Things to know
Prep is where painting quotes get underpriced. Filling, sanding, and stripping old paint often takes longer than the actual painting, but it's invisible in the finished result. Customers undervalue it unless you show it as its own line. A quote that separates "prep" from "two coats" makes clear you're not padding the number. You're pricing the part of the job nobody sees.
Name the paint brand, product line, and finish in the quote. This sets the customer's expectations for sheen and durability, and it gives you a documented reference if they later ask why the price would change for a premium range. "Dulux Diamond Matt, two coats" reads as more considered than "paint walls," and it's a smaller step from there to justifying your rate.
Furniture moving, dust sheeting, and post-job cleanup are real time, even when they're not "painting." Fold a fixed allowance into your labour line, or state clearly what's included: "furniture moved and covered, but large items like wardrobes are the customer's responsibility." Either way, there's no ambiguity about who's shifting the sofa on the morning you arrive.
Colour changes mid-job are common enough to plan for in the quote instead of treating them as an exception. A note that "one colour change after work has started is included; further changes are charged for materials and rework time" keeps the door open for a customer who genuinely dislikes a shade on the wall. It just stops that turning into an unpaid repaint if they change their mind twice.
Typical painter & decorator line items and UK prices
Indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Rates vary by region (London and the South East run higher) and by job size.
| Item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Day rate (decorator) | per day | £180–£260 |
| Paint walls + ceiling, medium bedroom (2 coats) | per room | £300–£550 |
| Gloss/satin woodwork (skirting, door, frame) | per room | £120–£250 |
| Wallpaper hanging (standard paper) | per roll | £25–£45 |
| Strip existing wallpaper | per room | £100–£250 |
| Exterior masonry paint, 3-bed semiExcludes scaffold. | per house | £1,500–£3,000 |
| Tower scaffold hire | per week | £120–£250 |
| Paint and sundries (trade brand) | per room | £60–£150 |
Common painter & decorator jobs and how to price them
- Room repaints
- Fixed price per room, listing walls, ceilings and woodwork as separate lines and the number of coats.
- Whole-house interiors
- Room-by-room schedule with a total; agree a daily rate for anything added mid-job.
- Wallpapering and feature walls
- Per-roll hanging rate, with stripping and lining paper quoted separately.
- Exterior repaints
- Fixed price with access (tower or scaffold) and repairs to rendering or timber itemised.
Regulations and certificates to reference
- Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 — older homes may have lead-based paint under later coats. Avoid dry sanding and burning off; if you suspect lead, test it and price the safe removal method as its own line.
- COSHH Regulations 2002 — solvent-based products and strippers need a COSHH assessment. Note low-VOC or water-based products on the quote if the customer has children or pets.
- Work at Height Regulations 2005 — exterior work above ladder height needs a tower or scaffold. Price access separately so the customer sees why a two-storey exterior costs more than the paint suggests.
Payment terms painter & decorators commonly use
- Materials deposit before you start (often enough to cover paint), balance on completion.
- Jobs longer than a week: weekly stage payments against the room schedule.
- Commercial and agent work: 30 days, often with a retention on large contracts.
Read more: Invoice payment terms explained · Payment methods to offer clients
VAT and CIS for painter & decorators
VAT
Painting and decorating is standard-rated at 20% once registered. Many sole-trader decorators stay under the £90,000 threshold to stay competitive on domestic work.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Painting and decorating is explicitly included in CIS. A builder or main contractor deducts 20% from your labour (30% if unregistered), so split labour and materials on every subcontract invoice.
VAT-registered decorators subcontracting to VAT-registered builders normally invoice under the domestic reverse charge.
General guidance, not tax advice — check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
Read more: Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices? · What must an invoice include? (UK legal requirements)
What this template includes
- Per-room or per-surface line items
- Separate prep, primer, and finish coats
- Materials breakdown
- Notes for paint brand / finish / sheen
- PDF or tracked link delivery
Full guide
How to Start a Painting and Decorating Business as a Sole Trader
Frequently asked questions
Say either way. If you supply it, name the brand, range and finish (e.g. trade matt emulsion, satinwood). If the customer supplies it, state the quantity they need and that delays caused by wrong or insufficient paint are chargeable.
Two coats is the norm for walls and ceilings, with a mist coat on new plaster. Strong colour changes may need a third. Put the number in the quote so nobody argues about it later.
List preparation as its own line per room. Heavy prep — cracked ceilings, lining paper, stripping — is where quotes vary most, and itemising it explains a higher price.
Stop dry sanding, tell the customer, and quote a separate line for wet abrading or chemical stripping with suitable protection. Many older properties have lead paint under modern coats.
Per-room or per-job pricing is more professional and easier for customers to compare. Hourly pricing makes customers anxious about how long you'll take.
Include it as a separate Materials line. This way customers see they're not being marked up unfairly and you're covered if paint prices rise.
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