Painter and Decorator Day Rates in the UK Explained
What painters and decorators typically charge per day in the UK, when day rates make sense, and how to judge whether a daily price is fair.
Many decorators quote a day rate, particularly for smaller, mixed or uncertain jobs. It looks simple, but it is worth understanding what is actually behind the number.
This guide explains typical day rates, what they cover, and when a day rate is a better or worse deal than a fixed price.
Typical day rates
Rates vary widely across the UK, by experience and by the type of work. As a rough guide, many self-employed decorators charge around £150 to £250 per day in much of the country, with London and the South East often higher. Specialist work, such as intricate paint finishes or heritage properties, can be above this range.
A team of two will generally cost roughly double, though they will also finish faster.
What a day rate usually includes
- Labour for a typical working day, often around eight hours
- Basic tools and brushes
- Dust sheets and masking supplies, though sometimes charged as consumables
What is usually not included:
- Paint and primers
- Specialist materials such as filler for larger repairs or wall liners
- Waste disposal
- Access equipment such as scaffold towers
Always ask whether materials will be charged at cost, with a mark-up, or supplied by you.
Day rate vs fixed price
| Day rate | Fixed price | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Uncertain scope, small repairs, snagging | Clearly defined rooms or jobs |
| Cost certainty | Lower | Higher |
| Risk of overrun | Falls on you | Falls on the decorator |
| Flexibility | High | Lower |
For a clearly defined job such as painting a bedroom, a fixed price gives you certainty. For a job where the extent of repairs is unknown, a day rate with a cap or a review point can be fairer to both sides.
How to judge whether a rate is fair
- Compare at least three rates in your area, not just the cheapest.
- Ask how many days they expect the job to take and why.
- Check how they handle half days and travel time.
- Find out whether the rate is for one person or a team.
- Look at reviews and previous work, as speed and finish matter as much as the headline rate.
A slightly higher day rate from someone efficient and tidy often costs less overall than a cheap rate from someone slow or who needs to redo work.
Estimating how many days you need
As a very loose guide, one decorator can often manage:
- One average room, walls and ceiling: about one day
- One room including woodwork: about one to two days
- Stairs, hall and landing: about two to four days, depending on height and prep
Preparation, drying times and recoating can lengthen a job even if painting itself is quick. For more detailed time estimates, see how long it takes to decorate a house.
Getting clarity in writing
Ask for the agreed rate, the estimated number of days, what materials are included and how extra time will be handled. It is perfectly reasonable to agree a review point, for example "if we reach three days and it looks like it will run over, we will discuss before continuing".
Using Compito, you can describe the work in your request, compare offers from ID-verified providers and use messages to agree details before you accept and pay online.
A worked example: one decorator, a bedroom and landing
A homeowner wants a double bedroom (walls, ceiling, woodwork) and the landing repainted. The decorator estimates three days. At a day rate of £200, labour is £600. Paint might be £80 to £150 depending on quality and area. If an extra half-day is needed for filling and a second coat, the total reaches £700 plus materials. A fixed price of £750 to £850 would carry the same risk on the decorator's side and offer more certainty for you. Neither is wrong; they simply split the risk differently.
Day rate pitfalls
| Pitfall | What to ask |
|---|---|
| "Eight hours" that includes lunch and set-up | When does the clock start and stop? |
| Day rate quoted per person | Is that one decorator or two? |
| Materials marked up | Are they at cost or supplied by you? |
| Open-ended days | Is there a cap or a review point? |
| Travel and parking | Included or separate? |
Common mistakes
- Choosing the lowest rate with no estimate of days. A cheap rate plus a long timescale can cost more than a higher rate and a shorter job.
- Not agreeing what counts as a day. Half days, delays from drying and weather need clear rules.
- Paying everything up front. Pay in step with progress where practical.
- Ignoring preparation days. Filling and sanding use days even when little paint is visible.
Weekend, evening and short-notice work
Some decorators charge a premium for weekend or out-of-hours work, and short-notice jobs may carry a higher rate. If you need work done before a viewing, a tenancy handover or an event, say so early so the decorator can plan and price it honestly.
Who benefits most from a day rate?
Small, mixed jobs, snagging lists and repairs tend to suit a day rate. Whole-house decorating suits a fixed price per room or per job. Landlords with a rolling maintenance list sometimes agree a standing day rate with a decorator they trust.
Keeping a check on progress
Ask for a short update at the end of each day, including what is done, what is outstanding and whether the plan has changed. Photos help. This avoids a surprise at the end and keeps a day-rate job honest on both sides.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay a day rate or per room?
If the work is simple and well defined, a per-room or whole-job fixed price is usually easier to budget. If the job could uncover unknowns, such as hidden damp or poor plaster, a day rate with clear communication can be more flexible. See how to compare decorating quotes.
Do decorators charge for travel time?
Some include it in the day rate, others add a charge for longer distances. Ask up front so it does not appear as a surprise.
Is a cheaper day rate always better?
Not necessarily. A low rate may reflect less experience, which can mean a slower or less even finish. Compare the total expected cost and quality, not just the daily figure.