How to Start a Painting and Decorating Business in the UK
If you want to know how to start a painting and decorating business in the UK, the entry barriers are lower than almost any other trade. No mandatory licence, minimal startup costs, and consistent demand from both domestic and commercial customers make painting and decorating one of the most accessible trade businesses to launch.
This guide covers every step of how to start a painting and decorating business – from HMRC registration to tools, finding customers, and pricing your work profitably.
Is Starting a Painting and Decorating Business Worth It in 2026?
Starting a painting and decorating business makes strong commercial sense. Experienced decorators typically earn £150-£250 per day as sole traders, and the market is consistently busy – new builds, renovations, and landlord property refreshes drive year-round demand. The British Decorators Association (BDA) estimates the UK decorating market at over £3 billion annually.
Step 1: Register Your Painting and Decorating Business
Starting a painting and decorating business begins with legal registration:
Sole trader: Register with HMRC at gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment. Free, takes 20 minutes. You receive a UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) by post within 10 days.
Limited company: Register at Companies House – £50 online. Worth considering if profits consistently exceed £30,000-35,000. Higher accountancy costs but more tax efficient at that level.
Put aside 25-30% of all income for tax from day one. See HMRC’s self-employment guidance for your obligations.
Step 2: Insurance for a Painting and Decorating Business
Insurance is essential when starting a painting and decorating business:
| Insurance | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Public liability (£2m minimum) | Covers paint spillage, damage to customer property, third-party injury |
| Tools insurance | Brushes, rollers, sprayers, access equipment |
| Van insurance (business use) | Standard personal cover is insufficient |
| Employers liability | Legally required if you employ anyone |
Get quotes from Simply Business or Kingsbridge. A paint spillage on a customer’s carpet or furniture can be a significant claim – don’t underestimate the public liability requirement.
Step 3: Tools for Starting a Painting and Decorating Business
Core tools and equipment for a painting and decorating business:
- Brushes – quality 1″, 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″ cutting-in brushes (Hamilton, Purdy)
- Rollers – varied nap for different surfaces
- Roller frames and extension poles
- Dustsheets – canvas (professional) and plastic
- Masking tape – various widths, including fine line
- Filler, scrapers, and sanding equipment
- Step ladders and hop-ups
- Preparation tools – sandpaper, filling knives, wire brushes
- Airless paint sprayer (hire initially, buy once justified)
Budget £500-£1,500 for tools when starting a painting and decorating business, assuming some tools from previous employment.
Step 4: Finding Your First Customers
Starting a painting and decorating business means building a customer pipeline. The most effective routes:
Personal network: message every contact. Decorating is a regular need – most homeowners redecorate every 5-7 years, which means many people in your network are due.
Google Business Profile: Set up your free profile with services and area. Photos of finished work are your most powerful marketing tool.
Lead platforms: Checkatrade, Rated People, and MyBuilder generate initial leads while your reputation builds.
Estate agents and landlords: End-of-tenancy decorating and property refresh work is consistent year-round. One lettings agent relationship can keep a decorator busy for weeks at a time.
New build developers: Painting and decorating is typically the final trade on a new build. Getting on a developer’s approved subcontractor list provides volume work.
Step 5: Pricing Painting and Decorating Work
Pricing painting and decorating work correctly is critical when starting a business. UK decorator rates in 2026:
| Job type | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Painting walls (per m²) | £3-£6/m² |
| Painting ceilings (per m²) | £3-£6/m² |
| Day rate | £150-£250/day |
| Painting and decorating a room (typical) | £200-£500 |
| Exterior painting (per m²) | £8-£15/m² |
See Checkatrade’s painting and decorating cost guide for regional benchmarks.
Step 6: Trade Association Membership
The British Decorators Association (BDA) and the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) are the main trade bodies for UK decorators. Membership provides credibility, commercial opportunities, and technical support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need qualifications to start a painting and decorating business? No qualification or licence is required to start a painting and decorating business in the UK. However, a City & Guilds Level 2 in Painting and Decorating and a CSCS card are needed for commercial site work. See PDA’s training guidance for qualification routes.
How much do decorators earn? A sole trader decorator with a full diary typically earns £35,000-£60,000 per year. Top decorators specialising in high-end residential or heritage work earn more. See HMRC’s guidance on self-employment income for tax on these earnings.
What’s the most profitable type of decorating work? Exterior painting, specialist finishes (Venetian plaster, limewash), and new build contract work typically generate the best returns per day relative to setup cost.
CoreQuote is a quoting and invoice app for painting and decorating businesses. Build professional quotes from your phone. Join the beta free for 6 months at kwowta.com.
Related reading:
