How Much Does a Painter and Decorator Charge Per Hour in the UK? (2026)
How much does a painter and decorator charge per hour in the UK? In 2026, painters and decorators typically charge £20-£40 per hour, or £150-£250 per day, depending on their experience, location, and the type of work. This guide breaks down decorator hourly rates across the UK, explains what drives the variation, and helps both decorators setting their rates and customers comparing quotes.
UK Painter and Decorator Hourly Rates in 2026
How much a painter and decorator charges per hour varies across the UK:
| Region | Decorator hourly rate | Decorator day rate |
|---|---|---|
| London | £30-£50/hr | £200-£320/day |
| South East | £28-£45/hr | £180-£280/day |
| Midlands | £22-£38/hr | £160-£240/day |
| North of England | £20-£35/hr | £150-£220/day |
| Scotland/Wales | £18-£32/hr | £140-£210/day |
Source: Checkatrade decorator cost guide, MyJobQuote, 2026.
What Drives Decorator Hourly Rate Variation
How much a painter and decorator charges per hour depends on:
Specialist skills: Decorators who offer specialist finishes – Venetian plaster, limewash, gilding, wallpaper hanging (especially large pattern repeats) – command a significant premium over standard decorating rates.
Commercial vs domestic: Commercial decorating on active sites (offices, hotels, hospitals) typically commands higher day rates than domestic work, reflecting the greater disruption and programme pressure.
PDA/BDA membership: Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) and British Decorators Association (BDA) members justify higher rates and attract clients who specifically seek professional tradespeople.
Experience and reputation: A decorator with 10+ years experience and 50 Google reviews consistently commands more per day than someone in their first year.
Decorator Day Rate vs Per M² Rate
Most experienced decorators use a combination of pricing methods:
Day rate (£150-£250/day): Best for whole-room jobs where the scope is clear. Gives both parties predictability.
Per m² rate (£3-£6/m² for walls): Common for large or commercial contracts where precise measurement is important.
Fixed price quote: Preferred by customers for defined scope work. Requires accurate site measurement and specification upfront.
For most domestic decorating jobs, a fixed price per room or per project is what customers prefer. Day rates work well for landlords and builders who use you regularly and trust your pace.
How Decorators Should Calculate Their Minimum Day Rate
If you’re a decorator setting your rates, calculate your break-even first:
- Annual overheads: van, insurance, brushes/rollers (regular replacement), dust sheets, masking tape, phone, accountant – typically £5,000-£10,000/year
- Desired income: your target take-home
- Billable days: approximately 210-230 days/year after holidays, admin, and non-billable preparation
- Formula: (overheads + desired income) ÷ billable days = minimum day rate
Decorating has lower overheads than most trades – but materials costs are real and need to be either charged separately or factored into your day rate. See HMRC’s self-employment tax rates for tax calculations.
Conclusion
Pricing correctly is not about charging the most – it is about charging enough to run a sustainable, profitable business. The tradespeople who consistently undercharge are not doing customers a favour; they are putting their businesses at risk and making it harder for everyone in the industry to charge fair rates. Know your costs, add your margin, and price with confidence. For further guidance, visit Painting & Decorating Association.
Free calculator by CoreQuote — the quoting app for trades
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a painter and decorator charge per day in the UK?
A painter and decorator typically charges £150-£250 per day in the UK in 2026. London and South East rates are at the higher end (£200-£320/day). Day rates reflect experience, quality, and local market conditions. See Checkatrade’s painter and decorator costs for current benchmarks.
Is £180 per day reasonable for a decorator?
Yes. £180 per day is within the normal range for an experienced decorator in most UK regions outside London. For specialist work (wallpaper, specialist finishes), this would be below market rate.
Do decorators charge for materials separately?
Most decorators charge materials separately from labour. Materials are typically priced at trade cost plus a 10-15% margin for sourcing and management. Always confirm in your quote whether materials are included or extra.
Related reading:
