How much should a painter and decorator charge?
What UK painters and decorators charge in 2026 by day and by room, how London differs, and how to quote so materials don't eat your margin.
Quick answer
UK painter and decorator day rates run £180–£350 nationally in 2026 and £450–£650 in London, with an average around £325. Qualified decorators outside London charge £150–£200, and those with five or more years' experience £200–£300. Per room, expect £150–£450. Materials, waste and equipment hire are billed separately and typically add 20–35%.
UK painting & decorating rates, 2026
| Basis | Typical |
|---|---|
| Day rate, national | £180–£350 |
| Day rate, London | £450–£650 |
| Qualified, outside London | £150–£200/day |
| Experienced (5+ years) | £200–£300/day |
| Per room | £150–£450 |
| Materials & waste on top | +20–35% |
Step-by-step
- 1
Quote by the day, price by the job
Work out how many days a job takes, then quote a total. A standard bedroom of roughly 50m² of wall and ceiling takes one and a half to two and a half days including prep, cutting in and two coats. Quoting a day rate without saying how many days invites a dispute at the end.
- 2
Bill materials separately and say so upfront
Paint, primer, undercoat, filler, dust sheets, scaffold tower hire, skip and waste disposal add 20–35% to the labour figure. Absorbing them into a headline day rate makes you look expensive against decorators who list them separately, and it eats your margin on paint-heavy jobs.
- 3
Price prep honestly, because it's most of the work
Filling, sanding, caulking and masking is where the days go, and it's what separates a job that lasts from one that doesn't. Customers comparing quotes usually can't see this. Itemise the prep in your quote — it's the single best way to explain why you cost more than the cheapest bid.
- 4
Adjust for region deliberately
London and the South East run 20–30% above national figures, with London day rates reaching £450–£650. Outside those areas, £180–£280 is the working band. Benchmark against decorators the customer could realistically also call, not a national average.
- 5
Publish indicative pricing
A page with your day rate, typical per-room ranges and what's included or excluded filters out the price-only enquiries and gives serious customers a reason to call. It also stops you repeating the same numbers by phone five times a week.
Tips & best practices
- ▸Never quote a day rate without also quoting the number of days.
- ▸Itemise prep — it's most of the labour and the main reason cheap quotes go wrong.
- ▸Materials at 20–35% on top should be stated at quote stage, not on the invoice.
- ▸Ceiling height, coving and woodwork change the number substantially; ask before quoting.
Common questions
What is a painter and decorator's day rate in the UK?
+−
£180–£350 nationally in 2026, averaging around £325, and £450–£650 in London. Qualified decorators outside London typically charge £150–£200 a day, rising to £200–£300 with five or more years' experience.
How much should I charge to paint a room?
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£150–£450 per room depending on size and complexity. A standard bedroom of around 50m² of wall and ceiling takes one and a half to two and a half days including prep and two coats — price from the days, not from a flat per-room figure.
Should materials be included in my price?
+−
Bill them separately. Paint, primer, filler, dust sheets, equipment hire and waste disposal add 20–35% on top of labour. Bundling them makes you look expensive next to quotes that don't, and paint-heavy jobs will eat your margin.
Why do decorating quotes vary so much?
+−
Mostly prep. A quote that skips filling, sanding and proper masking is cheaper and won't last. Itemising prep in your quote is the clearest way to explain the difference to a customer holding three very different numbers.