The Loacally blog
Getting things sorted at home.
Practical, no-nonsense help for your London home. What jobs really cost, which trade you actually need, and how to hire someone you can trust.
Exterior House Painting Cost in London: 2026 Price Guide
Repainting the outside of a three-bedroom semi costs roughly £600 to £4,500 including labour and materials, and London sits at the upper end of that band. See what a fair exterior quote itemises, what your borough charges to licence a scaffold on the pavement, when an Article 4 direction stops you painting at all, and why the wrong paint can cause damp in a solid-walled Victorian house.
Decorator Day Rates in London: What Painters and Decorators Charge in 2026
A sole-trader decorator in London typically charges £220 to £320 a day, labour only, for standard interior work in 2026, with established firms quoting £320 to £450. See what a day rate includes, how long rooms take to decorate, why London costs more, and the checks to make before you hire.
How Much Does It Cost to Decorate a Room in London? (2026)
A clear 2026 guide to what it costs to decorate a room in London, from painter day rates and per-room prices to ceilings, woodwork, wallpaper and how to get a fair quote.