Painting and decorating looks simple until you start pricing the whole job.
A decorator may spend hours filling cracks, sanding walls, protecting floors, cutting in around edges and preparing woodwork before the first proper coat of paint even goes on. That is why the daily rate can feel higher than homeowners expect.
So, how much does a painter and decorator charge per day in the UK in 2026?
A realistic UK range is around £250–£400 per day, with current Checkatrade pricing putting the average at approximately £325 per day. MyBuilder’s current 2026 guide gives a slightly broader range of around £150–£300 per day, with higher rates more common in London and for experienced decorators.
As a practical guide:
| Painting and decorating cost | Typical 2026 UK price |
|---|---|
| Painter/decorator day rate | £250–£400 |
| Current Checkatrade average | Around £325/day |
| Lower-cost areas / simpler work | Around £150–£250/day |
| London / higher-cost areas | £300–£400+ possible |
| Medium room painting | Around £450 |
| Internal painting per m² of wall area | £10–£20 |
| Exterior painting | £15–£25 per m² |
| Wallpapering labour | £12–£16 per m² |
| Painting a door, both sides | Around £80–£100 |
The biggest thing to understand is that a day rate does not necessarily tell you what the finished decorating job will cost.
A decorator charging £300 per day and taking six days costs more in labour than somebody charging £350 who completes the equivalent specification in four.
Preparation, paint quality, number of coats, ceilings, woodwork and repairs all matter too.
What Does a Painter and Decorator’s Day Rate Include?
A day rate normally covers the decorator’s labour for a standard working day.
Depending on the agreement, that could include time spent:
- preparing surfaces;
- filling small cracks;
- sanding;
- masking and protecting surfaces;
- applying primer or undercoat;
- painting walls and ceilings;
- painting woodwork;
- cleaning the work area.
Paint and materials may be included in a fixed job quote but are not automatically included in every day rate.
Checkatrade’s current 2026 cost guide puts the average decorator day rate at around £325 and notes that its broader project examples include regular trade paint, while premium brands can increase the cost.
Before agreeing to a day rate, ask:
Does that include paint and materials, or is it labour only?
That one question can change the budget significantly.
How Much Does a Painter and Decorator Charge Per Hour?
Many decorators prefer fixed-price or daily pricing, but smaller jobs may be charged hourly.
A rough equivalent for a £250–£400 day rate can often land somewhere around £30–£50 per working hour, depending on the length of the working day and whether the decorator uses a minimum charge.
For example:
At £300 per day over eight working hours:
£300 ÷ 8 = £37.50 per hour
At £400 per day:
£400 ÷ 8 = £50 per hour
The actual hourly rate quoted by an individual decorator may sit outside this range, particularly for short jobs where travel and setup take up a large proportion of the appointment.
A one-hour touch-up job is therefore unlikely to cost exactly one-eighth of a decorator’s day rate.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint One Room?
Current Checkatrade pricing puts painting a medium-sized room at around £450 on average.
That can make more sense than trying to calculate the job using a day rate because the decorator is quoting for the complete result.
The final price depends on:
- room size;
- condition of the walls;
- ceiling;
- skirting;
- doors;
- windows;
- number of colours;
- number of coats;
- paint quality.
A freshly plastered room may require mist coating and additional preparation.
An older room with cracked paint and damaged woodwork may take far longer than one where the surfaces are already in good condition.
How Long Does It Take to Paint a Room?
A normal room often takes approximately one to two days depending on the specification.
MyBuilder’s current 2026 guidance suggests single rooms commonly take around one to two days, while a whole three-bedroom interior may take approximately one to two weeks with a professional team.
A decorator might need:
Day 1: preparation, filling, sanding, primer and first coat.
Day 2: second coat, woodwork, corrections and finishing.
This explains why apparently simple rooms can cost several hundred pounds even though the paint itself may cost much less.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Whole House?
The wider job cost depends heavily on property size.
Current Checkatrade 2026 pricing puts:
2-bedroom flat: £1,500–£2,500
with an average around:
£2,000
and:
5-bedroom house: £5,500–£7,500
with an average of approximately:
£6,000.
For a broader breakdown by property size and interior versus exterior work, see our full guide to how much it costs to paint a house in the UK.
When comparing whole-house quotes, make sure every decorator is pricing the same specification.
One may include:
- ceilings;
- walls;
- doors;
- skirting;
- architraves.
Another may quote only for the walls.
The headline totals are meaningless until you know what is included.
How Much Does Interior Painting Cost Per Square Metre?
Current Checkatrade 2026 pricing puts internal house painting at around £10–£20 per m² of wall area, averaging approximately £15 per m².
This can be useful for budgeting larger spaces.
For 100m² of wall area:
At £10 per m²:
£1,000
At £15 per m²:
£1,500
At £20 per m²:
£2,000
However, decorators do not always price domestic work directly by square metre because rooms include corners, doors, trim and preparation that are difficult to capture with one simple measurement.
How Much Does Exterior Painting Cost?
Current UK guidance puts exterior painting at approximately £15–£25 per m², averaging around £20 per m².
Checkatrade currently estimates:
3-bedroom semi-detached exterior: £1,100–£1,500
average:
£1,300
and:
4-bedroom detached exterior: £1,750–£2,500
average:
£2,000.
Exterior work can be more expensive because of:
- height;
- ladders;
- scaffolding;
- weather;
- difficult preparation;
- masonry repairs;
- multiple coats;
- external-grade products.
A cheap exterior quote that excludes safe access can turn into a much more expensive job once scaffolding is added.
Why Preparation Makes Such a Difference to the Price
This is probably the biggest reason two decorators quote completely different amounts.
Painting is only the visible final stage.
Before that, the decorator may need to:
- scrape loose paint;
- sand surfaces;
- repair minor defects;
- fill cracks;
- treat stains;
- caulk gaps;
- prepare bare timber;
- protect flooring;
- remove or work around fittings.
Suppose Decorator A quotes:
£1,200
and Decorator B quotes:
£1,700
Decorator A plans to lightly sand and repaint.
Decorator B plans to remove failing paint, repair cracks, prime damaged areas and complete two proper finish coats.
The second quote may be much better value even though it is £500 higher.
Poor preparation is one of the quickest ways to make expensive new paint look bad.
How Much Does Wallpapering Cost?
Current Checkatrade pricing puts wallpapering labour at around £12–£16 per m², averaging approximately £14 per m².
For a full room, labour is currently around:
£350–£500
with an average of approximately:
£450.
The wallpaper itself is normally additional.
Premium wallpaper can make mistakes extremely expensive, which is one reason homeowners often use a professional decorator for more complicated patterns.
The cost can increase where:
- walls need lining;
- old wallpaper needs removing;
- patterns require careful matching;
- wallpaper is delicate;
- the room contains awkward corners or alcoves.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Door?
Checkatrade’s current 2026 figures put painting a door on both sides at approximately £80–£100, averaging around £90.
That price can seem high when homeowners imagine simply brushing paint across the surface.
In practice, a proper job may involve:
- removing hardware;
- sanding;
- filling;
- undercoat;
- multiple coats;
- working around panels;
- drying time.
Doors also contain relatively little uninterrupted flat surface compared with a wall, so they are slower per square metre.
How Much Does Painting Woodwork Cost?
Current UK guidance puts painting woodwork at approximately £10–£20 per m², averaging around £15.
Woodwork can include:
- skirting boards;
- architraves;
- window frames;
- doors;
- bannisters.
Again, preparation is the expensive part.
Existing gloss may need sanding thoroughly before fresh paint is applied.
Damaged timber may need filling.
If there are dozens of metres of detailed skirting and architrave throughout a property, the labour can become substantial.
How Much Does Painting a Ceiling Cost?
Current Checkatrade figures put ceiling painting at around £10–£20 per m², averaging approximately £15.
Ceilings can be awkward because decorators are working overhead.
They may also require:
- stain blocking;
- crack repairs;
- preparation around light fittings;
- cutting in around coving.
Nicotine staining, historic water marks and poor previous paint can increase the work considerably.
Why Does a Decorator Cost More Than Doing It Yourself?
The paint itself is only one part of the price.
A professional decorator brings:
- experience;
- tools;
- ladders;
- dust sheets;
- brushes;
- rollers;
- preparation equipment;
- speed;
- finishing skill.
You are also paying to avoid spending several evenings and weekends doing the job yourself.
The more complex the room, the greater the difference becomes.
Painting four plain bedroom walls is relatively accessible DIY.
Preparing and repainting a hallway with:
- stairs;
- bannisters;
- high ceilings;
- multiple doors;
- woodwork
is a very different project.
Current Checkatrade pricing puts hallways, landings and stairs around £1,450–£1,750, averaging approximately £1,600, reflecting the labour involved.
Painter and Decorator Day Rate in London
London rates are generally higher than national averages.
MyBuilder’s current 2026 guide puts painter/decorator day rates nationally around £150–£300, with London more likely to sit at the higher end because of labour costs and demand.
In practice, experienced London decorators can readily quote £300–£400+ per day, particularly once parking, travel and operating costs are considered.
Do not compare a London quotation with a rural Midlands price without adjusting expectations.
Does Paint Come Included?
Sometimes.
Checkatrade’s current cost examples include regular trade paint in its project pricing, but it notes that premium paint brands cost more.
An individual decorator may instead quote:
labour only
and ask you to buy the paint.
Both arrangements can work.
The important thing is to establish:
- who buys the paint;
- what brand/range is being used;
- how many coats are included;
- whether primer or undercoat is included;
- whether leftover paint remains with you.
A quote saying:
“materials included”
is less useful than one specifying what materials are actually being supplied.
Trade Paint vs Premium Designer Paint
Paint choice can alter the material bill dramatically.
A decorator may typically work with established trade ranges because they are designed for professional application and available in suitable finishes.
If you choose premium brands, the tins themselves can cost considerably more.
That does not automatically mean the decorator’s labour should change substantially.
But certain paints behave differently, require more coats or need particular preparation.
Tell the decorator your desired paint before agreeing the final price.
Matt vs Silk: Does the Finish Affect the Cost?
Sometimes indirectly.
The main difference is usually not a huge change in the decorator’s day rate but the suitability and preparation required.
Matt finishes are commonly chosen for walls because they create a flatter appearance and can be more forgiving of minor imperfections.
Silk has a more noticeable sheen and can highlight surface defects under light.
If you’re deciding between the two, our guide to matt vs silk paint explains where each finish tends to work best.
Choosing the finish before the decorator quotes also helps them specify the appropriate product.
One Coat vs Two Coats
A quote should ideally specify how many coats are included.
Do not assume.
Some projects might involve:
primer + two finish coats
Others may need:
two coats over sound existing paint
Changing from a dark colour to a very pale one can sometimes require additional coverage.
Likewise, painting onto newly plastered surfaces involves different preparation from repainting an existing wall.
If a quote appears unusually cheap, ask:
“How many coats are included?”
A low price based on one rushed coat is not comparable with a thorough two-coat specification.
Does the Decorator Move Furniture?
Possibly, but do not assume.
Moving light furniture to the centre of a room may be included.
Emptying wardrobes, dismantling beds and moving very heavy furniture may not be.
Clearing the room before the decorator arrives can save time.
If you are already moving home and combining decorating with the move, having rooms empty can make the work considerably faster.
Is VAT Included?
Not always.
If the decorating business is VAT registered, VAT may be added to the quoted amount unless the price explicitly includes it.
For a £2,000 quote:
£2,000 + 20% VAT = £2,400
That is a £400 difference.
Ask for the complete payable price before comparing quotes.
How Much Does a Two-Person Decorating Team Cost?
This is another area where customers can misread the day rate.
Suppose each decorator effectively costs £300 per day.
Two decorators:
£600 per day
But they may complete the project in approximately half the time.
A four-day job for one decorator at £300:
4 × £300 = £1,200
Two decorators completing it in two days:
2 × £600 = £1,200
The elapsed time changes.
The labour cost may not.
That can be valuable if you need the property completed quickly.
Does a More Expensive Decorator Finish Faster?
Not necessarily, but productivity matters.
Consider:
Decorator A
£250/day
6 days
Labour:
£1,500
Decorator B
£325/day
4 days
Labour:
£1,300
The higher day rate produces the lower labour total.
This is why asking for a fixed quote and estimated duration is often more useful than shopping by day rate alone.
Day Rate or Fixed Price: Which Should You Choose?
For most defined domestic decorating jobs, a fixed quotation usually gives better cost certainty.
You know:
Paint bedroom: £450
rather than:
£325 per day for however long it takes.
A day rate can make sense where:
- several small jobs need doing;
- the scope may change;
- you’re working through a long maintenance list;
- hidden defects make the duration uncertain.
For larger jobs, ask for a written quote.
That makes it easier to compare decorators properly.
What Should a Decorating Quote Include?
A useful written quote should state:
- rooms/areas included;
- ceilings;
- walls;
- doors;
- skirting;
- preparation;
- repairs included;
- number of coats;
- paint specification;
- materials;
- labour;
- access equipment;
- waste;
- VAT where applicable;
- timescale;
- exclusions.
The clearer the specification, the easier it is to understand why two prices differ.
For a broader homeowner checklist, see what should be included in a written quote.
How Can You Save Money on Painting and Decorating?
Empty rooms beforehand
Remove:
- furniture;
- pictures;
- curtains;
- small belongings.
The decorator can begin preparation sooner.
Keep the specification simple
Every colour change creates additional cutting-in and cleaning.
Painting the ceiling one colour, walls another and every alcove a third can increase labour.
Complete several rooms together
If you know several areas need repainting, requesting one larger quotation can be more efficient than repeatedly bringing a decorator back for separate small jobs.
Choose paint before work starts
Changing your mind halfway through wastes time and material.
Repair bigger problems first
If walls are damp, badly cracked or failing, solve the actual defect before paying for decoration.
Paint does not fix structural or moisture problems.
Painting Before Selling: Is It Worth It?
Repainting can make a property look cleaner, brighter and better maintained before photographs or viewings.
But that does not mean spending thousands decorating every room always produces a financial return.
Focus on areas where paint is:
- badly marked;
- peeling;
- unusually dark;
- highly personalised;
- making rooms look neglected.
Neutralising tired rooms can make sense.
Repainting perfectly presentable spaces simply because they are not your favourite colour may not.
Our guide to whether repainting increases house value looks at where decorating before selling is most likely to be worthwhile.
When Is a Painter and Decorator Worth Paying For?
Professional help becomes particularly valuable where:
- preparation is extensive;
- ceilings are high;
- staircases are involved;
- wallpaper needs hanging;
- woodwork needs restoring;
- the property must be finished quickly;
- a premium finish matters.
DIY can make perfect financial sense for straightforward rooms if you have the time and ability.
But poorly prepared decorating work can be extremely obvious.
If you are planning to sell, rent out or substantially renovate the property, the finish quality may matter more than simply minimising the labour cost.
How to Compare Painter and Decorator Quotes
Imagine three prices:
£2,200
£2,800
£3,400
Do not automatically choose £2,200.
Ask what each includes.
Perhaps:
£2,200
Walls only
One colour
You supply paint
Minor preparation
£2,800
Walls and ceilings
Two finish coats
Trade paint included
Filling and sanding
£3,400
Walls, ceilings and woodwork
Extensive preparation
Premium paint
Doors included
These are three different jobs.
Compare the specification first and price second.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Decorator
Ask:
What exactly is included in your price?
Is paint included?
What paint brand/range will you use?
How many coats are included?
Does preparation include filling and sanding?
Are ceilings included?
Is all woodwork included?
Are doors included?
Who moves furniture?
Is VAT included where applicable?
How long do you expect the work to take?
What happens if damaged plaster is uncovered during preparation?
These questions can prevent most disagreements before work starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a painter and decorator charge per day in the UK?
Current 2026 UK pricing is approximately £250–£400 per day, with Checkatrade giving an average of around £325 per day.
MyBuilder currently gives a broader range of around £150–£300, demonstrating how much location and experience can affect rates.
Is £300 a day reasonable for a decorator?
Yes. £300 is currently well within the normal UK market range and slightly below Checkatrade’s £325 national average.
How much does it cost to paint a room?
A medium-sized room currently costs around £450 on average according to Checkatrade’s June 2026 guide.
How much does it cost to paint a two-bedroom flat?
Current guidance puts a two-bedroom flat at approximately £1,500–£2,500, averaging around £2,000.
How much does exterior house painting cost?
A three-bedroom semi-detached home currently costs around £1,100–£1,500, averaging approximately £1,300 for exterior painting.
Is paint included in a decorator’s day rate?
Not necessarily. Some fixed quotes include standard trade paint, while day-rate arrangements may be labour only. Confirm the materials before agreeing the work.
Is wallpapering more expensive than painting?
It can be more labour-intensive. Current wallpapering labour is approximately £12–£16 per m², with a room averaging around £450 before the wallpaper itself.
How long does it take to paint a room?
Typically around one to two days depending on preparation, coats and woodwork.
Should I pay a decorator by the day?
It can work for flexible or uncertain jobs, but a fixed written quotation usually gives better cost certainty for clearly defined rooms or whole-house painting.
So, How Much Should You Budget for a Painter and Decorator?
For a painter and decorator in the UK in 2026, approximately £250–£400 per day is a sensible current budgeting range, with around £325 per day as the headline Checkatrade average.
For completed projects, useful current benchmarks include:
Medium room: around £450
Two-bedroom flat: around £1,500–£2,500
Five-bedroom house: around £5,500–£7,500
Three-bedroom semi exterior: around £1,100–£1,500
Hall, stairs and landing: around £1,450–£1,750.
But do not compare decorators simply by daily rate.
The biggest cost differences often come from preparation, number of coats, woodwork, paint quality and the amount of the room actually included in the quote.
A £250-a-day decorator who needs six days and excludes paint can cost more than a £350-a-day decorator who needs four days and provides a much more complete specification.
For most substantial decorating work, get a clear fixed quotation showing exactly what preparation, paint and finishing are included.
If you need professional painting or decorating work, The Right Guy can help you discover local painters, decorators and other service professionals. When requesting quotes, tell businesses exactly which rooms, ceilings and woodwork need painting and whether you want them to supply the paint so you can compare like-for-like prices.
Author: The Right Guy Team
UK service guides published by The Right Guy Ltd.