Painting & Decorating Cost in Petersfield 2026 | Interior & Exterior Prices
2026 price guide for professional painting and decorating services in Petersfield, East Sussex. Covering interior wall painting, exterior woodwork, period property restoration, and holiday let refreshes. Includes labour costs per room, material considerations, preparation work, and how to find trusted, reliable decorators in Petersfield.
Price Summary
Small Room (Ceiling & Walls)
£320–£650
Incl. prep, 2 coats, basic emulsion
Exterior Window Painting (Per Large Sash)
£160–£320
Full strip, prep, prime & gloss
Full 3-Bed House Interior
£2,700–£6,000+
All rooms, ceilings, woodwork, materials
Feature Wall (Wallpaper)
£220–£480
Supply & hang premium wallpaper
2026 Painting & Decorating Price Breakdown
| Service in Petersfield | Cost | Local Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Painting Ceilings (per m², labour only) | £9–£16 | Artex ceilings or high ceilings in period properties cost more. Includes basic filling. |
| Painting Walls (per m², labour only) | £8–£15 | Cost varies with wall condition. Lining paper or extensive filling adds to price. |
| Small Room (e.g., 3x3m bedroom, Ceiling+Walls) | £320–£650 | Incl. prep, mist coat on new plaster, 2 top coats. Basic materials included. |
| Medium/Large Living Room (Ceiling+Walls+Woodwork) | £750–£1,600 | High ceilings, picture rails, intricate coving common in Petersfield period homes increase cost. |
| Kitchen (Walls & Units, excl. tiles) | £550–£1,300 | Unit painting requires specialised primer/coat system. High-use area needs durable finish. |
| Interior Woodwork (Door, one side + frame) | £85–£170 | Sanding, priming, undercoat, gloss. For period doors with multiple panels, cost is higher. |
| Radiator Painting (per standard radiator) | £45–£85 | Includes draining/isolating, specialist heat-resistant paint. Often done as part of a room. |
| Wallpaper Hanging (per roll, labour only) | £22–£45 | Complex patterns, expensive papers, or feature walls with difficult matching cost more. |
| Stripping Wallpaper (per room) | £160–£320 | Multiple layers or old paste make this time-consuming. Steam stripping may be needed. |
| Exterior Wall Painting (rendered, per m²) | £13–£27 | Scaffolding for high walls, extensive prep for flaking paint on coastal properties. |
| Exterior Woodwork (Sash Window, full refurb) | £160–£320 per window | For Petersfield's many period properties. Includes putty work, repairs, lead-safe practices. |
| Exterior Door Painting (Front door, inc. frame) | £220–£480 | High-visibility job requiring flawless finish. Includes stripping old paint if needed. |
| Guttering & Downpipes Painting (per property) | £320–£650 | Improves curb appeal. Requires safe access, specialist metal/plastic paint. |
| Fence Painting/Staining (per panel) | £16–£32 | Weather-dependent. Often charged as a day rate if many panels. |
| Artex/Coving Repair & Painting | £320–£650 per room | Specialist skill to match period details. Asbestos testing may be required for pre-2000 artex. |
| External Masonry Paint (3 coats on small cottage) | £1,500–£3,500 | Full scaffolding, extensive prep, high-quality weatherproof paint for coastal exposure. |
Common Decorating Packages
Period Home Refresh Package
£3,200–£7,500
2-3 reception rooms: walls, high ceilings, detailed cornicing, picture rails, and internal woodwork. Using breathable paints for old walls.
Full Exterior Timber Makeover
£2,200–£5,500
All windows, fascias, bargeboards, and front door on a medium-sized period cottage. Includes full prep and microporous paint systems.
Holiday Let Turnaround Refresh
£2,000–£4,000
Full redecoration of a 2-bed cottage: all ceilings, walls (durable neutral colours), woodwork, and front door. Focus on durability and speed.
Feature & Wallpaper Package
£850–£2,200
Feature wall in living room & master bedroom with premium wallpaper, plus painting of remaining walls in complementary colour.
What Affects Painting & Decorating Prices in Petersfield?
- Property Age & Condition: New build vs. period home with uneven walls, existing damp issues, or many layers of old paint/wallpaper requiring extensive prep.
- Detail & Ornamentation: High ceilings, intricate coving, picture rails, and sash windows significantly increase labour time.
- Access Requirements: Need for scaffolding for exterior work on tall period properties or high ceilings internally.
- Paint & Material Quality: Standard emulsion vs. premium eco or breathable paints (e.g., Edward Bulmer, Farrow & Ball) which cost more and may require specific application techniques.
- Lead Paint Considerations: Pre-1970s properties require safe work practices, containment, and specialist disposal, adding to cost.
- Season & Timing: Exterior work is weather-dependent and cheaper in late spring/summer. Rushed jobs or holiday let turnovers may incur a premium.
Common Painting & Decorating Projects in Petersfield, East Sussex
Period Properties & Cottages
- Breathable Interior Painting: Using clay or mineral paints on old lime plaster to prevent damp trapping.
- Sash Window Restoration: Full strip-down, repair, and repainting of weighted sash windows common in Georgian and Victorian homes.
- Cornice & Detail Matching: Repairing and painting ornate plasterwork, roses, and dado rails.
Coastal & Exposed Homes
- Exterior Paint System Upgrades: Using high-performance, flexible microporous paints to withstand salt, moisture, and UV exposure.
- Damp & Mould Treatment: Addressing condensation issues with anti-mould primers and paints in north-facing rooms or bathrooms.
- Fence & Outbuilding Maintenance: Regular staining or painting of timber exposed to the elements.
Holiday Lets & Modern Estates
- Durable Turnaround Decorating: Using scuff-resistant paints for high-traffic areas and frequent guest changeovers.
- Feature Walls for Appeal: Creating attractive accents to enhance rental listing photos.
- New Build Snagging & Painting: Fixing plaster cracks and achieving a flawless finish on fresh plasterboard.
Choosing a Painter & Decorator in Petersfield
Look for Specific Period Property or Coastal Experience
For Petersfield's historic and coastal homes, choose a decorator experienced with lime plaster, breathable paints, and traditional methods. They should understand how to prepare old surfaces correctly to avoid future problems. For exterior work, they must know which paint systems perform best against salt and moisture. Ask for examples of work on similar local properties.
Get a Detailed Written Specification, Not Just a Price
A reputable decorator will provide a detailed breakdown specifying: surfaces to be prepared (e.g., “fill, sand, line walls”), number of coats, specific product brands/names (e.g., “Zinsser BIN primer, Little Greene Intelligent Emulsion”), and what’s excluded. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures you’re comparing like-for-like quotes. Beware of quotes that seem unusually low—they often skip vital preparation.
Check Reviews for Tidiness, Reliability & Communication
Painting is invasive. Read reviews focusing on site cleanliness, protection of belongings, adherence to schedules, and communication. Do they hoard dust, clean up daily, and communicate delays? A professional will treat your home with respect, especially important for occupied homes or holiday let owners between guest bookings. For holiday lets, punctuality between changeovers is critical.
Local Petersfield, East Sussex Insight
Painting in Petersfield is heavily influenced by the coastal environment and high volume of holiday lets. For exterior work, especially on period homes, microporous paint systems are essential to allow moisture vapour to escape, preventing blistering and peeling in the damp, salty air. The prevalence of single-glazed sash windows means condensation is common; using appropriate paints in reveals is crucial to prevent mould. The town's popularity with holidaymakers means many decorators are experienced in project managing from a distance and working to tight turnaround times between lets. Always factor in extra time for preparation on older properties—it can account for 60-70% of the job. For listed buildings, check if paint colours need approval. Investing in a quality decorator familiar with these local nuances protects your property’s value and longevity.
FAQs
How long does it take to paint a standard 3-bed house interior?
For a team of two professional decorators, a full redecoration (ceilings, walls, woodwork) of an empty 3-bed house typically takes 5 to 10 working days, depending on the level of detail and preparation needed. If you’re living in the property, it will take longer as rooms need to be cleared and worked around.
Should I buy the paint myself or let the decorator supply it?
It’s generally better to let the decorator supply it. They get trade discounts, know exactly which products work best for each surface (especially important for coastal conditions), and can guarantee the quantity. If you supply it, they may not be familiar with the paint’s working properties, and you risk buying insufficient quantity or the wrong type.
What is "mist coating" and is it necessary?
A mist coat is a thinned first coat of emulsion applied to new or bare plaster. It is essential as it seals the porous surface, providing a key for subsequent coats. Skipping this step can result in poor adhesion, patchiness, and flaking paint. A good decorator will always do this on new plaster.
Is it worth using expensive paint like Farrow & Ball in a holiday let?
It depends. Premium paints are more durable and washable, which can be worthwhile in high-traffic areas. However, for overall walls, a high-quality trade paint (e.g., Dulux Trade, Johnstone's) may offer better value and similar durability. Discuss the pros and cons with your decorator based on your budget and the let's premiumness.
Conclusion
Painting and decorating in Petersfield costs £320–£650 for a small room and £2,700–£6,000+ for a full 3-bed house interior. The key to a successful, lasting finish—especially in the local coastal climate and historic homes—is meticulous preparation and using the correct, durable materials. Always choose a decorator with specific experience in your property type, insist on a detailed written specification, and prioritise quality of preparation over speed. This protects your home’s fabric and ensures a beautiful result that enhances both your living experience and your property’s value, particularly important for holiday let appeal.
Tip:
Before your decorator starts, declutter and remove as much as possible from the rooms. Discuss furniture moving beforehand. For exterior work, check weather forecasts and be flexible—good decorators won’t paint in rain, high humidity, or strong winds. If you have a period home, consider investing in a paint analysis to discover original colours for an authentic restoration.