Updated 27 September 2026
Paint radiators cost UK 2026
The going rate for paint radiators in 2026 is panel radiator: £50–£100/radiator · column or cast iron: £80–£180/radiator (total, ex VAT). Below: a calculator, what the job involves, materials at three price levels, and the prep that changes the price.
Market band, panel radiator£50–£100/radiator
Worked example, 4 radiator£307
Time on site5 h
Paint radiators calculator
Price a real job freeUses your rates, your speed and your receipts.
Market bands
| Option | Band | Source |
|---|---|---|
| panel radiator | £50–£100/radiator | MyJobQuote |
| column or cast iron | £80–£180/radiator | MyJobQuote |
What the job involves
| Stage | Task | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| prep | Move furniture, sheet and mask | 0.5 h |
| prep | Degrease, key and spot-prime | 0.4 h per radiator |
| paint | Two coats of radiator enamel | 0.7 h per radiator |
Materials at three price levels
| Material | Budget | Trade | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiator enamel (500ml) 500ml | £13 Heat-resistant radiator paint — MyJobQuote: £15–£25 a tin | £22 Hammerite Radiator Enamel 500ml — Wickes £26 inc VAT; 7 m²/L, recoat 16 h | £28 Radiator enamel aerosol + primer — Smoothest finish on column radiators |
| Filler, caulk, abrasives and tape job | £10 Filler, caulk, sandpaper — T2B: £60–£120 room materials incl. paint | £15 Toupret filler, decorator caulk, abrasives, tape — Crisp edges, no cracks | £22 Premium fillers, low-tack tape, dust-free sanding — Lived-in homes |
Trade prices ex VAT, estimates checked 2026-09-27. Log your receipts in Grafto and your own prices replace these.
What changes the price
- Radiators? panel radiator · column or cast iron big effect
- Condition? sound paint · rusty or flaking
Prep to look for
| Condition | Check | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Old lead-based paint | Pre-1970 paintwork (many layers, alligator cracking)? | Treat as lead: no dry sanding or burning off; wet-abrade or chemical strip, bag waste |
Questions
How much does paint radiators cost in the UK in 2026?
The researched market band is panel radiator: £50–£100/radiator · column or cast iron: £80–£180/radiator (total, ex VAT), from MyJobQuote. A worked example of 4 radiator comes to about £266–£341 across budget, trade and premium materials.
How long does paint radiators take?
The worked example of 4 radiator takes about 5 hours.
What changes the price of paint radiators?
Mainly radiators, plus any prep found on site: old lead-based paint.
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