Wall Panelling Cost

How Much Does Wall Panelling Cost?

If you’re thinking of refreshing your home but have a limited budget, you may fancy installing wall panelling. But exactly how much does wall panelling cost? Is it cheap or expensive to do? Well, that does depend on a few different factors, including panel type, the size of the area to be covered, and where you live.

There are wall panels, such as tongue and groove, that are made from boards that sit side-by-side. And those that form a grid-like framework with an open back, such as shaker-style panels. This means some use more materials per square metre than others.

A simple installation of shaker panels could cost between £115 and £765 per wall, whereas an installation of tongue and groove panelling could cost between £130 and £510 per wall.

The cost of installing wall panelling may also be determined by what materials they’re made from. MDF wall panels tend to be the cheapest option, with panels costing from £15 per square metre. Whereas, wood panelling costs anywhere between £20 and £80 per square metre.

Pine tends to be the cheaper option and oak the most expensive. Plus, wall panels can come in kits or be custom-made. Kit versions take less time to fit but can cost more per square metre to buy.

The cost of wall panelling is also dependent on the area you intend to cover. Panels can cover a whole wall, or part way up which is known as wainscoting. And how many walls you intend to cover will also affect the total price.

But it isn’t just the area inside your home that can change what you pay. Where your home is situated can also affect the cost, with the cost of skilled tradespeople often much higher in London.

Unless you’re installing your panelling as a DIY project, you’re likely to need the help of a carpenter or joiner and a decorator. The average day rate for a joiner or carpenter is £210 and £175 for a painter.

Wall Panelling Prices

The average cost of panelling for walls depends on the style and materials used, as well as the size of the area you’re having panelled. Here’s the average cost, including materials and labour:

Supply Cost of Wall Panelling

Below is a list of the supply costs for the different types of wall panelling:

Additional Wall Panelling Costs

Of course, when you’re installing wall panelling in your home, there may a few other costs to consider.

Plastering the Wall

Panelling works best with a solid and straight wall to sit on. So, if your wall is currently in a poor state, it may need some plaster work to be carried out. A small patch repair is likely to add between £70 and £130 to your costs, while reskimming the walls of a room costs from £150.

Should you discover the plaster on your walls has blown or is crumbling away, you may need to completely replaster the room. In this case, you're looking at adding replasting costs starting from £400 to complete the work.

Decorating the Room

Whether or not you decide to have your panels painted, it’s likely that you’ll want a fresh coat of paint on the rest of the room. This will get rid of any marks or mess from the panel installation and ensure the whole room looks as good as your new panels.

The average cost to paint a room is £400 including the prep work, paint and labour costs. But it shouldn’t take longer than one or two days to complete.

If you'd prefer wallpaper instead, the cost of wallpaper installation typically starts from £300 depending on the size of your room.

Moving a Radiator

If there’s a radiator on the wall you wish to panel, then you may need to move it temporarily or permanently if it interferes with the look of your panelling.

The cost of moving a radiator will add around £150 to your project fees, but shouldn’t take more than a few hours to do.

Replacing Skirting Boards

As you’re having your walls renewed with panels, the skirting may need a bit of attention, too, especially if this is going to be the base for your panelling. Or you may simply want to change the style of your skirting to fit the type of panelling you’re having installed.

Replacing skirting boards costs an additional £250, but it can be done by the carpenter or joiner who is fitting your panels. To complete the look, painting skirting boards costs £200.

Labour Cost of Panelling a Wall & Timescales

How long it takes to install your wall panelling and how much it costs in labour depends on a few different factors. So, let’s take a look at the labour costs and timescales.

If your walls are in good condition and ready to be panelled, then you may just need a carpenter or joiner to come in and fit the panels for you. You can expect to pay between £20 and £40 per hour and the job may take about a day to complete a small area.

Of course, the job may not be quite so simple and that will increase the timescale and therefore the cost. For example, there may be a bit of wall prep to do first. The walls may require a bit of sanding and filling to get the wall smooth, which a decorator can do for you.

You may also want the decorator to apply a few coats of paint to the panels too. This could take a day in total, depending on how big the job is. And you can expect a painter to charge between £15 and £30 per hour.

So, how much you end up paying for labour does depend on how many hours your tradespeople take to complete the job. But where you are located does have an effect, too. If you live in London, you may find prices are a little higher than the national average.

Factors That Impact Wall Panelling Costs

There are a number of cost factors to consider when adding wall panelling to a room.

Number and Length of Walls

The size of the area you would like panelling is the first cost factor. The bigger the area, the more materials you’ll need and the more time it will take to complete. For example, panelling a small hallway is going to be much cheaper than panelling the walls throughout the house.

Height of Panelling

Whether you’re covering a whole wall or just having panels that come part way up the wall does make a difference to the cost.

Panels known as wainscoting typically only come a third of the way up the wall. So, this type will take the least time and materials to do, making it much less expensive than floor-to-ceiling installations.

Type of Panelling

The type of panelling you install is another factor that will affect your cost. If your panels come in a kit or as ready-made sections, you will pay a bit more for this convenience.

And if your panel type is one that completely covers the wall, such as shiplap or tongue and groove, then it’s likely to cost a bit more due to the amount of materials required.

Type of Materials

The type of materials you use will also impact the cost of installing wall panelling. It’s usually cheaper to use MDF panelling than wooden wall panels. But, the different types of wood differ in price too.

Pine is generally the cheapest wood option to lay, and oak is often the most expensive option. You may decide on a composite material for easy cleaning and durability, but this can be more expensive than MDF and pine versions.

Complexity of the Installation

How complex the installation is, could also affect the cost. Panelling that lines a stairwell, for example, is much trickier to install because it needs to run at an angle and involves more skill to measure and cut the materials to fit.

Also, if you’re panelling a room such as a bathroom, it can take longer due to working in a confined space. Sinks and toilets may need to be removed to panel behind them, and they then need to be replaced.

What's Involved in Installing Wall Panelling?

Installing wall panelling properly means having the right tools to complete the job and being able to measure and cut accurately.

As this isn't an easy DIY job, most homeowners choose to hire a local wall panelling specialist

Use MyJobQuote to connect with thousands of wall panelling specialists near you. Quotes are free, fast, with no-obligation to go ahead.

Here is the typical process for wall panelling installation:

Before the Job

• Design and room check — If you’re installing shaker-style panels or panels made from decorative moulding, a design will be sketched out first and made to work with the shape of the room and any features. A tradesperson can then take the measurements and order the materials.
• Surface prep — The walls will be prepared so they are clean, flat and ready for panelling. If it is an open framework style, the wall will be smoothed and painted first so the wall between the panels looks right.

During the Job

• Set out and fix — The panelling, or battens for styles such as tongue and groove, will be measured, cut and fixed to the wall by the fitter so everything lines up neatly.
• Trims added — If the panels only go part way up, a dado rail or decorative trim will be fitted to finish the top edge.

After the Job

• Fill and sand — Once everything is fixed, the joins will be caulked and any areas lightly sanded to create a smooth surface for finishing.
• Finishing coat — The panelling will be primed and finished with paint, oil or varnish. If it is high-quality timber, the tradesperson can apply a clear protective coat and advise on the best product.

Types of Wall Panelling

There are lots of different types of wall panels you can install in your home. They come in a variety of styles and materials, which does have an impact on the cost. If you’re looking for some wall panelling ideas, here’s a run down of the main types:

Shaker Wall Panelling

Shaker style panelling is very popular and can be made from either wood or MDF. The design uses a grid of squares which can cover a whole wall or just part of it.

This style is popular because it’s easy to install and is a cost-effective way to refurbish a room. It works in both period and new-build properties and can be painted in any colour you like. Unless you’re going with oak panels though, they do need to be painted.

Decorative Moulding

Adding panels made with decorative moulding is a quick and easy way to give your walls a period-style makeover. Mouldings can be used to create square or rectangle panels, so they fit any size of wall. It requires minimal materials to install this type of panelling, so it’s good for people on a tight budget. It works best in period properties but can be painted any colour.

Tongue & Groove Panelling

Tongue and groove wall panelling has been around for decades and is made from interlocking boards. In the past, you could only buy a wood version, but you can now buy it in pine, MDF, and composite materials.

It comes as a kit or as individual boards. Composite tongue and groove panelling is ideal for high-traffic areas and moisture-prone rooms. This makes it a good choice for hallways and bathrooms.

Shiplap

Shiplap has interlocking boards in the same way as tongue and groove panelling does. However, the boards are recessed along one edge. You can see this style on sheds and weatherboarding too. It is often laid horizontally and covers a whole wall, but you can stop partway up the wall if this suits your room best. This style takes a bit more skill to install but works well with Scandi and coastal interior designs.

Wooden Slats

Slat wall panelling is where long lengths of wood are attached vertically to the wall with a small gap in between each one. It’s a modern take on traditional panelling, so it works best in with modern interiors.

Wooden slats can be made from pine, oak or other types of timber to add texture and character to walls. They can be left unpainted, but a coat of oil or varnish is recommended to protect them.

Checklist: Hiring Wall Panelling Fitters

• Have you checked multiple quotes? With MyJobQuote you can get multiple free quotes for the panelling work, with no-obligation to go ahead.
• Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile to see feedback from other homeowners.
• Are they experienced? Choose someone who has done wall panelling work previously. Ask to see photos and examples of their past work.
• Do you know what's included? Ask for detailed quotes, so you can see what everything costs and check all the work you want doing is included.
• Are they insured? Check that your wall panelling specialist has public liability insurance.

FAQs