Cost of getting whole house painted

[user1487671808]

We have a 4 bed house that hasn’t been decorated for nearly ten years. It’s 8 rooms plus hall, stairs, landing and 3 bathrooms. We’ve had a quote to paint the whole house from top to bottom, ceilings, all woodwork and walls for £3800 including vat and materials and any preparation work that needs to be done.

Does this seem reasonable? It’s a long time since we decorated and we’ve never had anyone else do it for us. It seems like a great way to start with a blank canvas and know it’s all done but it’s a lot of money. Would it be worth it ?

That sounds really reasonable to me.

Yes. Extremely reasonable.

Oh God, I’ve just seen materials are included
Do they come recommended? It’s suspiciously cheap.

That does sound very cheap.
Have you any references or do you know anything about them?

Lots of messages sorry, been at work. That’s suspiciously cheap?? Blimey I thought it was loads! He is a well known local decorator and has worked for several friends l. Well maybe I’d better just go ahead before he puts his price up. Not in London or southeast though if that makes a difference. I’m in Cambridgeshire l, don’t know if it’s significantly cheaper.

Oh well, if he's well known and vouched for; snap his bloody hand off!
That said; I'm basing it on London prices, so maybe get some more local quotes to see how they compare? It could well be that it's relatively expensive for your area, I suppose.

Going rate in my part of world for a good decorator is £100 per day (not London obviously)

If you haven't decorated for ten years I imagine there will be a lot of prep work.

For instance a good decorator will sand all woodwork before applying paint.
Then it's an undercoat followed by two top coats. So your woodwork I imagine would take one decorator a week to do.

If you have wallpaper to strip that will take approx a half a day per room longer if it is woodchip or painted over.

Then your walls and ceilings will need sanded and filled.

So all in all if your decorator is thorough and doing proper prep and not taking any shortcuts the price you have been quoted is very reasonable.

I'm in the same area - we pay £150 a day for decorating, I'd expect 2 days per room, more for stairs,.... yes I'd say a good price.

Hmm I'd be wary he was a rubbish painter. 3800 is cheap for how long it'll take him.

Well he’s well known and has a good reputation, also lives very locally to me. I’m also extremely impressed that it’s payme strictly on completion and nothing up from. Anyway I’ve booked him as I just want to get on with it so will know if it was a good decision soon enough

Please keep us posted