Painters and decorators,
neat clean finish.
Freshen up one room or the whole house. Find painters and decorators who cover your postcode and see how the job will be priced before you book.
What to expect
from your pro.
A good paint job is mostly preparation. Filling cracks, sanding, sealing stains and masking edges take longer than the painting itself, and they are what make the finish last. When you hire painters and decorators, it is worth asking how they prepare as well as what paint they use, and how they protect your floors and furniture.
On AYS you can book standard jobs, such as painting a room, at a fixed price shown before you pay. For bigger or unusual work, like a full house, wallpaper hanging or the outside of the house, you describe the job and local decorators send a quote. Photos of the rooms help a lot, especially of any damp patches, cracks or old wallpaper.
Choose your colours before the decorator arrives if you can, and tell them the brand and finish you want. Some decorators supply paint, others prefer you to buy it. Either way, agree it in advance so nobody is waiting on a trip to the shop.
Common jobs
we cover.
Not on the list? Describe it and ask for free quotes.
Interior walls and ceilings
Filling, sanding and painting walls and ceilings in one room or the whole house, usually with two coats.
Woodwork and doors
Sanding and painting skirting boards, door frames, doors and banisters in gloss, satin or eggshell.
Wallpaper hanging
Hanging lining paper, patterned wallpaper and feature walls, with pattern matching around windows and corners.
Wallpaper stripping
Removing old layers of wallpaper and repairing the plaster underneath so it is ready for paint or new paper.
Exterior painting
Painting render, masonry, window frames, fascias, fences and front doors, weather permitting.
Kitchen cabinet painting
Cleaning, keying and priming kitchen cabinet doors so the new paint grips properly and stands up to daily use.
Stain and damp patch cover
Sealing old water stains and smoke marks so they do not bleed through, once the cause has been fixed.
End of tenancy repaints
Repainting rented properties between tenants, usually in neutral colours to a tidy, consistent finish.
Booked in
three steps.
Add your postcode
See the painting and decorating pros who cover your area and their prices.
Choose a pro and a time
Book a fixed price job, or ask for free quotes if your job is not standard.
Pay securely and relax
You pay through AYS when you book. Cancel free up to 24 hours before.
How the price
is worked out
Some standard jobs, like painting a room, can be booked at a fixed price shown upfront. Other work is quoted. What changes the price: the size and height of the rooms, how much filling and preparation is needed, the number of coats, colour changes from dark to light, wallpaper, woodwork, and whether furniture needs moving. Exterior work also depends on access and the condition of the surface. Paint may or may not be included, so check.
How to get
ready
- Choose your colours and finishes, and agree who is buying the paint.
- Move small furniture, ornaments and pictures out of the room, or to the middle.
- Take down curtains and blinds if you can.
- Point out any damp, cracks or stains that worry you before work starts.
- Keep pets and children out of the room while paint is drying.
Choosing the right pro
Every decorator on AYS passes a photo ID check and a review by our team before they can take bookings. Decorators can also upload insurance and qualifications for us to check, which appear on their profile. Look at photos of their past work, and ask how they protect floors and furniture.
How long does it take to paint a room?
It depends on the size of the room, the preparation needed and how many coats are required. A small room in good condition may be done in a day. A larger room with lots of filling, woodwork or a big colour change can take longer, because each coat needs to dry. Your decorator will give you a time estimate when they price the job.
Do painters and decorators supply the paint?
Some do and some prefer the customer to buy it. If the decorator supplies it, the cost is usually built into the price, and they may get trade paint you would not easily find. If you want a specific brand or colour, say so in your request so the quote reflects it.
Can you paint over wallpaper?
It is possible, but it is rarely the best option. Paint can make old paper bubble or peel, and seams often show through. Most decorators will recommend stripping it and preparing the wall underneath. Where walls are poor, lining paper is a common fix that gives a smoother surface to paint on.
Why are my old water stains showing through the new paint?
Water and smoke stains contain marks that bleed through ordinary emulsion. They need to be sealed with a stain block primer first. Make sure the leak or damp that caused them has been fixed and the wall is dry before painting, or the stain will come back.
What should I do if my house is old and might have lead paint?
Lead was used in household paint for many years, so older homes can still have it under newer layers. It should not be sanded dry or burnt off, because the dust and fumes are harmful. Mention the age of the house in your request so the decorator can plan a safe way to prepare the surfaces.
When is the best time to paint the outside of a house?
Exterior paint needs dry weather and surfaces that are not too cold or damp, so late spring to early autumn is usually best. Rain, frost or strong sun can spoil a finish. Decorators often need to adjust dates around the forecast, so allow a little flexibility when you book.
Painting and decorating
near you.
AYS opens area by area. Pick your city for local tips, or check your postcode at the top of this page.
Often booked
together.
Do you offer painting and decorating?
Get booked for it.
Join AYS as a pro. Choose the postcodes you cover, set your prices and take bookings from local customers.