Written by Micky Down, Micky's Property Services ·
Room size and ceiling height
A larger room simply needs more paint and more time to cut in and roll, and a higher ceiling means more work with access equipment to reach it safely. Two rooms of a similar footprint can take quite different amounts of time if one has standard ceilings and the other has the taller ceilings found in many period properties. A room with coving or ornate ceiling detail also takes longer to cut in around neatly than a plain flat ceiling.
Condition and preparation
A room that only needs a light sand and a wipe down before painting takes far less time than one with cracks to fill, old wallpaper to strip, or lining paper to remove. Preparation is usually the biggest variable in a decorating quote, because it is the part that is hardest to predict without seeing the walls in person.
Filling cracks properly, letting filler dry, sanding it back and spot priming all take real time, even though none of it is visible once the top coats go on. Skipping or rushing this stage is usually what causes a finish to look patchy or crack again within a year. Lining paper, where it is in good condition, can sometimes be left in place and painted over, which can save time compared with stripping a wall back to bare plaster.
Number of coats and colour changes
Most rooms need two coats of emulsion for an even finish, but a significant colour change, for example going from a dark colour to white, or covering a bold feature wall, often needs an extra coat to properly hide what is underneath. This is worth mentioning when getting a quote, since it changes both the paint needed and the time on site. Strong, saturated colours can also need an extra coat even without a full colour change, simply because some pigments cover less evenly than others.
Textured ceilings, such as an older ceiling that has previously been artexed, can also take longer to achieve an even result and are worth pointing out when getting a quote.
Woodwork included or not
Painting the walls and ceiling is one job, adding skirting, architrave, doors and window frames to the list is effectively a second job layered on top, usually in gloss or satin rather than emulsion. Deciding upfront whether woodwork is included in the price avoids any confusion once work is under way.
Furniture moving and room type
A room that can be cleared or has furniture easily moved to the centre and covered is quicker to work in than one where everything has to be worked around piece by piece. Hallways, stairs and landings generally take longer than a similarly sized bedroom too, because of the awkward angles, higher ceilings over stairwells, and the access equipment needed to reach safely.
A typical sequence and why a visit gives a firm quote
In general terms, a straightforward room might involve a day or so of preparation followed by a day or two of painting, while a room needing significant repair work, extra coats or included woodwork will naturally take longer. These are rough patterns rather than promises, since every room is different once you look closely at its condition.
Because preparation, coats, woodwork and furniture all vary so much from job to job, a home visit is the only reliable way to give a firm price rather than a rough guess. A decorator can see the walls, check for damp or cracking, discuss what is included, and quote accordingly. Our painting and decorating page covers the full range of what we offer, and our guide to painting new plaster is worth reading if your room has recently been replastered. Contact us or call 07735 852901 to arrange a free quote.