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Decorator

How Much Should a Decorator Charge?

Painter & Decorator stood next to a white van

In 2026, painter and decorator day rates across the UK commonly sit between £150 and £350 for labour only, with London and the South East often running higher. That spread is wide enough to leave homeowners unsure what “fair” looks like and decorators unsure whether they are undercharging. The differences are not random. They reflect how the job is priced, the level of skill and efficiency on offer, regional demand, and whether the business is built to last.

Two Main Ways Decorators Price Work

Most decorators arrive at a figure in one of two ways (or a blend of both).

Schedule of rates (per square metre or unit)

An experienced decorator often works from their own schedule built on real jobs: a rate per square metre for walls and ceilings, a linear rate for skirting and trim, a price per door or window, and a rate per roll for wallpaper. Larger commercial jobs may be measured and priced by an estimator or quantity surveyor because small errors scale up quickly.

This approach is grounded in actual productivity rather than optimism. It reduces the chance of the decorator under-pricing and then either cutting corners or asking for more money halfway through. For the customer it usually means fewer surprises, provided the scope (preparation, number of coats, access, making good) is clearly defined.

Day rate or hourly rate

On smaller domestic jobs a day rate is still the most common method. Few small projects can be timed to the exact hour because of variables such as surface condition, drying times, access, and the amount of furniture moving required. Most decorators therefore estimate the number of days and round accordingly.

Two quotes for the same work can easily differ because one decorator is more optimistic about progress, has better systems and tools, or simply has a fuller diary and is pricing their time accordingly. A busy decorator does not have to accept the lowest price; supply and demand apply here just as they do elsewhere.

A day rate is transparent, but it does not automatically reward efficiency. The decorator who invests in good equipment, efficient prep methods, and reliable systems will often complete more work in a day than someone charging a lower rate. Conversely, an unusually low day rate can signal either exceptional value or a lack of confidence, limited experience, or pressure to win work. Sometimes you get lucky; more often you inherit compromises in preparation, finish, or reliability.

What “Reasonable” Looks Like in 2026

There is no single correct day rate. Different decorators deliberately target different parts of the market, just as different supermarkets do.

Aldi competes on price and accepts that the shopping experience will be more basic. Waitrose charges more and offers branded ranges, services, and a different atmosphere. Both have loyal customers. Most people shop somewhere in the middle.

Decorating works the same way. Some operators aim to be the cheapest option available. Others build a reputation for meticulous preparation, specialist finishes, reliability, and clear communication, and price accordingly. Many sit in between. A lower price usually means the customer takes on more of the clearing-up or accepts a less refined result. A higher price should come with higher expectations around finish quality, site care, and communication. Neither is inherently wrong; they simply serve different customers.

Regional variation, experience, and the type of work all matter. Straightforward emulsion on sound walls sits at the lower end. Wallpapering, high-level work, extensive preparation, or heritage finishes command more. London and the South East typically sit above the national range.

What Goes Into a Day Rate

The figure a decorator quotes is not pure profit. It has to cover a living wage, overheads, non-billable time, and a margin if the business is to continue.

Industry benchmarks provide a useful starting point. The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) publishes voluntary rates for smaller construction firms. From August 2026 the Adult General Operative rate is £13.12 per hour (£511.68 for a 39-hour week). Intermediate Craft (NVQ Level 2) is £14.45 and Advanced Craft (NVQ Level 3) is £16.76. Many self-employed decorators earn above these employed benchmarks once established.

Statutory holiday entitlement and BATJIC arrangements typically total around 31 days a year (including bank holidays). On a 39-hour week that leaves roughly 1,786 productive hours in a year after holiday. Adjusting the base wage to include holiday pay raises the effective cost of each productive hour.

Other regular costs then need to be covered:

  • Vehicle — HMRC’s approved mileage rate is 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles in the 2026/27 tax year. Even modest mileage adds up.
  • Tools and equipment — Ladders, dust sheets, power tools and the rest have a capital cost that must be recovered over several years.
  • Consumables — Brushes, rollers, tape, filler, blades and similar items need regular replacement.
  • Insurance, marketing and professional fees — Public liability insurance, advertising, bookkeeping and accountancy are normal business costs.
  • Contingency — Quiet periods, bad debts or unexpected repairs happen. A modest reserve is prudent.
  • Storage, waste and admin — Even using a home garage has a cost; commercial waste disposal is rarely free. Time spent estimating, invoicing and cleaning tools is usually unpaid.

When these are added to a basic industry wage (and holiday is properly included), the bare minimum a decorator needs to cover costs and a modest living sits around £20 an hour, or roughly £160 for an eight-hour day. That figure is before any profit, before accounting for non-billable time, and before the higher rates that apply to skilled or specialist work. Real-world overheads are frequently higher.

A business that consistently charges only the bare minimum has nothing left to invest in better tools, training, or a buffer for lean periods. Over time that approach is fragile. Most sustainable decorating businesses therefore charge more than the pure cost figure so they can remain solvent, improve their service, and weather quieter months.

Current Market Rates

Published and observed day rates for self-employed painters and decorators in 2026 typically fall in these bands (labour only; materials usually extra):

  • Most regions: roughly £150–£280 per day
  • London and the South East: commonly £250–£400
  • Specialist or high-end work (heritage finishes, complex wallpaper, feature work): higher still

These are broad ranges. An individual decorator’s rate will sit higher or lower depending on experience, reputation, local demand, and how efficiently they work. The gap between the calculated cost floor (around £160) and typical charged rates is where profit, non-productive time, risk, and the value of a reliable, high-quality service sit.

Practical Takeaways

If the lowest possible price is the priority, decorators willing to work at the bottom of the range are easy to find. The trade-off is usually somewhere in preparation standards, finish quality, reliability, or the amount of clearing-up left to the customer. Occasionally you find excellent work at a low rate; more often the lower quote reflects real differences in what is being delivered.

Paying more does not guarantee perfection, but a decorator who is running a sustainable business with proper insurance, decent equipment, and a full diary is unlikely to be the cheapest option. Comparing several quotes, checking recent work or reviews, and agreeing the scope in writing (including preparation, number of coats, materials, and any making-good) remains the most reliable way to judge value.

For decorators setting their own rates, starting from a clear understanding of costs (wage, holiday, vehicle, tools, insurance, contingency, and non-billable time) and then adding a realistic margin is more sustainable than simply matching the lowest local price. The market supports a range of offerings; the key is matching the price to the service actually delivered.

Notes
Figures reflect publicly available benchmarks as of October 2026, including BATJIC rates effective from 10 August 2026 and HMRC mileage rates for the 2026/27 tax year. National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over is £12.71 from April 2026. Individual costs and market rates vary by region, experience and business model. Always verify current figures for your own situation.