Painting and decorating is preparing and finishing the surfaces of a home, including filling, sanding, priming and painting walls, ceilings and woodwork, hanging wallpaper and painting exterior walls and joinery, to protect them and refresh how rooms look.
Homeowners in Derry/Londonderry usually consider painting and decorating for one of a few reasons: something has worn out, the house no longer suits the way they live, or they are getting it ready to sell. We visit, agree a specification and put a fixed price in writing. Most jobs like this take 1–2 days per room; 3–7 days for a house exterior, and we work across County Londonderry, including Strabane, Limavady and Coleraine.
- Guide price
- £1,050–£2,600 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–2 days per room; 3–7 days for a house exterior
- Postcodes
- BT48
- Planning rules
- Northern Ireland
- Local area
- Derry
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for painting and decorating in Derry/Londonderry?
The table below shows guide prices for painting and decorating in Derry/Londonderry. They are based on rates in Northern Ireland, which run about 14% below the national guide, giving an overall range of £1,050–£2,600. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Derry/Londonderry |
|---|---|---|
| Single room | Walls, ceiling and woodwork in one average bedroom or living room. | £300–£750 |
| House exterior | Masonry and joinery on a typical semi, including access equipment. | £2,200–£5,200 |
| Whole interior of a 3-bed house | Every room, hallway, stairs and landing, including woodwork. | £2,600–£5,600 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Number and size of rooms, including ceiling height
- Whether woodwork, doors and wallpaper are included
- Paint quality, colour changes and number of coats
- Exterior access, scaffolding and the condition of surfaces
What does the job include in Derry/Londonderry?
- Survey of each surface and agreed colours and finishes
- Floors, furniture and fittings protected with dust sheets and masking
- Filling cracks and holes, sanding and spot priming
- Mist coat on new plaster before finishing coats
- Two finishing coats to walls and ceilings as standard
- Furniture replaced, waste removed and a final tidy-up
What are homes like around Derry/Londonderry?
Derry has Georgian and Victorian terraces around its walled city, alongside large post-war estates and newer developments. Coleraine, Limavady and Magherafelt mix older town centres with semis and estates, Portstewart has seaside villas, and rural areas have many detached homes and bungalows, often roughcast.
The north coast faces Atlantic wind, rain and salt, and the Sperrins inland are colder and wetter.
So when we survey a Derry/Londonderry property for painting and decorating, the first step is working out how it was built and what has been changed since.
Permissions for painting and decorating in Derry/Londonderry
Which rules apply depends on where you live. For Derry/Londonderry, the answer is Northern Ireland, and the points below reflect that; we verify them with the council before quoting.
Internal improvements do not need planning permission in Northern Ireland unless the building is listed.
The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) apply to structural work, drainage and ventilation; electrical work should be tested and certified.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
The four stages
Survey and measure
It starts with a survey at the property, free of charge. We check condition, access and services, ask how you want the finished result to look, and answer any questions you have about painting and decorating.
Your fixed price
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for painting and decorating.
Getting ready
Next comes planning the work itself. We set a start date that suits you, line up the right trades, and make sure any approvals for painting and decorating are in place before the first day on site.
Build and hand over
On site, the agreed plan is followed and any change is put in writing first. At completion we do a final clean, go through the snagging list with you and leave you with the relevant documents.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to move my furniture?
You only need to remove small items, ornaments, pictures and anything fragile. We move larger furniture to the middle of the room and cover it, or into another room where agreed. Please empty bookshelves and cabinets that need moving. Let us know about anything very heavy, valuable or awkward, such as pianos or large wardrobes, so we can plan around it.
Which postcodes in Derry/Londonderry do you cover?
We cover BT48, along with the rest of County Londonderry. If your postcode is not listed, get in touch anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, and we can usually arrange a survey wherever you live. Enter your postcode in the guide-price tool or contact form and we will confirm.
How much will painting and decorating cost in Derry/Londonderry?
As a guide, expect to pay £1,050–£2,600 including VAT for painting and decorating in Derry/Londonderry. That range is adjusted for Northern Ireland, which runs about 14% below the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
What paint finish should I choose?
Matt emulsion hides imperfections and gives a soft look, which suits ceilings and living rooms. Eggshell or soft sheen finishes are more washable, so they suit kitchens, hallways and children's rooms. For woodwork, satin gives a modern low-shine look, while gloss is harder-wearing and more traditional. Bathrooms benefit from paints made to resist moisture and mould.
How long does it take to decorate a room?
Decorating an average room usually takes one to two days, allowing time for preparation, a mist coat or primer where needed and two finishing coats. Hallways, stairs and landings take longer because of the height and the amount of woodwork. Wallpapering adds time for stripping and lining. We give you a schedule so you know which rooms will be out of use and when.
Also covering areas around Derry/Londonderry
Coverage for Derry/Londonderry spans BT48. Close by, Strabane, Limavady and Coleraine are covered too, and the rest of our UK-wide area follows the same survey-then-quote process from start to finish.