Painters and Decorators in Edinburgh: Services, Quotes and How to Choose

Choosing a painter and decorator in Edinburgh is less about finding one universal “best” company and more about matching the job to the right kind of team. A single bedroom repaint, hand-painted kitchen units, a shared stair, a hotel interior and a weather-exposed exterior wall are not interchangeable projects. The useful comparison is what each business says it does, how closely that fits your scope and what still needs to be agreed in a quote.

The ten profiles below cover different published service emphases. This is an editorial guide, not an independently inspected assessment. A provider’s published service list does not establish that it is available for your dates, suitable for every surface or able to quote without a site visit. Confirm the exact address area, scope, materials, access, price and written terms directly before appointing anyone.

Edinburgh’s layers of time have a practical edge here. Old Town and New Town include varied building types and finishes, while the wider city also has modern homes, commercial premises and shared residential areas. Do not infer a property’s condition or conservation status from its neighbourhood. Describe the actual building and ask whether any owner, factor or property-specific approval is needed before work begins.

Quick comparison: which type of project are you planning?

Business	Published service emphasis	Could be relevant when	Clarify before booking
Borthwick Decorators	Residential, commercial, wallpaper, specialist finishes, exterior work	You need a broad decorating team or specialist finish	Exact team, specification, access and guarantee terms
Artur Edinburgh Painter	Interior and exterior decorating for domestic and commercial properties	You want to discuss a job directly with a decorator	Who carries out each task and what the written warranty covers
William Hastie Painters & Decorators	Homes, commercial work, wallpapering and sash/case windows	Window restoration or exterior wall coatings are part of the brief	Product, substrate preparation, window repair scope and guarantee wording
Innocon Group	Room-to-full-property interior/exterior decorating	You want a clearly staged quote and handover process	What is included in preparation, timings and final snagging
Thistle Decorators	Domestic, commercial, industrial, government and communal work	The project involves a stair, larger site or specialist access	Specification, required access, programme and applicable guarantee
Fraser & Co Decorators	Interior, exterior, wallpaper, plastering and common stairs	You need a mix of room decoration and stair or wallpaper work	Which repairs are included and how common-area access is organised
Probuild Contracts	External rendering, roughcasting, harling and related preparation	The main problem is the exterior wall system rather than paint alone	Wall assessment, proposed system, preparation and written guarantee
Roofing & Property Maintenance Ltd	Exterior painting, roofline and property maintenance	Work at height or exterior painting is central	Whether painting is suitable for the surface and how access is priced
Bily Renovation	Painting within renovation and multi-trade projects	Decorating is part of a wider room or home transformation	Whether the job is accepted as a standalone painting project
George Nicolson Decorators	Commercial, residential, refurbishment and specialist finishes	The brief is commercial, multi-room or detail-led	Project capacity, contract scope, programme and who manages the work

Individual painter and decorator reviews

Borthwick Decorators Ltd — broad capability, including specialist finishes

Borthwick is the broadest-scope profile in this comparison. Its published services span residential and commercial decorating, wallpaper hanging, exterior painting, kitchen-cabinet painting, painting-contract work and specialist decorative finishes. The company also describes work on heritage and period properties. That makes it a candidate to discuss when a brief is more involved than repainting sound walls, or when one provider is being considered for several related decorating tasks.

A practical distinction is its stated directly employed workforce, including painters, decorators, wallpaper hangers and specialist plasterers. For a customer, this makes it worth asking who will be assigned to the project and which parts of the scope are completed by the team. The company describes projects ranging from homes to commercial sites and shows work associated with Edinburgh’s New Town. Those examples provide context for the type of work presented, but they do not guarantee a match for every property or finish.

Where it may fit: A multi-surface decorating brief, wallpaper installation, exterior work or a request for a specialist finish. The business also publishes kitchen-cabinet painting, which may interest owners looking to change the appearance of existing units rather than replace them.

Questions to settle: Ask for the exact preparation and coating specification, especially on older masonry or woodwork. Confirm which decorative finishes are available for your surface, who will carry out each element, what access equipment is included and what the written guarantee covers. Its website publishes a starting figure for some cabinet work; treat any published figure as an initial guide only and request a current, property-specific quote.

Artur Edinburgh Painter — a direct, personal decorating service

Artur’s site presents interior and exterior decorating for domestic and commercial properties, with a free quote as the starting point. The business describes a process in which the work and schedule are agreed before the project proceeds. It also states that each workday ends with the work area being cleaned and tidied. This emphasis on direct communication and the day-to-day experience may be relevant if disruption and coordination matter as much as the final colour scheme.

The service description is comparatively broad, so the most useful first step is to define the exact job. State which rooms or exterior surfaces are included, whether wallpaper or woodwork forms part of the work and how much preparation is expected. The site describes a one-year warranty. Ask for its written terms, including the surfaces and workmanship covered, exclusions and the process for reporting an issue after completion.

Where it may fit: A domestic refresh or a commercial decorating brief where the customer wants to agree a timetable directly with the decorator. The published description suggests a project-by-project discussion rather than a narrowly specialised service menu.

Questions to settle: Who will physically carry out the work? Which materials and number of coats are included? What does “minimum disruption” mean for access to the rooms, and what preparation is included in the quote? The website refers to interior and exterior work but gives limited detail on specialist systems, so confirm suitability for unusual surfaces or a technically complex exterior before comparing it with a specialist provider.

William Hastie Painters & Decorators — strong emphasis on windows and exterior coatings

William Hastie’s published profile covers residential and commercial decorating, interior painting, wallpapering and exterior work. A notable distinction is its specific reference to sash and case windows, including overhaul work, re-roping and replacing weights. It also describes exterior wall coatings using silicone-based products and states a ten-year guarantee for that service. These details make the business especially worth considering for an enquiry where windows or exterior coating systems are central rather than incidental.

The company says it handles projects from small rooms to whole houses and construction sites. It also publishes information about insurance work and free estimates. That is a useful starting point, but a customer should still establish how those statements apply to the particular job. For a window project, distinguish decorating from repair or restoration: ask whether the quote includes only painting or also the mechanical work described for sash and case windows.

Where it may fit: A home or commercial property needing interior decoration, wallpapering, external coatings or attention to sash and case windows. The specific mention of window components gives the customer a clearer basis for asking about a specialised scope.

Questions to settle: Confirm which silicone-based system is proposed, the substrate preparation, number of coats and exact guarantee terms. Ask whether the window work includes inspection, repair, re-roping and weight replacement, or only selected elements. Its published service-area list includes locations beyond Edinburgh; request confirmation for your exact address rather than assuming coverage from a broad list.

Innocon Group Ltd — a clearly staged room-to-property process

Innocon describes interior and exterior painting for homes and workplaces, from a single-room refresh to a full-house repaint. Its published process is useful for customers who want clarity before work starts: an initial discussion, a site visit to assess surfaces, access and preparation, then a quote and an outline of timings. The company also describes protecting the space, preparing surfaces and walking through the completed work with the customer to address snags.

The business’s stated preparation can include sanding, filling, caulking, masking and minor surface repairs. This makes the quote scope particularly important. “Preparation included” can mean different things from one job to another, so ask which tasks are included for each room and where larger repairs become a separately priced item. Innocon also distinguishes domestic and commercial painting and publishes separate service descriptions for room painting, full-house work, interior decorating, exterior work and commercial projects.

Where it may fit: A project that benefits from a defined sequence, whether a single room or several areas being repainted. Its room-by-room language may help when you need to keep some parts of the property usable while work continues.

Questions to settle: Confirm who supplies paint, what finish and products are specified, how access will be managed and the expected schedule. Ask whether the final walk-through is included and how additional snags or newly discovered surface problems are priced. The site describes flexible scheduling, but actual availability should be agreed directly for your dates.

Thistle Decorators — breadth across domestic, commercial and communal work

Thistle presents a wider operating range than a home-only decorating service. Its published categories include domestic, commercial, industrial, government and communal-area projects, alongside wallpaper installation and staircase renovation. It also describes work on traditional Edinburgh tenement buildings, including flats, communal stairs and exterior masonry. For a customer comparing firms for a shared stair or a larger property, this breadth is directly relevant because access, sequencing and communication may involve more than one household.

The company publishes details about staff training, access-related certifications, insurance and a two-year workmanship guarantee. These are claims made by the business and should be checked against the written terms for the job, rather than treated as a substitute for a project specification. Its pages also describe dust control, planned scheduling and manufacturer specification surveys for some projects. That can matter where the correct material system depends on the substrate or exposure.

Where it may fit: A common stair, residential block, larger commercial brief or a project needing wallpaper and specialist access capabilities. Its range may be useful where a customer needs one conversation to scope connected decorating work.

Questions to settle: Ask who is responsible for notifying residents, protecting shared areas and arranging access. Confirm whether a manufacturer survey applies to your project, which materials are proposed and what the written guarantee excludes. Thistle states that start dates depend on its schedule; confirm a realistic date rather than relying on broad availability language.

Fraser & Co Decorators — interiors, wallpaper and common-stair work

Fraser & Co’s published service list covers interior painting, plastering, lining paper, wallpapering, exterior painting, woodwork and common-stair painting. Its site describes stair projects in Edinburgh as differing according to the condition of the walls, including flaking paint and loose or crumbling plaster. The company says surfaces are prepared individually. This gives a customer a concrete point to raise when a shared stair needs more than a fresh coat: ask how the underlying surface will be made ready and which repairs are in the quote.

The profile also connects ordinary room decoration with exterior woodwork and wallpaper. The business notes that exterior timber can deteriorate when paint fails and says preparation and material choice matter for a lasting result. That is useful context, but the specific condition of a window or door should be assessed at the property. Its website describes free estimates and invites customers to discuss jobs from a single room through larger home or business projects.

Where it may fit: A brief combining interior decorating with wallpaper or lining paper, or a common stair where the wall condition needs attention. The published service mix is broader than painting alone but remains focused on decorating-related work.

Questions to settle: Ask whether plastering is included as a defined repair or quoted separately, and whether wallpaper removal is part of the job. For shared stairs, agree resident access, protection, working sequence and completion standard. For exterior woodwork, confirm preparation, treatment of damaged timber and the coating system. The exact price and timing are not published as fixed figures and need a project-specific estimate.

Probuild Contracts Ltd — an exterior-wall specialist rather than a simple repaint option

Probuild’s Edinburgh-facing service is centred on external rendering and related wall finishes. Its published menu distinguishes smooth, silicone, acrylic, textured and lime renders, as well as roughcasting, harling and decorative-chip finishes. It explains that the choice depends on wall construction, existing condition, exposure and the appearance desired. This makes Probuild a different kind of option from a decorator quoting only to paint an already sound surface.

The company describes inspecting the wall before recommending a system and preparing by removing defective material, repairing cracks or damaged masonry and applying suitable base layers. It also publishes work connected with plastering and other exterior trades, and states that its work is supported by a written guarantee. The value of this profile is the focus on diagnosis and system choice; the precise technical solution should still be tied to the actual building and agreed specification.

Where it may fit: An exterior project where render, roughcast or harling is damaged, unsuitable or being changed as part of a broader façade improvement. It may also be worth asking about when the customer is unsure whether the problem calls for painting or a new wall finish.

Questions to settle: Ask for the assessment findings, proposed system, preparation stages, finish samples, access arrangements and guarantee wording. If the property is older or has a breathable traditional wall construction, ask how material compatibility will be considered. Do not treat a general description of lime render or silicone render as proof that a particular product is right for your building.

Roofing & Property Maintenance Ltd — exterior painting with access capability

This company’s core identity is roofing and property maintenance, with exterior painting presented as one part of its service. Its published information specifically mentions painting at height, scaffolding, roof coating, roofline work and repairs to wood or masonry. That combination may be useful when the decorating task is tied to an exterior maintenance problem rather than a routine room repaint. The business says it owns its own scaffolding and offers written estimates for its work; ask which of these arrangements applies to the painting portion of your job.

The distinction between painting and repair is important. A customer may notice a peeling exterior coating, but the surface could also need masonry or timber work before repainting. The company’s service mix suggests that related exterior elements can be discussed together, although the scope should be itemised so that roofing, repair and decorating costs do not become one unclear total.

Where it may fit: Exterior surfaces at height, roof-related coating work or a job combining painting with roofline or masonry maintenance. It is not the natural first comparison for an interior-only project unless the customer has a separate related repair.

Questions to settle: Ask what surface will be painted, what preparation and repairs are included, how access equipment is arranged, and whether the quote includes all associated setup and removal. Confirm that the proposed coating is appropriate for the substrate and ask for any guarantees in writing. Its pages refer to Edinburgh and the Lothians; confirm coverage and the exact job directly without assuming every service applies throughout the whole region.

Bily Renovation — decorating within a managed renovation

Bily Renovation presents painting and decorating alongside property renovation, kitchen and bathroom work, flooring, tiling and joinery. The company describes interior painting, wallpapering and woodwork painting, with decorating potentially forming part of a larger home transformation. It also publishes a project-management approach that includes a home visit, written quote, coordination of trades, daily photo updates and a final handover. For a customer with several connected tasks, this integrated model is the key distinction to explore.

The site describes fixed written quotes and says extra work discovered during a project is costed in writing for approval before proceeding. It also promotes a single point of contact and coordination among trades. These are operational promises made by the business, not a guarantee that every standalone decorating enquiry will be accepted on the same terms. Ask whether the company is quoting for an isolated painting job or a multi-trade project, and which services will be completed by its own team or others.

Where it may fit: A room or property refresh where painting sits alongside flooring, tiling, joinery or a wider renovation. It may offer a more joined-up conversation when the owner wants one project plan rather than separate decorating and building quotes.

Questions to settle: Confirm the painting specification, who will do the work, how the schedule coordinates with other trades and what the aftercare or warranty document covers. Ask whether the free home visit and fixed quote apply to your particular project. Published review totals and awards are not a substitute for checking the scope and terms in your own written proposal.

George Nicolson Decorators — commercial and larger-scale decorating experience

George Nicolson’s published portfolio gives the clearest commercial and institutional emphasis among these profiles, while also showing residential decoration. Its case studies include hotels, hospitality venues, offices and other Edinburgh interiors, and the business describes commercial decorating, residential decorating, specialist finishes and main contracting as separate areas. A customer planning work in an operating venue or a larger property can ask whether this experience translates to the required phasing, access and protection arrangements.

The company’s website also describes work from larger projects to small repaints or touch-ups. That broad range is useful to note, but the project size it can currently accommodate and the team assigned will depend on its schedule. Its materials include examples around Edinburgh, including hotel and leisure settings; portfolio examples demonstrate the kinds of environments shown, not a promise of the same outcome in another building.

Where it may fit: Commercial interiors, refurbishment work or a project where specialist finishes and coordination are relevant. Residential customers may also enquire, but should state the rooms, finish and scale so the business can confirm fit.

Questions to settle: Ask who will manage the work, how the programme fits around occupancy, what preparation and protection are included, and whether specialist finishes require samples or a separate specification. For a small domestic job, confirm whether the company is taking on that scale at present. The comparison here is based on published case studies and service categories, not a claim that it outranks smaller local decorators.

What the ten profiles tell you about the market

The main differences are not simply “large firm versus small firm”. The profiles point to several distinct job types. Borthwick, Thistle and George Nicolson publish broader capability across residential or commercial work, with different emphasis on specialist finishes, communal or institutional environments. Artur, William Hastie, Innocon and Fraser & Co foreground domestic decorating and practical project details such as wallpaper, window work, preparation or common stairs. Probuild and Roofing & Property Maintenance are more relevant when the exterior surface or access challenge is central. Bily Renovation is most clearly positioned around painting within wider renovation work.

This is a way to narrow the enquiry list, not a verdict on workmanship. A specialist exterior provider is not automatically preferable for every façade, and a broad service menu does not establish that a company is the right fit for a particular surface. Ask each shortlisted business to explain the same job in its own terms. The quality of the specification and the match to your project are more useful than a general label such as “full service”.

Match the enquiry to the work

For interior rooms, start with the surfaces, condition, colour change, finish and whether woodwork or wallpaper is included. For a shared stair, explain the building’s access and resident arrangements and ask how dust, protection and repairs will be handled. For a window project, separate painting from repair or overhaul. For an exterior wall, distinguish a repaint from render, harling or masonry repair. If the task involves several trades, decide whether you prefer separate specialists or a managed renovation conversation.

How to compare quotes fairly

Send the same written brief to each company. Name the rooms or surfaces, say what is damaged or changing, identify any wallpaper removal or repair, and state who is expected to supply paint and other materials. Include photographs if they help, but do not treat a photo estimate as a definitive inspection when the surface or access cannot be seen clearly.

Ask each provider to set out the preparation and final finish. “Two coats” alone may not describe whether cleaning, filling, sanding, priming, caulking or wallpaper removal is included. For exterior work, ask how the substrate will be assessed and which access method is allowed for. For specialist finishes, ask whether a sample or product specification will be agreed before the main work starts.

Compare exclusions as carefully as inclusions. Ask how hidden damage, extra repairs, material changes or additional time will be priced. Agree that the work should pause for approval before a material change in cost or scope. Confirm start and finish expectations, working hours, protection of belongings, waste handling, payment stages and how snagging will be addressed.

A quote that is higher may include a broader specification; one that is lower may leave preparation, materials or access out. Neither total is meaningful until the scope matches. If a company recommends a different system from another, ask it to explain the reason in relation to your property rather than treating the difference as a sales claim.

Edinburgh property and access considerations

Use the exact property location in your enquiry. Edinburgh city centre, Old Town, New Town and Leith are not interchangeable labels, and a contractor’s general service statement does not guarantee coverage for every address. Equally, a neighbourhood name does not reveal the building’s condition, access rules or whether a surface can be altered.

In older or shared buildings, check the permissions that apply to your own property before confirming the work. Ask the owner, factor or managing agent whether common areas, external surfaces or original features need approval. Do not assume every property in Old Town or New Town is subject to the same restrictions. The practical task is to verify the rule for the specific building and put the approved scope in writing.

For a property in a common stair or managed block, clarify who is arranging resident notices, access and protection of shared areas. For an interior project, decide what rooms must remain usable and whether the work can be staged. For an exterior project, agree responsibility for scaffolding, public or neighbour-side protection and weather-related rescheduling where those matters apply. These arrangements should appear in the quote rather than being left to inference.

Frequently asked questions

Which painter and decorator is best in Edinburgh?

There is no evidence here to name one universal best provider. The profiles show different specialisms: for example, exterior rendering, sash and case windows, common stairs, commercial work or renovation-led decorating. Choose according to the actual scope, then compare written proposals and terms.

Which businesses offer wallpapering?

Borthwick Decorators, William Hastie, Fraser & Co and Thistle publish wallpaper-related services. Confirm whether the quote covers removal of existing paper, wall preparation, supply of new paper, pattern matching and repairs. The service label alone does not settle those details.

Who should I contact about exterior rendering or harling?

Probuild Contracts specifically describes rendering, roughcasting and harling systems. Roofing & Property Maintenance Ltd publishes exterior painting and related roofline or property-maintenance work. Ask whether the surface needs a coating, repair or a new render system before comparing prices.

Is there a published price comparison?

No like-for-like Edinburgh price list was supplied for these businesses. A provider may publish a starting price for a specific service, but it should not be treated as the price for your property. Request current written quotes against the same scope.

Can one company handle both decorating and renovation work?

Bily Renovation presents painting and decorating within a broader property-renovation service. Edinburgh Decorator’s public service pages also describe other trades, while Borthwick and Thistle publish broader contracting or commercial capabilities. Confirm which trades are included, who manages them and what work is completed by the named decorating team.

Should I use a specialist for an Edinburgh tenement stair?

A shared stair needs a quote that addresses the common area, surface condition, resident access and protection. Fraser & Co and Thistle explicitly publish common-stair or communal-area work. Ask any provider you consider to confirm experience and the practical plan for your building.

What should I ask before accepting a quote?

Confirm surfaces, preparation, products, coats, access, exclusions, payment, timing and how extra work is approved. Ask for the final finish and any guarantee to be described in writing. If the project includes windows, render or specialist finishes, ask for a separate specification for that element.

Do service-area statements confirm my address is covered?

Not necessarily. A business may describe a broad service area, but availability and coverage can differ by project and date. Give the exact location and ask the provider to confirm the particular service and visit directly.