How much does it cost to paint a room in London?

A single bedroom — walls and ceiling, no woodwork — is usually £380 to £620 in London. Add the woodwork and it becomes £620 to £980. A through sitting room in a Victorian terrace runs £900 to £1,600. Hall, stairs and landing is the one that surprises people: £1,100 to £2,400, because it is mostly access.

What actually moves the number

Preparation, more than anything. Two rooms of identical size can differ by £300 depending on whether the walls need filling and caulking. This is the single biggest variable and the one cheap quotes quietly leave out.

Ceiling height. A three-metre Victorian ceiling is not 20% more work than a 2.4m one, it is closer to 50% — more surface, and often a tower instead of a ladder.

Colour change. Going dark over light, or light over dark, means three coats rather than two. A decorator who has surveyed properly will have priced it. One who quoted over the phone will ask for more later.

Woodwork condition. Old oil gloss needs sanding back before anything else. That is a day per room on a house with a lot of joinery.

Why the cheapest quote costs more

If three quotes come in at £1,400, £1,350 and £700, the £700 is not a bargain — it is a different job. It is one coat instead of two, no filling, and taped edges instead of cut-in ones. You will see the difference within a year, and the repaint costs more than the difference would have.

Ask each quote the same three questions: how many coats, what preparation is included, and is the paint in the price. The answers explain the gap every time.