The average painter and decorator day rate in the UK runs between £150–£325 per day for 2026, depending on where you work, your experience level, and the type of job. Most self-employed painters in the regions charge £150–£220/day; those in London and the South East can command £275–£350. If you’ve been quoting from gut feeling rather than a proper calculation, this guide will help you set rates that actually cover your costs and leave you with a decent profit.
Key Takeaways
- UK painter and decorator day rates average £150–£325/day depending on region and job type
- London and South East painters typically charge £250–£350/day — around 30–40% above the national average
- Your day rate needs to cover materials markup, insurance, tools, van costs, and non-billable days
- Most painters charge separately for materials — don’t bundle them into the labour rate
- Specialist work (wallpapering, faux finishes, external painting) justifies 20–40% above standard rates
- Getting your rate right matters — undercharging is the most common reason self-employed decorators struggle
What Is a Painter and Decorator Day Rate?
A painter and decorator day rate is the total labour charge for a full day’s work, typically 8 hours. It covers your time, skill, and expertise — not the cost of paint, primer, filler, or other materials, which are usually charged separately or included in a materials line on your quote.
Day rates are the standard billing method for most residential decorator work: painting rooms, redecorating hallways, exterior work. Hourly rates tend to come into play for smaller jobs or add-on tasks.
UK Painter Day Rate Averages 2026
Here’s how rates break down across the UK for 2026, based on data from Checkatrade, Hamuch, and trade forums:
| Experience / Location | Typical Day Rate |
|---|---|
| Apprentice / junior (supervised) | £80–£120 |
| Qualified decorator, regions | £150–£220 |
| Qualified decorator, South East | £200–£280 |
| Qualified decorator, London | £275–£350 |
| Specialist (wallpaper, faux finishes) | £220–£350+ |
| External / commercial painter | £200–£300 |
Checkatrade’s 2025 pricing data puts the average at £325/day — which reflects London and the South East skewing the national figure. Regional painters charging £150–£220/day are well within normal range for their markets.
Regional Breakdown
Location matters more in this trade than most. London clients are used to paying more; the South West and Scotland have different market expectations. Here’s what the data shows:
| Region | Average Day Rate |
|---|---|
| London | £275–£350 |
| South East | £200–£280 |
| East of England | £180–£250 |
| South West | £160–£230 |
| Midlands | £150–£210 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £145–£200 |
| North West | £145–£200 |
| North East | £140–£190 |
| Scotland | £150–£210 |
| Wales | £140–£190 |
If you’re in Manchester and charging £300/day for standard residential decorating, you’ll lose jobs to local competition. If you’re in Central London charging £200/day, you’re leaving money on the table. Match your rate to your market, not to the national average.
What Your Day Rate Needs to Cover
Most self-employed decorators undercharge because they only think about time. A proper day rate covers more than that. Here’s what to factor in:
Direct costs (per working day):
- Van running costs (fuel, insurance, servicing) — typically £25–£40/day
- Tools and equipment depreciation — £5–£10/day
- Public liability insurance — roughly £3–£5/day for most painters
- Professional memberships (PDA, RADA) — £1–£2/day if applicable
Business overhead:
- Non-billable days — you won’t bill every single day. Account for holidays, travel days, quoting time, admin, rain days on outdoor jobs. Most self-employed decorators actually bill 200–220 days per year, not 260.
- Tax and National Insurance — if you’re a sole trader, around 30–40% of profit goes to HMRC depending on your total income
A rough example: If you want to take home £35,000/year as a decorator in the Midlands:
- Target annual revenue: ~£50,000 (after tax, NI, and costs)
- Billable days: 210
- Required day rate: £238/day
That maths explains why decorators charging £150/day in the Midlands often struggle — it’s not enough once you account for everything.
When to Charge More
Standard day rates don’t apply to every job. You can and should charge a premium for:
| Job Type | Premium to Add |
|---|---|
| Wallpaper hanging (complex patterns) | 25–40% |
| Faux finishes / specialist decorative work | 30–50% |
| External painting (height work, scaffolding) | 20–30% |
| Commercial / tenanted properties | 15–25% |
| Rush jobs (quick turnaround required) | 20–30% |
| Two-coat exterior gloss on large properties | Negotiate fixed price |
Specialist skills are worth charging for. If you’ve spent time learning marbling, Venetian plaster, or complex wallpaper hanging, a flat day rate undersells that expertise.
Day Rate vs Fixed-Price Quotes
Most residential decorator work in the UK is quoted as a fixed price rather than a day rate, even when you’re calculating it using day-rate maths behind the scenes. Here’s when to use each:
Day rate works well for:
- Repeat clients who trust you and know what you charge
- Ongoing commercial maintenance contracts
- Jobs where scope is genuinely uncertain
Fixed price works better for:
- First-time residential clients
- Larger projects (whole-house redecoration)
- Jobs where you can accurately estimate the days required
When quoting a fixed price, calculate your day rate × estimated days, add materials at cost plus 10–15% markup, and add contingency for unexpected prep work. Never quote a fixed price without seeing the job in person first — prep time on old properties varies wildly.
What to Include in a Decorator Quote
A professional, itemised quote does two things: it helps clients trust you, and it protects you if the scope changes. A solid decorator quote should include:
- Labour (your day rate × estimated days, or fixed price)
- Materials (listed separately — paint brand, litres, primer, filler)
- Any specialist preparation (stripping wallpaper, sanding, sealant)
- Access equipment if needed (ladders, scaffolding hire if applicable)
- Start date and estimated duration
- Your payment terms
Don’t be tempted to bundle materials into the day rate to simplify your quote. Clients prefer transparency, and if materials costs change, a separate line is easier to justify.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a painter and decorator charge per day in the UK? In 2026, the typical range is £150–£325/day depending on region and experience. Regional decorators in the Midlands, North, and Scotland tend to charge £150–£220/day. London and the South East decorators typically charge £250–£350/day. Specialist work like wallpaper hanging and faux finishes commands a premium above these figures.
Should I charge a day rate or a fixed price for decorating jobs? Most decorators use fixed-price quotes for residential clients, calculated by multiplying their day rate by estimated job duration and adding materials. A day rate is more common for ongoing commercial contracts or trusted repeat clients. Fixed prices give the client certainty and protect you if you estimate accurately — but always see the job before quoting.
How much should a self-employed painter charge to make a decent living? To take home around £35,000/year as a self-employed decorator, you need to earn roughly £50,000 in revenue before tax, NI, and business costs. Spread across 210 billable days, that works out to around £238/day. If you’re charging significantly less than this in a regional market, you may be undercharging once all costs are included.
Do painters charge for materials on top of the day rate? Yes, in almost all cases materials are charged separately. Most decorators buy materials at trade price and charge clients at the same or slightly above retail price. This is standard practice and clients generally expect it — a quote showing labour and materials separately is more transparent and easier to adjust if the client wants to change paint brands.
Getting Your Rate Right
Setting a day rate is one decision, but getting clients to pay it is another. The most effective decorators combine solid pricing with a professional online presence — a website with your work, testimonials, and easy ways to contact you.
If you’re still relying on word of mouth alone, you’re limiting who can find you. Most people search Google before they call anyone. A professional website for your decorating business costs far less than you’d expect — Digital Tradies builds websites for tradespeople from £49/month, with no upfront cost and the site live within 3 days.
The fundamentals don’t change: charge what the job is worth, be transparent in your quotes, and make it easy for new customers to find and contact you.
Related reading: Do Painters Need a Website? | How to Get More Painting Work | SEO for Painters & Decorators
