How to Choose a Painter and Decorator in London in 2026
A practical guide to choosing a painter and decorator in London — what to look for, red flags to avoid, how to get and compare quotes, and what separates a good decorator from an unreliable one in 2026.
Why Choosing the Right Decorator Matters
Painting and decorating is one of the most frequently commissioned trades in London, and one of the most variable in quality. The barrier to entry is low — anyone can buy a brush and call themselves a decorator — and the difference between excellent work and poor work is often invisible until months after the job is finished, when preparation shortcuts begin to show.
A good decorator transforms a property. A poor one wastes your money and your time, and may leave you with a result that needs redoing within a year. In a city where property values are high and expectations to match, getting this choice right is worth the effort.
What to Look For
Experience and track record. Look for a decorator or firm with a demonstrable history of completed projects. Ask how long they have been operating, what type of properties they typically work on, and whether they have experience with your particular requirements — period homes, new builds, exterior work, or whatever your project involves. In London, experience with older buildings matters; working on a Georgian townhouse in Belgravia requires different skills from decorating a new-build flat in Nine Elms.
References and reviews. Ask for references from recent clients and follow them up. Online reviews on Google, Checkatrade or Trustpilot provide useful background, but direct references from clients with similar properties or project types are more valuable. Look at photographs of previous work if available — a decorator who is proud of their work will have a portfolio.
Insurance. Public liability insurance is essential. Any decorator working in your home should carry a minimum of one million pounds of public liability cover (two million or more is preferable). This protects you if the decorator damages your property, furnishings or belongings during the work. Ask to see the certificate — a reputable decorator will produce it without hesitation.
Professional affiliations. Membership of trade bodies such as the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or the Federation of Master Builders provides some assurance of standards, though it is not a guarantee of quality. It does indicate that the decorator has submitted to a vetting process and agreed to a code of practice.
Clear communication. From the first enquiry, pay attention to how the decorator communicates. Do they respond promptly? Do they turn up on time for the survey? Do they listen to your requirements and ask relevant questions? A decorator who is disorganised or uncommunicative before the work begins is unlikely to improve once the job is under way.
Red Flags to Watch For
No written quote. Any reputable decorator will provide a detailed written quote specifying exactly what is included — preparation work, number of coats, products to be used, and what is excluded. A verbal estimate or a one-line price with no breakdown is a warning sign.
Unusually low prices. If one quote is significantly cheaper than the others, ask why. It usually means less preparation, fewer coats, cheaper products, or uninsured labour. Cutting corners on preparation is the single most common way that low-cost decorators reduce their prices — and it is the single most common cause of early paint failure.
Cash only, no VAT. While some sole traders operate legitimately below the VAT threshold, a decorator who insists on cash payment and cannot provide a VAT receipt for a substantial job may not be operating entirely within the rules. This can affect your consumer protection and your ability to pursue a complaint.
No fixed start date. A vague promise to start in a few weeks that repeatedly slips is a sign that the decorator is overcommitted or poorly organised. Agree a firm start date in writing and include it in the contract.
Reluctance to discuss preparation. If a decorator talks only about colours and finishes and seems uninterested in the condition of the surfaces, the existing paint, or what preparation will be needed, they may be planning to skip it. Preparation typically accounts for 60 to 70 per cent of the time on a professional decorating job. Anyone who underplays it does not understand the work.
No examples of previous work. A decorator who has been operating for any length of time should be able to show you photographs or provide addresses of previous projects. If they cannot or will not, consider why.
How to Get and Compare Quotes
For any project beyond a single room, get a minimum of three quotes from different decorators. The process should be:
- Invite each decorator to survey the property in person. A quote based on photographs or a phone description is unreliable — the decorator needs to see the surfaces, assess the condition, and understand the scope of work
- Provide the same brief to each. Specify what you want done, any colour preferences, and any particular requirements (product brands, specific preparation needs, timescales). This ensures you are comparing like with like
- Ask each decorator to itemise the quote. The quote should show the cost for each room or area, specify the number of coats, name the products, and state what preparation is included
- Compare the detail, not just the total. A higher quote that includes thorough preparation, premium products and three coats may be far better value than a lower quote offering two coats of budget paint with minimal preparation
Questions Worth Asking
- What preparation will you do before painting?
- How many coats will you apply?
- What products and brands will you use?
- Do you carry public liability insurance?
- Will you move and protect furniture, or is that my responsibility?
- How long will the work take?
- What is your payment schedule? (A deposit of 10 to 20 per cent on commencement is normal; avoid paying more than 30 per cent upfront)
- What happens if there is a problem after completion?
What Good Decorating Looks Like
When the work is done, a professional result should show:
- Clean, sharp lines at all junctions — where walls meet ceilings, where colours change, where paint meets woodwork
- Even, consistent coverage with no thin patches, brush marks or roller stipple
- No paint on windows, floors, ironmongery or surfaces that should not have been painted
- Smooth, well-prepared woodwork with no visible grain, filler or sanding marks
- Clean, tidy site with dust sheets removed, paint tins taken away, and furniture returned to position
A Final Thought
The best time to choose a decorator is before you need one urgently. Good decorators in London are busy, and the best ones are often booked weeks or months ahead, particularly during the spring and summer painting season. If you are planning a decorating project for your London home, start the process of getting quotes and meeting decorators well in advance. It gives you time to compare properly, check references, and make a considered choice rather than a rushed one.
We work across Belgravia, Chelsea, Kensington, Fulham and the wider London area and are always happy to provide a detailed, no-obligation quote for any decorating project.