How much would you expect to pay a decorator for this?

[Geminijust]

DH usually does all our decorating and DIY. He is very good (a perfectionist actually) but also VERY SLOW. We need to get our spare room decorated for guests coming from overseas straight after Christmas. The kitchen also needs a face-lift, as well as a number of other outstanding jobs around the house, so I cannot realistically see him getting it all done in time without having a nervous breakdown! I know he'll be loathe to get someone in but I'm at least going to get some quotes for the bedroom and go from there!

The room is approx 12 x 14. The walls are mostly pretty good, was replastered and painted approx 10 years ago but there are a few cracks that will need to be filled and made good before the walls can be repainted. No woodwork to paint as stained, apart from the windowsill.

So the quote would be to prepare walls for painting, including filling cracks, then paint ceiling, coving, walls & windowsill. We would supply the paint.

So, what would you expect to pay for this? We're in the South East if that makes a difference.

Many thanks.

I think about £300. But all the best decorators are likely booked up now so I would be surprised if you can find one for the timescale. My decorator you had to book 6-9months in advance!

That sounds very reasonable - was thinking closer to a grand! Worrying about the timescale, good for the decorators though!

My dh wouldn't even charge 300 for that. But yeah South East prices, that may well be right. A grand would be absolute daylight robbery.

We had decorating recently and it worked out about £500 per room, plus cost of paint.

More east than south east - decorators around £200 a day here with materials on top

Would also have said £300 for the bedroom. But working on the principle that builder/decorator bills are always higher than I expected, and that you're in the south east - £400-500?

Is there any reason why it's dh or a decorator and you can't do it yourself? You could do it in a day - 2 tops.

Just had our guest room done, £400

I'm a painter, £300 is reasonable

Thanks. Will update when I get quotes. However, I've just had a quote for over £700 to jet blast some garden furniture so am not hopeful!