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Original poster

How much did you pay for a decorator for an average sized front room?

29 replies

RubberDuck · 07/03/2007 13:50

Friend of mine wants to get her front room decorated but her dh works long hours and she has a young baby. She's toying with the idea of getting a decorator in but the idea of cost is scaring her a bit.

Any ideas of ballpark figures to decorate a single room (or maybe both front and dining room as it's a through room)? Rough guesstimates are fine - she's just like a guideline as to whether it's worth getting some quotes without making a fool of herself first!

Thank you, oh all-knowing and bountiful mumsnetters

OP posts:
Original poster
RubberDuck · 07/03/2007 15:51

bump

I can't believe that no-one on Mumsnet has ever had any painting done!!!

OP posts:
Lovecat · 07/03/2007 16:42

Just had a bloke in to do our living room, he didn't do woodwork as all we wanted was the colour on the walls refreshed after DD had crayoned all over it.. he quoted £110, which included the paint.

However, I discovered this morning that there's a splodge of paint on my curtains... so I'm not sure I'd recommend him!

mellowma · 07/03/2007 16:46

Message withdrawn

Lovecat · 07/03/2007 16:49

might help if I gave dimensions of the room - 12ft wide by 29ft long, 9ft high ceilings.

wotzsaname · 07/03/2007 16:50

My friend does, but I/ve never asked her as it felt abit rude! We do it ourselves. Just saw your other post about being ignored so wanted to join in here.

I suppose it vaires from place to place. If you live in a very posh area, very posh decorators might ask alot of money, so they can stay living in a very posh place.

I am sure there are some very nice posh decorators who don't charge the earth, but i've never met any. Im not posh.

mellowma · 07/03/2007 16:52

Message withdrawn

foxinsocks · 07/03/2007 16:53

is it just painting or touching up the walls too? friend round the corner had her lounge through room done - it's a large, double size reception room and she got 5 quotes and went with the cheapest which was somewhere around the £1500 mark (london).

GRUMPYGIRL · 07/03/2007 16:53

It depends TOTALLY on what part of the country you are in what the day rate would be.

If you just wanted it all painted I would say £300 - £500 in the South, I really would try to find someone who has been recommended though rather than take the cheapest offer....you get what you pay for most of the time.

ChocolateTeapot · 07/03/2007 16:56

I had a quote for the living room and dining room which are next to each other through doors for £395 including paint. The living room is 22ft x 12 and the other room approx 10 x 10.

Had some more painting last summer done. 1 bedroom, all the walls and woodwork, landing and stairs including woodwork and wall in one bedroom for £400 including paint. But had quotes for that lot of about £950.

ChocolateTeapot · 07/03/2007 16:57

Am on Dorset/Hampshire border.

Original poster
RubberDuck · 07/03/2007 16:58

I think £100-£400 sounds reasonable and hopefully within her budget. Nearly fell off my chair at the £1500 though - she's not in the south east though, so hopefully that won't apply!

Thanks all Always a bit scary getting a quote when you haven't even a ballpark to go by.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 07/03/2007 16:58

yup, that quote of mine included touching up the walls (so filling in holes, touching up all the wood etc.)

brimfull · 07/03/2007 17:01

I had a decorator in ,he charged £90/day ,am also dorset/hants

GRUMPYGIRL · 07/03/2007 17:03

If she gets 3 or 4 quotes you will get a feel for what the price should be. Obviously if a decorator is really good he will work for the best price he can get - once the work dries up he would reduce his price.

I wonder how many of the 'cheap' tradesmen have public liability insurance?

ucm · 07/03/2007 17:04

rough estimate is 100.00 per day plus materials.

She could save herself loads by doing the donkey work herself. Stripping walls & paintwork (or rubbing it down) also filling any holes in walls and rubbing down. This takes the time and if you are paying someone on 'daywork' it can be very very expensive.

GRUMPYGIRL · 07/03/2007 17:04

Day rate in Berkshire is £100 - £140 a day, London you could be looking at £200 a day easy.

pianist · 07/03/2007 17:07

Ours charges £20 per hour, works 10 hour days, ie £1000 a week.

ucm · 07/03/2007 17:07

Yes, should have added that I know someon in London who charges 250 per day. He is extremely good and very much in demand, he hangs silk wall paper and all that....

mellowma · 07/03/2007 17:11

Message withdrawn

mellowma · 07/03/2007 17:11

Message withdrawn

ChocolateTeapot · 07/03/2007 17:36

I nearly passed out at £1500 which is why I thought I'd beter post to make you feel better !

ggirl, you don't happen to know a good builder do you ?!

Original poster
RubberDuck · 07/03/2007 19:09

I'm very impressed with how long this thread has got! I should always post in "Am I being unreasonable?" from now on

OP posts:
wotzsaname · 07/03/2007 19:42

gosh lots of people do get the decorators in. I may have to re-consider doing it myself!

fryalot · 07/03/2007 19:43

Rubberduck - I don't know, sorry

wotzsaname · 07/03/2007 19:43

I can't belive I typed 'gosh' . dd has just said it and it must be on my mind! Im going away now.

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