Painter & decorator day rates in South West
South West England · 2026
£180–£300
per day, ex VAT
£23–£38
per hour
level with
vs UK average
A painter and decorator working in South West typically charges £180–£300 a day (£23–£38 an hour), ex VAT — right on the UK average. Broadly the national average, with two markets in one: steady town-and-city work, plus coastal renovation demand from second homes and holiday lets that pays a premium in season.
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 West 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 £240? 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 West
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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.