If you’re wondering whether to hire a professional decorator or do it yourself, our guide will help you weigh that up. Plus, we introduce a third option: learning painting and decorating properly through training.
We’ve all had some experience of painting, haven’t we? How hard can DIY decorating be? Whether you’ve got a room that needs freshening up or a whole house refurbishment planned, there’s lots to consider when it comes to painting and decorating.
Choosing paint colours and wallpaper is just the start. Do you have enough confidence in your skills to do a good job? Do you have the tools and time to tackle it? How does that stack up against the rising costs of hiring a decorator?
Whether you should hire a decorator, do it yourself or learn decorating properly depends on your budget, confidence, time and long-term plans.
What does a professional decorator do?
When you hire a professional decorator, you’re not only buying time and labour, but their skills and experience. You should feel reassured that the job's quality will be good, leaving the room finished to a high standard so it looks great and lasts. It’s money well spent if you haven’t the time or the know-how to do it yourself.
A professional decorator will be able to recommend paint types and advise how much you need. They will prepare all surfaces first, filling, sanding, and making good any areas in need of repair to ensure a good quality finish. They are experts, so their cutting in will be sharp, wallpapering flawless and paint finishes impeccable.
Pros and cons of DIY decorating
Benefits of DIY decorating
- Saves you money
- Flexible timescales
- Huge sense of satisfaction
Challenges of DIY decorating
- Takes time
- Lack of knowledge
- Mistakes can be costly
Pros and cons of hiring a professional decorator
Benefits of hiring a decorator
- Quality of finish
- Speed of working
- Takes the stress and your time out of it
Downsides of hiring a decorator
- Cost of labour
- Availability – if they’re good, they’re likely to be booked up
- Less control over the timing
How much does it cost to hire a decorator?
The cost of hiring a decorator varies widely depending on where you live, the size of the room, and how the project is quoted – whether it’s a day rate or a fixed price. On top of that, there’s obviously paint costs, which range from budget options to premium. While paint costs are an expense whether you hire someone or do it yourself, and you can specify what paint they use, some decorators have a preferred trade brand.
According to Screwfix, the average day rate for a painter and decorator in 2026 is £325 and average room cost is £450.
When getting a quote, as a rule of thumb, the labour tends to make up between 60-80% of the cost, with materials – paint, plus caulk, filler, masking, consumables – making up the remaining 20-40%.
Deciding whether to hire a decorator
There is money to save by doing your own decorating. Recent figures (published May 2026) from My Job Quote suggest the typical cost of having a large living room decorated by a professional is between £550-£990, depending on location and scope. Another benefit of the DIY approach is having the flexibility to do the decorating when you want to, rather than having to wait for a professional decorator to fit you in.
Time can be seen as a drawback though, as ultimately, you’ll need to dedicate a number of hours or days to doing it, allowing prep time, drying time. Without the skills and knowledge, it can take even longer and mistakes are more likely.
But, if you do have the skills and confidence, there’s a huge sense of personal satisfaction when you step back and admire that finished, newly decorated room – I did that (and I saved a few quid!)
Is it worth learning how to decorate properly?
If you’ve not had the opportunity to do any decorating yet, confidence and fear of mistakes can get in the way, even if you’re keen to get started. Just knowing how to start, what order to do things and having more knowledge about different types of paints and techniques are lifelong useful skills to have.
If you take the time to learn how to decorate properly, you’ll build confidence and gain skills that are useful for lots of different decorating jobs around the home. You might be so inspired that it takes you into a new career direction. Regardless of the end goal, confidence and competence will help you avoid making mistakes (which can be costly) and provide long-term value, whether you see decorating as a life skill or a future career.
Who is a decorating course suitable for?
A decorating course is suitable for anyone. DIY learners, property developers, landlords, handyman businesses and career changers can all benefit from doing a painting and decorating course if they want to learn more about decorating.
There are different levels of painting and decorating courses, offering different lengths of training from entry level (ideal for DIYers, landlords or as an introduction to the trade) up to NVQ ready standard, for career decorators wanting to get site work.
What skills can you learn on a decorating course?
On a short introductory painting & decorating course, you’ll learn the basic skills and find out how to work safely. That includes surface preparation and minor repairs, how water and oil based products differ, and what brushes and rollers to use, how to cut in and how to hang wallpaper properly.
On a longer course, you’ll develop skills, speed and more advanced techniques and technical knowledge.
DIY decorating, hiring a decorator or learning decorating skills: Which is best?
| Option | Best For | Main Benefit |
| DIY | Small projects | Lowest cost |
| Hire a decorator | Fast professional finish | Saves time |
| Learn decorating skills | Long-term projects or career goals | Skills for life |
FAQs about DIY decorating
Is decorating hard?
Decorating can look quite straightforward, but achieving a professional finish is hard. It takes skill, patience and good amounts of prep. Skills like cutting in, preparing surfaces, wallpapering and applying even coats of paint all take practice, but with the right guidance you can learn to do it well.
Can beginners learn decorating skills?
Yes. Decorating is a trade that beginners can learn, even if you don’t have any experience. Many people start with a DIY project, but doing a decorating course can help build a good understanding of preparation, painting techniques, wallpapering, and how to achieve a professional finish.
Is it cheaper to decorate yourself or hire a decorator?
Doing decorating yourself can save money on labour costs, especially for smaller projects. However, if you make mistakes, skip the prep, or buy the wrong materials it can become expensive. Hiring a professional usually costs more upfront, but it can save time and often results in a higher-quality finish. Learning decorating skills yourself can be a good long-term investment, especially if you plan to do multiple projects.
When should I hire a decorator?
Hiring a decorator may be the best choice if you want a high-quality finish quickly, if the project is large or complex, or if you don’t have the time or confidence to do the work yourself. Professional decorators are also experienced in dealing with challenging surfaces, wallpapering, and achieving consistent finishes. One of the downsides is that you may have to wait; if they’re good, they’ll be booked up in advance.
How long does it take to learn how to decorate?
You can pick up some basic decorating skills quickly, especially for DIY projects like painting walls and ceilings. However, developing professional-level decorating skills takes more time and effort. Intensive decorating courses can provide a strong introduction in a short period, while ongoing experience helps improve confidence and technique.
Is becoming a decorator a good career change?
For many people, becoming a painter and decorator can be a rewarding career change. If you’re a practical person, it offers hands-on work and opportunities for self-employment. Decorating skills are often in demand, particularly for home improvement and refurbishment projects, making it a popular choice for career changers or as a second career.
What tools do I need if I want to paint a room?
Basic decorating tools include paint brushes, rollers, roller trays, dust sheets, masking tape, filler, sandpaper, and a ladder. In addition, you’ll need a selection of other tools such as scrapers and filling knives, as preparation is a key to achieving a good finish.
Is it worth doing a decorating course if it’s for DIY?
A decorating course can still be worthwhile for DIY learners, as you can build confidence and learn professional techniques that will improve the quality of your work and help avoid mistakes. It can save you time and money in the long term if you’ve got a few projects in mind.
How to get started
Learning decorating with Able Skills
Our short introductory course will give you a fantastic insight into the trade, learning the skills and techniques to tackle a decorating project at home. As it’s taught by a professional decorator, you’ll also pick up plenty of painter’s tips along the way.
“An enjoyable week of learning in a relaxed atmosphere. Introduction to decorating was perfect for a complete beginner and for those with a little experience.” — George via Trustpilot.
All of our courses take place at our City & Guilds approved training centre in Dartford, Kent. We’re 10 minutes from junction 1a on the M25 and just a short walk from Dartford train station, with trains to central London taking 35 minutes.
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