Painter And Decorator Day Rate 2026: 7 UK Prices
A painter and decorator in the UK typically charges £250 to £350 per day, or £35 to £45 per hour, based on Checkatrade's October 2026 data. A single bedroom repaint usually takes one to two days, so most people pay a few hundred pounds per room in labour, plus paint and materials.
Here are seven prices to help you budget and compare quotes.
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Decorator Rates At A Glance
| Rate | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Day rate | £250 to £350 |
| Hourly rate | £35 to £45 |
| Labourer day rate | £120 to £280 |
Source: Checkatrade tradespeople cost guide, checked October 2026.
1. The Day Rate
£250 to £350 a day is typical. Most decorators prefer day rates because preparation is hard to predict until they see the walls.
2. Painting A Room
| Room | Typical time | Typical labour cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom | 1 day | £250 to £350 |
| Double bedroom | 1 to 2 days | £300 to £600 |
| Living room | 2 days | £500 to £700 |
| Hallway, stairs and landing | 2 to 3 days | £500 to £1,000 |
| Kitchen | 1 to 2 days | £300 to £600 |
Typical UK ranges based on the day rates above for walls, ceiling and woodwork, checked October 2026. Paint is extra.
3. Preparation
Good decorating is mostly preparation: filling, sanding, sugar soaping, masking and priming. Walls in poor condition take longer.
4. Wallpapering
Hanging wallpaper is slower than painting and needs more skill, especially with large patterns. See our wallpaper room guide for full costs.
5. Woodwork
Glossing skirting, doors and architrave can take as long as painting the walls. Ask whether woodwork is included.
6. Exterior Painting
Painting the outside of a house usually needs ladders or scaffolding and dry weather. Expect higher prices and longer timescales.
7. Paint And Materials
Decorators may supply paint or ask you to buy it. Trade paints often cover better than cheaper retail paint. Ask which brand and finish they plan to use.
How To Get Accurate Quotes
- Tell the decorator which surfaces are included: walls, ceilings, woodwork.
- Mention any repairs or stains.
- Say if the room will be empty or furnished.
- Agree on the number of coats.
Ways To Save
- Move furniture yourself.
- Strip old wallpaper yourself.
- Keep the same colour, which often needs fewer coats.
- Book in winter, when interior work is quieter.
- Paint several rooms at once for a better day rate.
Choosing A Decorator
- Check reviews and photos of past work.
- Look for neat cutting in along ceilings and skirting.
- Ask about dust sheets and clean up.
- Get a written quote.
If you need plastering first, see our plastering guide and the plasterer day rate.
How Many Coats?
Most walls need two coats for an even finish, especially with a colour change. New plaster needs a mist coat first, which is watered down paint that seals the surface. Strong colours, like deep reds or navy, may need three coats. More coats mean more time and paint, so agree the number up front.
Drying Times
Emulsion is usually touch dry within a couple of hours, and most decorators can apply a second coat the same day. Gloss and oil based paints take much longer. See our guide to how long gloss paint takes to dry for more detail. Water based satinwood dries faster and yellows less, which is why many decorators now use it on woodwork.
What Affects The Price
The biggest factor is the state of the walls. Freshly plastered walls need a mist coat but little else. Old walls with cracks, nail holes and flaking paint can take as long to prepare as to paint. Ceiling height matters too. Tall Victorian rooms and stairwells need extra access equipment and take longer. Colour changes add coats, and dark to light changes in particular can need a primer first. Finally, furnished rooms take more time to protect than empty ones.
Interior vs Exterior Work
Exterior work is usually priced separately. Painting render or masonry needs specialist paint and dry, mild weather, and two storey houses usually need a tower or scaffold. Window frames, doors, fascias and gutters are often quoted as a package. Ask whether the price includes washing down and fungicide treatment, which help the paint last longer.
Is It Worth Hiring A Professional?
For a single small room, DIY can save money if you have the time and patience. For stairwells, ceilings, wallpaper and woodwork, a professional finish is often worth the cost. A good decorator works faster, leaves cleaner lines and gets better coverage, which can mean the finish lasts years longer.
FAQs
How much does a painter and decorator charge per day?
Typically £250 to £350, based on Checkatrade's October 2026 data.
How long does it take to paint a room?
One to two days for an average bedroom, including woodwork.
Do decorators supply paint?
Some do, some don't. Ask in the quote.
Is it cheaper to pay by the room?
Some decorators quote per room, which gives price certainty for standard jobs.
Get Quotes
Use the form at the top of this page to compare quotes from local painters and decorators.
Data source: Checkatrade cost guides, checked October 2026. Prices are typical UK ranges.