How Long Does It Take To Paint and Decorate?

When planning to refresh your home or office space, one of the first questions you may have is, "How long will it take?" Knowing the timeline is essential, especially if you’re coordinating around a move, a big event, or other renovation projects. At Painters and Decorators Southampton, we aim to help our clients plan accurately, by providing realistic timelines for painting and decorating jobs. Let’s break down the factors that affect project duration and give an idea of how long different types of jobs typically take.

Key Factors That Influence Painting and Decorating Timelines

• Size of the Space: Larger rooms naturally require more time to complete, while smaller rooms can be painted and decorated faster.
• Condition of Walls and Surfaces: Walls in good condition require less prep work than those with cracks, peeling paint, or other imperfections.
• Number of Coats and Colours: A change from a light to a dark colour, or vice versa, often requires multiple coats for full coverage.
• Complexity of the Design: Simple, single-color walls are quicker to paint than intricate designs or patterns.
• Additional Elements: Painting trim, ceilings, and doors adds extra time to the project.
• Type of Paint and Finish: Specialty paints, such as textured or glossy finishes, may take longer to apply and require more drying time.

Average Timelines for Different Painting and Decorating Jobs

Let’s explore typical timelines for different rooms and types of painting and decorating projects. These are general estimates; your unique project may vary depending on the specific requirements.

Small Rooms (e.g., Bathrooms, Small Bedrooms)

• Estimated Time: 1-2 Days
• Details: Smaller rooms, especially bathrooms, can often be completed in a day or two. This includes preparation time, painting the walls, and possibly adding decorative touches such as trim. Bathrooms may need an extra drying period if anti-mould paint or water-resistant coatings are used.

Standard Bedrooms or Home Offices

• Estimated Time: 2-3 Days
• Details: A standard-sized bedroom or home office typically takes a couple of days. This includes wall prep, applying primer if necessary, and two coats of paint. If the room requires additional features, like painting a ceiling or skirting boards, it may extend to three days.

Large Rooms (e.g., Living Rooms, Dining Rooms)

• Estimated Time: 3-5 Days
• Details: Larger rooms require more preparation and painting time due to the size and complexity. Living rooms and dining rooms often have high ceilings or more intricate mouldings that add to the workload. Expect a timeline of three to five days, especially if you’re changing colours drastically or including decorative finishes.

Kitchens

• Estimated Time: 2-4 Days
• Details: Kitchens are unique because they require durable, easy-to-clean paint. Careful prep is essential around cabinets, counters, and appliances, and this can add extra time. Typically, kitchen painting takes about 2-4 days, depending on the size and amount of detail work.

Hallways and Staircases

• Estimated Time: 3-6 Days
• Details: Hallways and staircases are often trickier due to higher walls, corners, and curves. The painting team may need ladders or scaffolding to reach high areas. This can add time to the project, so a hallway or staircase job could range from three to six days, depending on the size and design.

Full House Interior

• Estimated Time: 1-2 Weeks
• Details: Painting and decorating an entire house interior involves coordinating multiple rooms, each with its own prep, paint, and drying needs. A professional team will generally complete a standard home interior within one to two weeks, but larger or more detailed homes may take longer. This estimate includes all living spaces, hallways, and sometimes minor trim work.

Commercial Property Interiors

For commercial property interiors, painting and decorating typically take 1-3 weeks depending on the size, layout, and complexity of the space. Larger properties with multiple rooms, intricate designs, or detailed prep work may be on the longer end of this range, while smaller, straightforward spaces can be completed faster. 

Simple Exterior Structures (e.g., sheds, garages)

• Estimated Time: 1-3 Days
• Details: Small, straightforward structures like sheds or garages can often be completed within one to three days, assuming good weather conditions. This estimate includes preparation, painting, and drying time.

Standard Single-Story Home Exterior

• Estimated Time: 3-5 Days
• Details: A single-story home in relatively good condition generally takes around three to five days to paint. This includes power washing, prep work, priming (if needed), painting, and adding finishing touches.

Two-Story Homes Exterior

• Estimated Time: 5-7 Days
• Details: Two-story homes are more time-intensive because of the height and the need for extra equipment like scaffolding or ladders. With a focus on safety and achieving an even coat, a two-story home typically takes about a week, although minor repairs or intricate detailing may extend this timeframe.

Exterior of Large or Complex Homes (e.g., Victorian, Heritage Homes)

• Estimated Time: 1-2 Weeks
• Details: Homes with unique architecture, intricate trim, or multiple levels require specialized attention, which can lengthen the timeline. Heritage properties may need particular techniques to maintain their character, requiring about one to two weeks depending on the complexity and detailing involved.

Commercial Properties Exterior

• Estimated Time: 1-3 Weeks
• Details: The timeline for commercial properties depends heavily on the size and complexity of the building. Large offices, multi-story commercial buildings, or structures with complex features may require extended time. Additionally, some commercial spaces need specialized exterior coatings for durability, which may also extend the project.

Stages of Painting and Decorating and Their Duration

For any project, painting and decorating typically include these stages:

Preparation (1-2 Days): Preparation is critical to achieving a smooth and long-lasting finish. This involves covering furniture, patching any imperfections, sanding surfaces, and applying primer if necessary. Proper prep can take a day or two, depending on the room's size and condition.

Painting and Application (1-3 Days): Applying the paint usually involves one to three coats, depending on the colour and type of paint. This process generally takes a day or two per coat, including drying time.

Decorative Touches (1-2 Days): Adding decorative touches like skirtings, covings, or wall panelling can take an additional day or two, depending on the complexity of the design.

Clean-Up and Finishing Touches (half a day - 1 day): The final day is often spent removing protective coverings, cleaning the workspace, and making small touch-ups to ensure a flawless finish.

How to Speed Up the Process

If you’re under a time pressure, here are some ways to help reduce the painting and decorating timeline:

• Choose Simpler Designs: Opting for simpler designs and colours can reduce the amount of time needed.
• Clear the Area: Clear furniture and decorations ahead of time, which allows the painters to start right away.
• Use Water Based Paints: Water based paints dry faster than oil based paints, so you may ask the painting team if a faster-drying option could work for your project.
• Hire a Professional Team: Experienced painters, like those at Painters and Decorators Southampton, have efficient processes and high-quality equipment, ensuring they complete projects on time without compromising quality.

Choosing Painters and Decorators Southampton for Your Project

At Painters and Decorators Southampton, we’re dedicated to delivering high-quality painting and decorating services with minimal disruption to your daily routine. Our team’s experience allows us to provide accurate timelines for projects of any size, and we work with our clients to ensure their vision is realised on time and within budget.

Whether you’re planning to redecorate a single room or your entire property, we’ll provide a clear estimate of the time needed to complete the job. For personalized advice and a free consultation, reach out to Painters and Decorators Southampton today.