How to Quote for Painting and Decorating Work
Knowing how to quote for painting and decorating work accurately is what separates a profitable decorating business from one that stays busy but never builds margin. Quoting for decorating work requires accurate measurement, realistic time estimation, and a professional presentation that wins the job without underselling your skills.
How to Quote for Painting and Decorating: The Measurement Method
Quoting for painting and decorating work starts with a site visit and accurate measurement:
Walls: Measure height × width of each wall. Deduct 50% for large openings (doors, windows) – they still need cutting in and prep but no full coat. Total wall area in m².
Ceilings: Length × width. Note any coving, cornices, or features that require extra time.
Woodwork: Count door sets (both sides = 2 units), window frames, skirting boards (measure linear metres), picture rails, and radiators.
Exterior: Measure all elevations (height × width of each face). Note the number of windows, doors, fascias, soffits, and guttering.
Never rely on customer-supplied dimensions – they’re often inaccurate and don’t reflect the actual prep requirements.
Current UK Painting and Decorating Rates 2026
| Job type | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Painting walls – 2 coats (per m²) | £3-£6/m² |
| Painting ceilings (per m²) | £3-£6/m² |
| Painting woodwork (per door set) | £50-£100 |
| Painting skirting (per linear metre) | £5-£10/m |
| Wallpapering (per roll hung) | £15-£30/roll |
| Painting a standard bedroom (labour only) | £200-£400 |
| Painting exterior walls (per m²) | £8-£15/m² |
| Specialist finishes (Venetian plaster etc.) | £30-£80/m² |
Source: Checkatrade decorator costs, MyJobQuote, 2026.
What Your Decorating Quote Should Include
A professional decorating quote includes:
- Your business details – name, contact, PDA/BDA membership number
- Customer details and job address
- Scope description – specific rooms, surfaces, number of coats
- Paint specification – brand and product (e.g. Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt for walls, Dulux Trade Quick Dry Satinwood for woodwork)
- Materials – who supplies, what’s included
- Preparation – filling, sanding, priming (time and cost)
- Number of coats – explicitly stated to prevent disputes
- Protection – dustsheets, masking
- Price breakdown – labour and materials separated
- Payment terms and validity period
Common Quoting Mistakes Decorators Make
Not including preparation time: Preparation (filling, sanding, washing walls, priming bare surfaces) often takes as long as the painting. Price it explicitly – it’s skilled work.
Guessing paint quantities: Use paint manufacturers’ coverage calculators to estimate accurately. Dulux Trade and Johnstone’s Trade both provide online calculators.
Not specifying number of coats: A customer expecting 3 coats who gets 2 is a complaints situation waiting to happen. State it in writing.
Not accounting for furniture moving and protection: In occupied properties, moving furniture and laying dustsheets adds significant time. Price it.
Free calculator by CoreQuote — the quoting app for trades
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I quote for decorating a whole house?
Quote room by room, then provide a total. Break each room into walls (m²), ceilings (m²), and woodwork (per unit or linear metre). Apply your per-m² and per-unit rates, add materials, and present as a fixed price with clear scope per room.
Should I include paint in my decorating quotes?
Most decorators include paint in their quotes. Specifying the paint brand and product protects you from customers supplying inferior products that affect your finish, and allows you to apply a 10-15% margin on materials.
How far in advance should I quote decorating work?
Quote within 24 hours of the site visit wherever possible. Customers compare quotes actively and make decisions quickly.
CoreQuote makes quoting for decorating work fast – save your standard rates, build full quotes in minutes. Try free for 6 months at kwowta.com.
Related reading:
- Is 2026 a Good Year to Start a Trades Business in the UK?
- How Much Should a Tradesman Charge Per Hour in the UK? (2026 Guide)
Want to quote faster? CoreQuote is a free quoting app built specifically for UK trades businesses — create professional quotes in seconds, get digital sign-off from customers, and convert to invoices with one tap. Try it free today.
