DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Painter and decorator day rates in the UK: how pros price a job
When you ask a decorator for a price, you will usually get one of two answers: a day rate or a fixed quote for the whole job. Knowing how each works helps you spot a fair deal and avoid paying for slow days. The real prices on this page show what painters and decorators actually charge, so you can judge whether a quote sits where it should for the work involved.
The quick version
- Decorators price either by the day or as a fixed quote for the job, and each suits different situations.
- A day rate rewards a fast, tidy pro but leaves you exposed if the work drags, so agree a rough number of days before work starts.
- A fixed quote gives you certainty, which is why it usually suits bigger, well defined jobs like a whole house.
- National firms quote above local decorators for the same work, so it is worth comparing both.
- Two quotes that look far apart are often pricing different things. Check whether materials, prep and waste removal sit inside the number or on top.
- Prep work is where most jobs overrun. A decorator who scopes the walls properly before quoting is usually more reliable than one who gives a price over the phone.
What people actually paid
Real prices, in people's own words
- £1,000“We paid about £1000 for hallway and landings up two flights of stairs one large bedroom and one bathroom ( including woodwork) Northwest.”
- £1,550“The work took 4 days and cost £1550.”
- £2,000“We've paid just over £2k for living room, hall stairs and landing, lots of doors. About 10 days work”
- £2,000“he's invoiced £2,000 as there were a couple of extras”
- £10,000“We recently paid £10K for four weeks' work (2 men).”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The rate a decorator quotes reflects far more than time on the wall. Location plays a big part, since tradespeople in London and the South East charge more than those in much of the North, and prices in a city centre tend to run above the same job in a small town nearby. Who you are actually hiring matters too. A sole trader working alone prices differently to a small local firm with a couple of employees, and both differ again from a national franchise or contractor, which carries higher overheads, marketing costs and management layers that end up in the quote. Experience counts on top of that, because a seasoned pro who leaves crisp lines and no mess commands more per day than a newcomer, and often finishes quicker, which can make the higher rate cheaper overall. The nature of the work shifts the price as well, as intricate cutting in, wallpaper, coving and high ceilings all slow a job down. Prep is the hidden variable, since filling, sanding and priming tired walls can take as long as the painting itself, and a decorator who has actually seen the room before quoting will price this in rather than adding it as a surprise extra later. Whether the price includes materials or just labour changes the headline number too, so always check what is in the figure before comparing it against another quote.
How to pay less
- Ask for a fixed quote on larger jobs so a slow day is the decorator's problem, not yours.
- Do your own clearing, filling and light prep where you can, since it trims the hours you pay for.
- Book in the quieter winter months when decorators are often more willing to negotiate.
- Get three quotes and check each states whether paint and materials are included or extra.
- Ask what happens if the job overruns on a day rate. A clear answer on that question tells you a lot about who you are hiring.
- Buy your own paint if you have a brand preference or want to control the spend, but confirm the decorator is happy to work with supplied materials rather than their own trade account stock.
Common questions
Is a day rate or a fixed quote better?
A fixed quote gives you certainty and suits larger, clearly defined jobs, while a day rate can work well for small or open-ended tasks. If you go with a day rate, agree an estimate of how many days the work should take so it does not creep.
Do decorators charge for materials on top of labour?
It varies. Some quote labour only and ask you to supply the paint, others fold materials into the price. Always ask which it is, because two quotes can look far apart until you know what each one covers.
Should I pay a decorator a deposit?
A modest deposit for materials on a big job is normal, but be wary of large upfront demands. Paying by credit card where you can gives you Section 75 protection if something goes wrong with the work.
Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?
Most of the gap comes down to who is doing the pricing, not the paint itself. A national firm has overheads a sole trader does not, and location shifts the number before you even factor in experience or how much prep the walls need. Ask each quote to break down labour, materials and prep so you are comparing like with like.
How many days should a typical room take?
It depends heavily on the state of the walls and the amount of cutting in around windows, coving and skirting. A room that only needs a fresh coat over sound paintwork takes far less time than one with cracked plaster, wallpaper to strip or a lot of fiddly trim. Ask the decorator to walk you through their day estimate before you agree a price, whether it is a day rate or a fixed quote.
Is it worth hiring a national company over a local decorator?
A national firm can offer more formal paperwork, guarantees and easier scheduling, but it comes at a higher day rate for the same work. A good local decorator with strong reviews and their own insurance often does the job just as well for less. Weigh up whether you value the paperwork or the price more for this particular job.