Staircase Painting Cost

Looking for staircase painting costs?

If you want to give a great first impression in your home, there is no better starting point than in the hallway. A fresh layer of paint on the stairs and banister is a simple way to update an entrance.

Everything you need to know about the costs of painting a staircase is in this guide. We break down typical prices in 2026, the factors that impact the cost and what's involved.

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Read our staircase painting cost guide below!

Staircase Painting Cost Calculator

How Much to Paint a Staircase?

Do you need your staircase painting?

To paint an average residential staircase, you can expect costs of around £400. However, the cost can quickly add up when painting the structure, depending on the size, type, and staircase design.

For example, a professional stairway painting task such as priming and painting a typical stairwell ranges between £350 and £450, while the price of adding a single colour paint to a stairway with handrails can range from £225 to £700 to prime and paint one staircase.

A professionally painted staircase costs homeowners between £4 and £12 per linear metre. Most stair railings are 5 to 10 metres long and run the length of the staircase.

If a certain type of paint is required, or if the railing has an intricate design that requires small brushes and more time, the cost of the painting project may vary.

For example, painting a wrought iron railing may be more costly than painting a timber railing. If you are painting the railing at the same time as balusters, spindles, and risers, it may be best to leave it until the end so the staircase can be assembled and the task can be finished ahead of time.

Painting your staircase is a cost-effective way to refresh its appearance and extend its life before you need to consider the cost of replacing a staircase.

Painting Staircase Prices

Let's take a look at some staircase painting prices to give you an idea of what to expect:

Staircase Painting Costs (Supply Only)

We'll go over the supply costs of painting a staircase in this section. So, if you want to do it yourself, you'll find everything you need right here.

Paint Requirements

For a typical staircase, set aside 2 to 3 litres for two coats on the steps. That covers the treads and risers. You're looking at roughly £20 to £40 for that amount of paint. If you plan to do the stringers, skirting, banister or spindles as well, you'll need a bit more in the tin.

What Type of Paint Should You Use

Most people choose a floor paint or a tough mid-sheen wood paint. Floor paint is made for the scuff and shuffle of feet on the treads. If you'd like extra grip, pick an anti-slip floor paint or stir in a non-slip additive. On the banister and spindles, satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss wood paint works nicely. Prime any bare wood or patched areas before you start.

You can buy specialist stair paints and finishes too. They usually come in at £5 to £10 more than the standard options.

Tools and Equipment

If you're tackling this project yourself, you'll need:

In total, expect to spend around £70 to £160 on tools and equipment, depending on the quality of tools you choose.

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Additional Staircase Painting Costs

When having your staircase painted, you might decide that you want to have additional work done to your home at the same time. In this section, we'll go through the additional costs so you know what to expect:

Painting a Room Costs

Painting a room can be a simple task for any painter or decorator, and it is something that any DIY enthusiast can do. But how much does it cost to paint a bedroom? This is almost entirely determined by the size of the room.

A standard 4m by 3m room would take a couple of days to paint entirely, including woodwork and coving. Outside of London, most decorators charge around £150 to £200 per day, so your total labour cost would be around £300 to £400.

Adding another £50 for the paint, results in a total cost of £400.

Even if you're concerned about the cost, hiring a professional painter is usually the best option. Expert decorators will know precisely how to start preparing the ceiling, walls, and woodwork before painting them to ensure a smooth finish.

Painting Skirting Boards Costs

When you've had your staircase re-painted, your existing skirting boards can end up looking a little shabby. With the cost of painting your skirting boards starting at £200, it's a relatively low-cost upgrade that has the potential of making a big impact in your home.

Painting House Exterior

The average cost of painting a two-storey, three-bedroom house in the UK is around £850. However, keep in mind that this is only an estimate, and many cost-variable factors will affect the final cost of your project.

These cost factors include the size of your home, its design, the materials used, and the tradesperson's daily or hourly rates.

When you decide to hire a professional painter to paint the exterior of your home, you usually pay for all materials, supplies, and labour. In most cases, you will need to erect scaffolding before having the exterior of your home painted.

Staircase Painting Labour Costs and Timescales

Since many staircase parts can be painted, this must be factored into the final cost. A painter will usually complete the entire painting job at once to ensure that the stairway looks impressive.

A painter would be unable to offer an accurate quote over the phone. Instead, they must check the existing paintwork and decide whether your home has access issues.

Remember that most painters charge by the hour, so the more items must be painted, the longer it will take the painter to finish the job.

A professional painter can estimate the cost of a job by measuring it and considering all aspects, including the walls, treads, risers, posts, balustrades, spindles, stairways, and ceilings that may or may not need to be painted.

When you hire a painter, you pay for convenience, experience, and a higher-quality painting job. Hiring a painting contractor to relieve stress is worth the additional painting costs for some people.

A painter's day rate typically ranges between £100 and £300, with fees in London and the South-East occasionally exceeding this range. Smaller painting jobs for staircases typically cost between £15 and £40 per hour.

Because paint needs to dry between layers, the paint used may impact how long it takes to complete each room. In more significant works, painters frequently collaborate.

Hiring a single contractor may have appeared to be the cheapest option. This, however, almost always means that the job will take longer, save very little time, and, in some cases, cost more. It takes approximately 8 hours total, spread over 4 days.

It usually takes 2 hours to tape the areas around the staircase to protect the rest of the balustrade from unintentional paint drops. Depending on the colour, the staircase requires three coats. Your spindles may require less.

Because all that is required is a touch-up, the first coat typically takes 3 hours, the second layer takes 2 hours, and the last coat only an hour.

Factors That Impact Staircase Painting Costs

When having your staircase painted, other cost factors could increase the cost you wouldn't expect. This section will go through the different cost factors to know what to expect.

Type of Paint

The type of paint used could significantly impact the cost of the painting work. If you have specific requirements for the paint, you can bring it yourself. For example, do you only use regular paint? It is usually more interesting in this case to let the painter provide this. You will save money in this manner.

Size

Unsurprisingly, the cost of painting a staircase rises with the size of the staircase. Of course, that isn't always the case, but an enormous staircase frequently requires more materials and takes longer to maintain than a smaller staircase. However, this is unlikely to be a significant financial consideration.

Duration

The duration it takes to complete the job may or may not affect the overall cost, and it is primarily determined by how the tradesperson works. In some cases, a contractor will be paid in advance in the form of a lump sum, while in others, they will be paid hourly.

Timing

Our data shows that quotes for staircase painting are about 10% higher on weekends than weekdays because painters and decorators are in higher demand. Quotes are also higher in spring than other seasons, likely due to increased home improvement activity. If possible, book your painter for a weekday in off-peak seasons to get a better price.

Location

The cost of living in your area and supply and demand levels will influence the prices that individuals or businesses set. Another thing to consider is how fast nearby providers can get to your property. As their route lengthens, fuel costs will rise, increasing your total payment.

The Minimum Fee

A painter may charge a minimum call-out fee, but this is not usually applicable for staircase painting jobs as these are typically quite time-consuming.

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What's Involved in Staircase Painting?

Painting a staircase is a great, cost-effective way of making tired hallways feel more loved, which is excellent news if you're on a tight budget. We'll walk through the steps of what's involved:

Before the Job Starts

• Examine the Surface — The painter will inspect the railing, balusters, trim, and stair surfaces. They will remove and discard any carpeting as needed. If you previously painted your stairs, they will look for areas where the finish is bumpy, uneven, or peeling. They can simply paint over the existing finish if it appears smooth and in good condition.
• Get the Stairwell Ready for Painting — They will repair minor flaws with wood filler, such as nail holes. If the existing paint is in good condition, the surface can be lightly rubbed down with wet abrasive paper to help the new coat stick. This is a safer option on older staircases, where layers of old paint may contain lead and dry sanding could release harmful dust. They will use a degreaser to clean the surface and a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any remaining dust.

During the Job

• Prime and Paint the Stair Railing and Trim — Your painter will begin by painting the staircase railing and trim rather than the stairs themselves to avoid walking on freshly painted steps. They will mask off the steps and surrounding areas. Starting from the top of the stairs, they will apply primer to the handrail with a 2-inch trim brush. They will repeat with the stairwell trim and allow the primer to dry. They will paint the handrail and trim with your preferred colour, finishing each part by brushing with the grain. They will apply two to three layers, allowing enough time between each layer to dry.
• Prime and Paint Balusters — They will mask off the balusters where they meet the steps if you intend to paint them a different colour. They will keep a dampened cloth nearby to wipe up splatters or drips as they go. As with the rest of the railing, they will prime and paint the balusters.
• Prime Alternate Steps — Then they will protect or mask any zones around the stairs. They will apply primer to the underside of the first nosing, beginning at the top of the steps. They will brush primer onto the first riser and then the stair tread. They will proceed in this order, applying primer after every other step. If they leave alternate steps unpainted, you can use the stairs while the paint dries.
• Paint and Seal the Stairs — Your decorator will repeat with the paint, using soft brushstrokes and extending into all edges as they paint each step. They will allow the first set of steps to dry completely before painting the alternate steps. They will apply two to three coats, allowing enough time between each layer to dry.

After the Job

• Apply Sealer — To protect the finish, they can apply a clear sealer or polyurethane over the steps. This guards the paint but adds no grip, so any slip resistance should come from an anti-slip paint on the tread.

Can I Paint the Stairs Myself?

Stairwells are the areas immediately above or around your home's staircase. They are usually the first area guests enter when entering your home, so making a good impression is critical.

A nicely decorated stairwell with a bright runner up the stairs will make coming home a pleasure. But should you paint the stairs yourself? Here, we will go through why hiring a painter will give you the best result.

Painting a stairwell is more complex than painting a room. Your stairwells and staircase ideas are frequently double-height (or the full height of the property excluding the loft) and therefore represent the tallest walls and most enormous ceiling you'll ever need to paint inside your home. It is best to hire a professional painter for safety reasons.

Before you or your decorator begins painting, any property with particularly complex or high stairwells, as well as any spanning more than two floors, should have professionally installed scaffolding.

Using a paint roller and extension poles is the most secure way to paint the highest points of your stairwell. It's certainly less dangerous than balancing on wooden beams or ladders.

You can use a good step ladder or platform on the upper floor landing to reach any ceiling, but keep it away from the stairwell.

When reaching a neat line between walls and ceilings, using extension poles can limit precision. Choose a paint edger with an extension pole rather than one with a fixed handle. Corner pads are triangular and can get into corners that a paint roller cannot.

Before you begin, fill any holes and fine cracks and lightly sand the walls before cleaning with sugar soap.

Bare wood and any filled or repaired areas should be primed before painting. If the existing paint is still sound, the surface will usually only need cleaning and lightly sanding first. Then, apply the paint with a roller or foam pad to quickly cover large areas, forming a W and overlapping slightly to avoid gaps.

Before you begin, use a paint scuttle or tray with grooves to help prevent overfilling the roller or pad with paint, and practise your technique.

Stairwells lack natural light, resulting in shadowy surfaces and making it difficult to see where you've been with your paint. Set up lamps or lights before you begin in this situation.

Types of Staircase Paint

Painting the staircase is a great way to transform your hallway and an excellent project for untrained DIYers.

Most staircases are made from wood so can easily be painted, but what are the best paints for stairs? There are some rules to follow when painting your stairs for the first time to ensure that the final product meets your expectations.

Choosing the right paint for your stairs is also essential if you purchase a carpet runner or stair rods or bars to improve the look of your staircase. There's nothing worse than putting beautiful runners and bars on stairs that have been poorly painted or painted with cheap paint.

Floor paint appears to be the best option for painting the stairs because it is durable, quickly cleaned, and stain-resistant. Floor paints are available in a variety of colours. Choose one that is suitable for wood floors.

It is worthwhile to invest in a good quality brush for your stairs as it will make painting the edges easier and leave fewer brush marks, offering you a better overall finish.

We'll go over the various types of staircase paint and their benefits and drawbacks, so you know what to expect and can decide which paint is best for you!

Slip Resistant Paint

Stair treads are the area most likely to become slippery, so choose a paint that provides a good level of grip. Some floor and stair paints already contain a fine anti-slip additive, while others allow you to mix one into the paint before application.

Polyurethane is a hard-wearing finish rather than a grippy one, so a clear coat of it over the treads protects the paint but does nothing for grip. On steps, that means the slip resistance needs to come from an anti-slip paint rather than a topcoat.

Allow a few days after painting to use your stairs. If you can't wait, complete only the second step that week and the rest the following week. Mark the functional treads with painter's tape and be ready to carry any pets or children up and down as needed.

Pros

• ✔ Gives treads more grip, including in the wet.
• ✔ Tough and hard-wearing under everyday foot traffic.

Cons

• ✖ Textured finish feels rougher underfoot.
• ✖ Usually costs a little more than standard floor paint.

Gloss Paint

The sheen of the paint is just as important as the colour. High-gloss paint is more washable and sturdier than matte paint, but it highlights flaws. Go with semi-gloss paint if you intend to sand the stairs smoothly and protect them from high-heel scuffs or pet-claw scrapes.

If you aren't using floor paint, mix in paint traction rubber grit or sprinkle it on each step between coats. The sand-like rubber feels better on bare feet than other kinds of grit, such as aluminium oxide.

Pros

• ✔ Washable
• ✔ Durable

Cons

• ✖ It can feel gritty at times.

Various Coloured Paint

Dark treads conceal wear and dirt, while light risers add visual interest. You could try contrasting the banisters to spindles.

You can blend open-design stairs into the surroundings by painting them to match the surrounding wall, or you can put an appealing stairway on show in contrasting colours.

If your design decisions include vibrant colours, wildly vivid visual art, or hipster edginess, think of the stairs as a blank canvas. Following the selection of stairway artwork, paint the stairs or risers a complementary base colour.

Set your creative side to work only on the risers, for instance, by acrylic painting or painting text in an appealing font.

Alternatively, use three, four, or more bright colours on the entire stairway to create a flower spiral, geometric "waterfall," or scenic pathway. Then, with stencils and stamps, anyone can become an artist.

Pros

• ✔ The dark colour conceals wear and dirt.
• ✔ Brightens the room.

Cons

• ✖ Not appropriate for everyone.

Checklist: Hiring a Painter Near You in the UK

• Get at least 3 quotes for the entire job and be specific about the work you require, including any preparation, such as patching cracked walls. Get this broken down for large-scale projects so you can easily see what things cost and when they will be completed.
• Don't be shy about asking — can they bring furniture and floor dust covers? Will they relocate the furniture? Can they provide you with references from previous customers?
• Be straightforward about who will offer materials and how much they will cost. To avoid wasting time and money, if you're providing everything, ensure it's all on-site at the start of the job.
• Your friends and family are the best sources of information when hiring a painting company! Ask them for recommendations — if they've had a good experience with someone, they'll be happy to share it with you, and if they've had a bad experience with someone, they'll feel the same way.
• You can also look up online reviews to see what other people are saying about the painters you're thinking about hiring. Examine reviews from multiple sources to get a complete picture, and please read both comments and reviews. When it comes to negative reviews, pay attention to how the business responds to them, as this can reveal how committed they are to making their clients satisfied.
• A great painter will generally have a portfolio of work available for you to review during the on-site estimate, either in the form of a printed book or in digital format. They may have examples of similar work on their website and social media platform feeds, allowing you to delve deeper. Take note of the quality of the work when viewing before and after photos or simply photos of completed jobs.

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