good and a poor job is mostly made. A decorator who includes thorough prep in their price is not necessarily more expensive than one who does not; they are almost certainly better value.

"What paint products are you proposing to use?" A professional should be able to tell you exactly what they plan to use on each surface type. "A good emulsion" is not an answer. Dulux Trade Diamond, Little Greene Intelligent Eggshell, Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion — these are answers.

"How many coats are included?" One coat of emulsion over previously painted walls can look reasonable initially but rarely lasts. Two coats is standard; three coats on woodwork is the professional approach.

"Who will actually do the work?" In some firms, the person quoting is not the person painting. It is a fair question to ask whether the work will be done by employees or subcontractors, and whether the person quoting will be on-site during the job.

"Can I see examples of similar work?" A portfolio of completed projects — photographs or, ideally, a visit to a finished property — is the gold standard. Any decorator worth their day rate should be proud to show their work.

How to Compare Quotes Fairly

Once you have your quotes, resist the temptation to compare totals immediately. Instead, compare:

Scope. Is the same work included in each quote? It is common for one decorator to include ceilings and another not to, or for one to include two coats on walls and another to price three.

Products. Trade quality paint applied by a professional is worth the premium over retail DIY paint. If one quote uses premium products and another uses budget alternatives, the apparent price difference is partly a quality difference.

Preparation. As above — the proportion of a quote that is preparation time is a reasonable indicator of quality.

Day rate vs fixed price. A day rate quote for a complex job with unknown preparation needs can be reasonable; a day rate quote for a simple bedroom repaint is a flag. Fixed-price quotes give you budget certainty.

A quote that is 20 per cent lower than the others is almost always achieving that through one of three means: cutting preparation, using inferior products, or planning to cut corners on the number of coats. If someone is genuinely 20 per cent cheaper because they are more efficient, ask them to explain exactly how.

The Final Step: Get It in Writing

Before work starts, make sure you have a written scope of works that both parties have agreed. This does not need to be a formal contract — an email confirming what is included, what products will be used, how many coats, the price and the payment terms is sufficient for most jobs. It protects both you and the decorator and avoids the ambiguity that leads to disputes.