£400 to paint half a door?

[sussexwoman]

Had a quote from a decorator.

The outside of my Victorian front door has a few chips knocked out of it over the years and needs a repaint. Just had a painter and decorator round and he quoted me £400. It's just a regular door, and only one side needs painting.

Is this a fair price?

 

[Koolpc]

Nope...

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

How much are the other two quotes? Care to share a photo?

 

[sussexwoman]

How much are the other two quotes? Care to share a photo?

Well, partly because I thought I would find out if £400 is about right before going ahead and asking two more. And partly because a man I have hired to do some outside work reckons he can repaint the door. He charges £20/hr but I want to test his painting skills on smaller and less noticeable things before giving him an important job like the front door.

 

[sussexwoman]

How much are the other two quotes? Care to share a photo?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Painting the door and potential work to modify the door to take electronic locks, almost make sense to just get a new door.

 

[johnny2007]

Depends what sort of finish you want.
Number 10 standard of paint would cost more than £400.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Can't really tell from that photo, if it needs sanding and then bits need filling and then priming and a few coats on top then that cannot be done in a day, he has to factor that in too.

 

[sussexwoman]

Painting the door and potential work to modify the door to take electronic locks, almost make sense to just get a new door.

Not allowed - in a conservation area.

I've lived here 30 years and when I was younger I used to paint this door myself. I filled, repaired and repainted it about 4 times, inside and out, and I never dreamed that painting just one side would cost £400.

 

[Koolpc]

Lots of rip off merchants about!

Try and get more quotes from 'word of mouth' if possible. Stay away from checkatrade etc....

 

[sussexwoman]

I painted it black once, then red (see pic) and then black again. It really was not at all difficult.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Not allowed - in a conservation area.

I've lived here 30 years and when I was younger I used to paint this door myself. I filled, repaired and repainted it about 4 times, inside and out, and I never dreamed that painting just one side would cost £400.

Of course you can replace doors in a conservation area. Anyway get more like for like quotes, that is the only way to know if the price is fair or not.

 

[mattylad]

If you have painted it before then why not do it yourself again?
you are already well experienced at it

You certainly won't be ripped off for £400 then.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Bit harsh, she's getting on a bit now.

 

[sussexwoman]

If you have painted it before then why not do it yourself again?
you are already well experienced at it

You certainly won't be ripped off for £400 then.

Surely it's obvious that, if I could still do it, I would not be seeking quotes or posting on this forum - duh!

I am perfectly capable of prepping and repainting from my wheelchair, but only the middle bit of the door, and I want it done from top to bottom.

So it's pretty much just dado rails for me these days!