Painter & decorator day rates, UK 2026
Typical UK range
£180–£300
per day, ex VAT
≈ £23–£38/hour · reviewed July 2026
What moves the rate
- 01Interior versus exterior work — exteriors carry access and weather risk
- 02Preparation-heavy period properties, where prep is most of the job
- 03Wallpaper hanging, which is a premium skill priced above painting
- 04Whether materials are supplied by the decorator (with markup) or the client
The gap between the bottom and top of this range is mostly preparation and finish quality. Decorators who photograph their prep work and specialise in period property or high-end finishes sit well above the median.
Painter & decorator rates by region
| Region | Day rate | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater London | £245–£405 | £31–£51 | Detail → |
| South East England | £205–£345 | £26–£43 | Detail → |
| East of England | £190–£315 | £24–£39 | Detail → |
| South West England | £180–£300 | £23–£38 | Detail → |
| Scotland | £175–£290 | £22–£36 | Detail → |
| West Midlands | £175–£290 | £22–£36 | Detail → |
| North West England | £170–£280 | £21–£35 | Detail → |
| East Midlands | £165–£275 | £21–£34 | Detail → |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £160–£270 | £20–£34 | Detail → |
| Wales | £160–£265 | £20–£33 | Detail → |
| North East England | £155–£255 | £19–£32 | Detail → |
| Northern Ireland | £150–£245 | £19–£31 | Detail → |
Is your rate right?
A benchmark tells you what the market pays. It doesn't tell you what you need — that depends on your overheads, your tax pot and how many days you really bill. Two minutes in the calculator settles it.
Painter & decorator day rates — FAQs
- How much does a painter and decorator charge per day in the UK?
- Typically £180–£300 a day, ex VAT, for standard domestic work. London runs roughly a third higher and the lowest-cost regions around 15% below — see the regional breakdown above.
- What affects what a painter and decorator charges?
- Experience and reputation, your region, how complex or specialist the work is, whether it's an emergency, and the overheads a painter and decorator carries (insurance, van, tools, certification). The gap between the bottom and top of this range is mostly preparation and finish quality. Decorators who photograph their prep work and specialise in period property or high-end finishes sit well above the median.
- Do painter and decorators charge VAT?
- Only if VAT-registered — mandatory once turnover passes £90,000 a year — in which case 20% is added on top. Plenty of sole traders are below the threshold and don't charge it, so check before you agree a price.
- Should I get more than one quote?
- Yes — two or three quotes give you a fair benchmark and make an outlier obvious. A written quote is legally binding in the UK, so a fair one shouldn't move unless you change the scope of the work.
Run a trade site or blog? Embed this live rate widget — free.
Indicative ranges compiled from public cost guides, reviewed July 2026. Ex VAT. A guide, not a quote.