Most homeowners in Surrey look at a tired room and think, "I could do that myself." And honestly, sometimes you can. Painting a small bedroom with good walls and one colour is a straightforward Saturday job — if you have the time, the patience, and don't mind a bit of mess.
But we've been painting and decorating homes across Croydon, Purley, Kenley and the surrounding areas for over 15 years. We've seen what happens when DIY goes wrong — the wobbly lines, the paint on the carpet, the ceiling that looks like a map of the Lake District. We've also seen what a professional job looks like, and the difference is stark.
This guide helps you decide whether to pick up the brush yourself or call someone who does this every day. No judgment either way — just honest advice from people who know.
In This Guide
When DIY Painting Makes Sense
There are times when doing it yourself is the right call. Here's when we tell people, "You can probably handle that yourself."
Small, Simple Rooms
A box room with good walls, one colour, and no fancy finishes is a straightforward job. You need:
- A decent roller and brush set (£20–£40)
- Dust sheets or old sheets (£10–£15)
- Masking tape (£5–£10)
- Paint (£35–£50 for a 5-litre tub of good emulsion)
- A weekend with nothing else planned
Total cost: Around £70–£120 for materials. Your time is free, but it's a full weekend.
You're Selling the House
If you need a quick refresh to make the place look tidy for viewings, DIY is fine. Buyers aren't inspecting your cutting-in with a magnifying glass. They just want to see clean, neutral walls.
You Enjoy It
Some people genuinely enjoy painting. They find it relaxing. They put music on, take their time, and feel proud of the result. If that's you, crack on. We're not going to talk you out of something you enjoy.
You Have Time
A professional painter can do a bedroom in a day. A DIYer takes a weekend — sometimes longer if the weather's wrong for opening windows, or if you need to stop for school runs, or if you realise you've put the wrong colour on halfway through.
If you have that time, DIY saves money. If you don't, it costs you more than hiring someone. For a realistic idea of what a professional costs, see our 2026 price guide.
When You Should Call a Professional
Some jobs look simple but aren't. Here's when we strongly recommend picking up the phone.
High Ceilings or Stairwells
Anything above 2.4 metres needs scaffolding, extended poles, or a head for heights. We've been called in after DIYers have painted themselves into a corner — literally — on a landing with a wobbly stepladder. It's not worth the risk.
Damaged or Uneven Walls
Filling cracks, sanding down bumps, and priming bare plaster takes skill and the right materials. A professional knows when a wall needs skimming, when it needs sealing, and when it's ready for paint. Get it wrong and the paint peels within six months.
Wallpaper Removal
Stripping wallpaper is tedious, messy, and often reveals problems underneath — crumbling plaster, damp patches, or walls that have been painted over so many times they're textured like the surface of the moon. A professional knows what to do with each situation.
Multiple Colours or Finishes
Cutting in between two colours takes a steady hand. One wobble and you've got green paint on the white ceiling. Professionals use techniques and tools that most homeowners don't have — angled brushes, precision cutting-in tools, and years of practice.
Woodwork in Bad Condition
Skirting boards, architraves, and doors with layers of old paint need stripping, sanding, priming, and undercoating before the topcoat goes on. Skip any step and the finish looks rough and lasts half as long.
Exterior Work
Painting outside means dealing with weather, ladders, and often rotten wood that needs replacing before you paint. A professional spots problems early, has the right safety equipment, and knows which paints withstand British rain and UV.
The Hidden Costs of DIY
People think DIY saves money. Sometimes it does. But often the maths doesn't work out when you factor in everything.
Tools You Don't Own
- Good roller set: £25–£40
- Extension pole: £15–£25
- Quality brushes (various sizes): £30–£50
- Dust sheets: £15–£25
- Masking tape, filler, sandpaper, primer: £20–£40
- Stepladder or platform: £50–£100 (if you don't have one)
Total tools: £150–£280 — and you'll use them once every few years.
Paint You Buy and Don't Use
DIYers often buy the wrong amount. Too little and you have to make a second trip to the shop. Too much and you've wasted £40 on a tub that sits in the shed for five years. Professionals know exactly how much each job needs.
Time Off Work
If you take a day off to paint, that's a day's wages lost. For many people, that's £100–£300. A professional does it in a day while you're earning money elsewhere. The net cost is often less than you think.
Fixing Mistakes
The most expensive DIY cost is fixing what went wrong. Paint on the carpet, wobbly lines, missed spots, the wrong colour. We've been called in to fix DIY jobs that took the homeowner two weekends, and we charge more for remedial work because it's harder than starting from scratch.
What a Professional Brings
It's not just speed. Professionals bring things you can't buy in a shop.
Speed and Efficiency
A professional painter can prep and paint a standard bedroom in a day. That includes filling cracks, sanding, priming, two coats of emulsion, cutting in, and cleaning up. What takes you a weekend takes us a day.
Knowledge and Experience
We know which walls need sealing, which ones need skimming, and which ones are fine to paint directly. We know which paints work in bathrooms, which ones last longest in sunny rooms, and which colours will look different once the light changes.
The Right Tools
Professionals have dust extractors, sanding machines, spray equipment for specialist finishes, and scaffolding for high ceilings. These tools cost thousands and aren't worth buying for one job.
Cleanliness and Protection
We cover everything — floors, furniture, fixtures, light switches. We work cleanly and leave the room spotless. Most homeowners who DIY end up with paint on the carpet, the door handles, or the cat.
A Guarantee
We are hard working professional tradesmen who charge a fair price for good quality work and no nonsense. If you spot a defect, we will come to rectify for free. DIY comes with no guarantee — if it peels, you pay to fix it yourself, or call someone in.
For a full breakdown of what interior painting and decorating includes, see our services page.
The Decision: Simple Checklist
| Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Small room, good walls, one colour | Yes | Not necessary |
| High ceilings or stairwells | No | Yes |
| Damaged walls needing prep | No | Yes |
| Wallpaper removal | No | Yes |
| Multiple colours or cutting in | No | Yes |
| Woodwork in bad condition | No | Yes |
| Exterior work | No | Yes |
| You have a full weekend free | Yes | Optional |
| You need it done quickly | No | Yes |
| You want a guarantee | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I paint a room myself if I've never done it before?
Yes, but start small. A single wall in a spare room, not the hallway with the stairwell. Watch a few tutorial videos, buy decent tools, and give yourself plenty of time. If it goes wrong, it's only one wall.
How much money do I actually save doing it myself?
For a small room with good walls: £200–£400 in labour costs. For a larger room with prep work: £400–£800. But factor in your time, the tools you need to buy, and the risk of mistakes. The real saving is often less than you think. See our full price guide for detailed breakdowns.
Is it worth hiring a painter for one wall?
Most painters have a minimum charge — usually half a day or a full day rate. For one wall, the cost per square metre is high. But if that wall is high, awkward, or needs lots of prep, it's worth it. If it's a standard wall at ground level, DIY is probably fine.
Do professionals use better paint than I can buy?
Professionals use trade-quality paint — Dulux Trade, Crown Trade, Johnstone Trade — which isn't always available in retail shops. Trade paint covers better, lasts longer, and often needs fewer coats. We can buy it cheaper than retail because we have trade accounts.
What if I start DIY and realise it's too hard?
Call us. We won't judge you. In fact, we prefer it when people call early rather than making it worse. Remedial work costs more than starting from scratch, but we'll give you an honest quote and fix it properly.
Can I do the prep and hire a painter for the painting?
Some people do this to save money. If you're good at filling and sanding, it can work. But if the prep isn't done properly — wrong filler, missed cracks, dust not cleaned off — the paint won't last. We prefer to do the prep ourselves because we know what the paint needs underneath.
How do I prepare a room for painting?
Move furniture to the centre or out of the room. Remove pictures, curtains, and light fittings if possible. Cover everything with dust sheets. Fill cracks and holes, let them dry, sand them smooth. Clean the walls with sugar soap. Then — and only then — start painting.
What tools do I need for DIY painting?
Minimum: a good roller, a 2-inch brush for cutting in, a 1-inch brush for details, dust sheets, masking tape, filler, sandpaper, and a step ladder. Don't buy the cheapest brushes — they shed bristles into the paint.
Should I paint or wallpaper?
Paint is cheaper, quicker, and easier to change. Wallpaper is more expensive and harder to hang, but it lasts longer and adds texture and pattern. If you're unsure, paint is the safer bet. You can always wallpaper later. For more on the difference between painters and decorators — and who does what — see our painter vs decorator guide.
Do you offer advice before I decide?
Yes. We're happy to look at a job and tell you honestly whether it's DIY-friendly or needs a professional. We'd rather you have a good experience — even if that means doing it yourself — than calling us in to fix a mess.
Ready to Get a Quote?
Whether you're doing it yourself or hiring a professional, the first step is knowing what the job actually involves. We offer free, no-obligation visits across Surrey — Croydon, Purley, Kenley, Caterham, and surrounding areas.
We'll look at the room, tell you honestly what needs doing, and give you a written quote. If it's a DIY job, we'll tell you that too. No pressure, no sales tactics — just honest advice from people who've been doing this for 15+ years.
Ready for a Free Quote?
Based in Kenley, covering all of Surrey. Written quotes with fixed prices — no surprises.
Or email: info@recommended-tradesmen.co.uk
Last updated: June 2026. Whether you DIY or hire a professional, the key is knowing what you're taking on. If you're unsure, give us a call — we'll tell you honestly what you need.