Painter & decorator day rates in South East
South East England · 2026
£205–£345
per day, ex VAT
£26–£43
per hour
+15%
vs UK average
A painter and decorator working in South East typically charges £205–£345 a day (£26–£43 an hour), ex VAT — 15% above the UK average of £240 a day. The commuter belt carries a clear premium — strong renovation demand from Surrey, Kent, Sussex and the Home Counties keeps diaries full, and many trades here can pick and choose their jobs.
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.
What moves a painter and decorator's 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
South East vs everywhere else
| London | £245–£405 |
| South East | £205–£345 |
| East of England | £190–£315 |
| South West | £180–£300 |
| Scotland | £175–£290 |
| West Midlands | £175–£290 |
| North West | £170–£280 |
| East Midlands | £165–£275 |
| Yorkshire | £160–£270 |
| Wales | £160–£265 |
| North East | £155–£255 |
| Northern Ireland | £150–£245 |
Charging £275? Prove it's enough.
The market range is the market's number. Yours depends on your overheads, your tax pot and how many days you actually bill. Run it through the calculator, then send the quote while the number's fresh.
Other trades in South East
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Indicative ranges compiled from public cost guides, reviewed July 2026. Ex VAT. A guide, not a quote, and not financial advice.