"You want me to pay someone to hammer in a nail?" It sounds ridiculous. But picture hanging, especially for multiple items or heavy pieces, isn't quite that simple.
What It Actually Costs
Single Items
| Item Type | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small picture, simple wall | 10-15 min | £30-40 |
| Medium picture, standard wall | 15-20 min | £35-50 |
| Large picture, any wall | 20-30 min | £45-60 |
| Heavy mirror | 30-45 min | £50-80 |
Multiple Items
| Job | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 pictures (single room) | 45-90 min | £60-100 |
| Gallery wall (6-12 pieces) | 1.5-2.5 hrs | £100-180 |
| Whole house (10-20 items) | 3-5 hrs | £180-300 |
Heavy/Specialist Items
| Item | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Large mirror (10kg+) | 45-60 min | £70-100 |
| TV (wall mount included) | 1-1.5 hrs | £80-120 |
| Floating shelves | 30-45 min each | £50-70 each |
What You're Paying For
Not Just the Hook
Knowledge:
- Correct fixing for wall type
- Weight calculation
- Stud finding
- Spacing and layout
Equipment:
- Spirit level
- Stud finder
- Various drill bits
- Range of fixings
- Measuring tools
Experience:
- Getting it right first time
- Fewer holes in walls
- Level, properly spaced results
Risk reduction:
- Heavy items properly secured
- No crashing frames at 3am
- No drilling into pipes or cables
When It Makes Sense
Worth Paying For
Heavy mirrors: A falling mirror is dangerous. Proper fixing requires the right plugs, possibly hitting studs, and understanding load distribution. Getting this wrong has consequences.
Gallery walls: Laying out 10+ items, getting spacing perfect, ensuring all are level relative to each other - this is time-consuming even for professionals.
Difficult walls: Stone, tile, plasterboard, old crumbly plaster - each needs different approach. If you're not sure, mistakes are expensive.
Large quantities: Moving house with 20 pictures to hang? The time and equipment to do it properly adds up.
High value items: That original artwork or antique mirror deserves proper care in hanging.
Maybe DIY Instead
Single light picture: One picture, solid wall, under 3kg - a picture hook kit from Wilko does the job.
Already have the tools: If you own a drill, stud finder, and spirit level, and you're confident with walls.
You enjoy it: Some people genuinely like home improvement tasks.
DIY Costs Comparison
Equipment Needed
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Picture hook set | £5-15 |
| Spirit level | £10-30 |
| Stud finder | £15-40 |
| Drill | £30-100 (if you don't have one) |
| Wall fixings assortment | £10-20 |
| Measuring tape | £5-10 |
Total for first job: £75-215
If you're doing one gallery wall and never picking up tools again, paying £150 starts to look reasonable.
The Hidden Costs
Time: A gallery wall can take a whole afternoon for an inexperienced person.
Mistakes: Wrong holes (need filling), cracked tiles, items not level.
Frustration: Is your Saturday worth the stress?
What I Include
Standard Service
- Assessment of wall types
- Weight-appropriate fixings
- Spirit level alignment
- Proper height positioning
- Cleanup of any dust
Gallery Wall Service
- Layout planning (often on floor first)
- Template marking on wall
- Consistent spacing
- Relative level checking
- Step back and adjust as needed
Heavy Item Service
- Wall assessment
- Stud location
- Appropriate fixings (possibly resin anchors)
- Double checking before leaving
Getting Value
Combine Jobs
If I'm visiting for something else, picture hanging adds little extra.
Prepare in Advance
Have all items ready, decide where you want them, measure frame backs.
Group Pictures
Doing 10 at once is more economical per picture than doing 2 on each of 5 visits.
Know Your Walls
Tell me what the walls are (solid brick, plasterboard, stone) if you know.
The Real Decision
Calculate Your Time
If your Saturday is worth £20/hour, and a gallery wall takes you 3 hours plus a trip to B&Q for fixings...
Professional: £150 DIY: 4 hours = £80 + £30 fixings = £110 + frustration
Consider the Result
Crooked pictures are obvious and annoying. Holes in wrong places need filling. Heavy items that fall are dangerous.
Know Your Limits
If you're handy and enjoy it: DIY If you're not confident or don't have time: Pay
Booking Tips
What to Tell Me
- Number of items
- Rough sizes (small/medium/large)
- Any very heavy pieces
- Wall types if known
- Whether you have specific positions in mind
What Helps
- Items out of packaging
- Wall space cleared
- General area indicated
- Flexibility on exact positioning
Got pictures waiting to be hung? From single heavy mirrors to full gallery walls, I hang them level and secure across Exeter. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.
Sam Hembury
Sam is the founder of Hembury Contracting, providing professional handyman services across Exeter and Devon. With years of experience in property maintenance, he shares practical tips to help homeowners tackle common tasks.