How to Price Painting and Decorating Jobs (2026 UK Rates)

Pricing painting and decorating work comes down to one thing: accurately estimating how long the job will take. The paint costs are predictable - it's the prep, coats, and access that catch you out.

Painter and decorator day rates (2026)

• London and South East: £250–£350/day
• Midlands: £200–£280/day
• North of England: £180–£260/day
• Scotland and Wales: £180–£250/day

Per-room pricing

Room Type	Walls Only	Walls + Ceiling	Full (inc. woodwork)
Small bedroom	£200–£350	£300–£450	£400–£600
Double bedroom	£300–£450	£400–£600	£550–£800
Living room	£350–£550	£500–£750	£650–£1,000
Kitchen	£250–£400	£350–£550	£500–£750
Hallway/stairs/landing	£400–£700	£500–£900	£700–£1,200
Bathroom	£200–£300	£250–£400	£350–£500

These assume standard prep (sugar soap, fill small cracks, sand) and 2 coats of emulsion. Heavy prep (stripping wallpaper, repairing plaster) adds 30–50% to the price.

Exterior painting rates

• Front of house (semi-detached): £800–£1,500
• Full house exterior (3-bed semi): £1,500–£3,000
• Fascias and soffits (paint only): £400–£800
• Garden fence (per panel): £30–£50
• Garden gate: £50–£80

Exterior work needs weather contingency in your quote. Add a clause about delays due to rain/cold.

How to quote painting jobs

1. Walk the property - note every room, ceiling height, number of doors, windows, radiators
2. Assess prep needed - this is where most painters underquote
3. Count coats - dark to light colours need 3+ coats. Budget for it.
4. Price materials - 1 litre of quality emulsion covers ~12m². Calculate per room.
5. Add access costs - ladders, towers, or scaffolding for exterior/stairwell work
6. Present room by room - customers love seeing a per-room breakdown

With Jobnix, you can set up room templates with your standard rates. Walk through the property, tap each room type, adjust for prep and coats, and send a branded quote before you leave.