DIY vs Hiring a Painter
Compare the true cost of painting yourself versus hiring a professional. Factor in your time, materials, and the quality of the result.
DIY
- Materials
- £124
- Your time (14h × £15)
- £210
- Time needed
- 14h (2 weekends)
- Quality
- Variable
- Clean-up
- You
- Total cost
- £334
Professional
- Materials
- Included
- Your time
- 0 hours
- Time to complete
- 2 working days
- Quality
- Professional trade finish
- Clean-up
- Included
- Total cost
- £1014 – £1372
Hiring saves you 7 hours and costs only £680 more — with guaranteed professional trade-quality finish.
Ready to save time?
Skip the weekends of painting. Get a professional finish with premium trade paint included.
When DIY Makes Sense
DIY painting can be worthwhile for a single small room in good condition — especially if you already own brushes and rollers. It's a good option for quick colour refreshes where prep work is minimal.
When to Hire a Professional
- Multiple rooms — the time savings compound quickly
- Poor wall condition — proper prep makes or breaks the result
- High ceilings or stairs — safety and access equipment needed
- Quality matters — cutting in, even coverage, and clean lines take years of practice
- Your time is valuable — a weekend of painting could be spent with family