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Painters and decorators in the UK typically charge between £20 and £40 per hour for standard interior work, with exterior painting often priced slightly higher due to the equipment and conditions involved. Most professional decorators prefer to quote per job rather than by the hour for anything beyond very minor work. This post covers what a fair rate looks like, how day rates vary by region, and how to understand a professional painting quote.
What Is the Hourly Rate for a Painter in the UK?
Hourly rates for painters and decorators vary by region and level of experience. In London, rates typically run from £30 to £50 per hour. In the South East, £25 to £40 is a common range. In the Midlands, North of England, and Wales, hourly rates tend to be lower, from £20 to £35. These are labour-only rates: materials are charged separately in most cases.
Most painters and decorators do not quote by the hour for complete jobs. Charging by the room, by the day, or as a fixed price for the full scope is the standard approach, as it gives the homeowner certainty on cost and avoids disputes about how long a job took. If a decorator does quote hourly, get a realistic estimate of the total number of hours involved in writing before agreeing.
What Is a Good Day Rate for a Painter and Decorator?
Day rates for painters and decorators in the UK currently run from around £160 to £300 per day depending on region and experience. London and the South East are consistently at the top of this range. A highly experienced decorator with specialist skills, such as spray application, heritage lime painting, or complex exterior rendering, may command more than these figures.
| Region | Typical Day Rate |
|---|---|
| London | £220 to £300 |
| South East | £180 to £250 |
| Midlands | £160 to £210 |
| North of England | £150 to £200 |
For exterior painting projects, day rates are broadly the same as interior work, though the equipment required, tower scaffolding, long-handled rollers, pressure washers, and the weather-dependent nature of the work can affect how productive each day is. A good exterior decorator will build allowances for weather delays into the overall project price rather than charging you extra when conditions force a pause.
How Much Would a Painter Charge to Paint a 12×12 Room?
A 12-foot by 12-foot room is approximately 11 square metres of floor space, with around 40 to 50 square metres of wall and ceiling surface depending on ceiling height. For a straightforward two-coat repaint on sound existing paintwork, most decorators would price this job in the range of £250 to £450 for labour, which at an average day rate equates to roughly one to two days of work.
Factors that push the price higher include heavily textured or damaged walls requiring preparation work, painting woodwork and skirting as well as walls, cutting in around complex architraves, and the quality of finish required. A quick opaque repaint of a rental property in a single neutral colour is faster and cheaper than a high-quality finish on a complex room with panelling and detailed mouldings.
How Do I Understand a Painting and Decorating Quote?
A professional painting and decorating quote should set out the scope of work clearly, including which rooms or surfaces are included, what preparation is involved, the number of coats, the paint specification, and whether materials are included or charged separately. It should also note any work that is excluded, such as repairs to plasterwork or filling large cracks, so there are no surprises during the project.
For exterior work, the quote should specify the preparation process, including washing, sanding, and priming if needed, as well as the paint products to be used. Ask specifically about the condition of existing paintwork and what the decorator plans to do about any failing or flaking sections. A quote that assumes sound existing paintwork will need revisiting if significant areas are found to be failing once cleaning begins.
Painter and decorator rates in the UK are reasonably consistent within each region, and getting two or three quotes for any significant job gives you a useful comparison. Prioritise experience and a clear, written scope over the cheapest price: poorly prepared or rushed exterior painting fails early and costs more to redo than a quality job costs in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I pay a painter per hour in the UK?
Between £20 and £50 per hour depending on region and experience, with London at the top of that range. Most decorators prefer fixed-price quotes for complete jobs rather than hourly rates.
How much would a painter charge to paint a 12×12 room?
Typically £250 to £450 for labour on a straightforward repaint. More complex rooms requiring significant preparation, woodwork painting, or a high-quality finish will cost more.
What is a good day rate for a painter and decorator?
£160 to £300 per day depending on region. London is at the top of the range. Day rates for exterior painting are broadly the same as interior work.
How much do painters charge per day?
Typically £160 to £300 per day for a single painter. Higher in London and the South East. For a two-person team, multiply by two.
How do I get a painting and decorating quote?
Ask for a written quote that specifies exactly what surfaces are included, the preparation involved, the number of coats, the paint specification, and whether materials are included. Get at least two quotes for comparison.
Do painters charge for materials separately?
Often yes, particularly on larger jobs. Some decorators include materials in the total price, while others charge labour separately and invoice for materials at cost. Clarify this upfront so you can compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.
How much does exterior house painting cost in the UK?
For a standard semi-detached house, full exterior painting including preparation typically costs between £800 and £2,500 depending on size, condition, and region. Larger or more complex properties cost proportionally more.
Do painters require a deposit?
A deposit of 10 to 25 percent is standard for jobs that require materials to be purchased upfront or span several days. Avoid paying more than 50 percent before work is completed, and never pay the full amount before the job is finished.
Is it worth hiring a professional painter?
For exterior work particularly, yes. Preparation quality and weather management are skills that significantly affect how long the paint lasts. A professionally painted exterior that lasts 10 years is much better value than a budget job that needs redoing in three.
How long does exterior house painting take?
For a standard semi-detached house, a two-person team typically takes three to five days for a full exterior repaint, depending on the extent of preparation needed. Larger or more complex properties take longer.
Should I supply the paint or let the decorator buy it?
Many decorators prefer to supply materials themselves as they take responsibility for quality and suitability. If you want a specific product, discuss this upfront. Buying materials yourself can occasionally save money but shifts responsibility for any product-related issues to you.
What qualifications should a painter have?
There is no mandatory licensing for painters and decorators in the UK, but membership of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) or Decorating Federation indicates a level of professional standing. Checkatrade and Trustmark verification provides independent vetting.
Is exterior painting more expensive than interior?
Slightly, as it requires more preparation, weather-resistant products, and sometimes additional access equipment such as scaffold or tower platforms. Day rates are broadly the same, but the preparation element is more significant.
Can I negotiate a painter’s price?
On larger jobs there is sometimes room for negotiation, particularly if you are flexible on timing or have multiple areas of work to do at once. Negotiating to the point where quality is at risk is not in your interest: a repainted exterior is a multi-year investment.