Ceiling painting in Exeter
Professional ceiling painting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£210
Typical Duration
2-4 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Fresh white ceiling painted with clean edges and no mess. Room protected, furniture moved, and everything cleaned up when I'm done - just a bright, fresh ceiling that makes the whole space feel new.
The Difference a Fresh Ceiling Makes
You probably don't look at your ceiling much - until you paint it white and suddenly the whole room looks brighter, cleaner, bigger.
Ceilings get grimy over the years. Cooking steam, dust, the odd water mark. Fresh white paint is the fastest way to refresh a room without touching the walls.
💡 Pro tip: Always paint the ceiling before the walls. Drips happen (not with me, but generally) - better on unpainted walls than your fresh new colour.
Why DIY Ceiling Painting is Horrible
Here's why people hire this job out:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ DIY Reality |
|---|---|
| Proper scaffolding tower or boards | Wobbly ladder, aching neck |
| Professional rollers and technique | Streaky finish, drips everywhere |
| Clean edges at coving/corners | Splatter on walls, wonky lines |
| Done in 2-4 hours | All weekend plus cleanup |
It's not complicated work, it's just awkward and physical. Worth paying someone who's set up for it.
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Prep | Furniture moved/covered, floor protected, edges masked |
| First Coat | Full coverage, stains treated if needed |
| Second Coat | Smooth, even finish with clean lines |
| Cleanup | Dust sheets removed, room back to normal |
📦 You're Left With
- Bright white ceiling
- Clean cutting-in at edges
- No mess, no splatter
- Room feels instantly fresher
Pricing Guide
| Room Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| Average living room | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-£160 |
| Large reception | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Artex ceilings add time. Stain blocking extra if needed.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Pre-decoration - ceiling first, then walls
✅ Post-renovation - ceiling got dusty/splattered during work
✅ Selling your house - buyers notice grimy ceilings
✅ Spring refresh - brighten the room without redecorating
✅ Water stain repair - leak fixed, now cover the evidence
Why Choose Us for Ceiling painting in Exeter?
Clean cutting-in at edges and corners
No drips or splatter on your walls
Full room protection and cleanup
Brightens the whole room instantly
What to Expect
Step 1: Protection & Prep
I move furniture to the centre, cover everything with proper dust sheets, and mask edges at coving or corners. The room gets fully protected.
Step 2: Paint Application
Two coats usually - first coat seals and covers, second coat gives the proper bright white finish. Any stains get treated with blocking primer first.
Step 3: Cleanup & Finish
Once dry, I remove all masking, put dust sheets away, and move furniture back. Clean edges, no drips, bright fresh ceiling.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to tackle it yourself? Here's how to get decent results:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Scaffolding tower or sturdy hop-up
- 9" roller and tray
- Ceiling paint (matt emulsion)
- 2" brush for edges
- Dust sheets
- Masking tape
🎨 Paint choice
- Matt emulsion for ceilings - not vinyl silk
- Silk shows every imperfection
- "Ceiling white" is specifically formulated to reduce splatter
- Cheap paint needs three coats - buy decent stuff
🔧 Technique
- Cut in the edges first with a brush (around coving, corners, light fittings)
- Roll the main ceiling in sections
- Work parallel to the window for even finish
- Don't overload the roller - more trips, less drips
- Two coats always better than one thick coat
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Starting in the middle instead of edges
- Roller too wet = drips and splatter
- Not using a proper hop-up (neck ache from ladders)
- Rushing it - paint needs to dry between coats
💡 Pro trick: Mix all your tins together in a bucket first (called "boxing"). Paint batches vary slightly - boxing ensures consistent colour across the whole ceiling.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Decorating the whole room? Ceiling first, then walls, then woodwork. That's the order - saves time and gives cleaner results.
Multiple rooms? Do them all together. I'm already set up with dust sheets and scaffolding - much more efficient than separate visits.
Old house with cracked ceilings? Common in Exeter's Victorian and Edwardian properties. Paint won't fix structural cracks, but it'll freshen everything up. If cracks are wide, mention it - might need filling first (adds a bit of time).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do ceilings need painting if they're just white?
They get dirty over time - cooking grease, dust, condensation marks, smoke if anyone's ever smoked in there. Plus older paint yellows. A fresh white ceiling makes the whole room feel brighter and cleaner. You don't notice how grubby they've got until they're freshly painted.
Can you paint over artex ceilings?
Yes - standard textured ceilings just need extra paint to fill the pattern. Takes a bit longer than smooth ceilings because there's more surface area. Deep swirls need more coats. If you hate the artex, we can skim it smooth first (separate job).
Do I need to empty the room first?
Not completely. Move small stuff out, and I'll move furniture to the middle and cover everything with dust sheets. Heavy wardrobes and beds can stay - I work around them. Less hassle for you, I'm set up to handle it.
How many coats does a ceiling need?
Usually two. First coat seals and covers, second coat gives the proper finish. Sometimes one coat is enough if the existing ceiling is in good nick and similar colour. I'll advise when I see it - no point doing two coats if one will do the job.
What about those brown water stains?
They need treating first with stain-blocking primer, otherwise they bleed through the new paint within weeks. If you've had a leak that's now fixed, I'll seal the stain before painting. If the leak's still active, there's no point painting until it's sorted - the stain will just come back.
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Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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