How Much Does Exterior House Painting Cost in London? (2026 Guide)
Real 2026 prices for exterior house painting in London, broken down by property type. Based on 15 years of professional exterior painting projects across North and South London.
Exterior painting is seasonal, high-impact, and — done properly — a long-term investment in your property. It is also one of the projects where quotes vary wildly, because the scope varies wildly. A front door refresh costs a few hundred pounds. A full masonry repaint of a detached North London house can cost £3,000+.
The quick answer for a typical London semi-detached house: £1,300–£2,150 all in, including pressure washing, preparation, masonry paint, and labour. Below is the full breakdown.
2026 Exterior Painting Costs by Property Type
| Property | Description | Labour | Materials | Total | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victorian terraced house | 2 storeys, brick/render front | £800 – £1,200 | £150 – £250 | £950 – £1,450 | 2–3 days |
| Edwardian terraced house | 2 storeys, larger frontage | £950 – £1,400 | £180 – £280 | £1,130 – £1,680 | 3 days |
| Semi-detached house | 2–3 storeys, side return included | £1,100 – £1,800 | £200 – £350 | £1,300 – £2,150 | 3–4 days |
| Detached house | Full external render or masonry | £1,600 – £2,800 | £300 – £500 | £1,900 – £3,300 | 4–6 days |
| Period conversion / flat | Front elevation and shared areas only | £400 – £700 | £80 – £150 | £480 – £850 | 1–2 days |
*Prices assume standard masonry or render exterior, ground level to first-floor eaves. Three-storey properties, scaffolding requirements, or specialist surfaces add to the total. All prices include VAT.
What Drives the Cost?
1. Surface area and height
The total paintable surface area is the primary cost driver. A Victorian terraced house in Finchley might have 45m² of exterior wall; a detached house in Wimbledon might have 180m². Beyond two storeys, scaffolding or a MEWP (cherry picker) is required — adding £300–£800 to the project cost.
2. Surface condition and type
Smooth rendered surfaces are quickest to paint. Pebbledash requires significantly more material and time to achieve proper coverage. Bare or previously unpainted masonry needs a stabilising primer coat before topcoating. Cracked or spalling render should be repaired before painting — repairs cost £50–£200 depending on extent, but are essential for a lasting result.
3. Preparation requirements
Preparation is non-negotiable for exterior work. Our standard exterior process includes pressure washing, treatment of any algae or moss, filling cracks, priming bare areas, and masking windows and fixtures. Preparation typically accounts for 30–40% of the total project time. Skipping it is why so many exterior paint jobs fail within 2–3 years.
4. Paint product
We work with Dulux Weathershield, Sandtex, and breathable masonry paints for older properties. Weathershield carries a 15-year protection guarantee when properly applied. Cheaper masonry paints are available but they require more coats and fail sooner — a false economy. For a Victorian brick house, we use breathable paint specifically to prevent the moisture trapping that causes damp and spalling.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Badly applied exterior paint typically fails within 2–3 years. You will see peeling, blistering, or flaking — often caused by painting in unsuitable weather, skipping primer, or using the wrong product for the substrate. Stripping and repainting from scratch costs as much or more than getting it right first time. Always ask for the paint specification before accepting a quote — a contractor who cannot tell you exactly what product they are using is a red flag.
Additional Exterior Surfaces
Woodwork (per item)
- • Front door (both sides): £120 – £200
- • Sash window (each): £80 – £140
- • Casement window (each): £60 – £100
- • Fascias & soffits (per linear metre): £8 – £15
- • Gate or fence panel (each): £40 – £80
Extras to budget for
- • Scaffolding (3+ storey): £300 – £800
- • Render crack repairs: £50 – £200
- • Algae / moss treatment: £80 – £150
- • Pointing repairs: £100 – £300
- • Colour consultation: Usually included
When to Book — and Why Spring Matters
The best exterior painting window in London is April through September. Demand peaks from May onwards once the weather settles — good contractors book up 4–8 weeks in advance through summer. If you are planning an exterior repaint for the 2026 season, the time to get quotes is February or March, when availability is better and you are not competing with every other homeowner on your street.
We cover exterior painting across Enfield, Southgate, Purley, Kingston, and throughout North and South London. Find your area on our locations page.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Exterior painting cannot be quoted accurately from photos alone. Surface condition, access requirements, and the extent of preparation work need to be assessed in person. Our process:
Free site visit
We inspect the exterior surfaces, measure the area, assess condition, and discuss your goals and colour preferences.
Fixed-price quotation
You receive a written, itemised quote with the exact paint specification. No hidden extras — the price you agree is the price you pay.
Scheduled start date
We monitor the forecast and confirm a start date when the weather window is suitable. We never rush exterior work to meet an arbitrary schedule.
Learn more about the full scope of our exterior painting service, including the paint systems we use and the surfaces we cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get an Exterior Painting Quote This Spring
Free site visit, fixed-price quotation, and a full paint specification before you commit. Spring slots fill quickly — get in touch now to secure your preferred date. 9.78/10 on Checkatrade from 55 reviews on Checkatrade.