Introduction
Finding a reliable Painter in London can be harder than it should be. Between period properties that need careful prep, tight parking and access, and wildly different quoting styles, London homeowners and landlords often end up comparing apples to oranges.
This guide helps you shortlist reputable painting and decorating providers, understand realistic London pricing, and ask the right questions before you book.
Selections below are based on publicly available business information where known (services, trading history signals, and visible customer feedback when clearly attributable). Where a detail isn’t clearly published, it’s marked as Not publicly stated rather than guessed.
About Painter
A Painter (often called a painter and decorator in the UK) prepares and finishes interior and exterior surfaces. That includes repairing minor defects, protecting floors and furniture, priming, applying paint systems, and delivering clean lines and consistent coverage.
You typically need a Painter in London when moving in or out, refreshing tired walls, dealing with scuffs and stains, updating a rental between tenancies, or maintaining exterior woodwork and masonry exposed to London weather.
Average cost in London: Pricing varies / depends on prep, access, and finish level. As a practical market guide, many London jobs are quoted as a day rate, per-room, or per-project. London is often priced higher than many UK regions due to labour and operating costs. For accurate budgeting, request a written, itemised quote after a site visit.
Licensing/certifications: There’s no single mandatory “painter’s licence” in London for domestic work. However, reputable professionals may hold qualifications (for example, NVQ/City & Guilds in painting and decorating) and may carry a CSCS card for construction-site work. Public liability insurance is commonly expected for trust and risk management.
Key takeaways
- Preparation (filling, sanding, priming) often determines the finish more than the brand of paint.
- London pricing is usually influenced by access constraints (parking, stairs, lifts, permits).
- For exteriors and higher-risk work, ask about safe access methods and insurance.
- Always confirm what’s included: materials, protection, repairs, and cleanup.
How We Selected the Best Painter in London
We prioritised providers that show strong trust signals and operational clarity. Criteria included:
- Years of experience (where publicly stated)
- Verified customer review signals (only where reviews are clearly attributable and publicly accessible)
- Service range (interior, exterior, residential, commercial, planned maintenance)
- Pricing transparency (clear quoting process, itemisation, written scope)
- Local reputation (recognisable trading presence, professional presentation, and consistency of service messaging)
This is a practical shortlist based on information that is publicly available at the time of writing when known. If a company does not publish a detail (ratings, years, direct contact channels), it is recorded as Not publicly stated rather than inferred.
About London
London is a dense, high-traffic city with a broad mix of property types: Victorian terraces, Georgian conversions, post-war estates, new-build flats, and commercial premises. That variety creates steady demand for painting—from careful restoration work in period homes to fast turnarounds for rentals and redecoration in high-footfall commercial spaces.
Service demand is especially strong where properties change hands frequently (rentals and short lets) and where exteriors are exposed to pollution, rain, and fluctuating temperatures.
Key neighbourhoods commonly served by painters across London (coverage varies by provider):
- North: Islington, Camden, Hampstead, Highgate
- East: Hackney, Stratford, Canary Wharf, Walthamstow
- South: Clapham, Brixton, Greenwich, Dulwich
- West: Kensington, Chelsea, Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, Richmond
- Central: Westminster, Marylebone, Bloomsbury, South Bank
Top 5 Best Painter in London
#1 — Pimlico Plumbers (Pimlico Group)
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Painting and decorating (availability and scope vary / depends); broader property services
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.pimlicoplumbers.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Multi-trade projects where painting is part of a wider refurbishment
#2 — Fantastic Services (London)
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Painting and decorating (availability varies / depends); home and property services
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.fantasticservices.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Busy households that want a streamlined booking process (confirm scope and materials in writing)
#3 — Mears Group
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Property maintenance services that may include painting and decorating (service model varies / depends; domestic availability not publicly stated)
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.mearsgroup.co.uk/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Larger planned maintenance requirements (confirm whether they take small domestic jobs)
#4 — Bell Group
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Property services that can include painting and decorating (availability varies by location / contract)
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.bellgroup.co.uk/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Commercial or contract-style work; properties needing coordinated trades (confirm London coverage)
#5 — Paintforme
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Painting and decorating (Not publicly stated)
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.paintforme.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Customers who prefer an online-first enquiry and scheduling flow (confirm the painter’s credentials and scope)
Comparison Table
| Professional | Rating | Experience | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pimlico Plumbers (Pimlico Group) | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Multi-trade refurb projects |
| Fantastic Services (London) | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Streamlined booking; busy households |
| Mears Group | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Planned maintenance; larger scopes |
| Bell Group | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Commercial/contract-style work |
| Paintforme | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Online-first enquiries |
Cost of Hiring a Painter in London
London painting costs vary / depend on prep level, number of coats, access constraints, and the finish you expect. Some painters quote per day, others per room, and many will quote a fixed project price after a site visit.
For budgeting, plan for two broad buckets: labour (time on site) and materials (paint, primer, filler, caulk, sundries). A cheaper quote can be legitimate—but it can also hide missing steps like proper protection, sanding, stain blocking, or adequate drying time between coats.
Emergency pricing: True 24/7 painting is uncommon compared with plumbing or electrics, but short-notice or out-of-hours work may cost more where offered. Expect surcharges for evenings/weekends, accelerated schedules, or complex access arrangements.
What affects the cost most
- Surface preparation: repairs, cracking, water stains, nicotine staining, peeling paint
- Access: stairs, lifts, parking, congestion/permits, scaffolding or MEWP needs
- Finish level: matte vs durable scrubbable finishes; feature walls; specialist coatings
- Room complexity: ceilings, coving, sash windows, radiators, built-ins
- Number of coats and colour changes: strong colours often need extra coats/primer
- Protection and cleanup: masking quality, dust control, disposal, end-of-job detailing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Painter cost in London?
It varies / depends on prep, access, and finish level. Ask for an itemised written quote that separates labour, materials, and any access equipment so you can compare like-for-like.
How to choose the best Painter in London?
Prioritise clear written scopes, evidence of insurance, and a consistent quoting process. Ask what prep is included, how many coats are allowed for, and who is responsible for protection and cleanup.
Are licenses required in London?
There’s no single mandatory licence for domestic painting, but qualifications (NVQ/City & Guilds) can indicate training. For site work, a CSCS card may be required by the site operator rather than by law.
Who offers 24/7 service in London?
24/7 painting is not publicly stated as standard for most providers. Some companies may offer short-notice availability—confirm directly and expect pricing to vary for out-of-hours work.
Should I buy the paint, or should the painter supply it?
Either can work. If the painter supplies, ask for the exact product and finish in writing. If you supply, confirm coverage, drying times, and whether primer/caulk/filler are included.
How long does it take to paint a flat in London?
It depends on size, condition, and drying times. A one-bedroom flat can range from a quick refresh to multiple days if prep and multiple coats are needed—get a schedule in writing before booking.
What questions should I ask before hiring a Painter?
Ask: What prep is included? How will you protect floors/furniture? How many coats are included? What paint system will you use? What’s excluded? Who is on-site each day? When is payment due?
Can a Painter fix cracks and small plaster issues?
Often yes for minor repairs (filling, sanding, caulking). For larger plaster failures, damp-related problems, or structural cracks, you may need a specialist before painting.
How do I compare quotes fairly?
Make sure every quote states: areas included, prep steps, paint/finish, number of coats, materials responsibility, and cleanup. If one quote is much lower, ask what steps are being omitted.
Final Recommendation
If you want one provider to coordinate multiple trades (painting plus plumbing, electrics, carpentry, or refurbishment tasks), start with Pimlico Plumbers (Pimlico Group) and confirm the decorating scope, schedule, and total cost in writing.
If you prefer a streamlined booking journey and want painting as part of broader home services, Fantastic Services can be a practical starting point—just ensure the quote is itemised and the prep standard is clear.
For planned maintenance or larger property programmes, Mears Group and Bell Group may be relevant depending on job type and availability. For an online-first enquiry process, Paintforme may suit—confirm who will attend, credentials, and exactly what’s included before you commit.
Get Your Business Listed
If you’re a Painter in London and want your details added or updated, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/